Manchester

New Metrolink pass gives you unlimited journeys on all zones from Monday to Sunday

The Bee Flex Weekly basically lets you travel across all zones over 7 days while never paying more than what a seven-day travel pass costs for those zones.

The Manc The Manc - 7th September 2021

A new Metrolink capping system has been introduced in Manchester and will give commuters unlimited tram journeys from Monday to Sunday.

The new ticket option is called the Bee Flex Weekly and became available to passengers from Monday this week.

The Bee Flex Weekly basically lets you travel across all zones over 7 days while never paying more than what a seven-day travel pass costs for those zones.

According to TfGM, in order to use the system you will need to tap in and out on every journey using the same contactless card or device.

A Manchester Metrolink tram heading out of Piccadilly // TfGM

Speaking about the Bee Flex Weekly, Mayor Andy Burnham said: “Flexibility is more important than ever when it comes to using public transport.

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“We know that how and when people travel may have changed during the pandemic and we’re now at a stage where thousands of people are going back to the workplace, to educational settings or simply getting out and about more.

“Metrolink along with other transport operators have introduced a range of ticketing offers to ensure that everyone can travel flexibly and affordably.

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“The Bee Flex Weekly is a really smart offer that guarantees you will never pay more than a seven-day travel pass for your journeys.

Manchester Metrolink
Manchester Metrolink trams // Manchester for Europe

“I encourage as many of you as possible to give it a try and consider leaving the car at home.”

The Mayor wants to turn Greater Manchester into a contactless ‘Bee Network’ system by 2024 and wants as many of you involved as possible.

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Stephen Rhodes, Customer Director at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), said: “We strive to make our services as versatile and affordable as possible for all of our customers, and the Bee Flex Weekly is great news for people who use Metrolink.

“From today you can enjoy unlimited travel across the network from Monday to Sunday and be reassured that that your fares will never cost more than a weekly pass. Simply remember to touch in and out, with the same card or device, and we’ll do the rest.

“This is another step in improving our customers’ experience of living, working and travelling around Greater Manchester.”

For more information on the Bee Flex Weekly, click here.

Manchester

Plans for more than 400 affordable homes available by ‘social renting’ coming to Wythenshawe

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Plans for a slate of more than 400 new affordable homes in Wythenshawe, which will also be made available for ‘social renting’, are now said to be moving forward following the official submission of three different applications this month.

Development group and so-called ‘placemakers’, Muse, have teamed up with Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG) to deliver not just one batch of new properties but a trio of new living locations in the town centre.

More importantly, all 422 of these prospective homes will be available via social rent, i.e. low-cost housing provided and leased by local authorities and/or housing associations, which are typically aimed at those on lower incomes and facing other adversities.

While Wythenshawe has plenty of council houses and social housing already, thanks to the WCHG, these latest proposals could see thousands more Greater Manchester natives given the opportunity to be part of the area’s next big overhaul.

As per a recent press release from the team behind the project: “The plans represent the first phase of housing within the wider masterplan, which will see up to 2,000 new homes created over the next 10 to 15 years, alongside new community facilities, green spaces and places to work and socialise.

It’s also worth noting that this undertaking, which will span over the next decade and a half or so, is part of the Greater Manchester region’s overarching goal to increase the level of high-quality domesticity throughout the 10 boroughs.

Besides various other projects in different up-and-coming areas like Stockport, Strangeways, Bolton, as well as here in the city centre, the area is also being hit with a major regeneration scheme.

Subject to planning approval, Wythenshawe will see the Brotherton House, Alpha House and C2 The Birtles buildings transformed into a modern residential complex, comprising a mix of apartments and townhouses aimed at local people with “differing requirements”.

This follows other ambitious plans, including the development of a brand-new cultural hub right in the heart of the town centre. Exciting times for Wythy.

You can see the map for where the developments are in relation to each other down below.

new social housing wythenshawe town centre
Credit: Supplied

Developers have promised that homes will be affordable, high-quality and energy-efficient, “with additional outdoor and communal spaces to promote interaction, health and wellbeing”.

