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Government announces hospitality venues in Bolton must revert to takeaway only in new restrictions

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced the restrictions this afternoon.

The Manc The Manc - 8th September 2020
Wikimedia Commons

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced that all hospitality venues are being restricted to take away only in Bolton as part of new measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the town.

He told MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon.

Mr Hancock said: “Unfortunately after improving for several weeks, we’ve seen a very significant rise in cases in Bolton. Bolton is up to 120 cases per 100,000 of population, the highest case rate in the country and I’m publishing the data behind the decisions that we’ve taken.

“I must therefore tell that House that, working with the local council, we’re taking further local action.

“The rise in cases in Bolton is partly due to socialising by people in their 20s and 30s. We know this from contact tracing, and through our contacting tracing system, we’ve identified a number of pubs at which the virus has spread significantly.

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“We’re therefore taking the following action in Bolton starting immediately.

“We will restrict all hospitality to takeaways-only and we’ll introduce a late-night restriction of operating hours which will mean all venues will be required to close from 10pm to 5am.

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“We’ll introduce urgently further measures that put the current guidance that people cannot socialise outside their household into law.”

Mr Hancock then went on to say local lockdown action has worked in Leicester and Luton, but further action is needed in Bolton.

New restrictions will be put in place:

  • Restrict all hospitality to take-away only.
  • All venues must close from 10pm to 5am.
  • No socialising outside households will be put into law.

This is a Breaking News story – More to follow.

News

‘I’m proud of the joy we spread’ – Much-loved Manchester cake shop announces closure

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson 'I'm proud of the joy we spread' - Much-loved Manchester cake shop Loaf announces closure

A gorgeous little cake shop in Manchester city centre has announced its sad closure, five years after launching as a lockdown project to raise money for the NHS.

Loaf, the hot pink cafe on Oxford Road and just across the river in New Bailey in Salford, will shut its doors for good later this month.

Its founder Aiden Ryan has poured his heart out with a heartbreaking statement, describing Loaf’s closure as ‘incredibly tough’.

In his message to followers, which you can read in full below, Aiden detailed everything from rising costs, cashflow issues, and a personal mental breakdown.

“I’m not sharing this for sympathy,” he wrote. “I just think honesty matters.”

In the five years Loaf has operated in Manchester, there have been plenty of highlights, from those days fundraising for the NHS, to opening its doors on Christmas day to those who struggle with loneliness.

And there’ve been commercial successes too, with these pretty miniature loaf cakes making their way onto the shelves in Selfridges.

But now Aiden has said that Loaf will shut for good on 30 April, urging people to pop in for ‘one more mini loaf or just a goodbye hug’.

Loaf’s farewell statement in full

I’ve made the incredibly tough decision to close Loaf MCR.

Loaf began in 2020 as a small lockdown idea to raise money for the NHS—and somehow grew into a bold, pink cake business that lived in a shipping container, then cafés on Oxford St and New Bailey St, and even Selfridges! It was more than I ever dreamed of.

But behind the scenes, it’s been a really hard year. We lost essential funding, faced delayed payments and invoices, battled rising costs, and unexpected hits – including a supplier taking thousands from our account without permission. It led to cashflow issues we couldn’t recover from.

There were delays in paying important bills—things I never imagined would happen (even tips and pension contributions for staff). It was a living nightmare and it weighed heavily on me. At the same time, I was facing big personal challenges, which led to a mental breakdown the middle of last year. I couldn’t function. And when your business needs you 24/7, everything starts falling fast.

A Twister-inspired special at Loaf
A Twister-inspired special at Loaf
The Willy Wonka loaf cakes at Loaf
The Willy Wonka loaf cakes at Loaf

I’m not sharing this for sympathy, I just think honesty matters. Running a business isn’t always big wins and instagram moments—it’s often stress, silence, and sacrifice.

Still, I’m proud. Of the joy we spread. Of the community we built. And of myself—for knowing when to stop and look after mine and my team’s health.

To my loafly team: you were the heart of this. Thank you for everything. To our suppliers, landlords, partners, and customers—thank you for believing in Loaf.

Our final day is April 30th. If you want one more mini loaf or just a goodbye hug, we’d loaf to see you.

As for what’s next… who knows? For now, we rest. Thank you for being part of our story. I’ll carry it with me, always.

Lots of loaf,
Aiden & Team Loaf

More food and drink news

Featured image: The Manc Group

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Line of Duty season seven could be on the way with filming date ‘confirmed’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Line of Duty series 7 rumours

In yet another big TV twist for the BBC drama, the rumours of a Line of Duty season seven are seemingly ramping up once more, with a new filming date now reportedly ‘confirmed’.

For those who watched the smash hit crime thriller the first time around and remember that—let’s call it a divisive ending—there were many fans who wondered if, or at least how, the series could come back.

Well, as it turns out, the writers might have just figured out how to do it (maybe they were planning it all along?), with multiple outlets now claiming that not only has “most” of the next season been written, but a start date for principal photography on the latest chapter of Line of Duty has already been earmarked.

Again, take this all with a pinch of salt for now, but we won’t deny it’s an exciting proposition.

If it does come back, the next question is: how many members of the cast will be returning?

First broke by The Sun, a source is said to have told the newspaper: “This is the news Line of Duty fans have been waiting for since the sixth season left them deflated when it aired back in 2021.”

The insider says that the BBC wanted to commission more episodes to further the story and Line of Duty’s unbelievable success, but that the sheer profile of the show meant that stars Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar were offered new projects.

There had previously been reports of the beloved British cop drama coming back for just three episodes back in December 2022; that being said, there is no clear indication thus far as to whether or not these latest reports are a continuation of the previous ‘leak’.

Either way, the source went on to add that “several meetings” have been held with creator Jed Mercurio and the production team since then and “they’ve finally managed to clear space in their calendars next year to commit to making the show.”

We know one thing: it was prime water cooler chat for a good chunk of our time in the office, and we can only hope there’s some truth to these most recent rumblings.

More than a dozen years on from when the series first started, the talk is that the cast and crew will be returning to Northern Ireland – where the latter seasons of the show were largely filmed – and could be starting as soon as January 2026.

Another development that has added fuel to the fire, besides the stars being seen together on numerous occasions of late, is McClure’s (Kate Fleming) recent interview on RTÉ Radio 1’s The Oliver Callan Show, in which she gave a very measured answer on the subject.

“What can I say? I read the same news you all read!” she says, adding, “Nothing has changed. No news, I’m afraid. I don’t know where that came from. […] The thing is, if I had something to tell you I would, but I don’t! I don’t want to tease people unnecessarily.

“It’s great that they [fans] want it, but they’re stories at the end of the day. We don’t want to rule it out.” 

It’s not the only modern British TV success story that viewers could be in store for more of…

Stephen Graham sheds light on the ‘possibility’ of a second season of Adolescence
Most people would love more Line of Duty, but do you want another series of Adolescence?

Read more:

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Featured Images — BBC

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