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North Yorkshire Police miss something big when trying to locate owner of silver ring on Facebook
The Manc -
30th January 2020
The Manc -
30th January 2020 News
Manchester’s Freight Island is expanding into the North East
Danny Jones
Big news for Manchester’s hospitality pedigree as Freight Island is soon to expand beyond 0161, swapping the North West for the North East for their second venture in none other than Newcastle.
Mayfield’s shipping container village packed with food, drink, entertainment and more has become a go-to destination all of its own over the past couple of years.
First opening back in 2020 and undergoing somewhat of a rebrand in 2023, Freight Island welcomes thousands of visitors every week, serving up stunning selections from independent traders based in and around the city, the North West and beyond.
Now a well-known regional attraction beyond just us Greater Mancunians, Freight’s reputation has now grown large enough for the owners to expand into fellow Northern city Newcastle later this year.
Hopoing to take further inspiration from the likes of waterside amusements like Coney Island in New York and Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen (though this location will be a good 15 minutes from the Tyne River), the second Freight Island venue is due to open this autumn.
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The reported £16 million investment is part of a Newcastle City Council’s wider £50m City Centre Transformation Programme, including an extensive redevelopment of the Pilgrim Street district.
Set to span an impressive 60,000 square feet, the new site will see the top floor of the former Debenhams unit reclaimed along with an additional roof-top space, where local food and drinks vendors will be able to set up shop.
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Beyond your standard burgers, beers and other popular scran, Freight Island Newcastle will also host the UK’s first wine tanks as part of a new sustainability-focused single-producer-led wine programme, as well as specialist Aperitivo cocktail bar with expertly crafted drinks.
They’re promising everything “from kids’ raves and Michelin-star level dining to live performances, late-night parties” and more.
For instance, right now Freight Island has transformed a good chunk of its indoor space into the biggest Six Nations fan zone in the country.
Speaking via the Council, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Freight Island, Dan Morris, said: “This venue has been designed with scale, prominence, and long-term investment in mind and we’re delighted to have worked with Pradera Lateral, XPE Group plc and Newcastle City Council to bring it to Newcastle.
“We hope to replicate the huge success of Freight Island in Manchester, where it has already contributed over £30 million to the local economy. This incredible venue in the heart of a very special city offers a truly exciting opportunity to create a cultural space that could become a focal point of Newcastle for years to come.
Cllr Dan Greenhough, Newcastle City Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Jobs and Skills, added “The launch of Freight Island at Eldon Square marks an important moment in the transformation of Newcastle city centre and is something that I’m sure our residents will be incredibly excited about.
Read more:
- A massive East Asian street food fair is returning to Manchester next month
- Manchester’s Pixel Bar has received a seriously next-gen upgrade
- A brand new two-level food hall is coming to Manchester city centre
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Featured Images — CGIs (via Newcastle City Council)/The Manc Group
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Worsley man jailed for 36 years for sexual offences against seven young girls
Emily Sergeant
A man from Worsley has been jailed for 36 years for sexual offences against seven young girls over a 13 year period.
Philip Hamer was previously found guilty by a majority verdict of 21 charges following a trial in November 2024, which included eight counts of rape, six counts of sexual assault, six counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of sexual activity with a child.
In total, the 34-year-old was convicted of 41 charges, each relating to offences taking place between 2010 and 2023.
He pleaded guilty to several of these charges before the trial took place.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that many of Hamer’s victims were teenagers at the time they were abused, but it was after one victim bravely came forward that Hamer’s phone was seized, enabling police to trace further victims.
One victim explained the physical and mental toil the abuse at the hands of Hamer had taken on her in a powerful victim impact statement that was read out in court.
He is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, indefinite restraining orders against the victims, he is barred from working with children, and he will be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) February 5, 2025
The victim described Hamer as “the man who took away my innocence at such a young age.”
“He made me feel fear, distress and trauma no young girl should have to go through. He took away my spark and gave me so much anxiety,” she said in her statement.
Following the trail, Hamer was yesterday (5 February 2025) sentenced to 36 years in prison.
He is now also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, indefinite restraining orders against the victims, barred from working with children, and he will be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Constable Denise Garde explained how Philip Hamer “a denial for any wrongdoing in his actions” in his police interview, adding that “he did not believe that he was a sexual predator and that his actions caused severe harm and distress to his victims.”
Read more:
- Former Manchester personal trainer jailed after sexually assaulting teenage girl
- Seven men arrested in Greater Manchester as part of investigation into child sexual exploitation in early 2000s
- ‘Extremely dangerous’ man jailed for 35 years for murder, rape, and sexual assault
“It took one brave victim to come forward, speak to our officers, and detail their abuse, and this opened up the whole case and resulted in us obtaining evidence that Hamer was a prolific sex offender.”
Featured Image – GMP
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