Insulate Britain protesters ‘glued to floor’ block M56 near Manchester Airport
Andy Burnham was quick to tweet his disapproval, stating he "can't see how this type of protest does anything other than alienate people from the climate cause".
Climate change protesters from Insulate Britain have blocked the M56 near Manchester Airport, it is being reported.
It appears that a group has blocked the carriageway near Junction 6 of the motorway this morning and is now holding Insulate Britain banners up.
Images from the scene show a group of protesters sitting on the floor near a collection of traffic lights, and some reports are suggesting that protesters have attempted to glue themselves to the floor.
It also seems that a number of police officers appear to be at the scene already.
Image: Insulate Britain
Greater Manchester Police has released a statement: “We’re currently responding to a protest on Wilmslow Road (A538) close to Manchester Airport.
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“We’re working at the scene to minimise disruption and we’ll provide updates in due course.
“Delays are expected and we ask people travelling to avoid the area if possible.”
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Manchester Airport has also released a statement, which says: “We are aware of protestors gathered on land close to Manchester Airport, which is being handled by the Greater Manchester Police.
“There is no impact on our operations but those planning to travel to the airport should take account of this ahead of their journey.
“Anyone with further enquiries should contact the police or Highways England directly.”
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Andy Burnham was quick to tweet his disapproval, stating he “can’t see how this type of protest does anything other than alienate people from the climate cause” – however, he doesn’t offer any suggestions for the type of protest he might deem to be more effective.
I can’t see how this type of protest does anything other than alienate people from the climate cause.
The group of climate change protestors appears to have headed north to coincide with the COP26 talks currently taking place in Glasgow.
This week, dozens of world leaders have already faced calls of hypocrisy for taking private jets to Glasgow whilst telling the world to cut its carbon footprint.
Protests are also taking place today in Birmingham and across Britain, reports The National Scot – with a reverend from Bristol having been arrested by police for taking part in the peaceful acts of disruption and disobedience.
The group is campaining for the UK government to introduce new legislation and funding for better home insulation, which they argue would significantly help in the fight against climate change.
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Their key demands are that the government insulate all social housing in the UK by 2025 and retrofit all homes with insulation by 2030.
An offshoot of climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion, their website states: “WE demand the Prime Minister and the government to #getonwiththejob, face up to their responsibility and lead our country through the climate crisis.”
Featured Image – Insulate Britain
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Pat Regan at the Fairfield Social Club – a brilliantly unhinged evening of standup comedy
Clementine Hall
There’s a particular kind of chaos that only Pat Regan can deliver, and the recently re-recognised Fairfield Social Club got the full force of it last night.
Making his Manchester debut as part of the ‘A Lovely Time’ series at the equally as lovely Fairfield Social Club, the New York comic, writer, and podcast host arrived with the energy of someone who had already lived through three emotional breakdowns before breakfast and somehow still had the worst to come.
Known for his work on HBO’s Hacks and the cult-favourite podcast Seek Treatment with fellow comic Catherine Cohen, Regan’s stand-up feels less like your traditional comedy set and more like being trapped in the world’s funniest group chat.
The perfectly intimate room beneath Fairfield’s railway arches was packed with adoring fans who were immediately on side as Regan launched into stories about traumatic trips to Paris, Grindr dates, massage tables and having crushes at the gym.
The audience was in the palm of his slightly sweaty hands (don’t worry, he’ll be fine with me saying so), laughing at every awkward punchline and self-deprecating anecdote.
The material is nothing groundbreaking, but this is what makes it so deeply hilarious; never before has shopping for the perfect pair of jeans been so serious and unserious at the same time.
There was laughter rolling through the venue for virtually the entire set, and after an hour of never-ending quips and jokes, we were left wanting more.
And the best part is, it won’t be long until we get more from this place, and it’s no wonder they’re starting to get the hosting plaudits they deserve.
It’s safe to say Fairfield Social Club has become one of Manchester’s most exciting homes for alternative comedy, and this felt like exactly the sort of booking that justifies its growing reputation.
By the time Regan left the stage, the audience looked equal parts exhausted and delighted. An absolutely classy evening indeed.
Find out about what else is on at the Fairfield Social Club HERE.
First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd November 2021 
