News

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:

  • 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.

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.

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”.

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

Heartbreaking tributes are being paid after 23-year-old hit by car in Stockport dies from injuries

Danny Jones Danny Jones Joel Sheldon death Bredbury Stockport death tributes

Tributes are pouring in on social media following the death of a local young man from Bredbury, Stockport, who was tragically hit by a car last weekend.

Joel Corey Sheldon, who was just 23, sadly died on Saturday, 21 June, after being struck by a vehicle on the previous Friday night at around 10:20pm.

The Stopfordian was rushed to the hospital immediately, but was later pronounced dead from his injuries despite the best efforts of the paramedics and emergency services. He is survived by his parents, Gaz and Cheryl, as well as two brothers, Leo and Harvey.

Following the news of his passing, family members, friends and countless others throughout the Bredbury community and beyond have been paying their respects to what was, by all accounts, a “fun-loving popular young man.”

In a heartfelt tribute issued on Tuesday afternoon (24 Jun), Joel’s family wrote: “Our beautiful son Joel was caring, kind, and loved by everyone who knew him.

“He smiled constantly and loved life. His energy was infectious, and the outpouring of love for him has made us so immensely proud. We will love him and miss him for the rest of our lives.”

Writing on Facebook, the youngster’s godfather, Martin Smith, added: “RIP Joel Sheldon, I was so proud to be your godfather and part of your life. I’ll miss our chats.

“Even when you were gaming back in the day, you always were so polite to me. I love you, and the amount of broken hearts shows what a beautiful young man you were…”

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) say they received reports of a collision involving a Vauxhall Corsa and a pedestrian on Lower Bents Lane, close to The Greyhound Pub, with the car being seen heading in the direction of Redhouse Lane when the collision occurred. No suspects have been identified thus far.

A fundraising page has now been set up in Joel’s memory, with people donating to help cover the cost of his funeral and ‘any additional costs incurred by the family.’

Set up by fellow Bredbury native and family friend, Eleanor Moore, the description of the page reads: “The Sheldons are very much at the heart of the Bredbury community, and we would like to take away the financial strain at this difficult time.” Over £23,000 has been raised already.

Nearby pub, The Queens – located further up the same road on which he was unfortunately hit – also posted the GoFundMe link and has been sharing official updates from GMP, as have a number of other local businesses and organisations.

As for the latest from the authorities, police are appealing for more information, urging anyone with any more details regarding the incident, no matter how small, to come forward as soon as possible.

This includes Bredbury locals, eyewitnesses in the area at the time; dashcam and/or doorbell camera footage that may have captured images of the car or its driver, and any other information which might be useful in the investigation of Joel Sheldon’s death.

If you have information, you can contact Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 quoting log 4082 of 20/06/25, or do so online right HERE.

Our thoughts go out to Joel’s friends and family, along with all those whose lives he touched, during this extremely difficult time. Rest in peace.

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Featured Images — Family Handouts/GMP

News

Home testing kits will be sent out those who never or rarely attend cervical screenings

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant At-home smear test

People with a cervix who have never or rarely attend appointments are be offered home-testing kits as part of the cervical screening programme.

The Government‘s groundbreaking initiative, which comes under the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan, aims to revolutionise cervical cancer prevention rates by tackling what are described as ‘deeply-entrenched barriers’ keeping some away from potentially life-saving screenings – including a fear of discomfort, embarrassment, cultural sensitivities, and even the struggle to find time for medical appointments.  

Participation in cervical cancer screening currently sits at just 68.8%, according to the Department of Health, which is well below NHS England’s target of 80%.

This therefore means that more than five million women in England are not up to date with their routine check-up.

Women who have rarely or have never attended their cervical screening will now be offered a self-sample kit to complete at home by the NHS.

The self-testing kits – which detect human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of viruses that can lead to cervical cancer – will allow women to carry out the testing procedure in the privacy and convenience of their own homes.  

The kits will be sent out in discreet packaging, and can be returned via pre-paid mail.

Anyone who may test positive for HPV through self-sampling will then be encouraged to attend a follow-up cervical screening test with a clinician to check for cervical cell changes. 

Experts believe this new targeted approach could increase participation in the screening programme and ultimately save more than 5,000 lives each year.

“These self-sampling kits represent healthcare that works around people’s lives, not the other way around,” commented Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting.

“They put women firmly in control of their own health, ensuring we catch more cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages.

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“We know the earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances are of survival. By making screening more convenient, we’re tackling the barriers that keep millions of women from potentially life-saving tests.”

Michelle Kane, who is the NHS’s Director of Screening, added: “There are a number of reasons that stop some women taking up the offer of screening and we hope the introduction of self-testing will encourage more women to take up this life-saving test in a way that works for them.”

Featured Image – Cancer Research UK

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