Thursday, the dating app that only works once a week, is hosting one of its famous ‘secret singles’ parties at a bar in Manchester this month.
Designed for people who can’t stand dating apps, the infinite scroll and all the toxicity that comes with them (cough cough, The Tinder Swindler), this app comes to life just once a week at a secret location -usually in London or New York.
Specifically designed for those suffering from ”dating app fatigue,” its users are locked out most of the week to encourage them to meet someone in real life – but on Thursdays, they can choose to swipe right at a number of in-person, member-only events.
After all, as the company maintains, most single people “just want to meet someone in a bar naturally.” If that sounds like you, then now is your chance.
This week the party is coming to Manchester’s Northern Quarter hotspot Ducie Street Warehouse, a trendy bar and restaurant that, ever so conveniently, just so happens to have a load of swanky hotel rooms right above it.
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It also happens to host and cater for weddings, if you end up getting really lucky.
This week, the popular space has announced it will be hosting the city’s biggest Thursday date night event to date, welcoming nearly 500 singletons onto its terrace to mix and mingle – all soundtracked by the best Neo-Soul, alternative RnB and Hip-Hop tunes, courtesy of Sweet Vibrations Radio from 5pm.
Taking place on Thursday 28 July from 7pm until late, tickets are available to purchase via the Thursday app priced at £5 for entry before 9pm and £7.49 after 9pm.
Once they are gone they are gone – there is no guarantee of entry post 9pm if the venue is at capacity.
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The dating app Thursday was first launched by George Rawlings in 2021 from his bedroom, born out of frustration with the seemingly never-ending swipe-and-chat cycle of existing dating apps.
By limiting his app to just one day, Mr Rawlings hoped it would give people a sense of urgency when it comes to organising a date – cutting down on small talk and encouraging spontaneity.
To date, over 750,000 people have downloaded the app.
Feature image – Sweet Vibrations Radio
News
A Manchester barbershop is offering a ‘pay what you can’ service this month
Danny Jones
Amidst the tidal wave of January deals on food and drink in Manchester, a local barbers is championing their own ‘pay what you can’ offer to help people along this month.
Jefe’s Barbershop, located in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, is one of the best barbers in the city centre, offering a wide variety of cuts and facial hair grooming services – they even offer a subscription service that helps people save money on regular trims.
That being said, they are well aware of those January blues and the mounting obstacles and anxieties that come with weeks of penny-pinching to make it to month’s end, as well as the general toll it can take on people’s mental health.
So this January, Jefe and his team are doing something different – as he puts it, “something special”: the barbershop is allowing customers to simply pay what they feel comfortable handing over and, in the case of those struggling, whatever they can afford.
It’s a simple gesture with a big purpose which helps ensure no one has to miss out on a feel-good moment or the confidence that comes from a fresh trim.
“All we do is laugh and joke about life—that’s why people come here,” Jefe explains. “I don’t want anyone to lose the chance to be present, to feel good, and to laugh with us.
“Men often need more help than they’re willing to let on and we want to be a helping hand they can rely on.” Now that’s a cause all of us can and should get behind.
Community support has remained at the core of Jefe’s Barbershop since the beginning when he swapped a basketball career for providing a much-needed service to Mancunian men.
From partnering with Manc sandwich shops and offering free haircuts for the homeless, to hosting street parties with local events companies and providing £5 trims to promote men’s mental health in 2023 when the cost of living crisis really kicked in – Jefe’s is always trying to make a difference in the area.
You’ve got to love businesses that go the extra mile.
If you want to make the most of this wholesome deal or just feel like you’re in need of a trim, you can book HERE or call them directly on 0161 818 7659.
The ‘pay what you can’ offer runs Monday to Thursday, 9am-7pm, subject to availability. You’ll find Jefe’s Barbershop on Stevenson Square
Because as the man himself puts it, “Everyone deserves to feel their best”.
Police appeal for witnesses after possible attempted kidnap of 11-year-old girl in Irlam
Emily Sergeant
An appeal for information and witnesses has been issued following the possible attempted kidnap of an 11-year-old girl in Irlam.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 8:30am yesterday (14 January 2025), the young girl – who was walking to school at the time – reported being approached by a male and female on Silver Street in Irlam, close to the junction of Cutnook Lane.
It is believed the pair had been driving in the area in a car and a van, according to police.
The two then grabbed hold of the girl, before she was able to run away and later inform an adult of what had happened.
The male the police are hoping to gain information on is described as white, approximately 5ft 9 inches tall, with short dark hair and clean-shaven, and he was wearing blue jeans and a black hoodie at the time, while the female is described as white, and was wearing leggings and a black hoodie.
The car is described as a black four-door vehicle, while the van was small, white, and new-looking and with a sliding door.
#APPEAL | Detectives are appealing for information after a girl was approached and grabbed in Salford.
At around 8.30am today, an 11-year-old girl walking to school reported being approached by a male and female on Silver Street, Irlam.
In the interest of public safety while police are currently investigating the incident, extra officers have been deployed to the local area for reassurance as their enquiries continue, GMP has confirmed.
Appealing to the public, officers are also asking anyone who lives in the area to check for any relevant dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell footage from around the time of the incident, and anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious is also asked to contact police.
“This is of course a concerning and distressing incident and I would like to reassure the community that we are doing all we can to investigate the circumstances,” explained Detective Inspector Justin Bryant, from GMP’s Salford district.
“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed something or has footage from around the time of the incident, and we would urge anyone with any information to please get in touch, as your assistance could be greatly beneficial to our work.
“We are ensuring that the girl and the family are being kept-up-to date and supported at this time.”
Information can be passed on to 101 or via the GMP Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1205 of 14/01/25, or alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.