Following a judicial review brought by bus operators Stagecoach and and Rotala, a judge has ruled in favour of Manchester’s buses being brought back under public control.
The plan, first put forward by Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham last year, was briefly thrown into jeopardy after operators tried to stop it – but now it’s been successfully defended, meaning that cheaper buses are likely coming to the city in the near future.
Today, the courts found that the decision to implement a bus franchising scheme across Greater Manchester to bring buses back under public control was lawfully carried out, which means the plans can now move forward.
Sharing his joy at the decision, Andy Burnham tweeted that he was ‘pleased to say we have successfully defended the decision I took to put GM buses under public control’ and that he had won on ‘all points’ – adding “we can finally put people before profits after 36 years of the opposite”.
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Joining in his enthusiasm, Manchester night tsar Sacha Lord added that the deicision was ‘huge news’ not just for Greater Manchester but for the rest of the UK, too.
Pleased to say we have successfully defended the decision I took to put GM buses under public control.
We won on ALL points.
The way is now clear for the North to retake control of its public transport.
We can finally put people before profits after 36 years of the opposite.👇🏻 https://t.co/hmmfTz9TLO
In an official statement released following the court judgement, Andy Burnahm said: “Following the strong mandate from the Greater Manchester public, who wanted buses bringing back under public control, it is frustrating that the two companies concerned pursued this action and I am pleased that the court has dismissed all of their arguments.
“I now ask them to accept the clear ruling and allow us to crack on and give the people of Greater Manchester what they want – an integrated, accessible and affordable ‘London-style’ transport system joining together buses, trams, cycling and walking; the Bee Network.
“I want to work with the operators and the government to create the bus network that GM needs over the next few years and I will give a more detailed update on how and when we will implement franchising on Monday.
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“However, in order to deliver a London-style transport system, we need the right funding to do so for our buses and for our Metrolink system so that people have access to the kind of reliable, affordable services that makes public transport an attractive alternative to the car.
“Access to reliable affordable public transport is central to the government’s commitment to levelling up and to our net zero ambitions. We want Government to join us in a partnership that uses Greater Manchester as a pilot to allow it to become the first London-style public transport system outside of London, as the Government promised in its Levelling Up White Paper, providing a package of both post-Covid and longer-term funding.
“We know that this result is important not just for Greater Manchester, but for other city-regions too; such as Liverpool City Region and South Yorkshire who have both announced that they are taking steps to introduce a franchised bus network. We hope that this judgement today will pave the way for them to progress with their ambitions to bring buses under public control. This ruling is a green light for the North to retake control of its bus and public transport system.”
Feature image – Commons Wikimedia
Boroughs
Viral cosmetics brand P. Louise to bring exclusive pop-up to Trafford Centre this Christmas
Thomas Melia
Huge cosmetics and beauty brand P.Louise has announced an exclusive pop-up set to take place in Trafford Centre this Christmas.
Greater Manchester makeup artist turned business woman, Paige Louise, gained lots of traction online for her baby pink-packaged makeup products, branded after her nickname, P.Louise, and now the company has announced its bringing an exclusive pop-up to Manchester’s Trafford Centre just in time for Christmas.
After such a success last year, the pop-up event, aptly-titled ‘Pinkmas’, will be returning to Manchester, and its bringing P.Louise’s much-loved makeup brand to life through an interactive display at the Trafford Centre.
Visitors can expect to explore the magical world of ‘Pinkmas’ through three different immersive winter zones.
P.Louise Pinkmas is coming to the Trafford Centre this festive season / Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
Much like her P.Louise Empire site over in Stockport, Pinkmas elevates this experience by sprinkling a little bit of Christmas magic over the baby pink brand and its festive-themed makeup products.
Each of the interactive zones will serve their own purpose, encouraging you to get stuck in with a variety of activities all relating to the festive season.
You can enjoy decorating your own gingerbread treats in Mrs Claus’ Kitchen, personalising and making a keepsake of best-selling product ‘Bad B*tch’, all before writing a letter to Santa at the ‘Post Me Pretty Room’.
Each person who attends can expect to spend up to three hours travelling through each pretty pink zone, guided by the P.Louise elves on a story-led tour.
After all that wonderland wonderfulness, there’s only one thing missing from this festive extravaganza, and what screams Christmas more than a pantomime? A P.Louise Pantomime though, of course, with a guest appearance from Santa himself.
As you venture through the Pinkmas pop-up, there’ll be moments for you to get your hands on some P.Louise goodies and gift sets, as well as sampling the tasty treats from the food and drink stalls.
Get ready to deck the halls with blush, gloss and glamour this festive season, as P.Louise Pinkmas is residing in Trafford Centre for the entire Christmas period.
Visitors can expect to step into a world of glitz and glam when P.Louise Pinkmas visits Trafford Centre / Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
“I wanted to create the memories I never had, and above all else, give others the chance to make those magical moments,” commented Paige Williams, who is the dynamic founder and CEO of P.Louise.
Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Paige Williams, a brilliant local success story, and her hugely popular brand for a festive experience that’s full of sparkle and surprises.”
P.Louise Pinkmas is returning to Manchester’s Trafford Centre from 1 December to 4 January, and you can find tickets and more information HERE.
Featured Images – Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)
Boroughs
NatWest to close dozens more bank branches in 2025 – including eight in Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
NatWest has announced that it’ll be closing a further 52 bank branches throughout 2025, and Greater Manchester will be affected.
In what is set to be another blow to the already-struggling high street, NatWest has confirmed that it will be closing down another 52 branches before 2025 is out, bringing its total closures across the UK to a significant 105.
Dozens of regions nationwide are set to be affected by the closures this year, including here in Greater Manchester.
This year’s closures follow the dozens that shut in 2024, although our region – and the North West in general – appeared to escape quite lightly from that cull, with only the Tameside town of Stalybridge losing its branch in July, but in 2025, we aren’t set to be so lucky as eight branches are shutting up shop, and some have already gone.
Manchester city centre, Stockport, and Urmston are just a couple of the local areas where closures are starting to take place.
NatWest to close dozens more bank branches in 2025 / Credit: PickPik
NatWest said the closures reflect the general shift to online banking, with more than 80% of its current account holders now using digital services instead of in-person, and the majority of new accounts opened online.
The company added that more than £20m will be invested in its UK network next year, including upgrades to branches that are still open, support through Post Offices and banking hubs, and pop-up services in some areas.
Greater Manchester NatWest branches closing in 2025
Farnworth, Bolton – 15/05/25
Manchester Portland Street – 11/06/25
Middleton – 30/04/25
Rochdale – 10/06/25
Trafford Park – 20/05/25
Hazel Grove, Stockport – 19/06/25
Heaton Chapel, Stockport – 03/06/25
Urmston – 13/05/25
“Like any business, we strive to meet our customers’ changing needs and expectations,” NatWest commented on the closure announcements, “and we’ve been responding to the industry-wide shift towards digital services by investing to broaden what customers can do themselves and to offer them greater personalisation.
“We recognise, however, that some people still need help to adapt, particularly our vulnerable customers.
“Our customer support specialists proactively contact branch users who we know may need additional support when a branch closes and, where there’s a need, we install community pop-ups to help customers become familiar with alternative banking services.”
Georgina Pellant -
9th March 2022 
