As the coronavirus lockdown loosened across the UK yesterday, so did the rules for hospitality businesses who have been out of action for three months.
As doors to our favourite local haunts burst open again with new guidelines in place, people across the country planned their first day or night out on the booze since March.
Greater Manchester was no exception, and by 12pm the Northern Quarter was bustling again – but things looked a lot different. Outside seating had been implemented in the popular food and drinks mecca of town, which has recently been pedestrianised further.
NQ, this is good. Well done @ManCityCouncil. I always pictured NQ like this without the cars. I am enjoying the table service in pubs, am I in Berlin or somewhere. pic.twitter.com/NBLsJcFdXm
Punters lined a new-look Thomas Street, where they sat in new custom built socially distanced seating areas – where they could order their drinks without the usual grim walk to a packed bar.
Wetherspoons pubs across town were also at capacity from breakfast – a sight we are so used to seeing on a regular Saturday in the North West.
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For the most part, our hospitality industry had done a fantastic job of making their establishments COVID-secure, and apart from the odd covidiot, the new rules were followed en masse by punters.
Nathan Whittaker / Manc Wanderer
Drinks were being knocked back until the very early hours while many people had been out drinking since the morning, but according to Greater Manchester Police, anti social behaviour was down to a minimum – and they even thanked the city for “remaining sensible and patient.”
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Insp O’Connor says prior to tonight a concern had been queues outside venues. However, with plenty open it doesn’t seem to have been an issue. He sums up the patrol so far. pic.twitter.com/bIVgMhZjO6
— Charlotte Dobson (@dobbo_charlotte) July 4, 2020
Sam Ridgway
However, this doesn’t mean that July 4th was a completely faultless day for the city’s emergency responders, as a handful of arrests were made across the region – with reports of fighting inside and outside various pubs and bars. But what’s new?
It’s safe to say, Manchester was #BuzzingToBeBack yesterday, but there’s still a long way to go until life feels normal again for our independent bars, restaurants and the people who fill them every week – and while yesterday seemed “relaxed and safe” across the city centre, the government and local councils will not be in a rush to loosen things further until the data tells them that they can.
Well done, Manchester, you did yourselves proud. We hope your heads aren’t too sore, today.
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Manchester’s newest hotel launches massive recruitment drive with 100+ jobs available
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s newest hotels has launched a massive recruitment drive with more than 100 jobs available to locals.
The Medlock, Manchester’s bold new 401-bedroom hotel – which is born from a partnership between Manchester City Football Club and Radisson Hotel Group, and is set to open later this year in the autumn – is looking for new team members across a wide range of areas, including front of house, housekeeping, engineering, and reservations.
To welcome these new team members onboard, the hotel has now launched a massive recruitment drive with dozens of roles available to local people.
Individuals who bring ‘authenticity, pride, and personality’ to everything they do are encouraged to apply for the roles – which go live early next week (Monday 27 April).
Aimed at boosting employment within the local community, vacancies span front-of-house, housekeeping, engineering and reservations.
The recruitment drive – delivered in partnership with Total People – is being lead by Valor Hospitality, the hotel’s operator chosen for its global expertise and people-first approach to hospitality, and will be offering tailored training programmes that are designed to make careers in hospitality accessible to Manchester residents.
Vocational qualifications across a range of skills will help individuals build confidence and step into rewarding roles in the industry, and it also means prior experience is not entirely necessary.
More than 100 roles will be available to local people / Credit: Supplied
General Manager Richard Pearson says the recruitment drive is a ‘unique opportunity to be part of an exciting partnership’.
“This is a milestone we’ve been eagerly anticipating, building the team that will bring The Medlock to life,” he added. “We’re looking for people who carry the spirit of Manchester with them, people who are proud of where they’re from and passionate about creating something special together.”
As mentioned, all job adverts will go live next Monday (27 April) so hopefuls can get their applications submitted here.
This’ll then be followed by invite-only open days for shortlisted candidates in mid May.
Featured Image – Supplied
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UK passes bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from smoking in ‘historic’ moment
Emily Sergeant
In what is described as being a ‘historic moment’, the UK has now passed a bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from ever buying tobacco products.
It’s been a long time coming, but the final draft of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill completed its journey through the Houses of Commons and Lords yesterday (21 April 2026), and is now on its way to receiving royal assent to officially become the law.
For those unfamiliar, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will stop people who were born on or after 1 January 2009 from ever taking up smoking.
It will also give Government ministers new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products – including their flavours and packaging, which make them more appealing to younger generations.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has hailed the bill’s passing as a ‘historic moment for the nation’s health’ on the road to creating a smoke-free generation.
The UK has passed a bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from smoking / Credit: Lil Artsy (via Pexels)
“Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm,” Mr Streeting said after the bill was passed this week.
“Prevention is better than cure. This reform will save lives, ease pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain.”
The ban on purchasing tobacco products for those born after 2008 was first mooted by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Government a number of years back, but was eventually shelved ahead of the 2024 General Election, and then revived again by Labour when they took power.
The bill’s passing parliament has been welcomed by charities and campaign groups – most notably Cancer Research UK.
“This is a historic achievement that will shield our children from the devastating grip of tobacco addiction and help to put an end to cancers caused by smoking,” concluded Michelle Mitchell, who is the Chief Executive Officer at Cancer Research.
The Manc -
5th July 2020 
