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Major disruption on Metrolink tram network as Storm Lilian batters city

Storm Lilian is causing chaos.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 23rd August 2024

All trams around Greater Manchester are currently disrupted as Storm Lilian batters the UK.

Early this morning the entire tram network was suspended, with trams stationary around the city centre, while safety assessments were carried out.

Some lines are now running again but with modified services and a lot of disruption.

Metrolink has said that the decision to temporarily suspend services is because of trees coming down ‘at various points’ on the network.

A statement that was playing out on departure boards says: “Due to multiple trees coming down at various points on the Metrolink Network, we have temporarily stopped services to assess safety implications.”

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The current scene in the city centre as all trams in Manchester go down. Credit: The Manc Group

Storm Lilian has arrived in the UK overnight, brining strong winds and heavy rain.

A yellow weather warning is in place until 11am today.

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The Met Office says that there is a chance of damage to buildings, injuries from flying debris, power cuts, and travel disruption.

The latest tram update is that services are running through the following locations:

  • Rochdale Town Centre – Victoria Station
  • Manchester Airport – Sale Water Park
  • Trafford Centre – Deansgate-Castlefield
  • Eccles – Cornbrook
  • Piccadilly – Old Trafford
  • Velopark – MediaCityUK

All other lines are suspended.

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Customers can use their tickets and passes on any Bee Network services or Stagecoach services.

Northern Rail are accepting tickets to Altrincham, Manchester Airport and Rochdale Railway Station.

For the latest updates on trams around Manchester , follow the travel alerts page on the Bee Network website.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Almost Famous announce they are closing their Withington restaurant in candid statement

Danny Jones Danny Jones Almost Famous closing Withington restaurant

The unfortunate hospitality news just keeps coming, it seems, as Almost Famous have announced they will soon be closing their Withington restaurant.

A staple of the Manchester foodie scene for over a decade now and with a growing empire across the North, the ‘dirty burger’ pioneers aren’t just one of the most recognisable restaurant names in Greater Manchester, they’re tastemakers and have been for years.

However, unlike the OG site in the Northern Quarter which first began blowing burger fans away back in 2012, their Great Northern Warehouse venue or their locations in Leeds, Almost Famous‘ Withington site simply isn’t working.

In truth, their most recent restaurant and fifth all-told had been struggling for a while and it was only back in May that they were thanking customers for helping them ‘pull through’ a rough patch, but it seems they’ve sadly slumped back into being quiet and can no longer continue in this fashion.

Explaining in the lengthy and clearly emotional statement, beloved owner Beau Myers wrote: “Announcement (sad sh***y one, sorry).

Sorry to say we will be closing the Withington branch of Almost Famous. It’s not working, we’re not busy enough and it’s dragging us down.

“Really sorry to disappoint you guys, we’ve tried and we’ve pushed and you’ve been amazing for supporting us, this just isn’t the one. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up, admit you f****d up, learn from your mistakes limit the damage and move on.

“We got sucked in with perhaps the most beautiful site ever in the wrong location (for us). It really is/was my fav[ourite] famous and I’m gutted it’s closing, it looks the coolest, we had the staff party there this year. I wish some of the art wasn’t straight on the wall so we could take it with us.”

almost famous withington
Almost Famous Withington will be closing after their final dinner service next weekend. (Credit: The Manc Group)

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They go on to add: “We will be closing after service on Sunday 22nd (next weekend). Please come down and say goodbye and enjoy this beautiful place one last time before it goes forever. There will be drinks and tears and laughs.

Having visited the particular branch a few times ourselves not only in a work capacity but in our own personal time, we can confirm the Withington restaurant had a special charm to it and we’re also very sad to see it go.

It goes without saying that the comments were filled with support, with one person writing, “This is so sad I’m so sorry: you’ve tried really hard. Sad loss for Withington”, and another adding, “Always sad when a place with friendly staff, serving good food, good drinks and at a reasonable price doesn’t make it… onwards and upwards.”

RIP Almost Famous Withy — we hope you come back one day soon and we’re sure the whole team will bounce back stronger than ever no matter what comes next for the much-loved brand.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Eats/The Manc Group

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The hearing over Manchester City’s 115 FFP charges will officially start next week

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester City hearing over 115 FFP charges start date next week

After more than a year of speculation as to when proceedings will finally start, it has been confirmed that the hearing regarding Manchester City and their 115 FFP charges is set to begin next week.

Man City were first slapped with the laundry list of alleged breaches of FFP (financial fair play) and failure to comply with Premier League rules on profit and sustainability (PSR) back in February 2023, but little movement on the case has been reported since then.

In that time, they also won the coveted Treble and their record-breaking fourth league title in a row; meanwhile, the club have continued to deny all claims of rule-breaking.

However, it has now been revealed that City‘s hearing will now kick off on Monday, 16 September.

As explained in various reports, given the extended nature of the claims made against the Manchester side, it is estimated that the case could run on for up to two months if not longer.

Furthermore, it is thought a decision isn’t expected to arrive until spring 2025 – again, this is simply due to the number of charges brought up over the best part of a decade.

In case you need a refresher, the allegations levelled at Man City date back to 2009 and concern a supposed nine years of financial irregularities, as well as subverting UEFA FFP rules.

Some of the accusations made against them also include failing to cooperate with the European football body and the Premier League, as well as offering ‘secret contracts’ so as to pay one particular manager a larger sum than what they recorded in their financial statements.

The final verdict, whenever it is reached, will be handed down by an independent commission and City will still be able to make an official appeal.

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The club itself launched unprecedented legal action against the English top-flight back in June but it doesn’t appear to have been enough to swat away those investigating the books.

It goes without saying that were they to be found guilty, it would be the biggest financial scandal in English football history and could be seismic for the future of money in the sport and regulations surrounding ownership, which have already grown tighter following the charges being issued.

And in case you needed a more detailed refresher on what exactly they are being tried for and what the possibilities are regarding punishment if found guilty, here’s a quick rundown:

What punishment could Manchester City face for FFP breaches?
The outcome and level of punishment following the Man City hearing could vary greatly in severity.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Arne Müseler (via Wikimedia Commons)

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