Manchester Metrolink is encouraging passengers to properly plan their journey today, as fewer trams are in operation across the network.
Due to a shortage of vehicles and ongoing engineering works after 43 trams were found to have been damaged and thus “can’t be used” during routine overnight maintenance checks, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that it will be running a ‘Sunday timetable’ today.
A 12-minute service is in place, with only single trams operating, meaning disruptions are expected due to less capacity.
TfGM said the disruption is set to continue for some time, with a statement released also announcing that the reduced service will be in place “until further notice”.
The statement also confirmed that further checks on other vehicles are continuing, and that the Metrolink operator is “working as quickly as possible” to bring the trams back into service and identify the infrastructure fault that has caused the damage.
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⚠️ Due to vehicle availability services will run on a Sunday timetable today.
🚌 Ticket acceptance is in place on commercial bus services
🚄 Ticket acceptance is in place on local rail between Victoria Stn and Rochdale
— Manchester Metrolink 🚊 (@MCRMetrolink) July 26, 2021
Due to the shortage in services, TfGM has said that Metrolink ticket acceptance is in place on local commercial bus and train services instead.
Providing more of an insight into the situation, Alex Cropper – Interim Head of Operations at TfGM – said: “The operator has had to launch a much-reduced service after finding damage to over 40 trams during overnight maintenance and we’re sorry for the inconvenience this will cause to people’s journey today.
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“Engineers are now carrying out inspections to identify what has caused the damage – but given the size of the network, this might take some time.
“I’d like to reassure everyone that we are working extremely hard – in already very challenging circumstances – to resolve this issue, but it will have an impact on both the frequency and capacity available on the network.
“Staff will be out to support passengers, and we have put ticket acceptance in place across the network so customers can use local bus and train services to make their journey.”
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Passengers must wear a face covering, unless exempt, if using the Metrolink network / Credit: TfGM
TfGM has vowed to keep people updated throughout the day, but has encouraged passengers to plan their journeys in advance and, if they can, “consider walking, cycling, or using other modes of transport” instead.
Passengers must wear a face covering, unless exempt, if using the Metrolink network.
Today’s shortened timetable also runs in parallel to ‘improvement works’ on the network this week, with no trams operating between Piccadilly and Eccles while works take place until 31 July, and additionally, work at Victoria Station means trams on the East Didsbury and Rochdale lines will not stop at Exchange Square, and will be diverted to Shudehill and Market Street instead.
Manchester Metrolink has also been experiencing a large amount of staff absences in recent weeks due to COVID-related circumstances, with one in five of the network’s workforce said to be off in mid-July.
“Currently just under 20% of the workforce are absent, which is having an impact on the number of services we are able to run,” TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said on 15 July.
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“We’re sorry for any delays, but hope passengers understand and bear with us at this time.”
Opening date finally confirmed for new Uniqlo store at the Trafford Centre
Emily Sergeant
Uniqlo is preparing to open its second store in Greater Manchester, and the official launch date has finally been confirmed.
The popular Japanese high street fashion retailer currently operates 24 stores in the UK, with its first British store having opened its doors all the way back in 2001, and its first European flagship store opening on Oxford Street in London in 2007 – but it was revealed earlier this year in April that Manchester was set to get a second helping.
Uniqlo announced that it would be opening its second Greater Manchester inside the Trafford Centre this autumn, following the huge success of its city centre store opening on Market Street in 2019.
The Trafford Centre store is set to make Manchester the first location outside of London to have two Uniqlo stores.
When news broke that the hoardings had officially gone up inside the shopping centre, elated shoppers raced to the comments to say things like: “No way! I’ve been waiting years for this.”
Uniqlo is preparing to open second its Manchester store inside the Trafford Centre next month / Credit: | The Manc Group
“Uniqlo in Trafford Centre would be a dream come true,” another person said on Instagram, while a third added: “I will never have to step foot on Market Street again,” and plenty others chimed in with comments like ‘finally’ and ‘can’t wait’.
And now, we officially have an opening date to share with you.
Uniqlo will open in the Trafford Centre for the first time on Thursday 15 October, with plenty of events happening across its extended opening weekend.
Traditional Japanese Taiko drumming performances will be happening throughout the day on Thursday 15 and Saturday 17 October, while the first 300 customers to spend over £69.90 in store on the Thursday (15 October) will get a special Uniqlo Manchester goody bag.
Uniqlo’s arrival at the Trafford Centre follows the opening of several other high-profile stores in recent months, like Urban Outfitters, White Company, Stradivarius, and many more.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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‘Do not let Britain’s independent businesses disappear on your watch’ – Manchester bakery makes heartbreaking plea to Andy Burnham
Clementine Hall
A beloved Manchester bakery has issued an open letter to Andy Burnham ahead of the Budget begging him for help.
Barbakan Deli in Chorlton is basically an institution at this point.
The legendary bakery and delicatessen has been serving the community for 62 years, famed for its freshly-baked loaves of bread, its handmade sandwiches, and its pastries and cakes inspired by bakes from across Europe.
Posting on Instagram last night on Thursday 18 September, Frankie Dyer the director of Barbakan, issued an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Images: The Manc Group
It read: “Dear Mr Burnham, As an independent business owner in the hospitality sector, I am begging you to please read this.
“Really read it. And seriously consider what businesses like mine are telling you before the upcoming Budget.”
It continued: “In just the last two years, we have self-funded new bakery machinery, new catering kitchens, essential repairs and renovations and opened a second retail site, creating another six local jobs. We have won more than ten national awards for the quality of what we do.
“We have invested. We have grown. We have employed more people. We have worked harder than ever. In short, Prime Minister, we are doing everything you keep asking British businesses to do.
“And our bank balance is finished. That is the reality.”
The letter finished by Dyer inviting Andy Burnham to come visit the bakery and pleading for a ‘fighting chance’ to save the business: “We need action. We need meaningful reductions in the tax burden placed on employers.
“We need Employer National Insurance looked at urgently. We need a business-rates system which allows independent high-street businesses to survive. We need VAT reform for hospitality. We need Corporation Tax to reward businesses which reinvest, employ and grow.
“And we need proper grants and incentives that help established independent businesses invest and expand — not schemes with endless criteria which most ordinary businesses can never access. We need you to do something.
“And we need more than one token gesture in the Budget. A band-aid for a bullet wound. So I am asking you, Prime Minister, to come back to Manchester and see it for yourself. Pop an apron on and stand behind our counter.
Images: The Manc Group
“Come into our bakery in the middle of the night and meet the people making Manchester’s bread while most of the city is asleep. Look at our payroll, our energy bills, our rates, our supplier increases.
“Look at what leaves our bank account every single week simply for the privilege of keeping 50 people employed and our doors open. You said you wanted a government that understood the regions. You now have an opportunity to prove it.
“Independent businesses across this country are not asking for a handout. We are asking for a fighting chance. I sincerely hope your next Budget gives us one”.
The Manc -
26th July 2021 
