A Manchester bar has told people not to ‘be a Karen’ about their deposits if they decide to cancel their Christmas parties this year.
Charlotte Felton, a representative of Impossible bar on Peter street in Manchester, shared a post to her Facebook page appealing to people to NOT cancel their Christmas party this year.
Making some pretty succinct economic arguments for keeping your booking, she starts by stating the tragic fact that “not all venues will survive a cancellation”, before going on to explain to people that they should be prepared to ‘use or lose’ their deposits.
Adding that ‘hospitality is a business too’ she says, “Don’t be a Karen about this”
“If they say your deposit is lost that is to cover everything that’s been paid for already.”
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“Postponing, whilst this is appreciated, venues won’t be able to fill that date you cancelled with very little notice and they will more than likely have done orders, rotas and spent hours of admin making sure the event is to a high standard.”
She also said “Whilst you were stuck indoors Boris was having a knees-up with the lads”, making reference to the newly-installed sign above the Peter street bar, which has been shared widely online and reads: ‘When bars were on their knees Number 10 were on the wine and cheese’.
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Image: Impossible MCR
Other operators have chimed in too, voicing concern and confusion following a government briefing that has told people they now must work from home – but should also attend their Christmas parties.
Elite Bistro chef-owner Gary Usher tweeted the Prime Minister last night to ask for clarification on what to say to work’s do cancellations, saying: “could you just clarify again what we’re saying to large work do’s who’ve now cancelled their restaurant bookings but think they should get their deposit back?”
He then added, “We’ve gone with sorry it’s your Prime MInister’s fault. His Christmas party was, is and always will be more important than yours.
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“Just need a sign off from you mate if that’s about the gist of it. Cheers.
The Prime Minister gave a press conference earlier this week announcing that England would move into ‘Plan B’ restrictions, requiring people to work from home where possible and introducing Covid passports at large venues.
However, asked whether Christmas parties and nativity plays should be cancelled, the Prime Minister replied: “No, in my view they should not.
“They should follow the guidance, of course, but we are not saying we want kids to be taken out of school before the end of term – not that there is very long to go now – and we don’t want nativity plays to be cancelled.
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“We think that it is okay currently, on what we can see, to keep going with Christmas parties.”
The situation is made more confusing by the fact that Scotland is now advising people not to attend Christmas parties, whilst in England, the government appears to be saying the opposite.
Speaking to Radio 4’s Today programme this morning, Professor Linda Bauld of the University of Edinburgh said:
“I think if people have made plans then it’s really important that they try and assess risks, so they think about the fact that public health agencies are deeply concerned, if things can be delayed and the impact of that is minimal, that’s a choice for individuals to make,
“Public health Scotland is not saying anything that’s legal or required they’re simply issuing a piece of advice.”
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“Their statement was focusing on the direct harm from the virus, the harm to public health, the other harms are harms to the health service, they’re also worried about that, but harm three, the third harm, is social harms and harm four is to the economy, so you have to balance all of these things.”
Bury FC manager steps down just two days after appointment following major backlash over history
Danny Jones
In case you missed the news over the weekend, Bury FC manager Michael Jolley stepped down just two days after joining the club following major backlash to his appointment.
The uproar and almost immediate U-turn came in response to his past conviction.
After learning of his history, the club were met with a significant amount of stick from Bury fans and other football supporters, leading Jolley himself to quickly resign. Confirming the outcome by mutual decision, the club revealed his departure on Sunday afternoon.
Bury Football Club can confirm that Michael Jolley has today been relieved of his duties as First Team Manager by mutual consent.
Sharing an official statement, The Shakers wrote: “The Board recognises the strength of feeling expressed in recent days by supporters, staff, partners and players, and the very real impact the Board’s decision to appoint Michael has had on individuals connected to the Club…
“We will also be engaging directly with players, staff and stakeholders to listen, learn and ensure that appropriate support is available. Our immediate priority is the welfare of our people and the stability of the Club and our community.
“We believe this step is necessary to help restore confidence, create space for reflection, and allow Bury FC to move forward in a way that reflects our values and responsibilities.
“Bury Football Club remains committed to acting with integrity, transparency and respect. Further updates will be shared when appropriate.”
Confirming that the assistant manager, Tim Lees (who helped lead the side to a 2-1 victory over Mossley AFC at home this weekend), will be leading the team as interim head coach for the time being, they also noted that Jolley insists he didn’t want his signing to place unwanted attention on the club.
Wishing them the best in their search for the next man to take them forward, and believe they have a “special connection” with their local community.
