Swanky Manchester aparthotel Native has announced it will give away 222 rooms for free this year to mark 2022.
Situated in a converted warehouse just a stone’s throw from the Northern Quarter and Manchester Piccadilly rail station, Native is one of the leading lifestyle aparthotels in the UK.
Known for its stylish, spacious and dog-friendly accommodation spanning lofts, studios and duplex penthouses, the complex features 166 individually designed large self-contained luxury apartments with a separately-operated bar, mini cinema and restaurant below.
Image: Native
Already incredibly popular with the Northern Quarter and Ancoats crowd, now the hotel group has announced details of a year-long room giveaway – in addition to 20% off room discounts, 50% food and an invite for kids to eat for free during holidays.*
Launching on 22 February, Native Manchester will begin the giveaway this month with 22 free rooms.
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More free accommodation will be up for grabs throughout the year as the hotel group celebrates different occasions.
During the Queen’s jubilee, for example, the hotel plans to make 70 rooms available to commemorate her 70th anniversary as monarch.
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In order to get your hands on a free room, you’ll have to sign up to the ‘Be Native’ community where users can unlock special offers, such as prizes and discounts by playing quirky games.
The offers you can redeem are valid on stays across all Native Places aparthotels in the UK, as well as dining offers at Manchester Native only.
Native Places’ locations beyond Manchester include London, Glasgow an Edinburgh, spanning a total of six unique aparthotels across the UK.
Just like the site in Manchester, each breathes new life into an historic building, be that a historical estate, the former home of the Anchor Line shipping company with original features dating to 1906, or a converted tea warehouse.
Image: Native
Native Manchester at Ducie Street Warehouse is one of the only places in Manchester to offer leisure staycations with large self-contained luxury apartments offering a truly home from home stay.
Native Manchester is an award-winning aparthotel that features 166 individually designed apartments, including studios, loft apartments and eight duplex penthouses with private terraces offering panoramic views across the city.
*Terms and conditions apply.
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England football fans warned as ticket scams skyrocket ahead of World Cup
Emily Sergeant
England football fans are being warned to remain vigilant, as ticket scams skyrocket ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup merely weeks from officially kicking off in the North America and Mexico on 11 June, football fans are being urged to guard against scams, as newly-released data from Lloyds has revealed that football ticket scams increased by more than a third (36%) during the current Premier League season.
The findings – which are based on thousands of scam cases between October 2025 and March 2026 – showed that fraudsters focused heavily on popular teams such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea.
Fraudsters also repeatedly targeted supporters looking for tickets to some of the most in-demand football matches in the UK, which is why, with the upcoming World Cup set to be one of the most speculated sporting events of the year, scam warnings are being issued.
It’s anticipated that fraudsters will target the big-name fixtures and attempt to exploit international demand, according to Lloyds.
England football fans are being warned as ticket scams skyrocket ahead of the World Cup / Credit: Picryl
On average, it was revealed that victims lost £215 during the current Premier League football season, but some fans even paid thousands of pounds for ‘season tickets’ or VIP seats that never existed.
Hopeful football fans are expected to pay much more for expensive World Cup tickets, meaning the potential loss for victims could be ‘devastating’.
As scammers know demand for World Cup tickets will be huge, it’s expected that they will mimic the methods seen in club level scams – including fake listings on social media, pressure to act fast, and requests for bank transfers.
“Fraudsters thrive on urgency and target fans looking for hard to get tickets for big name fixtures,” explained Liz Ziegler, who is the Fraud Prevention Director at Lloyds.
“Most of the football ticket scams we see start on social media, before the criminal moves the buyer onto WhatsApp and insists on a bank transfer to pay. It’s incredibly convincing, and we don’t want fans to lose their money trying to support their team.
“We’re urging supporters to stay alert and stick to official ticketing channels.”
Ahead of the World Cup, Lloyds and the Home Office have teamed up to take action to protect fans by highlighting how criminals will try to exploit the excitement – with Lord Hanson adding: “Our new fraud strategy sets out how we will use every tool at our disposal to disrupt and dismantle criminal operations, bring fraudsters to justice and strengthen support for victims.”
Featured Image – Pexels
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Cold case solved after 34 years as Stockport man is jailed for indecent assault and attempted rape
Emily Sergeant
A cold case has finally been solved after more than three decades, as a man has been jailed for indecent assault and attempted rape.
Aron Traynor, 56, of London Road in Stockport, was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court last Friday (8 May 2026) for the violent indecent assault and attempted rape of a then 74-year-old woman all the way back in 1992.
The conviction follows a renewed cold case investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Cold Case Unit, as well as advances in forensic science that allowed the evidence to be re‑examined.
The victim – who has sadly since passed away – was attacked by a stranger while walking near her home.
Despite extensive forensic work at the time, no suspect was identified, and the case remained under ‘active review’. Then in 2005, the Cold Case Unit commissioned further forensic analysis, producing a near‑complete DNA profile that was added to the National DNA Database… unfortunately though, no match was found at that time.
A breakthrough came when a DNA sample taken from Traynor following an unrelated arrest for drink-driving in August 2023 matched the profile developed by the Cold Case Unit, finally bringing long‑awaited justice for the victim’s family.
In October 2023, the Cold Case Unit was formally notified of the DNA match, and Traynor was arrested shortly afterwards.
A five‑day jury trial in March 2026 found him guilty on both charges, and last week, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Speaking following Traynor’s sentencing last week, Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hughes said: “Time is quite simply no barrier to justice.
“Today’s sentencing shows that we never close investigations into serious violent or sexual offences. DNA is crucial, but it’s the painstaking work of our officers – revisiting evidence, tracing witnesses, and rebuilding the investigative picture – that ultimately brings offenders to justice.
“Offenders should be in no doubt that forensic science continues to advance, and every interaction they have with the criminal justice system increases the chance of their crimes being uncovered.”
Georgina Pellant -
18th February 2022 
