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Ex-Salford rugby player and Andy’s Man Club co-founder receives special honour from University of Bradford

Helping change the stigma around men's mental health one step at a time.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 22nd July 2024

Ex-Salford rugby player, motivational speaker and health coach Luke Ambler has been given a special honour for his work with the men’s mental health organisation, Andy’s Man Club.

The former rugby league athlete and Ireland international – whose career started out at Salford City Reds before moving on to Leeds Rhinos, York, Harlequins and Halifax – set up Andy’s Man Club in 2016 after the loss of his brother to suicide, with the vital support group and charity growing massively since then.

Now hosting more than 4,500 men at over 190 different regional support groups across the country every week, including several here in Greater Manchester – one over at Etihad being the most recent – the non-profit has become a vital resource for men in the UK and only keeps spreading further.

As a result of his incredible dedication towards men’s mental health and suicide prevention, the 34-year-old was presented with a special award from the University of Bradford last week.

As reported by The Hoot, Ambler received an outstanding contribution award from Bradford Uni on Tuesday, 16 July, being presented with the accolade during their ongoing summer graduation.

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In typically humble fashion, he dedicated the honour to everyone but himself: “To all my team; my parents, my kids, my family, friends, staff and volunteers thank you – none of us do it alone.

“Thank you also to all of you who have supported us and continue to do so thank you.”

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Speaking to the BBC, he went on to add: “It’s amazing to look back on how far it has come… I don’t want to put a limit on it – we really want to help more men and find out why people get into such dark places.”

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Male mental health continues to be a hugely overlooked and pressing issue and the impact of organisations like Luke’s cannot be overstated, having not only provided an all-important outlet but also raised huge funds and awareness for the cause.

Meeting every Monday at 7pm, Andy’s Man Club is all about creating a safe space for men to open up about the storms affecting their lives in a safe, judgement-free and non-clinical environment. You can find your nearest location HERE.

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Well done from all of us at The Manc Group, Luke. You can watch the presentation and his acceptance speech in full down below.

#ITSOKAYTOTALK

What a lovely way to honour the Andy’s Man Club co-creator.

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

Featured Images — Luke Ambler

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Glitzy Spinningfields bar famed for its bottomless deals shuts down

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Banyan in Spinningfields has shut down

Popular cocktail bar group Banyan has suddenly closed its glitzy bar in the heart of Spinningfields.

The restaurant and bar, which is part of the Arc Inspirations group that also operates Manahatta and Box, has shut down with immediate effect.

A sign has been posted in the window of the Spinningfields site of Banyan confirming its closure.

Banyan opened in 2018 and was the second site for the brand, which has been operating out of the Corn Exchange since 2015.

Inside, the huge 7,000sq ft space was split into spaces for drinking, dining and dancing, including a large mezzanine and a huge white marble bar.

Banyan is famed for its bottomless deals, whether that’s a classic bottomless brunch or their bottomless Sunday roast (endless Yorkshire puddings, gravy, wine, and roast potatoes).

It also offered two-for-one cocktails, all day every day.

The bar stands on the side of Spinningfields, directly opposite The Ivy and alongside The Alchemist.

Banyan in Spinningfields has shut down
Banyan in Spinningfields has shut down
The note in the window of Banyan
The note in the window of Banyan

But now it has permanently closed its doors, thanking people for their custom over its almost-decade in Manchester.

The sign on the door says: “Banyan Spinningfields is now permanently closed.

“Thank you so much for your custom over the years, we’ve loved being part of this wonderful city and have made so many friends.

“Don’t be a stranger, we’d love to continue to welcome you to our Banyan bar in the Corn Exchange. Team Banyan.”

Banyan continues to operate at the Corn Exchange.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Council seized £4.3m worth of counterfeit goods from Manchester’s streets in 2025

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Cheetham Hill Raids

A whopping £4.3 million of counterfeit goods were seized from Manchester’s streets in 2025, the Council has revealed.

Now that 2025 has come to end, Manchester City Council has announced that its Trading Standards Team seized and destroyed more than 43,500 counterfeit items in the last year – ranging from everything like fake handbags, trainers, and jewellery, to electronic items, sportswear, children’s toys, sunglasses, and much more.

Through ‘exemplary partnership work’ with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the Council says this criminal industry has taken a ‘substantial hit’ over the past 12 months. 

It’s also estimated that the goods seized would have lost the industry up to £43 million.

Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, who is the Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council, said the Council hopes this action ‘sends a message that we will not tolerate this harmful trade.’

Rochdale counterfeit goods
The Council seized £4.3m worth of counterfeit goods from Manchester’s streets in 2025 / Credit: GMP

“The counterfeit industry was substantially embedded in our communities, but through their diligence and the support of our valued partners we have driven away some of the worst offenders and are beginning the process of regenerating the areas of Manchester that were long blighted by this sort of crime,” she added.

It’s not just counterfeit goods that’ve been targeted either, as a substantial push was also made throughout the year to crack-down on the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco.

In total, 316,625 cigarettes – which is equivalent to nearly 16,000 individual packs – were seized by the Council and police.

258kg of hand rolling tobacco was also seized, as well as more than 18,000 illegal vapes that don’t comply with UK laws or regulations. 

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Detective Chief Inspector Melanie Johnson, who is the lead coordinator of Operation Machinize for GMP, says the police takes any information it receives about counterfeit trading ‘very seriously’.

“We will continue to investigate all aspects of this criminality to protect our communities from the harms of illegal products.”

Featured Image – GMP

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