A warning has been issued to those planning on hitting the town for a Mad Friday night out in Manchester city centre.
Mad Friday – the nickname given to the last Friday in December before Christmas eve – is always known as the most popular night for end-of-year Christmas parties, which inevitably makes it one of the busiest nights of the year in Manchester city centre, and for ambulances and the police service too.
But this year, just the same as last, things are set to look a lot different.
This year’s Mad Friday comes the day after the UK recorded the highest number of new COVID cases since the start of the pandemic at 88,376.
It too comes after the UK government has now introduced all ‘Plan B’ measures in England in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus, and it also comes amid an ongoing conversation around the hardships once again being faced by the hospitality sector and the question of “where is the Chancellor?”, as pubs and restaurants in Greater Manchester and right across the UK are hit by a surge of cancelled bookings in the lead-up to and at Christmas.
Yet, despite all of this, the message from one Councillor to clubbers and partygoers heading to Manchester city centre tonight couldn’t be clearer.
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Everyone has to remain “cautious”.
A warning has been issued to those planning on hitting the town for a Mad Friday night out in Manchester city centre / Credit: Flickr
Cllr Pat Karney – city centre spokesperson at Manchester City Council – told the MEN that people need to “be their own public health service” in the fight against the new Omicron variant, adding that: “For young people, Mad Friday is a big night out in the city, but people need to take into account that they will then probably be seeing family and older family members over Christmas.
“People will have a great time but must bear in mind who they will be spending time with over Christmas.
“We are all confused by the guidance but we need to be our own Public Health Service and look after ourselves and follow the guidance as best we can,” he concluded.
This year’s Mad Friday also comes two days after NHS COVID passes / or a proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test have been introduced for entry to nightclubs, unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people, and any venue with more than 10,000 people in England.
Cllr Pat Karney said that although the passes are “bound to cause problems”, he believes it is worth it to “protect the health of the country”.
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“People will have a great time but must bear in mind who they will be spending time with over Christmas.” / Credit: Unsplash
The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has also urged a simple message to revellers: “Try to avoid needing us,” as they also anticipate tonight and this weekend to be “much busier than 2020”.
Ged Blezard – Director of Operations at NWAS – said: “We have already experienced a very challenging year with more people calling 999 than ever and our staff have been working exceptionally hard. However, the festive period traditionally brings with it an increase in a certain type of 999 call as people can get carried away while celebrating the time of year.
“While we want people to enjoy themselves, we want to use this opportunity to ask the public not to add any unnecessary extra burden on the service by behaving irresponsibly or treating our staff with disrespect if they are called to help.”
“Remember, 999 is for life-threatening incidents and emergencies only,” he concluded.
Greater Manchester Police also confirmed that force will be continuing its high visibility patrols across the city tonight and over this weekend.
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“We expect people to drink and act responsibly while enjoying their night – remembering to plan their journeys home in advance and not to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol above the legal limit,” a spokesperson told the MEN.
Featured Image – Factory Manchester
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You can get FREE food and more at Tesco Christmas Markets across Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
Tesco Christmas Markets are back and heading to even more Greater Manchester locations where you can try lots of festive items all for FREE.
If you missed it last year, then don’t worry, as Tesco has brought back its much-loved Christmas Markets and the stalls are visiting more locations across the UK than ever before.
We’ve got you covered with all the dates and locations these freebie-filled Christmas Markets are visiting to make sure you don’t catch a case of festive FOMO.
Tesco Christmas Markets will be filled with all your favourite brands you usually fill up your trolley with from the likes of Costa, McCain, Celebrations and more.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a Tesco-led celebration without its own Finest range making an appearance across select Greater Manchester locations.
Expect to sample Tesco Finest Scallop and King Prawn Toast, Tesco Finest Stratford Blue with Fig Conserve and sweet treat staple, Tesco Finest Brandy Butter Mince Pies.
The best-loved brands mentioned before will be offering samples like smooth and creamy cups of Chocomel, or caramel-infused Nutcracker Spectacular drinks thanks to coffee shop chain Costa too.
In terms of food, McCain are letting you crunch down on its latest crisp range Vibes, Celebrations is treating you to its chocolate collection and biscuit varities from Bahlsen.
