That inimitable holiday feeling isn’t just about blazing sunshine, cool blue seas, and golden sands. Part of the excitement is the preamble.
Clambering half-asleep into the taxi in pitch-black darkness. Striding down the long moving walkways with your luggage in tow. Sipping a crisp pint at a time of day that would seem utterly unreasonable in any other scenario.
Those precious moments before your plane boards are bliss. But sadly, it’s been a long time since many of us managed to visit Manchester Airport, climb into the sky and watch the city fall away into the distance; turning Mancunia into a tiny board of twinkling lights below us.
We’re all harbouring a burning desire for a holiday – and now a new set of images have surfaced on social media which are only adding fuel to the fire.
Manchester Airport has been in the process of revamping its Terminal 2 – and the first pictures of its interior are being widely shared by travel pages.
Boasting a fresh luxury aesthetic and wide array of familiar Mancunian brand names – such as Pot Kettle Black and Archie’s – the brand new terminal is also going to be home to a San Carlo restaurant and Amber Alehouse, as well as classic staples such as department stores.
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According to TravelWeekly, the new terminal is going to double in size as a result of the development work.
It was originally scheduled to enjoy its grand opening in July, but is currently closed due to tough restrictions on travel – with all flights at Manchester Airport operating from Terminal 1 only until further notice.
In line with national restrictions, all non-essential shops are also closed for the time being – with a limited number of cafes open for takeaway food and drink only.
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All passengers arriving in the UK are required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result, taken up to three days before departure.
Even with a negative result, passengers must self-isolate for 10 days after entering the country.
Strict travel rules are expected to remain in place until cases drop – and the new T2 is being tipped to open in April 2021, although this may be dependent on the data in two months’ time.
Fingers crossed.
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
2nd February 2021 
