News

Government publishes official guidance on local restrictions in North West England

The government has stated that anyone who lives in Greater Manchester "should follow these rules when meeting people who you do not live with".

The Manc The Manc - 31st July 2020
Wikimedia Commons

The UK government has published official guidance this morning to outline the new restrictions put in place across areas of North West England to control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The restrictions came into effect from midnight on 31 July 2020.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock made the sudden announcement yesterday evening that people in certain areas of Northern England – crucially including all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester – would no long be permitted to congregate privately with others outside their household or support bubble in homes and gardens due to a rise in COVID-19 cases across these regions.

The areas to which the new guidelines apply are:

  • Greater Manchester (all 10 boroughs)
  • Pendle
  • Hyndburn
  • Burnley
  • Rossendale
  • Blackburn with Darwen
  • Bradford
  • Calderdale
  • Kirklees

An official and in-depth guidance package has now been published via the gov.uk website.

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The government has stated that anyone who lives in these parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire “should follow these rules when meeting people who you do not live with” and if you live in one of the affected areas, in order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, you should not:

“Meet people you do not live with inside a private home or garden, except where you have formed a support bubble (or for other limited exemptions to be specified in law).

Visit someone else’s home or garden even if they live outside of the affected areas.

Socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions. You may attend these venues with people you live with (or are in a support bubble with), but should avoid interaction with others. If you run such a business, you should take steps to ensure people do not interact with people they do not live with, in line with COVID-19 secure guidance.”

GOV.UK

It has also been confirmed that the government will pass new laws to enforce these changes, with the guidance stating that “the police will be able to take action against those that break these rules, including asking people to disperse and issuing fixed penalty notices”.

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These fixed penalty notices will start at £100 (halving to £50 if paid in the first 14 days) and will double for subsequent offences.

Further guidance has been revealed via a question and answer style format and addresses a number of FAQs that have understandably been circulating among members of the public across the region following the announcement.

Clarity has been provided on a range of questions from ‘Can I still go to work in this area?’, ‘Can I still go to cafes, restaurants, the gym and other public places?’ and ‘Can people from outside of the lockdown area visit me at my house?’, to ‘Can I visit a care home?’, ‘Can funerals and weddings still take place in the lockdown areas?’ and ‘Can I travel in a car with someone I do not live with?’.

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To read the guidance – North West of England: Local Restrictions – What You Can and Cannot Do – in full, visit the gov.uk here.

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For further information and guidance amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, do refer to official sources via gov.uk/coronavirus.

#StaySafeSaveLives

News

Iconic Manchester nightclub Panacea reopens as IKaro, a new grill and champagne bar

The Manc The Manc

This week, an iconic Manchester venue will reopen its doors with a brand new concept.  

The legendary city centre nightclub known as Panacea is about to reopen as IKaro, a new grill and champagne bar on John Dalton Street.

The move follows an application for planning permission earlier this year and sees a new team into the former popular celebrity hotspot Panacea, which has been closed since 2015.

At the restaurant, diners will find two menus focusing on two different elements, fire and ice. On the first, you’ll find Grilled Lobster Tails, Japanese A5 Wagyu Ribeye, and Australian Wagyu Tomahawk. 

On the second an array of Sushi and Sashimi such as Torched Hand Dived Scallops and Bluefin Tuna Otoro. 

Behind the menus are talented sushi chef, Lattawan Buchanan, who’s spent time at popular restaurants Ivy Asia and former ‘Masterchef: The Professionals’ finalist, Exose Grant. 

Head Chef Exose Grant, said, “Our menu showcases the best of the land and sea. We’ll be using fresh, quality produce in the best possible way. Innovative and impeccably presented dishes that don’t compromise on flavour.”

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Behind the bar, you’ll find countless varieties of Champagne including a frequently changing sommelier’s selection of rare bottles which, in keeping with the venue’s reputation as a go-to late-night haunt, will be served up until doors close at 2.30am.

Head of bars, Sean McGuirk, said: “Alongside our extensive ‘by the bottle’ offering, you can expect elevated classic cocktails, as well as some uniquely extravagant options.

“Our team will play with flavours and theatrics to deliver an experience like no other.”

IKaro will mark its launch with a VIP event on Saturday 23 September before doors open to the public on Wednesday 27 September. 

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Company director, Zack Issak, said, “It’s long overdue that this popular space opened its doors once more and we’re thrilled to be able to do that.

“IKaro will create an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Guests will enjoy a choice of the world’s finest Champagnes, paired with the best Wagyu steaks and seafood on the market.”

Bookings for the intimate, 84-cover restaurant, are open now and can be made online at www.ikaro.co.uk for Wednesday 27 September onwards. 

Featured image – The Manc Group

News

Trafford dog owner jailed after six-year-old girl was ‘savaged’ during attack

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man from Trafford whose pack of dogs were described as having “savaged” a six-year-old girl during an attack has been handed jailed time.

Bernard Valentine has also been banned from owning dogs for life.

It comes after the 36-year-old appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court last week (22 September) in relation to the distressing attack involving a six-year-old little girl and his pack of Pocket Bulldogs at his address on Ackers Lane in Carrington back on Sunday 26 March.

The court heard how the attack took place as the youngster walked to her friend’s house.

As she walked past the address Valentine was staying at in his camper van outside, she was set upon by a pack of six dogs that were being kept both in the back garden and in the defendant’s camper van, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Ackers Lane in Carrington, where the attack took place earlier this year / Credit: Google Maps

The little girl’s older sister then bravely tried to wrestle the dogs off her as she was being attacked on the pavement.

It was only when her mother picked her up that the dogs ran off.

The little girl sadly sustained “serious injuries” to her face, scalp, hand, abdomen, arms, legs, back, and shoulder during the attack – which she has since had surgery for.

Following the traumatic incident, Valentine was arrested on Tuesday 28 March when his van was traced to Fallowfield in south Manchester, and the dogs were subsequently seized, before he was also arrested in connection with another incident back in December 2022 when a man was walking his pet Dalmatian.

Both the man and Dalmatian were injured after being set upon by the dogs, and a member of the public was said to have had to intervene.

Following his trial last week, Valentine was handed a 49-month prison sentence.

He was also banned from owning dogs for life, and has a 10-year restraining order after pleading guilty to eight charges of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, and possession of Class B drugs.

Speaking following the trial, DC Goodhand, of Trafford CID, thanked the victims for supporting the prosecution, adding: “Whilst nothing can take these experiences away from them, we hope that today’s sentence goes some way to allowing them to heal and move on.”

DC Goodhand also urged anyone with information relating to dangerous animals to report this to the police, so that “appropriate action can be taken”.

Read more:

Any information can be reported via 101, or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – GMP

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