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Lancashire’s £42 million Tier 3 deal sees gyms and hair salons remain open

A deal has been reached to move Lancashire into Tier 3 under the government's new restrictions scheme.

The Manc The Manc - 16th October 2020

It has been confirmed this morning that a deal has been reached to move Lancashire into Tier 3 under the government’s new restrictions scheme.

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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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.

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News

Trafford Centre begins months-long refurb of its iconic The Orient foodhall

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A new era for The Orient is on the horizon, as the Trafford Centre has begun its months-long refresh of its iconic foodhall.

Forming part of its ongoing commitment to ‘enhancing the visitor experience’, the Trafford Centre is investing in a major refresh of seating and customer facilities within The Orient – creating a more vibrant and welcoming environment for guests to eat, meet and relax.

Works are now underway and will be delivered in phases over the coming months.

Improvements are being carried out in phases to minimise disruption to shoppers, while creating a more comfortable and contemporary dining environment at the same time.

The refreshed area will increase seating capacity by more than 60%, introducing a range of new seating styles in the process – including banquettes, family-friendly tables, accessible seating for guests with mobility requirements, and dedicated areas equipped with phone and laptop charging facilities.

The Trafford Centre begins months-long refurb of its iconic The Orient foodhall / Credit: The Manc Group

Inspired by The Orient’s longstanding maritime heritage, the design takes cues from a contemporary cruise liner, and the space will also feature upgraded furniture and enhanced lighting, alongside flexible areas designed to encourage visitors to spend more time in there.

There’ll also be modern furnishings and a ‘refreshed’ colour palette to create a brighter and welcoming environment.

“The Orient is one of the most popular destinations within Trafford Centre, welcoming millions of visitors each year,” a Trafford Centre spokesperson said on the refurb.

“This investment reflects our commitment to continually improving the experience for our guests, creating a more modern, comfortable and social environment where visitors can meet, dine and spend time together.

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“The improvements will not only significantly increase seating capacity but also deliver a much more flexible and accessible space for all visitors to enjoy.”

Featured Image – The Manc Group

News

Uber has officially started trialling driverless taxis in Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s official… driverless taxis have hit the streets of Manchester.

As the leading transportation company looks to bring robotaxis to other major cities around the UK, it has been confirmed that a trial of autonomous vehicles is now underway in Manchester – with the services being operated using the technology of Uber’s partner firms, Pony and Verne.

Uber said it was ‘excited’ to take this first step toward ‘making this technology accessible’ to people across the UK.

The three companies first collaborated on the deployment of a commercial robotaxi service back in March of this year, combining Pony.ai’s autonomous driving system, Uber’s global mobility platform, and Verne’s service ecosystem and operational framework. 

At this time, there has been no official application to launch passenger services in Manchester, according to The Guardian.

However, posts on various social media platforms – such as X, LinkedIn, and Instagram – by each of the companies this week have confirmed that trials are underway in the city.

A statement from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) on the rollout emphasises that safety is the ‘top priority’.

“New technologies play an increasingly important role in the growth of our city region,” TfGM said. “But they need to be introduced responsibly, safely and with real thought about what it means for our residents.

“Safety will always be our top priority, and we will need strong assurances that no vehicles will operate on our roads that pose any risk to residents.”

Uber said it’s aiming to offer robotaxi trips in as many as 15 cities worldwide by the end of 2026.

“Through a strong ecosystem of partnerships, autonomous mobility can both scale globally and more effectively,” commented Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi.

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“By bringing together Pony.ai’s proven autonomous driving technology, Verne’s operational and market expertise, and Uber’s global platform, we’re taking an important step toward making autonomous ride-hailing available to more riders in more places.”

Featured Image – Uber Investor

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