News

Manchester is OFFICIALLY in the running to host Eurovision

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 12th August 2022

The potential host cities for Eurovision 2023 have been announced this morning – and Manchester is officially in with a chance.

The UK has stepped in to host the global singing contest in place of this year’s winners, Ukraine.

As our nation was runner-up this year with Sam Ryder’s Spaceman giving us our biggest success in years, it’s over to the UK to welcome all the countries taking part.

Cities have been announcing their bids for several weeks, with 20 expressions of interest to host sent in.

Sam Ryder came second in last year’s Eurovision. Credit: BBC

But it’s a complicated event, so those who wish to host need to actually have a suitable venue and the financial contribution too, and demonstrate that they will celebrate and honour Ukrainian culture and artists.

The shortlist of seven cities has just been announced live on BBC Radio Two, on Zoe Ball’s breakfast show.

The full shortlist for the cities that may host Eurovision in 2023:

Birmingham

Glasgow

Leeds

Liverpool

Manchester

Newcastle

Sheffield

If Manchester is successful, Eurovision will take place at the AO Arena in the city centre, Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig has announced.

She said: “We are thrilled to have made it through to the next stage to become the 2023 Eurovision host city.

“Manchester stands ready to put on the biggest party in the UK at the city’s AO Arena, taking our place in Eurovision’s unique history.

Read more: The Eurovision Song Contest will officially be held in the UK in 2023

“We have a large and proud Ukrainian community in Manchester. It would be our privilege to host this iconic celebration on their behalf and we will do everything we can to honour them throughout.”

“We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023,” said Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor.

“The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries on four previous occasions. Continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s Contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event.”

The final decision will be based on scoring criteria from the BBC and the EBU.

It’s expected that the host city will officially be announced in the autumn.

Featured image: EBU / Corinne Cumming

News

Man who calls himself ‘Kardashian of Cheshire’ pleads guilty to £200k handbag fraud scam

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man who refers to himself as Cheshire’s very-own Kardashian has pleaded guilty to fraud and theft.

Cheshire Police explained how Jack Watkin, formerly of Wilmslow Road, in the affluent Cheshire suburb of Alderley Edge, funded his fantasy Instagram influencer lifestyle by defrauding businesses and individuals to a total value of more than £200,000.

The 26-year-old appeared at Chester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 24 June), where he pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud by false representation.

The court heard how Watkin used the lure of well-known designer handbag brand, Hermes, as a ruse to trick people into giving him the money he needed to afford his extravagant lifestyle, as these sought-after handbags can’t be purchased over the counter, and instead, shoppers must be specially invited to buy one.

This therefore makes Hermes bags a lucrative investment, as the resale value of them can be much higher than the original price.

Jack Watkin has pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud / Credit: Cheshire Police

The victims were told by Watkin that he had the contacts that could give them access to the handbags and that they could split the profits made on resale, so they proceeded to hand over their money in good faith.

But when no bag or sign of any money from the investment opportunity showed itself, they would begin to ask for their money back… and it was at this point they encountered his excuses.

A police investigation was launched after one victim contacted the Metropolitan Police back in 2022 when she became suspicious of Watkin’s continued excuses, and the case was subsequently referred to Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit.

Their enquiries unearthed a string of victims and a ‘breathtaking’ amount of luxury goods and hotel bills, all of which Watkin afforded by ‘swindling’ his six victims.

During the investigation, detectives also found indecent images on his mobile phone, which he has already been found guilty of at a previous hearing.

“Watkin deluded himself that he was a successful rich kid influencer,” explained Detective Constable Gareth Yates, of Cheshire Constabulary ECU.

“But in reality, he was stealing money from wealthy individuals under the guise of ‘business opportunities’ to fund his expensive habit of fast cars, luxury goods, and designer footwear and clothing.

“It was never going to end well, and his downfall was inevitable.

Read more:

“Eventually his lies caught up with him and he is now facing the consequences of his deceit, and his perversions.”

Watkin has been remanded in custody and is set to be sentenced for the fraud and indecent images offences on Wednesday 3 September at Chester Crown Court.

Featured Image – Cheshire Police

News

Kala announces closure after more than half a decade in Manchester city centre

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Another hit for the Manchester hospitality sector as city centre cult favourite Kala has announced it has closed with immediate effect.

The Manc bistro, beloved for putting a contemporary slant on British and French classics, was opened by restaurateur Gary Usher back in 2021, receiving plenty of positive press over the years.

Perhaps the most notable bit of praise it received was from renowned food writer Jay Rayner, who said it “quietly feeds you well”. But that was part of the problem: it was too quiet, unfortunately.

Announcing the shutdown on Tuesday evening (24 June), Usher shared an extended statement on social media, explaining the details behind the decision – but there was one, clear, overriding reason.

Confirming the news on Instagram, the chef-owner wrote: “Gary Usher here.. It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the immediate closure of Kala. I’m not really sure how to explain why we’ve closed other than we weren’t busy enough to cover our costs.

“I really really want to blame the economy and the pandemic. I really want to say the rising costs have made it impossible. All those factors haven’t helped, but we are 50% down in trade at Kala, and that is the killer.”

This isn’t the first of the St Albans-born chef’s locations to close either, as his Burnt Truffle venue on the Wirral also shut back in January.

Nevertheless, Kala’s reputation has remained strong throughout, boasting one of the best elevated albeit accessible evening and lunch deals in the city centre, not to mention at very reasonable prices.

Moreover, they were famed for their stunning Sunday dinners, with Sacha Lord dubbing them the best roasts in Manchester he’s had “in ages.”

Sacha Lord hails Manchester restaurant for serving up ‘the best Sunday roast’ he’s had ‘in ages’
That perfectly blushed beef was incredible.

Usher goes on to add: “It goes without saying our business rates [are] increasing substantially, and the hike in NIC [national insurance] contributions only works against us. This was not planned, but neither was us being this quiet in June. All the Kala team will be paid up to date, our rent & suppliers too.

“If you have a voucher with us, as always, it can be used in the wider group. It was always a dream to have a restaurant on King Street in Manchester. I just wish it had lasted longer than 6 years.

“Thank you to all the team past & present & I’m so sorry to all of you and all the guests that I couldn’t create something with longevity.

“Please come and visit us in Didsbury at Hispi where it will be our pleasure to welcome you. Farewell, King Street. Farewell Kala. Gary.”

Kala closing marks yet another local business we’re gutted to see go, as it was only earlier this month that we had to bid goodbye to both Medlock Canteen and Indian street food spot, Rola Wala, which closed on Monday.

Safe to say it’s been a gutting few days for local food and drink.

With that being said, please do support the Elite Group’s remaining restaurants where you can, which include the aforementioned Hispi, The Sticky Walnut in Chester, The White Horse in the Cheshire village of Churton, as well as Wreck in Liverpool.

All we can say is thanks for the memories and the brilliant food.

Inside Gary Usher’s cosy new village boozer The White Horse at Churton
Kala may be closed but this nearby gem is still well worth the trip.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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