A Manchester pub owner has ‘barred’ Scottish and Welsh First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford from his venues – despite having no pubs in Scotland and only a handful in Wales.
JW Lees Managing Director William Lees-Jones, who runs a chain of pubs mostly spread across the north west, has kicked out at the leaders of the devolved nations over restrictions introduced in both Scotland and Wales to stop the spread of Covid-19.
The pub chain owner tweeted that he would be banning both leaders as a ‘Christmas gift to the UK this year’, in a tongue-in-cheek post shared to social media.
He also threw in a host of other notable figures, tweeting a ‘banned’ list that also included members of the government’s Sage advisory committee, infectious disease expert Neil Ferguson. and ITV’s lead political journalist, Robert Peston.
He tweeted: “The @JWLeesBrewery Christmas gift to the UK this year is that we’re barring the following from all of our pubs – @NicolaSturgeon @MarkDrakeford @SusanMichie @Zubhaque @Peston @neil_ferguson.”
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The tweet was accompanied by a gif of a man being removed from a pub by force and thrown into the gutter.
The Christmas holiday period is a key time for hospitality, with many businesses making the bulk of their profits for the year during this period.
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In recent days, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have all brought in new measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 – meaning that England is the only country in the UK likely to have clubs open on New Year’s Eve this year.
In Scotland, nightclubs have been closed and bars and restaurants have reintroduced social distancing and table service measures.
Over in Wales, meanwhile, the rule of six is in play once again from Boxing Day in pubs, cinemas and restaurants and social distancing rules have now been reintroduced.
And in Northern Ireland, new restrictions have also been introduced with dancing now banned and table service returning to hospitality venues. Wales has also been under strict restrictions, as cases continue to rise due to the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant.
Tram disruption to continue into the evening following damage in city centre
Daisy Jackson
Disruption to Metrolink trams will continue into the evening as engineers scramble to repair damage to an overhead line.
Power has now been restored following an earlier incident but services are still unable to run through Deansgate-Castlefield, a crucial stop in the city centre.
It’s left trams operating on a revised service pattern while damage to the overhead line is repaired.
Earlier today a driver in Manchester city centre reported a loss of power and damage to a pantograph – which is used to connect trams with the overhead power lines.
Images now shared by TfGM show the damage that has taken place, with the pantograph collapsed onto the roof of the tram.
The new tram service pattern began at 3pm and will continue until further notice, as follows:
Altrincham – Cornbrook
Eccles – Cornbrook
Manchester Airport – Firswood
East Didsbury – Firswood
Rochdale Town Centre – Exchange Square
Bury – Ashton-under-Lyne
Trafford Centre – Wharfside
Customers are able to use their Metrolink tickets on Bee Network bus services and some train services while the disruption continues.
TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, Ian Davies, said: “We are sorry to anyone whose journey has or will be impacted because of today’s disruption.
“Power has now been restored, and the cause has been identified as damage to overhead lines near to Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop.
“Specialist engineers will be making repairs today and staff will remain out on the network to assist passengers with their journeys.
“We have had to make some changes to services while the repair work takes place, and I’d encourage people to continue to check the Bee Network app, website and social channels for the latest information and advice for the remainder of the day.”
Chester Zoo named UK’s best zoo for second year running after more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has been named to best zoo in the UK for 2025.
While everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West may already be familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is, you may remember that last year it was officially named the UK’s best zoo thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews… and now, the zoo has managed to retain that respectable title.
The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has, once again, named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year.
This is the second year running that the zoo has got more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings.
Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2025 / Credit: Chester Zoo
Based on millions of online reviews, the updated ranking puts the beloved Cheshire-based attraction ahead of the country’s other zoos after earning consistently good feedback from its visitors.
Not only has the zoo’s strong focus on conservation and unforgettable visitor experiences made it the best in our country, but this has also earned it a place among Europe’s elite too – with the new listings placing it as the third best zoo or aquarium in the continent.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be named the UK’s top zoo,” commented Jamie Christon, who is the CEO of Chester Zoo.
“This recognition, based on thousands upon thousands of genuine visitor reviews, is a huge testament to our incredible team and everything they do to make Chester Zoo such a special place.
Guess who’s just been named the BEST zoo in the UK? 🎉⁰Hint: It’s us… but we couldn’t have done it without you! Your incredible Tripadvisor reviews made this possible 🙌
Even more exciting? We’ve climbed the ranks to become #3 in all of Europe, up from 8th last year 🌍👏… pic.twitter.com/ARJfwomIFL
“Every visit helps support our vital conservation work, both here in the UK and around the world.
“As a charity and a national conservation zoo, it means the world to know our efforts are being so warmly received by our guests. It’s people coming through our gates who enable us to do what we do – lead the charge to save wildlife, protect and restore habitats and safeguard ecosystems.
“Together, we’re securing the long-term future of some of the world’s most endangered species.”
Chester Zoo’s renewed title comes after it opened the UK’s largest-ever zoo habitat, Heart of Africa, which is home 57 iconic African species, earlier this month.
It also comes ahead of the unveiling of another exciting new development at the zoo this summer – The Reserve, which Chester Zoo is calling its answer to a ‘premium safari getaway’ right here in the UK, with 51 luxury African-themed lodges offering guests the chance to stay overnight and support conservation for the very first time.
Georgina Pellant -
28th December 2021 
