News

London to move into Tier 3 restrictions from Wednesday

Health Secretary Matt Hancock will make a statement to MPs in the House of Commons at 3:30pm.

The Manc The Manc - 14th December 2020
Mark Thomas / Rex Features

It is being heard that London is expected to be moved into Tier 3 restrictions from Wednesday.

A number of major media outlets are reporting this afternoon that they understand the capital – along with parts of Essex and Hertfordshire – will move into the highest tier of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions from as early as Wednesday this week.

It is believed that Health Secretary Matt Hancock has made MPs aware just a few moments ago.

It comes after cases have continued to surge in the capital over recent weeks, with local leaders and health officials said to be “deeply concerned” about a sharp rise.

Some areas in and around London have recorded large increases in confirmed coronavirus cases over the past week alone.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to the latest data, Epping Forest – which straddles London and Essex – has recorded a 71% increase in cases during the most recent seven-day period, and Havering in East London has seen a 48.5% rise, with a rolling rate of 470.8 confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to make a statement to MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon from 3:30pm, where he is expected to confirm the capital’s move.

ADVERTISEMENT

More information is expected in due course.

This is a BREAKING NEWS story – More to follow.

___

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

#HandsFaceSpace

News

8 million Brits are predicted to write their Christmas cards using AI this year, new research finds

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Christmas cards

Millions of Brits are predicted to use AI to help them write their Christmas cards this year.

According to some new Royal Mail research, AI is most likely to be used for researching gifts (19%), festive party ideas (13%), and decoration inspiration (13%) throughout this festive season, but in what is a revelation many will find surprising – and even alarming – it’ll even be used for the timeless tradition of sending Christmas cards.

2,000 UK adults who celebrate Christmas were surveyed by the postal service early last month on how they plan to make use of technology this festive season.

The new research found that 11% of respondents will be using AI to help write the messages for their Christmas cards, which works out to be around eight million people.

It’s the under-55s who are driving the trend, as you can probably imagine – with 57% of this age group planning to lean on AI for guidance, compared to just 14% of those over 55.

Oh, and you’ll want to keep an extra eye on the Christmas cards that come from the men in your life too, as men are 67% more likely than women to use AI to help them.

Christmas list
Eight million Brits are predicted to write their Christmas cards using AI this year / Credit: KoolShooters

Although it may be largely frowned upon, it’s fairly easy to see why people are turning to tech to find the right words, as the Royal Mail’s research found that nearly one in five (19%) Brits say they don’t know what to write in cards, and this figure rises even further to 31% when it comes to 18-24-year-olds.

Despite the use of AI as a helping hand, three quarters of Brits (74%) do still think it’s important to keep the tradition of sending handwritten Christmas cards alive.

“AI is becoming part of everyday life for many people,” says technology journalist and broadcaster, Georgie Barrat. “So it’s natural we’ll see it used during the festive season. When it comes to writing cards, it can help you go beyond a simple ‘Merry Christmas’ and choose words that feel more unique.

“Often, people know what they want to say – they just need a little help expressing it.”

Read more:

Richard Travers, who is the Managing Director of Letters at Royal Mail, concluded: “No matter what you include in your card, or how you choose to write your message, cards are truly a way of spreading festive cheer.”

Featured Image – Richard Bell (via Unsplash)

News

Developers share new look at Stockport’s newest indie neighbourhood at Weir Mill

Danny Jones Danny Jones Weir Mill redevelopment plans

Greater Manchester has been given another peek at the new neighbourhood and hangout spot in Stockport, Weir Mill.

Situated on the banks of the River Mersey, which runs through the heart of the old Cheshire town, Stopfordians will be more than familiar with the old building, which sits in the shadow of the Hat Works Museum tower.

The familiar North Western red brick is set to remain a noticeable structure below the recognisable Victorian Viaduct, but beneath it is set to become the home of at least new independent businesses.

Now, developers Capital and Centric have shared further glimpses at what they’re hoping the mini-district will look like when finished…

weir mill development stockport
We visited the site back in 2023 not long after work begun.
weaver square weir mill
They have big plans to make it a suburban destination.
Credit: The Manc Group/Capital and Centric

As you can see, besides the new homes and other buildings popping up in and around SK, this particular development (which will hopefully replicate the success of similar canalside regenerations such as those in Manchester city centre’s New Islington Marina) spans a whopping 65,000 sq ft.

Revolving around a new village epicentre, of sorts – simply known as Weaver Square – will see an influx of at least 10 new bars, restaurants, cafés and more indie traders spilling out of Weir Mill’s soon-to-be transformed ground floor onto what they hope will be a bustling new terrace.

Come the summer, this could be a great suntrap spot, too.

Aiming to bring these varied, open, social spaces to life with both local businesses and residents in mind, they’re promising live music, street food pop-ups, parties and al fresco eats under the iconic arches.

Pictured below, the space will not only include the aforementioned riverside terrace but a central courtyard with a lush, green, plant-laden sunken courtyard in the middle, plus plenty of other nooks teeming with character.

After being greenlit by Stockport Council, the project itself has actually been moving forward since 2022, but it now appears like it’s starting to take real shape.

new town square stockport centre
Credit: Supplied

Cllr Micheala Meikle, Stockport‘s cabinet member for economy, skills and regeneration, states: “Our UK-leading town centre regeneration is about more than building new homes, it’s about creating vibrant neighbourhoods and breathing new life into Stockport’s heritage, giving our historic buildings a future.”

“While the Grade-II listed former mill is being carefully restored for residents, the new public square will create opportunities for independent businesses to thrive and for people from across the borough to come and enjoy our buzzing town centre.  

“It is incredibly exciting to see how our riverside will soon be opened up into an inviting outdoor space where local communities can come together over great food, live music, and creative events from day into night.”

Better still, with Stockport’s growing transport links as part of the Bee Network only set to be extended further in the coming years, Weir Mill will be a simple train/tram ride away soon enough.

The vision to bring trams to Stockport takes a step forward with plans to use underused railway line

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Capital & Centric (supplied)

More News

Crime

Oldham police issue dispersal order following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder in town centre

Christmas

Trafford Centre announces opening hours for 2025/26 festive season – including Boxing Day

Greater Manchester new clean green electric taxis from London

Boroughs

Greater Manchester’s ‘clean taxi’ plans backed by government funding

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches