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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Man pleads guilty to ‘preparing for acts of terrorism’ in relation to Manchester synagogue attack
Emily Sergeant
A man with links to the Manchester synagogue terrorist attacker has pleaded guilty to preparation for acts of terrorism.
Mohammad Asim Bashir, of Shaftesbury Road in Cheetham Hill, appeared at the Central Criminal Court last week (Friday 5 June 2026) and pleaded guilty to one count of preparation for acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2006.
The prosecution will consider the basis of the guilty plea, and now a two-day sentencing hearing has been set for 22-23 July 2026 at Manchester Crown Court.
In case you need a reminder, the shocking knife and car attack took place on 2 October 2025 on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar – at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
During the incident, two men sadly lost their lives during the attack – Adrian Daulby, 53, who was shot dead by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) while trying to stop the attacker from entering the synagogue, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, a worshipper who also helped stop the attacker.
A man with links to the Manchester synagogue terrorist attacker has pleaded guilty to preparation for acts of terrorism / Credit: Google Maps | GMP
The attacker was named as 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie – a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent who lived in Prestwich – who at the time was on bail for an alleged rape, before being shot dead by police.
Following the terrorist attack, enquiries conducted by detectives identified Bashir as an associate of Jihad Al-Shamie, and established that the two of them had conducted ;hostile reconnaissance of a UK defence facility’ on 14 August 2025.
The pair were seen on CCTV prior to the trip discussing criteria for potential targets to attack.
They were then seen on ANPR cameras making the journey to the site – with Bashir acting as the driver for most of the journey.
He is due to be sentenced next month / Credit: GMP
Speaking following Bashir’s guilty plea, Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts – who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West – commented: “Our comprehensive enquiries led to the offending of Mohammed Bashir coming to light.
“Although not directly linked to the synagogue attack, the fact he conducted hostile reconnaissance alongside a man who would later commit a terrorist attack show the seriousness of his actions.
“We welcome today’s guilty plea and look ahead to the sentencing which is due to take place in July.
“This case will understandably prompt public commentary about the terrorist attack that took place last October. My thoughts today are with all those affected, particularly the loved ones of those whose lives were taken and those who were seriously injured.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Pat Regan at the Fairfield Social Club – a brilliantly unhinged evening of standup comedy
Clementine Hall
There’s a particular kind of chaos that only Pat Regan can deliver, and the recently re-recognised Fairfield Social Club got the full force of it last night.
Making his Manchester debut as part of the ‘A Lovely Time’ series at the equally as lovely Fairfield Social Club, the New York comic, writer, and podcast host arrived with the energy of someone who had already lived through three emotional breakdowns before breakfast and somehow still had the worst to come.
Known for his work on HBO’s Hacks and the cult-favourite podcast Seek Treatment with fellow comic Catherine Cohen, Regan’s stand-up feels less like your traditional comedy set and more like being trapped in the world’s funniest group chat.
The perfectly intimate room beneath Fairfield’s railway arches was packed with adoring fans who were immediately on side as Regan launched into stories about traumatic trips to Paris, Grindr dates, massage tables and having crushes at the gym.
The audience was in the palm of his slightly sweaty hands (don’t worry, he’ll be fine with me saying so), laughing at every awkward punchline and self-deprecating anecdote.
The material is nothing groundbreaking, but this is what makes it so deeply hilarious; never before has shopping for the perfect pair of jeans been so serious and unserious at the same time.
There was laughter rolling through the venue for virtually the entire set, and after an hour of never-ending quips and jokes, we were left wanting more.
And the best part is, it won’t be long until we get more from this place, and it’s no wonder they’re starting to get the hosting plaudits they deserve.
It’s safe to say Fairfield Social Club has become one of Manchester’s most exciting homes for alternative comedy, and this felt like exactly the sort of booking that justifies its growing reputation.
By the time Regan left the stage, the audience looked equal parts exhausted and delighted. An absolutely classy evening indeed.
Find out about what else is on at the Fairfield Social Club HERE.
The Manc -
29th September 2020 
