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How to set up an amazing garage
Following these simple steps can help you give your workshop a makeover, allowing you to get the most of your passion for cars.
A garage can often be forgotten about and used solely to store cars and other items that rarely get used in a far-from-convenient manner.
If you’re a motor enthusiast who is regularly tinkering with your vehicle, an unorganised garage can make going about your hobby more difficult than it needs to be.
Following these simple steps can help you give your workshop a makeover, allowing you to get the most of your passion for cars.
Have a clear-out
As mentioned, garages are often used to store items that rarely get used – if at all.
Clearing everything out gives you a clear idea of the space you’re working with, enabling you to better visualise how you want everything to set out.
If you’re unable to find a place to keep any items that you no longer want in the garage, you could try to sell them to raise funds for your renovation or place things in temporary storage while you decide what to do.
When the garage is empty, it’s the perfect time to give it a good clean too!
Start on the interior
Once everything’s clean and tidy, you can measure up and decide how best to set your garage up.
You might decide the floor could do with levelling out or maybe just a simple paint job. It’s also a good time to consider where would be best to place your workbench and how to arrange the space around it.
Shelves will be hugely important, so find a place you can put them up safely. You won’t want them above a car, for example, as anything that falls off could cause significant damage to your vehicle.
Get the right tools
A workman is often only as good as his tools, so it’s important to make sure you get as much value for money when it comes to getting all the gear you need for your garage.
You’ll want to tick off the basics like gloves, car ramps, torque wrenches and an impact driver. If you’re renovating your garage ahead of a big project, you might want to consider an engine crane too.
Make the most of storage
Whether you’ll be working with tools you already had or will be investing a lot of money in new equipment, it’s paramount you store them safely.
It’s estimated that £83 million worth of tools were stolen across England and Wales between 2017 and 2019. Lockable storage can provide you with an extra layer of protection should someone attempt to break into your garage.
If purchasing a used tool chest, inspect it closely for any rust and ensure all the drawers still operate smoothly. If it’s portable, purchasing some anti-slip mats can help keep the contents of your storage unit safe too.
A pegboard is also exceptionally useful in a garage, giving you easy access to the tools you use the most. This will help keep your newly renovated garage feeling fit for purpose for the long term.
News
Police appeal for information after pedestrian killed on Mancunian Way followed earlier welfare concern reports
Emily Sergeant
Police are continuing to appeal for information after a pedestrian was killed on Mancunian Way during the early hours.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the shocking incident occurred at approximately 12:50am on Friday 31 October when it was reported that a Volkswagen Passat had collided with a man in his 20s.
Sadly, the collision was fatal and the pedestrian died at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a man in his 40s, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the incident, subsequent police enquiries have established that a call was made to the force shortly after midnight which reported concern for a man walking on the carriageway, and GMP says it believes the man in that report was the man who was involved in the fatal collision.
Officers were sent out as ‘high priority’ to carry out an extensive search of the surrounding area after the report was made, but it was said that they couldn’t locate him.
Due to this earlier report, GMP has confirmed that it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to look into its response to the search.
The victim’s family is aware, have been updated, and they are being supported by specialist officers at this time.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is still appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV footage, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the incident.
“This is a tragic incident for all involved and we express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who has lost his life, and whom we are doing our utmost to support at this time,” commented Sergeant Andrew Page.
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Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of the 31/10/25, or by using the ‘report tool’ or LiveChat function on the GMP website – www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Geograph
News
Stockport paedophile who abused teen girls in early 2000s handed five extra years in prison
Emily Sergeant
A prolific paedophile who ‘groomed, exploited, and coerced’ teenage girls in the early 2000s has had his sentenced extended.
It was reported on back in June that Christopher Oates, from Stockport, was brought to justice after he subjected vulnerable girls to what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) referred to as a ‘campaign’ of violence and sexual abuse 20 years ago.
Oates was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 years old, and two counts causing / inciting a child aged 13-17 years to prostitution.
He was originally sentenced to 13 years in prison for all his crimes.
But now, following a successful appeal by GMP, working with the survivors and the Crown Prosecution Service, to take the ‘unduly lenient’ sentence to the Court of Appeal, Oates has now been handed an extra five years in prison.
His sentencing increase comes after the 45-year-old groomed one of the survivors from when she was just 14 years old, by providing her with a false sense of security, paying her compliments, and pretending to be her boyfriend, all before he proceeded to ply her with drugs, gifts, and affection, and using the trust and control he gained to persuade her to start sex work on the streets of Manchester.
When the teenage victim began to doubt his intentions and asked to go home, Oates dragged her down an alleyway, violently attacked her, and threatened her with a gun, stating: ‘You do as I say, you’re mine now,’ commanding her to go to her ‘spot’.
It was this incident that prompted the teenager to confide in her mother and support services, and from here, found the strength to move forward with her life, while still courageously supporting the police investigation.
From this investigation, detectives were then able to identify a second teenage victim, a 17-year-old, who Oates also coerced into sex work.
Speaking on Oates’ sentencing increase, DI Eleanor Humphreys, who was a senior investigating officer for this case, said: “We join both victims in expressing our relief and delight that the Court of Appeal has reviewed Oates’ lenient sentence and increased it by five years.
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“Oates will now rightly serve consecutive sentences for both victims, meaning that his time behind bars reflects the totality of his offending against both women – whose lives he has so badly impacted.
“We will not relent in ensuring child sex offenders are brought to justice and face the full consequences for their horrific crimes.”
Featured Image – GMP
The Manc -
21st July 2021 
