It has been confirmed that a Burnage cafe at the centre of a widely-reported police investigation following a scuffle between an officer and the venue owner has officially been stripped of its licence.
It comes after a Closure Order for Kate & Luc Cafe Restaurantwas issued at Manchester Magistrates’ Court last month, with the cafe described as “the source of frequent complaints from the public to Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police over failures to follow COVID-19 restrictions”.
The owners were then told to close the premised until 9th May and pay legal costs of £3,586.52.
At the time, Manchester City Council said that breaches at the cafe dated back to November 2020, with staff previously refusing to wear masks or put up protective screens and making “no effort” to enforce social distancing.
Two separate Fixed Penalty Notices were issued in early February, along with a Premises Closure Warning, but the cafe continued to operate.
Now, a Manchester City Council licence review hearing was told on Monday that owner Lucjan Domanski showed a “flagrant disregard” for public health at the Kate & Luc Cafe Restaurant during lockdown after Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council licensing officials made five visits to the premises in January and February following the receiving reports of it being “rammed” with people.
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The licensee refused to accept that he was breaking the rules, the hearing was told.
Mr Domanski told the hearing that he had suffered a mental health breakdown as he struggled to apply for financial support for his business during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but the council’s licensing subcommittee described his behaviour as “appalling” and PC Alan Isherwood – of Greater Manchester Police’s licensing team – said it was “clear that Mr Domanski is unfit to hold the licence”.
A representative of Mr Domanski said he had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder and that the enforcement visits had caused him distress, “impeded his actions” and provoked a “fight or flight response”.
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Mr Domanski said: “We tried hard with all the restrictions, we lost 85 to 90% of income. We just couldn’t do it and I gave up. I had no choice, that was my feeling.
“I’ve got a problem with depression for nine to 10 years, I’ve been on and off medicines. It’s too much stress for me.”
Greater Manchester Police / Manchester City Council
Mr Domanski admitted to the hearing that he had broken COVID regulations, but that he did so while “under duress”, and asked the committee to give him the chance to open in a COVID-secure way, however the hearing panel agreed to revoke the licence, meaning that the business will no longer have permission to trade.
The hearing panel said in a statement: “The reasons for revocation are the flagrant disregard by the premises holder for COVID regulations.
“The committee are absolutely appalled at how the premises licence holder treated the officers, and they have no confidence that the licensing objectives will be upheld due to the actions taken by the premise silence holder during this pandemic.
“A measured approach was taken by GMP and Manchester council officers to work with this premises licence holder, however he clearly has not cooperated whatsoever”.
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Harry Maguire extends Manchester United stay with new contract
Danny Jones
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has committed his future to the club for at least another year, signing a new contract extension.
The Man United centre-half and England international had been the subject of much speculation over the past year or so, with many expecting him to leave last summer.
Several Premier League clubs were said to be interested in acquiring the experienced centre-half’s services then, as were there other suitors this past January, but after surviving a period out of the first-choice XI, he’s since been enjoying somewhat of a renaissance.
All that being said, the board have now decided to reassure their faith in Maguire even further, offering him a fresh one-year deal with an option to extend by another season.
Now 33, it was thought that INEOS might try and cash in on the Yorkshire-born CB while they could still get a reasonable transfer fee for him, especially as a player now supposedly leaving the so-called ‘peak’ for a professional footballer.
Then again, plenty of players have certainly challenged that timeframe over the years, and if anything, this past 18 months or so has been one of the best periods in his United career.
Having not only regained a more consistent level of fitness and form, helping shore up the defence in the absence of others along the backline, he’s also continued to prove himself an aerial threat, chipping in with multiple big goals and more than one match-winner.
It’s also worth noting that he showed huge resilience after not only a fair amount of abuse from football fans and also some of his own team’s supporters, but following the saga in Greece on a family holiday in the aftermath of Euro 2020.
This bounce-back, among a number of other factors, is why he now looks like he could be back in the frame for the 2026 World Cup, making it into the Three Lions squads this past March.
Speaking in a club statement, Maguire said: “Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes myself and my family proud every single day. I’m delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.
“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see, and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us.”
Jason Wilcox, Manchester United director of football, went on to add: “Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.
“Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success.”
NHS urges public not to delay getting medical help as ‘difficult’ resident doctors strike begins
Emily Sergeant
The NHS is urging the public not to delay seeking any medical help they may need despite the resident doctors strike beginning today.
Industrial action by resident doctors – who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) – officially started today at 7am (Tuesday 7 April) and is set to run for six full days until 6:59am on Monday 13 April.
This is the fifteenth round of strike action being taken by resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – over pay and jobs.
The NHS says hospital teams across the country are working to minimise disruption for patients.
From 7am today and continuing into next week, some NHS services will be affected due to strike action.
Here’s what you need to know about accessing NHS care during this time ⬇️
However, the health service has conceded that this particular round of strike action is expected to be ‘particularly challenging’ due to the shorter notice period it was given – which also includes bank holidays – and the action itself falling during the Easter school holidays.
But it insits ‘plans are in place’ to continue urgent and emergency care as normal, while keeping as much planned care going as possible.
In addition to prioritising urgent and emergency care, cancer, and maternity services, the NHS says it has shown in previous strikes that it can keep the vast majority of services running for patients.
With this being the case, the NHS is insisting that patients should attend planned appointments unless they have been contacted to reschedule.
The NHS is urging patients to still keep coming forward for care if they need it / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
“Staff across the NHS will be doing everything they can this week to keep patients safe and ensure people can continue to get the care they need,” commented Professor Ramani Moonesinghe, who is the National Clinical Director for Critical and Perioperative Care at NHS England, ahead of strike action beginning today.
“We know this round of industrial action will be difficult, coming straight after the Easter weekend, but patients should come forward as normal and attend any appointments unless they are contacted otherwise.”
GP practices, NHS 111, and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available during the strike period, so anyone who needs urgent but not life-threatening care should use 111 online in the first instance, where they will be directed to the most appropriate service for their needs.
Patients with life-threatening emergencies should continue to call 999 or attend A&E as normal.
The Manc -
16th March 2021 
