Pubs, bars and restaurants in Manchester city centreare signing up to the new #CancelTheCurfew campaign in droves– and one venue has even gone as far as banning MPs from the premises.
Cocktail and rum bar MOJO, on Bridge Street, has published a tongue-in-cheek social media post stating that no members of parliament are permitted to enter until they “release the industry”.
The #CancelTheCurfew campaign – which has already amassed dozens of supportive voices from key venues in Manchester including One Eight Six, Cocktail Beer Ramen & Bun, Liars Club and Arcane – is calling on the government to put a stop to the 10pm prohibition so the sector can survive.
Posting on Instagram, MOJO stated: “You won’t serve us, so we won’t serve you!”
It continues: “Today we call on our friends, colleagues, brothers and sisters in bars, pubs and restaurants across the country to join us in putting all the members of parliament on notice.
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“Until they see sense and either release our industry to trade or provide us with viable financial support, we will not serve them.
“#cancelthecurfew”.
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Martin Greenhow, Managing Director at MOJO, has previously said there is “no evidence to support the assumption that hospitality is driving infection.”
He added: “Hospitality has slaved to work responsibly within the constraints laid out for us and now we are being thrown aside with scant concern for the impact these measures will have on our businesses and the wider economy.”
Growing support for the campaign comes as hospitality finds itself shackled once again by industry-specific COVID-19 restrictions – the latest of which were enforced last week in an attempt to flatten the rising curve of cases in the UK.
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Today I called on the Govt to #cancelthecurfew It is destroying our economy & doing nothing to stem the spread of coronavirus. Minister’s response…he’s speaking to businesses🤷 He should try some action instead. Thanks to our own @Stevey_Panto for championing this. pic.twitter.com/JMidZlvUG0
Emma Lewell-Buck, Labour MP for South Shields, referenced the campaign in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon, calling the curfew “arbitrary and unevidenced”.
“When on earth will the government abolish this curfew?” she asked.
Bars and restaurants are also arranging a silent protest on Saturday 3 October, with hospitality workers set to stand outside their venues at 10pm.
The campaign’s open letter, addressed to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, states: “A 10pm curfew drives the public from the safe environment of our venues and into areas with no regulations.
“We are not asking for unlimited handouts. We are asking to open our doors. To be allowed to do what we do best whilst keeping our staff and customers safe.”
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AO Arena are hosting an ‘Evening 4’ Ricky Hatton in memory of the legendary Manchester boxer
Danny Jones
Manchester is set to host a night of remembrance and celebration in honour of the late, great, local boxer, Ricky Hatton.
Coming this summer, the AO Arena – where Hatton enjoyed so many of his iconic moments – will be holding the first-ever ‘Evening4Ricky’ later this year.
Held at the legendary sports and live entertainment venue just in time for summer, we still know very little about what the actual event will entail.
Sharing the news on social media, AO Arena said: “Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment as Manchester comes together for Evening4Ricky.
“This will be a spectacular, unique celebration of the life, spirit and legacy of one of the city’s most beloved icons – Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton.”
With seats priced at £25, fans are being encouraged to join the early bird sign-up to secure access to discounted tickets.
They go on to add: “Hosted at the legendary AO Arena, home to so many of Ricky’s big fights, featuring a superstar cast of legends from the worlds of boxing, music, comedy and entertainment.”
So, we do at least know there’ll be some famous faces coming along to help make it a memorable Manc moment, just a few months on from the city and beyond uniting for his public funeral procession.
Ricky was beloved not only by the Greater Manchester community but was a popular figure and friend to many in the sporting and showbiz industries.
The homegrown ‘Pride of Hyde‘ tragically left us on 14 September 2025 at the age of just 46, but his passing has once again helped reassert the importance of having more conversations around wellbeing, suicide prevention, and most specifically, men’s mental health.
You can find more information and see how to grab tickets right HERE.
This isn’t the only charitable in memoriam event happening across the region in the coming weeks, either, as Mancs will be gathering to pay tribute to another fellow inspiring sportsman.
Man jailed for stalking, strangling, and raping woman in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A man has been jailed this week for several offences including rape, strangulation and stalking while living in Manchester.
Jack-Leland Webster – previously Jack Malone – of Cedar Road, Earl Shilton in Leicester, appeared at Manchester Crown Court and was sentenced yesterday (8 April 2026) after being found guilty of rape and strangulation, following pleaded guilty to stalking the victim at a previous hearing.
The incidents took place back in June2024, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained, when Webster had accused the victim of cheating with her ex-boyfriend.
The victim had been in communication with her ex after he had reached out to her to let her know he was ‘concerned’ after he found out that Webster had been impersonating him to message the victim and test her loyalty throughout their relationship.
As the victim attempted to exit the flat, Webster blocked the doorways to prevent her from leaving. He then proceeded to get on top of the victim and while he strangled her, said: “Don’t make me kill you. If you do, I’ll have to kill myself so we can be dead together,” before proceeding to sexually assault her.
While on bail, Webster purchased numerous fake social media accounts to follow and contact the victim, as well as her family and her friends, which was in breach of his no contact conditions. On one occasion, the victim was followed by over 100 accounts on a social media platform in a matter of seconds.
During police interviews, Webster denied all charges against him.
When an officer tried to arrange his second interview, Webster was described as being ‘obstructive’ and even told the officer to “pick me up from KFC” and “catch me if you can”.
“Webster showed no remorse throughout the investigation and treated it as a game,” GMP said following his sentencing.
As mentioned, Webster pleaded guilty to stalking before he went to trial, where a jury found him guilty of rape and strangulation. And then Wednesday 8 April 2026 at Manchester Crown Court, he was sentenced tonine years and five months in prison.
He has also been given an indefinite restraining order.
The Manc -
29th September 2020 