Tesco Christmas Markets are visiting major Greater Manchester locations giving out lots of FREE food / Credit: Press Shots (via Supplied)
Feeling merry and bright? Alcoholic drink brands 1664 is bringing out its blue bottles, Three Barrels for its XO and VSOP brandies as well as the coffee-infused liquer Drambuie.
If you’re after something to warm up your winter’s day, Costa is also letting you try some of its Home-made Barista style coffees and coffee pod masterminds Tassimo are offering samples of its Cadbury, L’Or, Kenco ranges and more.
Finally, if that wasn’t enough for you, why not clear your palette with a Christmas creation courtesy of teapigs and its caffeine-free peppermint leaves, yum.
Here’s all the important dates and locations for Tesco Christmas Markets 2025 schedule for Greater Manchester and wider regions:
Fri 14 November – Glossop Superstore, SK13 8HB
Sat 15 November – Hattersley Extra in Hyde, SK14 3AU
Sun 16 November – Failsworth Extra in Manchester, M35 0EJ
Mon 17 November – Manchester Gorton Extra, M18 8LD
Tue 18 November – Stockport Extra, SK1 2BT
Wed 19 November – Burnage Superstore in Manchester, M19 1TF
Thu 20 November – Prestwich Superstore in Manchester, M25 3TG
Fri 21 November – Bolton Horwich Extra, BL6 6JS
Sun 23 November – Chorley Extra, PR7 1NW
Mon 24 November – Leyland Extra, PR25 2FN
Sun 30 November – Prescot Extra, L34 5NQ
Mon 1 December – St Helens Extra, WA9 3AL
Tue 2 December – Widnes Extra, WA8 7YT
Wed 3 December – Warrington Extra, WA2 7NE
Mon 8 December – Accrington Extra, BB5 1LN
Fri 12 December – Macclesfield Hibel Road Superstore, SK10 2AB
To view a full list of all the Tesco Christmas Markets locations across the UK and browse all the brands that are taking part you can find everything HERE.
£50k reward for information about Baby Ava, whose remains were found in a Salford field
Daisy Jackson
Police are offering a £50,000 reward in a bid for information about Baby Ava, the newborn whose remains were found in a field in Salford one year ago.
One year on from the discovery of the baby girl’s remains in Little Hulton, police are still desperately trying to find out the baby girl’s identity and how she came to be in Ashtons Field.
A reward of £50,000 has now been secured from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, with an appeal for her parents to come forward, or anyone with information that helps identify Ava or her parents.
New developments since the discovery of the baby’s remains on 20 November 2024 have included recovering a piece of fabric that was a distinctive pair of ladies’ underwear.
The size large underwear are patterned with what police believe are cartoon donkeys – but this has given no viable lead.
GMP’s lead investigator, Detective Inspector Louise Kelly from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Since Ava was discovered a year ago today, we have worked tirelessly to understand how she came to be in Ashtons Field deceased and get justice for her.
“Last month, we were able to share that a piece of fabric recovered with Ava was a distinctive pair of ladies’ size large underwear with what believe are cartoon donkeys on. Unfortunately, despite the unique nature of this piece of clothing, we have had no new viable leads.
A ‘distinctive’ pair of ladies’ underwear discovered with Baby Ava. Credit: GMP
“We have had around 20 experts across various fields supporting our enquiries, followed up on over 200 pieces of information and distributed 1000 leaflets to local communities.
“Those residing in the surrounding area of where Ava was located should expect to see a greater police presence in the area around this anniversary, and may receive a knock on the door, as we continue to relentlessly pursue all possible avenues which could lead us to finding out what happened to her.”
DI Kelly continued yesterday, the one-year anniversary of the discovery of Baby Ava: “Today’s date will be a significant one for Ava’s parents and those who may have known her, and we have not lost hope in understanding the full circumstances of Ava’s death.
“To Ava’s parents, if they see this, we are here ready to speak to you and support you.”
Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “Our thoughts remain with Baby Ava and those affected by this tragic case.
“We are committed to supporting GMP in their efforts to find answers and bring closure.
“This reward reflects our determination to encourage anyone with information to come forward and assist with the police with their investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24. Information can also be shared via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Emily Sergeant -
17th December 2021 
