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GMP warns rowdy Manc football fans not to ‘ruin’ the FA Cup final for the ‘real’ supporters

"Don't let a moment of poor judgement lead to a criminal prosecution."

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 23rd May 2024

Rowdy Manchester football fans are being warned not to “ruin” the FA Cup final for the “real” supporters this weekend.

History is repeating itself, as Manchester United and Manchester City are training hard in preparation to face each other again in an all-Manchester final of the Emirates FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 May.

2023 was the first time the two Manchester clubs battled it out for the FA Cup title in the final in the 153-year-old football competition’s illustrious history, and it was victory for the Citizens, with the trophy forming a crucial piece of their treble-winning season… but, in what seems to be a repeating turn of events, 2024 is the year of the re-match.

To no surprise, tensions are building by the day as it’s all set to be a massive day for football-obsessed fans in our football-obsessed city.

Some 90,000 fans are expected to be heading to England‘s national stadium for the game on Saturday – with rival supporters urged to take different travel routes to prevent traffic build-up and keep everyone safe – but thousands more will be watching it out and about across instead Greater Manchester.

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And now, with only a couple of days to go until kick off now, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has issued a warning to all those potentially-rowdy ‘football-obsessed’ fans who are planning to watch the game in public places around the region that they should avoid “ruining the day” for the “real” supporters.

Police said supporters at last year’s final were “a credit to both teams”, and is pleading with them for the same the time around.

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Manchester City and Manchester United will face each other in the FA Cup final on Saturday 25 May at 3pm / Credit: The FA

“This final promises to be a great day for our city, and we want to ensure everyone enjoys the day, whether that is in Manchester or in London,” commented Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, who is GMP’s Gold Commander for the FA Cup final.

“GMP has been working closely with partners, including other including the Met and West Midlands police forces, the UK Football Policing Unit, and British Transport Police, to ensure the day runs smoothly and that everyone can enjoy the game safely. Please also only travel down to London if you have a match ticket, as there are no alternative sites for fans to gather in large numbers. 

“There will be a large police presence across the city of Manchester, as we always have for high-profile events, to ensure the safety of everyone, and we will also have officers on the routes down and in London.”

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Speaking directly to fans, Chief Superintendent Rose continued: “It doesn’t matter where you are intend to watch the match, don’t let a moment of poor judgement lead to a criminal prosecution or a football banning order. 

“We will take a firm approach to anyone ruining the day for the real football fans. If you have any concerns, please speak to one of our officers who’ll be more than happy to assist where possible. 

Read more:

“Be safe, be responsible, look out for each other and enjoy the game.”

Featured Image – GMP

News

Law requiring landlords to repair hazards within 24 hours comes into effect

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Awaab Ishak

Landlords will now have 24 hours to repair hazards reported to them as a new law comes into effect across England.

The law taking effect today comes after a ‘landmark’ new social housing bill – which was given the Royal Ascent to become law in July 2023 – was proposed and approved in early January last year.

‘Awaab’s Law’ is named after Greater Manchester toddler Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in 2020 as a result of prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home, a coroner ruled back in 2022, and following his death, the Government had been pledging to deliver the new reforms.

But today (Monday 27 October), the first part of the law finally comes into effect.

This means that all social landlords – generally the local council, or a housing association – will from now be required to repair any hazards which are reported to them within 24 hours.

Landlords must also investigate ‘significant’ damp and mould within 10 working days of being notified, and then make properties safe in five working days.

For both types of hazards, they must also write the findings to tenants within three working days of inspection.   

On top of that, as part of the reforms, landlords now must also consider the circumstances of tenants which could put them at risk – including young children and those with disabilities or health conditions – and alternative accommodation must also be offered if homes cannot be made safe within the required timeframes.

Awaab’s Law is being called a ‘lasting legacy’ to the two-year-old.

“Everyone deserves a safe and decent home to live in and Awaab Ishak is a powerful reminder of how this can sadly be a matter of life or death,” commented Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, as Awaab’s Law comes into effect today.   

