In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Sir Richard said he wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren, adding: “I don’t want to do 60-hour weeks and 12-hour days.”
Driven by Labour values and commitment to his city, @SirRichardLeese has been a phenomenal council leader and a credit to Manchester. He’s shown what Labour in power can deliver. We’re all grateful to him for what he’s achieved and I wish him all the best for the future. https://t.co/77QaRTCPjn
The former teacher and youth worker has been part of Manchester city council since 1984, and at its helm since May 1996 – just one month before the IRA bombing at the Arndale.
In the immediate wake of the bombing, Sir Richard was a driving force behind Manchester’s restoration. This, among many other things, is what led to his knighthood in 2006.
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In May 2017, he was appointed deputy mayor of Greater Manchester under the leadership of Andy Burnham and in that same month, together with Andy, led the city through the horrific period following the Manchester Arena attack.
Announcing his resignation, he said his “commitment to the city and the city region remains undiminished”.
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“It has been an enormous privilege to serve the people of Manchester over this period of time and my heartfelt thanks goes to the thousands of people who have worked with us over the last 25 years.”
Mayor Andy Burnham also posted, stating: “PMs apart, it’s hard to think of a politician on local or national stage who’s made more of a real-world impact than Richard Leese.
“Manchester is today a city transformed from the one of my youth and Greater Manchester is immeasurably stronger. From us all, Richard – thank you.”
Manchester
Manchester United officially launch second Adidas fashion collab with The Stone Roses
Danny Jones
After several weeks of teasers, the latest fashion collab between Adidas, Manchester United and The Stone Roses has officially revealed.
We have no doubt this one will be lapped up just as quickly as the first.
Following images of the new Stone Roses x Man United kit and the focal point of this new collection being leaked online earlier this month, the second drop by Adidas has now been unveiled in full.
Releasing another stylistic video to the tune of the legendary Manc band’s famous anthem, ‘I Wanna Be Adored’, players both past and present from the men’s and women’s team star in the launch video.
As you can see, not only did the players get involved with the shoot as expected, but the clip also includes a snippet of archive footage featuring a young Ian Brown in a short but profound talking head.
The Stone Roses frontman, and indeed other members of the band, have never made their love of United a secret – none more so than the late, great Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield – and the supporters have also shared plenty of it back.
Be it through ‘This Is The One’ being chosen by Gary Neville as the official walk-out song at Old Trafford and various chants sung to Stone Roses tunes, to the previous collab back in February 2024, the two iconic cultural brands pretty much go hand in hand.
Besides the next multi-coloured paint-splashed shirt, which leaked first, as well as a new bucket hat (again, very era appropriate), there are scarves, a graphic design t-shirt, two sets of shorts and even two different pairs of shoes.
Images of the white Stone Roses trainers also popped up in leaks across various Man United fan accounts on social media, but few had seen the black ZX 600 Adidas trainers until now.
What do you make of the latest batch of lifestyle fashion from the club?
Meanwhile, with just days left in the transfer window, it remains to be seen whether new interim manager Michael Carrick will be rewarded for his first two wins against the top two in the league with any reinforcements before the end of January – but there are some rumblings…
Featured Images — Manchester United FC/Adidas/The Stone Roses
Manchester
The best restaurants and bars in Manchester have been named at the MFDF Awards 2025
Daisy Jackson
The winners of this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards have been named, in a night of celebration of our city’s hospitality scene.
The prestigious awards have highlighted 18 winners across Greater Manchester tonight, including the best restaurant, chef, newcomer, bar, and loads more.
In a glittering ceremony held at New Century, hundreds of hospitality insiders gathered together to toast one another and to celebrate another year of brilliant work.
The MFDF Awards, sponsored by Therme Manchester, had a whopping 130 nominees this year, with categories that recognise both the businesses and the talented individuals who shape the region’s culinary scene.
Therme Manchester will be a huge wellbeing destination with pools, saunas, waterslides, and wellbeing therapies – and they’ve sponsored the new Community Food and Drink Project of the Year, which recognises initiatives making a real difference in Greater Manchester.
The winners of this award will receive a £1000 funding boost from Therme, as well as a further £2000 to kick off a joint legacy project.
The awards were handed out based on a combination of public votes, and anonymous visits by a judging panel made up of food and drink experts, writers, and critics.
Alexa Stratton-Powell, Awards Director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards commented: “We’re incredibly proud to announce this year’s winners, who together represent the excellence, creativity and resilience of Greater Manchester’s hospitality sector.
“At a time when the industry continues to face tough head winds, it’s more important than ever to recognise and celebrate the people and venues doing exceptional work every day.
