Grouse hunting is to end on several moorland areas across North West, United Utilities has announced.
The North West-based water company – which also happens to be the largest corporate land owner in England, and is responsible for the management of widespread sections of moorland across the region – has confirmed that shooting licences will not be renewed going forward, and no new licenses will be issued either.
Anglezarke Moor near Bolton, the Longdendale Valley near Glossop, and the Goyt Valley near Buxton are just a handful of the moorland areas managed by United Utilities close to Greater Manchester were hunting will be banned.
Moorland areas in Burnley and Bowland are also set to see grouse hunting end.
Grouse hunting to be banned on moorland across the North West / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The water company said its decision has been announced following a review of its position on the matter, which began back in March.
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Confirming its decision in a statement issued this week, a United Utilities spokesperson said: “As shooting leases reach their conclusion at various stages between now and 2027, they will not be renewed.
“Instead of being maintained for grouse shooting, the company’s water catchment moors will be restored for nature, climate and people.”
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Conservation organisations have hailed the move as a “breakthrough moment”.
🚨BREAKING: hugely welcome announcement from @UnitedUtilities at their AGM today that they are pulling the plug on grouse shooting.
Once shooting leases come to an end, they will not be renewed. Instead, the company's moors will be restored for nature, climate and people. pic.twitter.com/n5OAtDevBE
CEO Louise Beardmore said United Utilities had “made a commitment” that it would no longer renew any existing shooting leases on a long term basis, and this is what has “guided” the company’s approach over the last couple of years.
It’s believed that United Utilities’ decision has the potential to lead to the restoration of large parts of the Forest of Bowland, Peak District, and West Pennine moorlands.
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Luke Steele, who is the Executive Director of conservation group Wild Moors, said United Utilities has “risen to the challenge” of creating what will be a “wilder and more diverse future” for the North West, and commends the company for its decision to end grouse shooting.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
24-hour bus services are now running across all Greater Manchester boroughs
Emily Sergeant
24-hour bus services are now running across all boroughs in Greater Manchester.
You may remember that back in March, it was announced that every borough of Greater Manchester was set to get a night bus service in what is hoped to be a ‘boost’ to the night-time economy… and now it’s official, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched those 24-hour buses this month, along with a series of other measures.
Oldham, Stockport, Tameside, and Trafford now join the rest of Greater Manchester in having 24-hour bus services, meaning every part of the region will have a night bus operating Thursday through to Sunday.
It’s expected that these new services will help around 625,400 people working in the night-time economy across Greater Manchester, as well as those out enjoying the region’s nightlife, TfGM has said.
The routes which will run around the clock from Thursday until Sunday are:
50 (Salford – Manchester)
216 (Tameside – Manchester)
263 (Trafford – Manchester)
192 (Stockport – Manchester)
83 (Oldham – Manchester)
All Greater Manchester boroughs now have 24-hour bus services / Credit: TfGM
They launch alongside the most significant service changes to the Bee Network since the completion of bus franchising last year – including other new bus routes, and more frequent services across Greater Manchester.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy everything Greater Manchester offers, without the worry of how to get there and get home,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“By growing the Bee Network, we’re making it easier than ever for people to use the bus, day and night.
“Our night buses are already providing a lifeline to some of the hundreds of thousands of people who are growing our night-time economy and working in essential public services.”
“Whether people are heading home from a night at the theatre or starting the early shift at a hospital, they can now get on board the night bus as a safe and affordable way to travel.”
Further improvements will delivered from January 2027, and a full breakdown by borough can be found on the Bee Network website here.
Emily Sergeant -
26th July 2023 
