Confirmation that Christmas rules will be relaxed in all four UK nations after more talks
Ministers of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have decided to stick with their original plan to loosen regulations from December 23-27, allowing people to form ‘Christmas bubbles’ in which three households can mix indoors.
All four nations have agreed to relax rules over the Christmas period – despite recent calls for them to be tightened.
Ministers of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have decided to stick with their original plan to loosen regulations from December 23-27, allowing people to form ‘Christmas bubbles’ in which different households can mix indoors.
However, according to the BBC, “the final wording of the agreement is [still] being worked on.”
The government will not reverse its decision to ease COVID-19 restrictions over the Christmas period despite the rise in cases but will instead strengthen its messaging
The UK government’s Christmas travel adviser, Sir Peter Hendy, said the public should “stay local” wherever possible.
People visiting other areas have been urged to book tickets early and ideally travel by car.
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A joint statement from the four nations is expected shortly.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
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A new little IKEA has just opened inside a Greater Manchester shopping centre
Emily Sergeant
A brand new little IKEA has just opened its doors inside a popular Greater Manchester shopping centre this week.
Of course, the Swedish furniture giant has a home in our region already, with a popular site in Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside, as well as another in neighbouring Warrington just over the border into Cheshire – but this new Greater Manchester hub is on a much smaller scale than the IKEA superstores we’re used to.
This is what the retailer is calling a ‘Plan & Order Point’.
Having opened doors in the Merseyway Shopping Centre in Stockport, the new IKEA Plan & Order Point is a smaller store dedicated to kitchen and bedroom planning, where customers can pop in for home furnishing advice and expertise to help design their ideal space at an affordable price.
IKEA says the new Stockport hub is all part of its “ongoing transformation to become more accessible and sustainable” for shoppers in the North West.
A new little IKEA has just opened inside a Greater Manchester shopping centre / Credit: Jon Super (via IKEA)
Inside the 71 sqm / 764 sqft store, you’ll find a selection of different kitchens to browse, from a complete room with a combination of different units and appliances, including oven and hob, all for under £1,200, to a kitchen with fronts featuring a foil made of recycled bottles.
On top of this, all kitchen fronts, worktops, and a variety of appliances from the wider range will also be showcased inside the store.
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When it comes to bedroom planning and design, there’s also a space dedicated to the PAX wardrobe system inside the store – with doors, interior organisers, and knobs and handles to help customers build their dream storage solution.
You can book an appointment, free of charge, inside the new Stockport store to start your design journey with one of IKEA’s planning specialists, or use the in-store self-service tools to design your own solution.
Staff will also be on hand to help customers order products from the full IKEA range – which can be delivered direct to your door, or to the nearest collection point.
It’s the Swedish furniture giant’s newest ‘Plan & Order Point’ / Credit: Jon Super (via IKEA)
“Our investment in the North West is part of our long-term plan to transform our retail business, continuing to make it easier for people to enjoy what IKEA offers using a variety of convenient ways,” explained Michael Parker, Area Manager at IKEA UK.
“The North West is a key region for us, being home to over seven million people, and also being the place that IKEA first opened a UK store, 35 years ago in Warrington.
“This new Plan and Order Point will allow customers to get inspiration and expert advice in convenient locations closer to where they live.
“Together with our existing stores in Ashton-under-Lyne and Warrington, remote planning and different delivery and collection services, we’re enabling an IKEA that’s there for our customers, however they want to meet us.”
King Charles III acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, and on the day of his Coronation, will be 74 years old – making him the oldest person to be crowned monarch in British history.
The King will be coronated alongside his wife and the Queen Consort, Camilla, in a religious ceremony held at Westminster Abbey in London – which is the same place his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II‘s Coronation was held in 1953, as was her State Funeral in September of last year.
The ceremony will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and is expected to be a more “simmered down” event in comparison to that of the late Queen’s Coronation.
You can now apply to close your road for a Coronation street party in Manchester / Credit: Rick Harrison (via Flickr)
Buckingham Palace said the Coronation will “reflect the monarch’s role today” and will “look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry” – with more details about the ceremony and celebrations on a national scale expected to be announced “in due course”.
But, on a more personal scale locally, Manchester City Council has just announced that residents in the borough can apply to close their road off so they can throw a street party.
The Council says it want residents from all over the city to “dust off the bunting and join their neighbours to celebrate the historic weekend” / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Council says it want residents from all over the city to “dust off the bunting and join their neighbours to celebrate the historic weekend” by hosting a traditional street party, and for those wishing to do so, if you make sure to submit an application by a certain deadline, then the road closure fee will be waived.
On top of this, Oldham Council has also announced that it applications are open for residents to apply for £100 grants to be put towards community street parties.
100 grants are available being awarded on a first come, first served basis.
If you're looking to host a street party to celebrate the King's Coronation in May, we have 100 grants of £100 available on a first come, first served basis. Have a chat with your neighbours and apply: https://t.co/1SEKC38H29
The deadline to apply to close a road in the borough of Manchester is Friday 21 April, and you can find out more information and submit an application via the Manchester City Council website here.
The Manc -
16th December 2020 
