News

Government details pilot plans for returning spectators to elite sport in October

Sports venues could reopen for fans from 1st October 2020, but only "if it is safe to do so".

The Manc The Manc - 17th July 2020
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the UK government has announced today that a small number of sporting events will be used to pilot the safe return of spectators over the next few weeks.

These pilot events will take commence through late July and early August and form part of the #EnjoySummerSafely campaign, which was announced by Boris Johnson in a live press conference earlier today.

A view to reopening competition venues for sports fans, with necessary social distancing measures in place, is to be introduced from 1st October 2020, but only “if it is safe to do so”.

All sports venues have been closed to spectators since lockdown measures were implemented on 23 March 2020, however in recent weeks, certain elite sports have resumed behind closed doors, including Premier League and Championship football, and international cricket.

According to guidance provided on the gov.uk website, the pilot sporting events chosen to take place over the next couple of weeks have been carefully selected to represent a range of sports and indoor and outdoor spectator environments, and are expected to include two men’s county cricket friendly matches, the World Snooker Championship from 31st July, and the Glorious Goodwood horse racing festival on 1st August.

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There are also likely to be further pilot events for other sports in order to build up to and prepare for the full, socially distanced return of sporting events from 1st October, but these are yet to be announced.

Speaking on the announcement of these pilot events, Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “For months millions of us have felt the void of being unable to go to the match to support our team or attend a top-class sporting event, so I am pleased that we are now able to move forward with a plan to help venues safely reopen their doors to fans.”

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“I recognise that not every sport, team or club has the benefit of huge commercial revenue, and it is often their dedicated fans that are the lifeblood which helps keep them going.”

“By working closely with sports and medical experts, these pilots will help ensure the safe return of fans to stadia. Although it will remain some time before venues are full to capacity, this is a major step in the right direction for the resumption of live spectator sport across the country”.

The pilot events will provide the opportunity to stress-test the government’s ‘stage five’ guidance, on the return of fans to elite sports events.

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More information in relation to this be found detailed in full here.

Further guidance outlining the licensing obligations for sports stadia and how venue operators must calculate safe capacities in line with social distancing restrictions is expected to be published by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority in due course.

You can read the full #EnjoySummerSafely plan for pilot sporting events here.

For more information and guidance amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, do ensure you refer to official gov.uk/coronavirus sources here.

#StaySafeSaveLives

News

Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.

Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.

A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.

Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.

It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.

Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.

As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.

Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.

The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.

Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.  

Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.

The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.

Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.

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“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.

You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.

Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)

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