“We’re hugely grateful to Therme for their support of the awards, and for backing a sector that plays such a vital role in the life of the city. Manchester continues to lead the way as one of the world’s most exciting food destinations, and we hope this year’s winners and nominees inspire food lovers to go out and support the brilliant venues right on their doorstep.”
Ben Dutson, Head of Food Operations at Therme RPC, added: “We’re delighted to have sponsored this year’s awards and play a part in supporting and celebrating the brilliant food and drink businesses that make Manchester such a phenomenal place.
“It’s been fantastic to also recognise those incredible organisations that give back to the community with our brand new award – we’re looking forward to working with the winner and creating an ongoing legacy.
“Therme is all about living well and having fun – and making wellness more accessible for the community, so I can’t think of a better way of embodying that than by supporting all the great businesses and community groups that we have recognised tonight.”
All the winners in the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2025
Affordable Eats Venue of the Year
WINNER: Double Zero
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Noodle Alley, Pho Cue, Cafe Sanjuan, Hong Thai, Seoul Kimchi, Wow Báhn Mì, Rabbie’s Thai
Takeaway of the Year
WINNER: This & That
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Ceresis, Ad Maiora, Home Chinese, Viet Deli, Pancho’s Burritos, Rack, Mughli Charcoal Pit
Café or Coffee Shop of the Year
WINNER: Something More Productive
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Cafe Sanjuan, Oscillate Coffee, Federal Cafe Bar, Just Between Friends Coffee, Sipp Coffee, à bloc, The Old Fire Station Bakery
Double ZeroRackPollen
Wine offering of the Year (new for 2025)
WINNER: Flawd Wine
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Ad Hoc, Higher Ground, The Beeswing, Salut Wines, Reserve Wines, Where the Light Gets In, Kerb
Food Trader of the Year
WINNER: Rack
SHORTLISTED VENUES: The Little Sri Lankan, House of Habesha, Baity, Rita’s Reign, Taiko Ramen, Thatziki, Little Scarfs
Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year
WINNER: Stockport
SHORTLISTED NEIGHBOURHOODS: Urmston, Levenshulme, Chorlton, Monton, Salford, Altrincham, Sale
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Independent Drink Producer of the Year
WINNER: Track Brewing Co
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Balance Brewing & Blending, Pod Pea Vodka, Stiff Tea Brewing Company, Sureshot Brewing, Runaway Brewery, Seven Bro7hers, Weekend Project Brewing Co
The PearlStretford CanteenStow
Independent Food Producer of the Year
WINNER: Pollen Bakery
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Long Boi’s Bakehouse, Holy Grain Sourdough, Littlewoods Butchers, Lily’s Vegetarian Indian Cuisine, Wong Wong Bakery, Half Dozen Other, Mayya Bakery
Neighbourhood Venue of the Year
WINNER: Stretford Canteen
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SHORTLISTED VENUES: Fold Bistro & Bottle Shop, The Pearl, Lupo, Cantaloupe, Tawny Stores, The Perfect Match, Gladstone Barber and Bistro
Pub or Beer Bar of the Year
WINNER: The Marble Arch
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Victoria Tap, Runaway Brewery, City Arms, The Magnet Freehouse, Café Beermoth, North Westward Ho, Track Taproom
Great Service Award
WINNER: Maray
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Tast Catala, Atomeca, Higher Ground, Adam Reid at The French, Federal Cafe Bar, Blacklock Manchester, Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar
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Low or No Offering of the Year (new for 2025)
WINNER: Nell’s Pizza
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Cloudwater Brew Co, Dishoom, Red Light, Blinker Bar, Hinterland, Lina Stores, Speak in Code
Bar of the Year
WINNER: Speak In Code
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Stray, Schofield’s Bar, Red Light, Pray Tell, Renae, Libero, Flawd Wine
Newcomer of the Year
WINNER: Stow
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SHORTLISTED VENUES: Cantaloupe, Bangkok Diners Club, Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar, Café Continental, Winsome, Royal Nawaab Pyramid, Kung Fu Noodle
Chef of the Year
WINNER: Matt Bennett (The Pearl)
SHORTLISTED NAMES: Rosie Maguire (Higher Ground), Shaun Moffat (Winsome), Adam Reid (Adam Reid at The French), Mary-Ellen McTague (Pip), Patrick Withington (Erst), Jamie Pickles (Stow), Jack Fields (Restaurant Orme)
Restaurant of the Year
WINNER: Skof
SHORTLISTED VENUES: mana, Adam Reid At The French, Winsome, Higher Ground, Stow, Erst, Cantaloupe
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Community Food & Drink Project of the Year (sponsored by Therme)
WINNER: Platt Fields Market Garden
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement
The Manc -
8th September 2021 
