Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham says the region will have a “very strong case” to exit Tier 3within two weeks – calling on all local MPs to vote against the measures in the Commons.
The government confirmed that the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester are destined for Tier 3 measures when lockdown ends on December 2 – meaning all local hospitality (except for takeaway) and indoor entertainment will remain closed.
The decision has been met with chagrin; as data shows weekly case rates and hospital admissions falling across Greater Manchester.
The Mayor said he is hoping the government will review their decision before Christmas – with local leaders set to make “the strongest possible argument” to move down to Tier 2.
Here’s the evidence behind the Government’s decision on GM.
People will have to draw their own conclusions on the rights/wrongs.
What I can say is we’ll likely have a very strong case for Tier 2 in two weeks.
Burnham stated: “People will have to draw their own conclusions on the rights/wrongs.
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“What I can say is we’ll likely have a very strong case for Tier 2 in two weeks.”
The government – hoping to avoid another high-profile tug of war with Burnham over tier terms like in October – has already said that tiers will be non-negotiable.
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But the Mayor has called on local MPs to “join us in a strong cross-party appeal”.
There is already evidence that some Conservative MPs may protest the measures.
Sir Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham & Sale West, has already said he will vote against the government next week when the proposed tier system goes to the Commons, claiming he had “severe reservations on so many different levels.”
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MP for Hazel Grove, William Wragg, also hinted he would vote against his constituency entering Tier 3.
“Stockport’s Covid rates continue to fall sharply and will no doubt be lower still next week,” he said.
“We should be considered for tiering on a Local Authority basis. As we have not been, I cannot support these proposals.”
Stockport’s Covid rates continue to fall sharply and will no doubt be lower still next week. We should be considered for tiering on a Local Authority basis. As we have not been, I cannot support these proposals. https://t.co/C4ZdaEyhKz
Mary Robinson, MP for Cheadle, also said she would “continue to argue” for a borough by borough approach that would separate lower risk regions from others.
“Stockport borough continues to have a notably lower infection rate than the rest of Greater Manchester, with a pattern of decline,” she stated.
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“I have argued in the past for a borough by borough approach when it comes to tier allocations, supported by the data.”
The new tier system is set to go to a vote on Tuesday.
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Middleton to receive a cinema and Metrolink as part of regeneration plans
Thomas Melia
Greater Manchester town Middleton is about to undergo a huge facelift thanks to a new regeneration project, including a new cinema and Metrolink tram station.
Middleton is one of many bustling communities that make up the borough of Rochdale, and with these new plans, the town might receive a fair few new visitors who want to know what it’s all about.
The Greater Manchester town is undergoing a huge transformation with regeneration plans confirming that Middleton will receive a brand new cinema complex along with an extended Metrolink line as part of the Bee Network expansion covering this area.
This is all thanks to Middleton teaming up with the Mayor to launch the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which pushes forward regeneration plans for the town and future ideas.
Middleton Shopping Centre right in the heart of the town centre.Middleton Town Centre bustling as the markets take place.Credit: Steven Haslington (via Geograph)/@Rept0n1x (via Flickr)
The MDC considers lots of aspects of the town and even aims to create new homes and improve surrounding public spaces.
Middleton regeneration plans have been floated previously, but complications arose due to a lack of land and available funding, which ultimately brought these foundations to a halt.
Now it seems the green light has been lifted and Middleton is about to get a whole new facelift, which will not only improve the town economically but aesthetically too, along with the wider Rochdale region.
For many Middletonians, the idea of a cinema may have felt like a distant memory, with their last big screen location shutting down just over a decade ago.
This all-new high street regeneration will not only bring an array of shopping favourites back to the town centre but also the long-awaited return of a local cinema. Most importantly, the plans also include a slate of new housing, with an estimated 300 apartments set to be created in one building alone.
Early CGIs of the proposed Middleton regeneration plans.Grade II-listed Warwick Mill looks set to be turned into flats.Credit: Publicity Picture (supplied)
This all falls in line with the ‘Atom Valley scheme‘, which has been commissioned in order to generate over 20,000 job opportunities for people in Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.
The scheme also mentions how it aims to bring a combined economic boost of around £1 billion to these previously mentioned areas.
Rochdale Borough Council leader, Neil Emmott, said: “The development of 1.2 million square metres of employment space around the junction 19 area will help to generate 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1 billion economic boost.”
Featured Image — Publicity Pictures (supplied via Rochdale Borough Council)
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Scouting For Girls announce stacked UK tour with Manchester date
Thomas Melia
British boyband Scouting For Girls are heading out on an extensive UK tour with dates up and down the country, including right here in Manchester.
If the first thing that pops into your mind when you read this headline is “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know how we’ll make it through this”, then you’re on the right side of history.
Nearly 20 years since their single ‘She’s So Lovely’ reached catastrophic heights and had everyone putting on their best Roy Stride accent, Scouting For Girls are heading back on the road.
This UK tour announcement comes two years after their last project, The Place We Used To Meet, reached our ears and was coined by the band as “Our best work since our debut”.
It’s been 18 years since this Brit trio captivated our hearts with their eponymous debut album, which sold over one million copies and went number one on the UK official charts for two weeks.
Whether you know them for ‘Heartbeat’ or ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, it’s clear to say this band had their fair share of smash hit singles throughout the noughties.
This tour, however, celebrates the sophomore follow-up: Everybody Wants To Be On TV, which went on to continue their legacy and secure them their only number one, ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’, back in 2010.
Now, the boys are treating UK fans to an array of live performances, and if you can’t make one date, fear not because there are 20 different locations for you to choose from.
The group will also be playing the likes of Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and a whole host of other Northern cities, so you have plenty of chances to catch them.
If you can’t wait all the way until March 2026 for your next Scouting For Girls fix, lead singer Stride has his own cameo account where you can get the star to read out a message or even sing you a song: “‘Michaela Strachan’ in full, please?…”
Scouting For Girls are coming to O2 Apollo in Manchester on 21 March 2026, with tickets going on sale next Friday, 2 May at 10am HERE.
The Manc -
27th November 2020 
