The Local Democracy Reporting Service has revealed that an agreement was reached at around 10am today (16th October), which will see the whole county move into the ‘very high’ alert level.
The move was announced by the Department of Health and Social Care today.
Pubs and bars which do not sell “substantial meals” have been ordered to close, along with casinos, betting shops, bingo halls, bookmakers and soft play centres, but in a move different to the Liverpool City Region – which up until now has been the only area in England under Tier 3 measures – gyms, leisure centres, hair salons and barber shops will be permitted to remain open.
The new measures which will come into place from 00.01 on Saturday 17th October are:
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People must not socialise with anybody they do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, in any indoor setting or in any private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events.
People must not socialise in a group of more than six in an outdoor public space such as a park or beach, the countryside, a public garden or a sports venue.
All pubs and bars must close, unless they are serving substantial meals.
People should try to avoid travelling outside the ‘very high’ alert level or entering a ‘very high’ alert level area, other than for work, education or for caring responsibilities or to travel through as part of a longer journey.
Residents should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK, and others should avoid staying overnight in the ‘very high’ alert area.
In addition, from Monday 19th October:
The adult gaming industry, casinos, bingo halls, bookmakers and betting shops, and soft play areas must close.
Car boot sales will not be permitted.
The county has secured £42 million out of the £58.2 million it was seeking as a package of financial support for businesses, the care sector and schools.
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Initially, only £12 million was said to be on the table from central government.
At present, Greater Manchester still remains under Tier 2 restrictions, with no formal indication as to when a decision is to be brought about.
It comes after after an announcement to place the region into the Tier 3 ‘very high’ risk alert level was delayed yesterday. The delayed decision is the result of a stalemate between the Department of Health and local leaders after the Treasury reportedly refused the request for more funding at a tense crunch meeting.
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Speaking in the House of Commons regarding Greater Manchester yesterday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “No further decisions have yet been made, but we need to make rapid progress”.
He added that decisions are still “ongoing”.
This was then followed by a later statement delivered by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, the Leader of Manchester City Council Sir Richard Leese and Deputy Mayor Baroness Beverley Hughes.
Local leaders remain resolute in their unanimous opposition to Greater Manchester’s proposed shift upwards in the government’s flagship tier system – demanding a superior financial package to the one that’s on the table – but they know the decision is ultimately out of their hands.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab weighed in live on BBC Breakfast this morning as the row between Greater Manchester and the government continues, and accused Andy Burnham and the region of “pulling up the drawbridge”.
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Andy Burnham has a few moments ago also released a joint statement together with the Metro Mayors of Liverpool and North Tyne – Steve Rotherham and Liam Driscoll.
They claimed that the north “is not divided” and that they are all together in a “fight for what’s right”.
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Salford confirms another ex-player as new CEO of phoenix rugby club
Danny Jones
As Salford turns the page of a new chapter in its rugby league history, ex-Red Devils player Ryan Brierley has been announced as the new chief executive officer (CEO).
His appointment was confirmed on Wednesday, 24 December, giving Salford rugby fans some fresh hope over the festive period.
Brierley, who played as a full back at Salford Red Devils from 2022 before leaving for Oldham RLFC halfway through last season earlier this year, follows fellow former player Mason Caton-Brown in returning to the team in a leadership capacity.
Sharing the news on his own social media, he wrote: “Incredibly honoured to announce I have been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Salford RLFC.”
His official statement goes on to read: “I would like to place on record my gratitude to the board members Malcolm Crompton, Mason Caton Brown and Paul Hancock for this opportunity. I would also like to thank the RFL and Salford City Council for their continued support.
“Lastly, but most importantly, to the Salford fans: what we had to go through last year was heartbreaking. I think I can speak to the wider Rugby League community and echo the sentiments of all fans that no club should ever go through that experience.
“Thank you for letting me lead this organisation into a new era. I’ve always said Salford people are my people and I will protect this club, with its best interests at heart. It is important [that] expectations are managed, and patience is required.”
He signed off by simply asking for the same support he was afforded as a fan, adding: “I have no doubt in my mind that you will go above and beyond, it’s just what Salford fans do…”
Led by the aforementioned Caton-Brown (a retired winger who played for the Red Devils between 2014-26), as well as another pair of directors in Hancock and Crompton, the Salford phoenix club has officially been given a Championship license for 2026.
Although relegation from the Super League and liquidation after 152 years were dark days for the club, this new consortium has already provided fans with some promising signs.
Besides saving the Salford sporting institution from total extinction, having previous members of the old outfit who know the bones, the stadium, the culture and the city so well is obviously a big bonus.
For now, it is a race against time to get a squad ready for the season opener against Brierley’s last team, Oldham – though contracts for a head coach and several players have reportedly been “pre-agreed”.
Featured Images — John Moorhouse (via Geograph)/supplied (via Rumpus PR)
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Netflix drops the first trailer for upcoming Peaky Blinders film
Danny Jones
It looks like Christmas has come early for TV drama fans and cinephiles, because Netflix has officially dropped the first trailer for the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie.
Popcorn at the ready – even the teaser alone has got us fired up.
ln just 70 seconds, they’ve managed to pull us right back in, and we cannot wait to see Cillian Murphy back in full-on Tommy Shelby mode.
Not exaggerating when we say we have LITERAL chills.
As you can see, they certainly haven’t scrimped on the budget with the first-ever feature-length Peaky Blinders film, neither in terms of production value nor the cast.
Then again, having already hosted the likes of Sam Neill, Tom Hardy, Adrien Brody, Anya Taylor-Joy and others in the series itself, as well as going on to become one of the most successful BBC shows of all time, they were never going to.
We’re sure you spotted plenty of them for yourselves, but the debut trailer for The Immortal Man gives us not only our first glimpses of now Oscar-winning Murphy, 49, back in the saddle (both figuratively and literally) but also fellow blockbuster Irish actor, Barry Keoghan.
Other big names set to appear in the movie – set for a limited release in theatres before launching exclusively on Netflix – include Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth. It still remains unclear, however, as to how any of these characters will knit into the new season.
It’s also worth noting that the trailer shares a little snippet of the historical context, this continuation of the Shelby story is playing into, as we see what looks to be Nazi figures meeting on screen.
Creator Steven Knight has already confirmed that the plot will fast-forward some years to meet back up with Tommy at the outset of WWII and his ancestral home of Birmingham during the Blitz.
Having already confirmed 6 March as the theatrical release date ahead of it going live on Netflix a fortnight later, the anticipation was seriously starting to ramp; this latest look has only added to the tinderbox of excitement.
What do you make of the Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man trailer, and will you be watching it?
The Manc -
16th October 2020 
