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Avanti West Coast Pride Train – with all LGBTQ+ staff – arrives at Manchester Piccadilly

Wrapped in the Pride flag, this Pendolino made history when it departed London Euston just after 9:25am - becoming the first Avanti train to sport the famous rainbow colours.

The Manc The Manc - 25th August 2020
Avanti West Coast

An incredible multicoloured train pulled into Manchester on Tuesday (25 August) – signalling the arrival of the first ever Pride Train staffed entirely by an LGBTQ+ crew. 

Public transport operator Avanti West Coast launched the service in a bid to support LGBTQ+ groups following the cancellation of many key events in the community – including Pride Festival in Manchester.

Wrapped in the multicoloured Pride flag, the train made history when it departed London Euston just after 9:25am – becoming the first Avanti Pendolino to sport the famous rainbow colours.

The 11-carriage, 265 metre-long train – which was designed to promote diversity and create a ‘Pride experience’ – completed its journey at Manchester Piccadilly just after 11am.

Avanti West Coast Executive Director of Commercial, Sarah Copley, said: “I’m delighted to be launching our new Avanti West Coast Pride Train which represents everyone in the LGBTQ+ community.

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“It is a symbol of our commitment to diversity and inclusion as it travels up and down the West Coast Main Line. We Live Proud 365 days a year, not just today.

“I am so proud to be a part of a business where our people represent the communities we serve. We are always listening to our people and customers to ensure our diversity and inclusion strategy is relevant.

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“Our new train livery is a powerful example of keeping the conversation going”.

Watch the full video of the Pride Train arriving at Piccadilly online.

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NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani gives thoughts on Andy Burnham running for Prime Minister

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, has given his thoughts on Andy Burnham’s intention to run for Prime Minister.

In case you missed it, after it was announced last Friday that Andy Burnham had clinched the victory in the crucial Makerfield by-election, winning 24,927 votes (54.8% vote share) and a majority of 9,231, he then went onto announcing his intentions to run for Labour Party leader, and therefore Prime Minister, after Keir Starmer confirmed he would be stepping down.

Greater Manchester‘s next Mayoral Election has also been announced, given that Burnham is now not eligible to stay in the role – with the date set for Thursday 30 July and candidates frequently being announced.

Talk of Burnham’s chances of running the country have been around for months now, but have ramped up considerably over the past week of course in the wake of his by-election win.

Andy Burnham officially announces his intention to run for Prime Minister

It’s fair to say that for much of Andy Burnham’s time as Mayor of Greater Manchester, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was up there as one the most famous Mayors in the world… but over the past year, he’s arguably had to hand that unofficial title over to Zohran Mamdani, the current Mayor of New York City.

Mamdani is considered to be a democratic socialist, and campaigned for things like progressive, affordability-focused platform, supporting fare-free city buses, universal child care, city-owned grocery stores, a rent freeze on rent-stabilised units, additional affordable housing units, and a $30 minimum wage by 2030. 

He has also expressed support for LGBTQ+ rights, comprehensive public safety reform, and tax increases on corporations and those earning above $1 million annually.

Mamdani was elected Mayor of New York City last October, and was officially sworn in on New Year’s Day at the start of this year.

Since then, he has successfully – very successfully, in fact – made a name for himself around the world, and has even managed to deliver on a good chunk of what he set out to do in his campaign, seeing many calls for him to become President one day.

Oh, and he’s also a massive (and very knowledgeable) football fan – an Arsensal fan, to be precise, but football in general really.

Appearing on BBC’s Football Daily podcast this week to talk about his love of the sport as the US currently hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mamdani was also asked to give his thoughts on Andy Burnham and his upcoming run to be Prime Minister.

“I don’t think anything comes with ease at that kind of a level,” Mamdani started out in response to host Mark Chapman’s question.

“I do think they are very important skills because many people have lost faith in Government, the place they earn that faith back, they decide to trust again, is at the most local level. That’s where they see what it’s like to have a Government that delivers for them.

“And if you’re able to respond to people, whether it’s in Greater Manchester or New York City, it is at the heart of what people are looking for for any kind of politics.

“So I wish him well.”

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Mamdani then closed out his thoughts by questioning: “I don’t think he’s an Arsenal supporter though?” and when the hosts clarified that Burnham is an Everton fan, Mamdani responded: “Well at least you can respect that someone has suffered.”

He concluded: “No but like, I like it when I meet someone who’s a fan of a team that hasn’t just won and won and won.”

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

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Trendy Ancoats wine bar Blossom Street Social to close after six years

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Blossom Street Social

Trendy neighbourhood wine bar Blossom Street Social has announced its closure after nearly seven years serving the Ancoats community.

Blossom Street Social first opened its doors back in 2019, just months before the country – and the res of the world – was plunged into the COVID-19 lockdowns, but despite all the challenges during the early days, this wine bar went on to become a true staple of Ancoats life – hosting events, exhibitions, wine tastings, and everything in between.

But now, the owners have had to make the heartbreaking decision to close, saying they’ve ‘danced our last dance, played our last record, and poured our last glass of wine in Ancoats.’

Announcing the news in a statement to social media this week, Blossom Street Social said: “Blossom Street Social closes its doors after six and a half years at the heart of the Ancoats community.

Blossom Street Social has announced its closure after six years / Credit: The Manc Group

“When we opened in 2019, just months before the world changed forever, we couldn’t possibly have imagined the journey ahead. Through lockdowns, uncertainty and everything that followed, we somehow managed to build something that became far more than a wine bar.

“Wine was always at the heart of what we did, but so were the conversations, the music, the art and the community that grew around it.

“We’ve hosted tastings, exhibitions, launches, celebrations, social sessions and countless memorable nights. We’ve introduced people to wines they’d never tried before, watched friendships form and shared in some truly special moments.

“We’ve watched first dates become engagements, engagements become marriages, and couples return with babies in tow. We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, new homes and countless milestones alongside you. We’ve shared conversations, laughter, music and moments that mattered from our little corner of Ancoats. We will never forget them.”

The team then went on to thank ‘every customer, artist, DJ, supplier, collaborator and friend’ who became part of their story.

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The owners also gave a special thank you to the staff members who stayed ‘to the very end’ and ‘showed up when it was hard’, admitting that they couldn’t have done it without them all.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

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