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Culture Secretary confirms gyms, tanning shops and tattoo parlours can reopen

Oliver Dowden has confirmed that gyms can finally open to the public on July 25 after being closed since March.

The Manc The Manc - 9th July 2020
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden

Oliver Dowden has confirmed that gyms can finally reopen to the public on July 25 after being closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Culture Secretary also confirmed that as of THIS weekend, artists and musicians can also now play to a live outside audience.

And he said that from Monday 13, tattoo parlours, beauty salons and tanning shops can reopen their doors to customers. Indoor pools and sports facilities will soon follow.

Then, he said that on July 11, live theatre performances will also be allowed again with reduced venue capacity and electronic ticketing.

When things will reopen

  • Outdoor pools will be able to re-open on 11 July
  • Outdoor theatres will be able to start up from this Saturday
  • Indoor gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities will then be able to re-open from 25 July
  • Grassroots sport will be able to return from this coming weekend, beginning with cricket
  • Small pilots of indoor performances with socially distanced audiences will also take place to help work out the best way to get them up and running

There will be “enhanced cleaning” at gyms, pools and other facilities set to reopen, Mr Dowden says.

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The return of recreational sport is a “vital part” of the fight against coronavirus, he argues, as people must get “match-fit” to reduce the risks to health.

More to follow.

News

Manchester Airport to launch 12 more new routes across the world this summer

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Mancs will soon get the chance to travel to even more of the most beautiful and underrated places on Earth for the first time.

You may remember that back at the start of the year, Manchester Airport announced seven new ‘exciting’ flight routes to destinations across the world, and now with summer right around the corner and the decade-long £1.3 billion transformation of Terminal 2 pretty much complete, a dozen extra locations have been added to the list.

Already described as being ‘the UK’s global gateway in the North’, Manchester Airport offers a route network that’s unparalleled outside London, with more than 200 destinations served by 50 airlines – but that network is set to widen once again.

A coastal resort in Italy, an architectural gem in Greece, and the largest city in the north of Pakistan are among the cities that will gain new direct flights this summer.

Manchester Airport is launching 12 more new routes across the world this summer / Credit: Reisetopia, Malik-Tayyab & Makis-Hristaras (via Unsplash)

Two major global cities will be added to the airport’s long-haul route network this summer, with Algiers and Lahore set to gain direct flights.

The service to Algeria’s capital will be operated by national airline Air Algerie from 14 June, with prices from £263.43pp return, while Pakistan International Airlines will build upon the successful launch of its Islamabad service by adding Lahore as its second destination from Manchester from 3 July, with fares from £881.23pp return.

Other destinations on the list include easyJet’s new service to Bari in southern Italy, launching on 3 July, Preveza, an airport in mainland Greece that serves as the access point for the picturesque island of Lefkada, starting on 24 June, and Ryanair’s new services to Castellon in eastern Spain and Rimini, a city on Italy’s Adriatic coast, both starting on 1 and 3 June, respectively.

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A coastal resort in Italy and an architectural gem in Greece are some of the new destinations / Credit: Alain Rouiller & Jonny Africa (via Unsplash)

A handful of Jet2 services to new locations for the airline have already taken flight over the past couple of months, including La Palma, Palermo, and Pula in Croatia.

“We know people are just as keen as ever to enjoy a holiday abroad this summer, and while places like Mallorca, Alicante and Faro are always in demand, we know many travellers want to explore somewhere new, even if they’re travelling to a country that they’ve visited many times before,” commented Stephen Turner, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport.

“That’s why we’re so excited to see a dozen new routes coming on board this summer, several of which will connect Manchester to destinations unserved by any other northern airport.

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“We’re sure these destinations will prove popular with passengers, and we’re grateful to our airlines for their ongoing commitment to offer passengers flying from Manchester unrivalled choice.”

Featured Image – Ivan Shimko (via Unsplash)

News

Manchester United and Lionesses star Ella Toone is now officially an MBE

Danny Jones Danny Jones Ella Toone made and MBE for services to football

Man United Women and Lionesses star Ella Toone is now officially an MBE after collecting the award this week.

The Greater Mancunian has grown to become one of the most influential female players of the modern era, and now her impact has been immortalised by the monarchy.

One of several Manc figures to have been named on the annual Honours List, including the Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, it was another great year for the region.

While multiple famous sporting faces featured on the most recent edition, Toone is one of the few to be named on behalf of association football.

Being recognised for services to the discipline on Tuesday, 19 May, the local athlete finally collected her accolade at Windsor Castle.

Presented to her by Prince William, the Tyldesley-born attacker said in a statement: “It’s been amazing. It’s a bit of a pinch-me moment to be here and be honoured with an MBE.

“I never thought when I started out playing football I’d now be called Ella Toone MBE, so it’s a bit crazy.”

Having suffered a tough time out with injury, the 26-year-old also insists she is now back feeling “better and stronger than ever.”

With Sarina Wiegman’s official squad selection for the qualifiers ahead of FIFA’s 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, she’s also looking forward to reuniting with her England teammates.

Here she is talking to Sky ahead of the games, not long after receiving the award:

Speaking back in December, she confessed that it’s all been “a bit mad” for her ever since she learned of the news, but her worthiness speaks for itself.

Winning not only back-to-back Euros titles with the national side, along with the first-ever UEFA Women’s Finalissima trophy in 2023, but also inspiring young kids dreaming of becoming footballers across the country and beyond.

Congratulations once again, ‘Tooney’ – beyond well-deserved.

Across the city, it’s great to see yet more groundbreaking investment in the women’s game being made for generations to come.

Manchester City reveal new state-of-the-art women’s football facility

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Featured Images — Manchester United/Ella Toone (via Instagram)/James Boyes (via Flickr)

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