Jolley states he made higher-ups aware of his past conviction before being interviewed for the job, as he explains in a lengthy statement of his own, which was released before Bury’s own announcement.
Following a period of reflection, I have decided to relinquish the opportunity to become the Manager of Bury FC. Full statement attached. pic.twitter.com/bAHekBfnb5
Addressing the situation on social media, the Sheffield-born former Grimsby and Barrow boss said: ‘After a period of reflection over the weekend, it has become apparent that my appointment at Bury FC has become a distraction for the club and so I have decided to relinquish the opportunity to become first team manager…
“Additionally, I welcome the fact that every investigation into the incident, whether through the legal process, or the subsequent investigations by the UK government, The FA, all established through evidence that I was deceived and at no time did I act maliciously.
“All three organisations concluded that there was no evidence which should prevent me from continuing my career, and that is what I have done, periodically, since that time. I consider safeguarding a critical aspect of coaching and have always delivered safe practice 100% of the time throughout my career.”
As he explains in the full document, “16 and a half years later, [his] CRB check has long since shown as clear, but in the interests of transparency and openness”, he still ensures any prospective employers are made aware of the case.
He goes on to say that he has become used to the abuse inside stadiums and online, given the nature of football fan culture, but now that he has a young family, he makes it clear that they are a key factor in the decision as he looks to prioritise their safety and wellbeing before his own.
The local outfit is once again looking for a new steward to steer them back in the right direction and, hopefully, away from any more intrigue and/or controversy. A return to the EFL still seems a way off, but who would you like to see installed as the gaffer at Gigg Lane, Shakers?
Brits are petitioning to give ‘SIR’ Kevin Sinfield the knighthood he deserves
Danny Jones
An impassioned Brit, along with nearly 100,000 others, are championing a petition to give a Greater Manchester sporting role model a knighthood.
The UK is long overdue for a SIR Kevin Sinfield, if you ask us.
Yes, now five years after his first remarkable charity challenge in the form of his inaugural ‘seven in seven’ ultra-marathon, our very own Kevin Sinfield officially completed his sixth edition of the fundraising feat earlier this month.
Having now raised more than £1.2 million for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) in memory of his friend and former late, great, Leeds Rhinos teammate, Rob Burrow – and that just this year alone.
👏 An outstanding achievement!
🏃 Kevin Sinfield CBE completed his latest 7 in 7: Together Challenge this afternoon, raising over £1.1 Million for @mndassoc!
To take into account every penny he’s helped generate for the crucial neurological cause, he’s helped welcome in excess of £11 million since he started this tributary journey nearly six whole years ago.
Sinfield has become nothing short of a national hero over the last few years, and the people think it’s about time he is recognised with the highest honour.
The Oldham-born native has already been given a trio of notable awards, including an MBE, OBE and CBE, which also means he doesn’t technically qualify to be considered for a knighthood until 2027 at the very earliest.
However, the petition’s creator, Mel Handforth, believes that an exception should be made and the “arcane” rules around the New Year’s Honours should be changed to allow Sinfield (and, indeed, others) to be celebrated more promptly.
Even the Speaker for the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, is one of many to have argued for the stipulation to be scrapped.
Despite countless calls for him to be included in the most recent list, which saw the likes of David Beckham finally made a knight, he was overlooked due to the three-year gap protocol.
He also somehow missed out on being shortlisted for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, though you can guarantee he would have plenty of votes from the general public – especially here in the region and, indeed, over in his adopted second home of Yorkshire.
You can see who did make it onto this year’s list down below.
The same happened again at the Pride of Britain a year later, and the retired rugby league player turned union coach was also handed an honorary degree by the University of Leeds in July 2024, just a month after Burrow sadly passed away.
But Sinfield has quite literally had the backing of millions to be made ‘Sir Kevin’ for well over half a decade now; we made him our ‘Manc of the Month’ back in November ’22, and our stance on him being given a knighthood is even clearer now than it was back then.
As Handforth writes in the bio of the Change.org petition: “The words ‘legend’ and ‘hero’ are often handed out, but Kevin Sinfield truly embodies them both. He’s not doing this for recognition – he’s doing it because he cares deeply about the MND community and honouring his friend Rob’s legacy.
“Let’s show Kevin that his nation stands with him. Sign this petition to urge the Honours Committee to recognise Sir Kevin Sinfield for his remarkable service to humanity.”
If you agree, you can sign the petition to make him Sir Kevin Sinfield right HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
10th December 2021 
