Manchester

Mum of missing Wythenshawe lad issues heartfelt plea for his return

Anyone with information about John's whereabouts is asked to contact police.

The Manc The Manc - 24th August 2021

The mum of a missing 26-year-old lad from Wythenshawe has issued a heartfelt plea for his return.

John Winterton, 26, was last seen about 3am on Wednesday 18 August on Sale Road.

John is described as a white male; around 5 ft 8 to 6 ft tall, of medium build with brown short hair.

He was last seen wearing khaki green work pants with a rip on the right leg, dark brown Stanley work boots, white top with writing, a navy blue hoodless jacket and a black cap.

He has a tattoo on his right forearm of a clock and roses and a tattoo on his left upper arm of a tiger.

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https://twitter.com/gmpolice/status/1430130548324945942

In a heartfelt appeal for his return, John’s mother Debbie said: “John if you’re reading this then please come home. My heart is breaking.

“Whatever it is you’re worried about, we will support you. We want you to be happy and safe. When you’re back home, I promise I’ll take you to the caravan in Anglesey, you can spend as long as you want there, you can teach me how to fish and we can spend some time together.

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“Even if you don’t want to come home right now then that’s ok, but please, just get in contact with someone to let us know you’re ok. We all love and miss you son.

“If anyone reading this knows of any information that might help us find our John, please get in touch. Anything, however small, might lead us to getting our boy back safe. We just need our son, brother and uncle home.

“If you know anything at all, please contact the police. “

Anyone with information about John’s whereabouts is asked to contact police on 0161 856 6033, 101 or via the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.

Manchester

A build-your-own banana pudding bar is opening in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Buttercup is opening a build-you-own banana pudding bar in Manchester

Manchester’s now-viral banana pudding brand, Buttercup, is opening its first permanent spot – with a build-you-own pudding bar.

The local business has brought banana pudding – a dessert made world-famous by the Magnolia Bakery in New York City – to our city.

And now Buttercup is making things permanent, opening a banana pudding bar at Deansgate Square where you can customise your perfect pot of this nostalgic dessert.

Each pot comes with a base of vanilla custard whipped with cream, soft sponge, and fresh banana, which you can then customise with rotating flavours and toppings (previous signatures have included brown butter Biscoff, matcha and white chocolate, and tiramisu).

Expect toppings like homemade cookie crumb, brownie bites, chocolate chips, and pretzels, and drizzles like cinnamon honey, raspberry, and pistachio.

This cult dessert spot will be taking on a permanent residence at General Store Deansgate Square, in partnership with HUBB Coffee.

It’s the first permanent home for Buttercup since founder, 22-year-old Natasha Black, launched the idea from home in July 2025.

A build-your-own banana pudding pot from Buttercup
A build-your-own banana pudding pot from Buttercup. Credit: The Manc Group
Buttercup founder Natasha Black at a recent pop-up
Buttercup founder Natasha Black at a recent pop-up. Credit: The Manc Group

Since its inception, Buttercup has sold thousands of banana puddings around Greater Manchester, hosted sell-out pop-ups, and collaborated with big local brands.

Classic puddings will start at £5.50, with rotating flavours at £6, and toppings from 50p. There’ll also be a range of other homemade bakes.

To celebrate the launch, Buttercup and HUBB will be offering free classic banana puddings to the first 20 customers on Saturday 6 December from 12pm, followed by a special £5 combo deal offering a pot of classic banana pudding paired with HUBB’s banana latte, running until 3pm.

Natasha Black, Buttercup founder, said: “This residency feels like the perfect next step for Buttercup. I’ve been absolutely blown away by the response to our banana pudding in just three months and wanted to give our customers a regular spot to enjoy it.

“General Store and HUBB have created such an amazing, supportive space for independents and I’m so excited for people to build their own pudding pots and try all the new flavours we’ve been working on.”

Mital Morar, founder of General Store, also commented: “Buttercup has been a standout example of the collaborations we love to support. Their rapid growth and loyal following have been incredible to see.

Buttercup banana pudding pots
Buttercup banana pudding pots. Credit: The Manc Group
Buttercup banana pudding pots
Buttercup banana pudding pots. Credit: The Manc Group

“We’re delighted to welcome them in-house alongside HUBB Coffee as a permanent fixture. Natasha and her team bring real creativity and commitment, and we’re excited to work with them through Christmas and into the New Year.”

Dean Hans, Co-founder of HUBB Coffee also comments: “We’ve had a fantastic introduction to Manchester since launching our coffee bar in September. Teaming up with Buttercup strengthens the whole concept – it allows us to focus on what we do best: delivering top-quality coffee, matcha, and beverages, while Buttercup shines on the sweet-treats and pudding side.

“Bringing the two brands together just makes sense, and we’re excited to explore the mash-ups we can create between our coffee and Buttercup’s pudding range.”

The residency will open 12pm-7pm at General Store Deansgate Square, opening on Wednesday 3 December.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Manchester

More Metrolink disruption expected as further tram strikes have been scheduled

Danny Jones Danny Jones More tram strikes Manchester dates

Further disruption to the Bee Network is now expected during an already full-on time of year, as more Metrolink tram strikes have been scheduled over the festive period.

Three more, to be specific.

A series of strikes by Metrolink workers have already taken place this season over concerns not regarding pay, specifically, but rather the current schedules and subsequent safety risks.

Put in the simplest terms, members of Unite the Union have said: “The dispute is over driver fatigue and fears that their shift patterns and lack of rest breaks are putting them and passengers at risk.”

As a result, they have now pencilled in protests on 19, 20 and 31 December, holding walkouts from their usual timetable.

tram strike dates manchester city centre
A largely empty St Peter’s Square tram stop is a fairly rare sight to see. (Credit: The Manc)

In addition to the other pair of strikes planned for this coming weekend (5-7 Dec), the latest trio have been specifically timed in and around key dates on the city’s calendar.

As well as the return of Manchester’s firework display on St. Peter’s Square, the walk-outs will also coincide with a Manchester City fixture at the Etihad Stadium, as well as notable live music gigs like Jools Holland and Manc band, Doves.

Naturally, tens upon tens of thousands are set to use the Bee Network and trams, in particular, to travel to these events – reiterating just how important properly investing and staffing the Metrolink and other arms of Manchester’s public transport service is.

The most recent update from the union continues: “Unite has repeatedly raised issues with management, but has been told there is no funding available for improvements to working patterns.”

Their General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said as part of the most recent statement: “Driver fatigue is a serious problem. Our members are raising serious concerns about their and their passengers’ safety, but Metrolink management is burying its head in the sand.

“Management must sort this problem out once and for all. It can’t try to fob drivers off by putting profits before safety.”

Here are some of the scenes from the demonstrations earlier this year:

Union members have also clarified their position surrounding ‘fatigue’; it isn’t just the fear of possible risks in operating a tram whilst being “exhausted”, but both the wider mental and physical toll that working the current shift patterns has on workers.

One driver quoted as saying: “My colleagues are tired, but the fatigue is also giving them cold-like symptoms and many have been going off sick with stress, which adds to problems with staffing levels.”

So, if you’re planning on using the Metrolink this holiday season when travelling around for Christmas shopping or even just going home, make sure to keep the strike dates in mind.

Elsewhere, the Bee Network has also provided more information on the designs to bring tram lines to Stockport town centre. Read more down below.

The vision to bring trams to Stockport takes a step forward with plans to use underused railway line
It could be huge for the borough.

Read more:

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Featured Images — David Dixon (via Geograph)/The Manc Group

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