“Awaab’s family has fought hard for change and their work to protect millions of tenants’ lives will live on as a legacy to their son.  

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“Our changes will give tenants a stronger voice and force landlords to act urgently when lives are at risk, ensuring such tragedies are never repeated.”

More of Awaab’s Law will be phased in both next year and in 2027 to make homes safer from more hazards, the Government has confirmed.

Featured Image – GMP / Family Handout

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The Greater Manchester high street that now has THREE great wine bars in a 200m stretch

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Prestwich has become a wine bar hub in Greater Manchester

A popular suburb of Greater Manchester seems to be having a bit of a wine bar moment – and for once, we’re not talking about Stockport.

Prestwich has a buzzing little food and drink scene, and just this week has welcomed a brand-new wine bar.

That brings the total number of wine bars in the village to three – and they’re all in just a 200m stretch of the high street.

The latest addition is Cellar Door, headed up by siblings Ben and Sarah and sitting side-by-side with acclaimed neighbourhood restaurant The Pearl.

Cellar Door joins long-standing favourite Whole Bunch Wines (formerly known as Grape to Grain) and the new-ish Chin Chin, which comes from the same team behind Elnecot in Ancoats.

And beyond that, The Pearl has a ‘wine window’ where they’ll pass your drink out to you to drink on their pavement bistro tables.

If you much prefer a decent glass of wine instead of a pint, Prestwich is becoming the new hotspot for a bar crawl.

Read on for more on each of these brilliant independent businesses.

Cellar Door

Cellar Door is the newest wine bar to open in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group
Cellar Door is the newest wine bar to open in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group
Cellar Door is the newest wine bar to open in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group

The newest wine bar on the Prestwich high street is Cellar Door, opened just this month by brother and sister Ben and Sarah.

It’s their first project together and is stocked with more than 200 different wines, plus plenty of beers (including some local names), selected batched cocktails served ice-cold, and a menu of nibbles too.

Spanning two floors, there’s a sunny balcony upstairs for sunnier days, but in the meantime, get cosy in a booth with a glass of something from their VAST vino collection.

See more HERE.

427 Bury New Road, M25 1AF

Whole Bunch Wines (fka Grape to Grain)

Grape to Grain wine shop in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group
Whole Bunch Wines (formerly Grape to Grain) wine shop in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group
Whole Bunch Wines (formerly Grape to Grain) wine shop in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group
Whole Bunch Wines (formerly Grape to Grain) wine shop in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group

An ‘off licence with a difference’, Whole Bunch Wines (which used to be known as Grape to Grain) is Prestwich’s original spot for a wine.

Almost a decade old now, Whole Bunch Wines has a proper enomatic wine machine which means you can have a glass of their chosen bottles each week (without committing to a full bottle – though no judgement if you do want to do that too).

They also have a counter stuffed with cheese, meat and fresh bread so you can customise yourself a deli board.

There’s not much better than grabbing a bottle to take away from Whole Bunch, then changing your mind and cracking it open sat on one of the barrel tables outside instead.

1 Church Lane, M25 1AN

Read more: Manchester’s most exclusive restaurant, serving omakase sushi to just four customers a week

Chin Chin

Inside Chin Chin wine bar
Inside Chin Chin wine bar

Last but definitely not least on this mini wine crawl around Prestwich is Chin Chin.

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This lovely spot comes from the team behind Elnecot, who initially opened it as Dokes Pizzeria (but then Rudy’s opened up opposite and honestly, who can be arsed) before pivoting it to be a wine bar.

There’s jazz vinyls playing, an enormous selection of rotating wines, a smart interior of tiled tabletops and moody red paint, and – a weekly highlight for locals – Sunday Sessions with roast dinner-inspired sandwiches and £4 pints.

449A Bury New Road, M25 1AF

Read more: Prestwich wine bar Chin Chin now serves roast dinner sandwiches

Featured image: The Manc Group

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