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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
From 1 October, if it's safe to do so, fans will be able to return to stadiums and competition venues with social distancing. We'll be running pilot events over the summer at the Snooker World Champs, Goodwod and in County Cricket – with more to follow. pic.twitter.com/Lnb9gSScGt
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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“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”.
Pleased the Prime Minister had announced plans for further easing of lockdown restrictions including:
— Nigel Huddleston MP (@HuddlestonNigel) July 17, 2020
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
For more information and guidance amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, do ensure you refer to official gov.uk/coronavirus sources here.
#StaySafeSaveLives
News
Altrincham named one of the UK’s best places to live in 2026 in The Sunday Times’ annual ranking
Emily Sergeant
A popular Greater Manchester town has been named among the UK’s best places to live by the Sunday Times in its annual ranking.
That’s right… it’s that time of year, once again.
The Sunday Times is known for pulling together a list of what it considers to be the most sought-after places to live in the UK every year, and 2026’s ranking has officially been published today – with dozens of locations across the country making up the comprehensive guide, and six of those coveted locations being right here in the North West.
The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all locations on the list, and assessed factors such as schools, transport, culture, broadband speeds, access to green spaces, the health of the high streets, and much more to devise the always-talked-about annual ranking.
Macclesfield in Cheshire, Eden Valley in Cumbria, Lancaster in Lancashire, and Aigburth in Liverpool are just some of the North West areas named by the publication in the 2026 list.
Altrincham has been named one of the best places to live in the UK / Credit: The Manc Group
A spotlight has also been shone on two Greater Manchester towns, and one of two has even been given the regional North West title… but which are they?
Where has taken the top spot as the best place to live in the North West for 2026, and is therefore one of the best places to live in the whole of the country? Well, that honour has been given to none other than Greater Manchester’s very-own Altrincham.
The publication described the Trafford town as ‘classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable’.
“Altrincham is a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands, and now it’s flying even higher,” The Sunday Times said.
The fact that co-working has now arrived on the high street thanks to the conversion of the old Rackhams department store, and that the town’s cultural and creative ‘cachet’ is also on the rise, have been highlighted as reasons as to why Altrincham has been chosen as the North West’s winner, as well its newly-flourishing fitness scene.
Of course, the town has also been praised for its transport links into Manchester city centre and across the region, as well as it being a great place for families thanks to the excellent local schools on offer.
Didsbury was the other Greater Manchester town chosen to represent the best of the North West – with the Manchester suburb described as being ‘stylish, solid, safe, and, yes, a little bit smug in parts… but that’s okay’.
You can read the full Altrincham feature here, and see where else The Sunday Times included in its list for 2026 here.
Featured Image – Geograph
News
11 arrested and £70k cash seized during early-morning police drug raids across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
11 people have been arrested, as well as a large amount of cash and drugs seized, during early-morning raids across Greater Manchester.
The raids took place during the early hours of the morning yesterday (Thursday 19 March 2026), where Greater Manchester Police (GMP) successfully executed eight warrants simultaneously across Tameside, Oldham, and Rochdale to tackle a ‘suspected criminal network’ involved in the distribution of class A drugs and firearms.
Officers from Tameside Programme Challenger team, the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), and GMP’s Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) were deployed to each of the addresses.
Following weeks of intelligence gathering and preparation, a total of 11 people – each aged between 24 and 77 – were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences during the raids.
Eight men and three women were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs, being part of an organised crime group, possession with intent to supply, money laundering, and possession of an offensive weapon.
They all remain in police custody for questioning at this time, GMP confirmed.
During searches of the addresses, various class A, B and C drugs – including crack cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and nitrous oxide – were seized, while further recoveries of £70,000 in cash, a zombie knife, a BB gun, and four vehicles were also made at the same time.
Speaking following the success of the raids yesterday, Chief Superintendent Shan Nasim, District Commander for Tameside, said: “[This] operation has been a powerful example of our continued, determined effort to dismantle organised crime in our district and Greater Manchester.
“We have 11 people in custody being questioned by our investigation teams in relation to an organised crime group (OCG) that have been causing widespread harm across our communities.
“This action caused significant disruption of an organised crime group (OCG) and has prevented drugs and weapons from reaching the streets, as well as the associated harms that come hand in hand with organised crime.
“Organised criminals exploit vulnerable people and blight our communities; we will take robust action to catch offenders, keep our communities safe, and protect vulnerable people across Greater Manchester.”
The Manc -
17th July 2020 
