Groups who are hopping on trains across the North this winter can now get themselves a massive 75% discount on tickets.
With all the fun and festivities of Halloween, Christmas, and more coming up over the next few months, autumn and winter arguably couldn’t be a better time to gather your mates together and get out and about to experience all Greater Manchester and northern England has to offer.
And luckily, Northern wants to help you save a few pennies while you’re doing just that.
For a limited time only, groups of 10 people or more will be able to make the most of a whopping 75% off the cost of their train tickets.
Fresh off-the-back of releasing a massive five million tickets from as little as 50p last month, the train operator’s latest sale gives groups the chance to explore all of the region’s biggest towns, cities, seaside resorts, little villages, rural locations, and more in the most cost-effective way at one of the busiest times of the year.
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Northern launches massive 75%-off ticket sale for groups of 10 or more this winter / Credit: Northern
All bookings made before Monday 6 November, and for travel between then and Thursday 29 February 2024, are eligible as part of the new offer.
Northern is encouraging anyone travelling with friends, family, or colleagues in large groups to “plan ahead” and make use of the discount – but, in return, is asking them to be “mindful” of other customers and “show respect” to train crew and station staff.
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A warning has been issued to stag and hen parties, in particular – with the train operator asking them to “moderate their alcohol in-take” while on board trains throughout the region.
Mark Powles, who is the Commercial and Customer Director at Northern, said there’s “never been a better time” to book tickets than now.
The rail operator has urged people “show respect” to other passengers and train crew while the sale’s on / Credit: Northern
“Our network connects people to the best nightlife, attractions, activities, and landscapes the North of England has to offer,” he explained as the sale launches today, “and now with our Groups Winter Sale, there’s never been a better time to book.
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“We want everyone to make the train their number one choice for group travel, and hope that our sale will help convert groups from road to rail.”
Mr Powles said Northern recognises, however, that it has a “responsibility to all customers” to ensure that large groups “show respect” to other passengers, colleagues, and the trains themselves – which is why it is pleading for cooperation while the sale’s on.
Salford murder victim named and pictured after human remains found
Daisy Jackson
The victim of a major murder investigation in Salford has been named and pictured by police.
Detectives are ‘confident’ that the victim is Stuart Everett, 67, though formal identification is yet to take place.
A major investigation was launched on 4 April after body parts wrapped in plastic were found in Kersal Dale.
Further human remains were then discovered at Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood over last weekend.
DNA samples have been sent away for urgent forensic analysis, after which the victim’s identity will be formally confirmed.
Stuart’s family are being supported by specially-trained GMP officers.
GMP said: “In the last 48 hours they have heard the most devastating news that anyone could hear, and our thoughts remain with them as they begin to process this.”
Two men have been charged with murder and will appear at Manchester Crown Court this morning.
A large police presence will continue to be deployed around Salford as GMP looks to recover more evidence.
The remains found at the other three locations in Salford are still to be tested, but GMP says it is ‘confident’ that they belong to the same victim.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes from GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said: “My thoughts and the thoughts of officers and staff across Greater Manchester Police are with Stuart’s family at this traumatic time. Family Liaison Officers are supporting them through each update in our investigation.
“On behalf of Stuart’s loved ones, I ask the public and the press to please respect their wishes for peace and privacy while they process this most devastating news.
“My officers and detectives, alongside additional resources from across the force, have worked tirelessly over the last three days to secure charges.
“We are grateful for the public’s continued help and support throughout this case. We understand the shockwaves this has caused throughout the community and beyond, and we hope you are reassured by the pace of our investigation and also our large police presence in the areas as we continue to make enquiries.
“We have officers drawn from different teams and units in GMP who have helped us search and their efforts do not go unnoticed, and they have all played an important role to help us get to this stage in our investigation.
“We said right at the start that our investigation will not stop until we have every stone unturned, and this continues to be the case. Our investigation has been a huge process so far, and we will continue to push forward in our enquiries to find answers for Stuart’s family.”
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder. They are due to appear at Manchester Crown Court this morning (30 April 2024).
Premier League agrees new spending cap after ‘majority of clubs’ vote in favour
Danny Jones
The Premier League has reached an agreement in principle on a new spending cap for all teams as the English top flight looks to replace the current Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Set to be installed from the 2025/26 season onwards once fully ratified, revised spending limits will placed on teams in the first division, the number for which will be calculated in relation to a multiple of the money earned in prize money and TV rights by the lowest-earning club in the Premier League.
If approved at the AGM (annual general meeting) this June, the new model will replace the existing PSR system under which multiple clubs have broken FFP and been charged with other breaches over recent years, with Everton and Nottingham Forest having already been deducted points this season.
Although 16 of the 20 Premier League clubs reportedly agreed to the newly proposed regulations, four clubs were not in favour, with Manchester City, Man United and Aston Villa all said to have voted against the decision, while Chelsea chose to abstain.
BREAKING: Premier League clubs have agreed in principle to a form of cap on squad spending ahead of regulations being formulated, Sky News understands.
The proposed spending cap wouldn’t come into effect until the 2025/26 Premier League season.
The new max-spending model is being referred to as ‘anchoring’ or ‘tethering’, which will take into account total amounts spent on buying players, weekly wages, agents’ fees and more.
If successful following a final vote in June and brought through the season after next, the aim is to curb the increasing financial gap between the top and bottom of the table by preventing things like big sponsorships which may otherwise see clubs assert massive spending power during transfer windows.
According to the Independent, cost controls will now “limit club expenditure on salaries, signing and fees to 85 per cent of total revenue” for those not competing in European competitions.
This comes after Premier League teams previously the latest UEFA rules that will see those playing in the likes of the Champions, Europa and Conference League only allowed to spend 70% of that revenue, given the added financial uplift from qualifying for these tournaments.
While 16 yeas were enough to see the initial vote move forward, it will only require 14 out of 20 clubs to agree to the rule change in June for the motion to be fully passed.
A Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) spokesperson said: “We will obviously wait to see further details of these specific proposals, but we have always been clear that we would oppose any measure that would place a ‘hard’ cap on player wages.
“There is an established process in place to ensure that proposals like this, which would directly impact our members, have to be properly consulted on.”
Emily Sergeant -
9th October 2023 
