News
Night and Day issue ‘hopeful’ noise abatement update as they confirm disgruntled neighbour has moved out
They're heading back to court next week — hopefully for the final time.
Northern Quarter’s beloved Night and Day Cafe have issued an update on the status of their ongoing noise abatement notice, confirming that the neighbour who initially made the complaint has now moved out and the case lies in the hands of the council.
The iconic Manc music and nightlife institution was issued with an abatement notice by Manchester City Council over 18 months after a single NQ resident made a complaint about the noise back in 2021 and the owners have been battling to stay open ever since.
With countless musicians rallying behind the popular bar and gig venue, just as they did in 2014 when this issue last arose, the campaign to save Night and Day is bigger than ever and while the council are yet to drop the case, the venue has now issued an update as to next steps.
Sharing a lengthy statement on social media, N&D confirmed that the neighbour in question moved out months ago and that the team will now be heading back into court next week, adding that they are “hopeful that this matter will finally be resolved”.
As explained in the message on social media, the building hasn’t had a single noise complaint since the one made by the recently vacated resident and “has continued to operate in exactly the same manner during this period and exactly the same as it has done previously for over 30 years.”
As opposed to simply echoing the sentiment of many locals — ‘don’t move into Northern Quarter then’ — they go on to maintain that “the source of this problem is that no acoustic consideration was given during the planning and development stages of the apartments next to the pre-existing venue N&D”.
Therefore, they will now be “heading back to court next week for a three-day hearing” with the aim of finally putting the case to be and be left to “continue doing what it does best: putting on bands, nurturing culture and creativity, and putting smiles on the faces of the people that visit the venue.”
Amen to that.
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As for the individual who initially set off the chain of events, during the last visit to court his partner said the man had since become “a recluse” and lost around 30kg in weight as a result of the stress, with some people unfortunately threatening the pair on social media.
Many online were outraged by the local authority’s decision to issue the notice in the first place, labelling it “ridiculous“, “an insult” and as posing a threat to the arts, culture, local business and the Manchester music scene, although the council have insisted they dont want to close the venue.
Hopefully, for the sake of all parties concerned, the proceedings will see the case finally reach a positive conclusion and not only enable MCC to move on to more pressing issues but, more importantly, allow Night and Day Cafe to focus on giving Mancs a good night out as it has for more than three decades.
It goes without saying that The Manc is in full support of protecting local businesses — we even hosted a DJ set at N&D earlier this month — and were hugely relieved to hear fellow music venue Gorilla is set to reopen its doors again in the coming weeks. Keeping supporting your independents, people.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Image — Night and Day Cafe/mcrjh.pix (via Instagram)
News
Police appeal for information after pedestrian killed on Mancunian Way followed earlier welfare concern reports
Emily Sergeant
Police are continuing to appeal for information after a pedestrian was killed on Mancunian Way during the early hours.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the shocking incident occurred at approximately 12:50am on Friday 31 October when it was reported that a Volkswagen Passat had collided with a man in his 20s.
Sadly, the collision was fatal and the pedestrian died at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a man in his 40s, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the incident, subsequent police enquiries have established that a call was made to the force shortly after midnight which reported concern for a man walking on the carriageway, and GMP says it believes the man in that report was the man who was involved in the fatal collision.
Officers were sent out as ‘high priority’ to carry out an extensive search of the surrounding area after the report was made, but it was said that they couldn’t locate him.
Due to this earlier report, GMP has confirmed that it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to look into its response to the search.
The victim’s family is aware, have been updated, and they are being supported by specialist officers at this time.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is still appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV footage, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the incident.
“This is a tragic incident for all involved and we express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who has lost his life, and whom we are doing our utmost to support at this time,” commented Sergeant Andrew Page.
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Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of the 31/10/25, or by using the ‘report tool’ or LiveChat function on the GMP website – www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Geograph
News
Stockport paedophile who abused teen girls in early 2000s handed five extra years in prison
Emily Sergeant
A prolific paedophile who ‘groomed, exploited, and coerced’ teenage girls in the early 2000s has had his sentenced extended.
It was reported on back in June that Christopher Oates, from Stockport, was brought to justice after he subjected vulnerable girls to what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) referred to as a ‘campaign’ of violence and sexual abuse 20 years ago.
Oates was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 years old, and two counts causing / inciting a child aged 13-17 years to prostitution.
He was originally sentenced to 13 years in prison for all his crimes.
But now, following a successful appeal by GMP, working with the survivors and the Crown Prosecution Service, to take the ‘unduly lenient’ sentence to the Court of Appeal, Oates has now been handed an extra five years in prison.
His sentencing increase comes after the 45-year-old groomed one of the survivors from when she was just 14 years old, by providing her with a false sense of security, paying her compliments, and pretending to be her boyfriend, all before he proceeded to ply her with drugs, gifts, and affection, and using the trust and control he gained to persuade her to start sex work on the streets of Manchester.
When the teenage victim began to doubt his intentions and asked to go home, Oates dragged her down an alleyway, violently attacked her, and threatened her with a gun, stating: ‘You do as I say, you’re mine now,’ commanding her to go to her ‘spot’.
It was this incident that prompted the teenager to confide in her mother and support services, and from here, found the strength to move forward with her life, while still courageously supporting the police investigation.
From this investigation, detectives were then able to identify a second teenage victim, a 17-year-old, who Oates also coerced into sex work.
Speaking on Oates’ sentencing increase, DI Eleanor Humphreys, who was a senior investigating officer for this case, said: “We join both victims in expressing our relief and delight that the Court of Appeal has reviewed Oates’ lenient sentence and increased it by five years.
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“Oates will now rightly serve consecutive sentences for both victims, meaning that his time behind bars reflects the totality of his offending against both women – whose lives he has so badly impacted.
“We will not relent in ensuring child sex offenders are brought to justice and face the full consequences for their horrific crimes.”
Featured Image – GMP
Danny Jones -
29th June 2023 