Brotherton House – a now abandoned former office building – will be turned into 216 new homes, including an extra care apartment building with a further 109 rooms for people in later life and those living with dementia. Find out more HERE.

Moreover, if fully green-lit when the planning permission process is completed, the overview also includes 81 apartments and 25 two and four-bedroom townhouses, plus landscaped gardens and green spaces to encourage local wildlife and nearby residents to spend more time outdoors.

Already under demolition, neighbouring Alpha House will also be flattened and rebuilt to provide 125 one- and two-bedroom apartments, including 16 wheelchair accessible homes.

Meanwhile, the venue currently known as C2 The Birtles (next to the old market square), which holds existing retail and office spaces, will be replaced with around 81 one and two-beds, along with a new ground-floor retail space to complement the wider Civic offering.

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Local councillor and leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, said of the plans: “Delivering truly affordable homes – with a focus on social rent housing – was one of our key priorities when we set out the vision for the long-term transformation of Civic.

“The town centre is the beating heart of this community, and that means building homes that are affordable to as many people as possible, creating a long-term sustainable community of people who are proud of where they live.

“These planning applications represent an exciting milestone for Wythenshawe – and it’s great to be working alongside Wythenshawe Community Housing Group to realise these important developments.”

As for WCHG, their executive director, Andrea Lowman, added: “We’re delighted to see the first phase of new homes progressing, marking a major step forward in delivering the high-quality, affordable housing that local people have told us they need.

“This phase will bring forward homes that support residents at every stage of life, creating a strong foundation for a vibrant, sustainable town centre that meets the needs of our communities now and in the future.”

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Greater Manchester reveals £11.7m plan to tackle empty homes across the region

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Wythenshawe Community Housing Group/Muse (supplied)

Manchester

Rising Manchester band M60 announce biggest UK headline tour to date

Danny Jones Danny Jones M60 Manchester live gig date tickets

Local lads M60 have announced their biggest UK headline tour yet, and are now only set to play their lengthiest run of live dates, but the largest Manchester gig they’ve played so far.

There’s nothing quite like a hometown crowd, is there?

For those who may not have yet come across them before, the Manc indie band have had a good couple of years, releasing some of their best-produced music to date and growing an even bigger following up and down the country.

If you’ve been to see M60 live here in Manchester, you’ll know they already bring a die-hard crowd of deeply loyal and passionate fans. They’re also the band that famously and successfully pestered Gary Neville every day to give them a shout-out for the best part of a year…

Revealing the latest series of shows to start off December, M60 have confirmed nearly a dozen gig dates in the new year.

Scheduled to get underway next spring, they’ll be playing throughout the month of April and into May 2026; official support act(s) are yet to be signed up, but you can expect more native talent to share in the spotlight.

You can see the full list of gigs announced down below.

M60 live tour dates – 2026

Oh, and we’ve also kindly highlighted the other Northern dates for you, just in case you can’t make it to the Manc one.

  • Thursday, 9 April – Liverpool District
  • Friday, 10 April – Sheffield Foundry
  • Saturday, 11 April – Leeds Key Club
  • Thursday, 16 April – Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
  • Friday, 17 April – London Oslo
  • Saturday, 18 April – Bristol Thekla
  • Thursday, 23 April – Birmingham Mama Roux’s
  • Friday, 24 April – Nottingham Rescue Rooms
  • Saturday, 25 April – Manchester O2 Ritz
  • Friday, 1 May – Glasgow Nice N Sleazy
  • Saturday, 2 May – Newcastle The Grove
Music video budget be damned, it’s still a good tune.

Having released their latest single ‘Lemonade’, along with a rather fitting new brand logo, the group are looking to kick on in 2026.

With new lead guitarist, Owen Baldwin, joining the quartet earlier this year, not to mention having played big festival slots at the likes of Kendal Calling, Neighbourhood and more this past summer, we have every faith they will.

Tickets for their huge homecoming performance at O2 Ritz in Manchester on Saturday, 25 April 2026, go on general sale this Friday, 5 December at 10am.

You can get ready to grab yours HERE.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Audio North/Press shot (supplied)

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