News

Government publishes list of Tier 3 areas set to receive mass testing from Monday

Oldham will be among the first areas to launch rapid testing - focusing on communities most significantly affected by the virus, higher risk supported living settings, health and social care staff, schools and colleges.

The Manc The Manc - 14th December 2020
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The ten boroughs of Greater Manchester have been included on the list of 67 areas set to participate in a mass programme of rapid testing like the one seen in Liverpool earlier this year.

Oldham is among the first to launch a testing strategy – which will focus on communities most affected by the virus such as supported living settings, health and social care staff, schools and colleges.

The rapid test scheme – which involves lateral flow tests – is being rolled out to high risk areas to help identify COVID cases even when carriers have no symptoms.

It is thought that as many as one in three COVID sufferers could be asymptomatic.

The government will provide additional support and resources to run the mass testing programmes for up to six weeks.

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Oldham / Wikimedia Commons

More than 1.6 million lateral flow tests will be immediately delivered for use – with more set to follow in 2021.

The government claims that ‘community testing will help put Tier 3 areas on a route out of toughest restrictions’.

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Health Secretary Matt Hancock called the programme a “vital tool” in the fight against coronavirus, stating: “I urge all those living in areas where community testing is offered to come forward and get tested.”

The full list of local authorities aiming to begin testing in December include:

  • Bolton
  • Bury
  • Manchester
  • Oldham
  • Rochdale
  • Salford
  • Stockport
  • Tameside
  • Trafford
  • Wigan

Every resident in Greater Manchester is currently living under the tightest restrictions despite most areas seeing a significant drop in cases over the past few weeks.

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The region’s leaders have already said they will “press very hard” for Greater Manchester to be reclassified as a Tier Two area before Christmas.

A tier review is due on Wednesday.

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Clubland at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Clubland is returning to Manchester this weekend, and we’ve got you sorted with all you need to know so you can let your hair down.

Whether you’re ready to jump up and down for a bit of ‘Everytime We Touch’ or lose it all and go crazy over ‘Now You’re Gone’, you can do both as Clubland is in town.

Instead of waiting months between seeing your favourite artists live, this night brings them all together and pops them on one big stage for a three-hour-long festival, isn’t that handy?

Get ready to live out your Europop dreams, dance the night away and enjoy some feel-good, care-free tunes.

Clubland UK tour dates

Clubland tickets for AO Arena gig

Clubland has toured the UK numerous times and has become a firm staple in some people’s concert calendar every year.

However, fans are in luck as there are just a handful of tickets left to choose from HERE.

Clubland setlist

Basshunter and Cascada are two of the guests lined up for Clubland at AO Arena, Manchester.
Basshunter and Cascada are two of the guests lined up for Clubland at AO Arena, Manchester.
Credit: Remigiusz Józefowicz via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

The gig at AO Arena in Manchester will be the closing night of the 2025 UK tour, meaning fans will be dancing like nobodies watching and soaking up all those seriously good vibes.

On AO Arena’s website, the concert is set to feature various artists, including Basshunter, Billy Gillies feat. Hannah Boleyn, Cascada; Darren Styles, Flip n Fill feat. Karen Parry, Kelly Llorenna and Ultrabeat.

Although no setlist is confirmed, based on that lineup alone, anyone attending is in for a treat.

What are the stage times for Clubland in Manchester?

AO Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning concertgoers can ‘Evacuate The Dancefloor’ before the clock strikes twelve, but we’re sure if you want to continue the party Manchester is always ready for a party and with an array of bars and clubs nearby, our city centre will be waiting with open arms.

Doors for Clubland are scheduled for 6pm with a start time of 7:30pm. The lineup looks to be complete and intact for now; regardless of any drop-outs/latecomers, we’re sure some of your favourite dance tunes will be pumping out through the arena’s speakers.

Read more:

How to get to AO Arena

Tram

For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily, it’s connected to Manchester Victoria Station and it has an integrated Metrolink stop to make your life even easier.

Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Train

Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena, wherever they are.

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Bus

A variety of buses cover AO Arena and Victoria Station on their route, such as the 2 bus, which stops just a one-minute walk away from the venue.

A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.

Getting there by car and parking

The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.

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Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.

Walk/cycle

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.

About the AO Arena

The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.

For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.

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All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

News

Inside the million-pound four bedroom barn conversion in Cheshire

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There’s a million-pound barn conversion just gone up for sale in Cheshire, and of course, we couldn’t resist looking around.

This property is nestled in the idyllic village of Warburton in Lymm, just a short 40-minute drive from Manchester.

The four-bedroom, two-bath property spans over two properties, featuring a nice little detached garage and a cosy back garden.

At first glance, you may be captivated by the sheer beauty that is the grand barn-twanged canopy which overhangs the property’s driveway, but we’ve still got a barn conversion to explore.

The minimalistic kitchen with accompanying island and breakfast bar.
The minimalistic kitchen with accompanying island and breakfast bar.
The dining room separated by that quirky three-arch brick wall.
The dining room separated by that quirky three-arch brick wall.
Credit: On The Market

Titled ‘The Barn Birch Farm‘, as you enter through the front door and turn left, you’re greeted by a three-arch red brick wall which separates the kitchen from the dining space.

The kitchen is sleek black all around with a large island which also doubles as a breakfast bar in the middle of the room, which is also where the hob can be found.

Each room in this Cheshire barn conversion seems to wow us even more, and this time it’s the living room which captures our attention, thanks to the large log beams which perfectly frame the TV.

There’s an equally impressive log beam and archway which acts as a break between the main living space and a more snug seating area with a hearty fireplace taking centre stage.

If all that lounging around has you tired out, then you’re in luck as the bedroom is right next door with a large open-plan wardrobe and mezzanine en-suite.

There’s a spiral staircase that connects the bedroom to the mezz, which consists of both a shower and a bath. Very stylish and pretty lush, to say the least.

The main bedroom of the barn conversion with above mezzanine en-suite.
The main bedroom of the barn conversion with above mezzanine en-suite.
The bath and shower in the mezzanine en-suite overlooking the bedroom.
The bath and shower in the mezzanine en-suite overlooking the bedroom.
Credit: On The Market

All the bedrooms are situated under a wooden-beamed vaulted ceiling, which further adds to the character of the property – not a room goes without a sprinkle of this country-barn style.

Each of the first-floor bedrooms has its own skylight too, meaning once you’ve stopped admiring all the intricate barn details, you can opt for a bit of stargazing.

The garden is quite the sight as well, providing the barn conversion with its own mini forest and garage with not one but two undercover car parking spaces.

This barn conversion is the perfect property for anyone wanting to live out their cottage-core fantasy on a much larger scale.

Obviously, the price tag is out of a lot of our reach, but when a house looks as good as this, we can’t help but have a nosy. So, what do you make of The Barn Birch Farm? You can view all the pictures and find out more information HERE.

The snug area just behind the main living room, separated by the gorgeous wooden beams.
The snug area just behind the main living room, separated by the gorgeous wooden beams.
All the bedrooms have their own wooden beams which helps keep the barn character alive throughout the property.
All the bedrooms have their own wooden beams which helps keep the barn character alive throughout the property.
Credit: On The Market

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image: Supplied via On The Market

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