Manchester Airport has today launched a new COVID-19 testing facility as part of the UK’s largest airport testing scheme aiming to help get Britain flying again.
The facility comes as part of a move by its parent company, Manchester Airports Group (MAG).
The announcement means the full range of COVID-19 tests – RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, Rapid Antigen and Antibody – will all be available to passengers in a new, purpose-built facility just outside of the main terminal building, and will be delivered in partnership with airport services and travel medical provider, Collinson.
MAG – the UK’s largest airport group – also became the first operator to give its passengers the chance to book discounted pre-flight testing appointments on the high street at selected Boots UK stores.
According to MAG, this news means that passengers using Manchester Airport – and London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – will be “given maximum flexibility when planning their trips”.
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The plans also come in the week that the UK government has lifted England’s international travel ban.
We are pleased to announce the opening of a COVID-19 testing facility at Manchester Airport! Passengers will be able to take PCR, RT Lamp, Rapid Antigen & Antibody tests depending on the requirements of the country they are travelling to. Find out more > https://t.co/ok4cJUyPDlpic.twitter.com/N6BQDEIgyd
Certain governments globally allow pre-departure tests in order to shorten, or completely alleviate, quarantine requirements in the destination country.
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Others require them in order to gain entry.
But having a full range of tests available now available at Manchester airport for any passenger planning to fly who does not suspect they have COVID-19, will let MAG passengers choose whichever process they need in order to meet the pre-departure testing requirements.
This will apply to many of MAG’s most popular markets, such as Spain and Italy, as well as some long-haul destinations.
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Passengers will also be able to book the tests they need to shorten their self-isolation period upon return under the UK government’s Test to Release scheme – announced last week and launching on 15th December – which will allow travellers arriving from higher-risk countries to reduce their period of quarantine by taking a test five days after they arrive in the UK.
The Test to Release scheme follows in the footsteps of a number of countries who are already offering quarantine-free inbound travel to those able to provide evidence of a negative test.
As aforementioned, Boots offers an in-store RT-PCR COVID-19 testing service – which returns results within 48 hours – from more than 50 stores across the UK and is specifically for customers who do not suspect they have COVID-19.
MAG passengers will now be able to access a 5% discount through the airport’s website.
Manchester Airport testing prices through Collinson start at £40 for Antibody tests, £50 for Antigen tests, £79 for RT-LAMP tests, and £99 for RT-PCR tests.
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You can find more information via the Manchester Airport website here.
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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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Rochdale is bidding to become the UK’s first-ever Town of Culture in 2028
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has announced its intention to bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028.
Entering into the national competition launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), following on from the success of the already-existing City of Culture award, the Greater Manchester town is hoping to be the first-ever town to claim the title.
The Town of Culture competition invites towns across the UK to showcase their cultural story and develop ambitious programmes that celebrate local heritage, creativity, and communities.
The winning town receives a £3 million grant from the Government to deliver a major year-long cultural programme in 2028 designed to boost civic pride, attract visitors, and provide everyone with the opportunity to participate in cultural activities.
Rochdale’s bid is being led by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency, alongside cultural groups, education providers, and community organisations.
The bid will build on the town’s history as the birthplace of the Co-operative movement, and a centre of political reform, collective action and working-class cultural innovation.
A town of national and international significance, whose people and ideas have shaped the social, democratic and cultural life of the UK and beyond, Rochdale Council says the town’s story is ‘distinctive’ and as highly relevant today as it ever has been, and this is a driving force behind its Town of Culture 2028 bid.
Not just historically, but over recent years too, the town has made a significant contribution to the UK’s popular culture, producing internationally recognised musicians, artists, writers, and performers.
Local leaders say the bid to become the UK’s first ever Town of Culture underlines Rochdale’s ambition after just completing a ‘hugely successful’ year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2025.
Rochdale is bidding to become the UK’s first-ever Town of Culture / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
“We have a strong foundation for a bold and future focused UK Town of Culture programme and an incredible story to tell,” commented Cllr Neil Emmott, who is the Leader of Rochdale Borough Council.
“We’ll be developing a fabulous programme of new events and activities as well as amplifying our existing offer and recently transformed town hall square and centre.
“As we have already seen during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture, we have an established infrastructure of creative partners ready to go, who have already expressed their support for our bid, providing significant capacity and scale to deliver a UK town of culture programme in 2028 that would leave a permanent cultural legacy.
“We have exciting and varied attractions and iconic venues that have seen significant investment, an array of creative talent and we’re very well connected.
“This bid will allow us to share this in new ways and invite others to experience it.”
Featured Image – Rochdale Borough Council
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Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
The Manc -
3rd December 2020 
