From tomorrow (Friday 3 July), Stevenson Square and Ducie Street will become closed to traffic, with Stevie Square becoming a temporary pedestrian and cycle-only zone.
As the Manchester plans for the end of the coronavirus lockdown, and following the extended closure times of Thomas Street in May, Manchester City Council has now decided to make two further road closures in the area to help with social distancing.
The council say that the new closures will support those returning to the city and will begin to rebuild the economy. They are also making Withy Grove a one-way system to encourage walking and cycling in the area.
From tomorrow (Friday 3 July), to allow for more space for pedestrians, we will temporarily close Ducie Street and Stevenson Square.
To improve traffic flow in the area we're also making Withy Grove one-way.
— Manchester City Council #StayHomeSaveLives (@ManCityCouncil) July 2, 2020
The changes, which are currently down as temporary, were confirmed after feedback from a consultation about walking and cycling in the Northern Quarter was carried out earlier this year. The feedback saw a significant number of people calling for more pedestrianisation of the Northern Quarter – including the closure of Stevenson Square, and improvements in the Ducie Street (Piccadilly Station approach) area.
The changes to Stevenson Square will take place from 6am tomorrow (Friday 3), and will turn the area into a traffic-free zone in which people can spend more time. It will also create an opportunity for businesses to use the pavements for seating, thanks to the additional space and reduced pollution.
Ducie Street, will close at the same hour, from its junction with the A6 at Piccadilly to its junction with Dale Street. This will “remove the need for pedestrians to gather in large groups waiting at the traffic lights,” and will “reduce the number of vehicles choosing to drive through the city centre,” according to the Manchester City Council website.
Additionally, as mentioned above, feedback in the consultation earlier this year showed that people were concerned about the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in the Withy Grove area. The council will now make Withy Grove a one-way system in order to improve traffic flow and reduce the need for pedestrians to congregate outside The Printworks.
All of these changes will take place from tomorrow and while announced as temporary, are likely to stay in place for some time as the city’s pedestrianisation continues to ramp up. Find out more here.
News
Jet2 and Greggs is offering Mancs the chance to win a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll
Thomas Melia
Jet2 has teamed up with Greggs to announce a new competition where you can win a holiday for the price of a sausage roll.
If you didn’t know by now, ‘Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday’, and as the British budget airline launches its latest collaboration where you can win a holiday for the same price as a sausage roll, we’d say that’s pretty accurate.
Fancy laying down in the scorching heat and baking yourself just like a trusty Greggs sausage roll? Well it’s a good thing these two iconic companies have teamed up then, because now you can do just that.
Jet2 and Greggs are giving away a three-night all-inclusive holiday to Marbella for the same price as everyone’s flaky-pastry favourite priced at £1.30.
In a video shared to social media, internet personalities Charley Marlowe and Luke Hamnett announced this brand-new offer in an extremely on-brand way.
The video sees the pair taking on very different roles, quite literally, as Hamnett dresses as a sausage roll while Marlowe tries her hand as a cabin crew member.
This exclusive campaign sees you in with the chance of winning a three-night all-inclusive holiday to the luxury Spanish destination, staying at Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach from 2 October – 5 October 2025.
Jet2 and Greggs is offering a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll / Credit: Laura Barry (via Unsplash) | Greggs
On top of this, you’ll also get a handful of Jet2 and Greggs co-branded goodies sent to your door before take-off, and there may even be a present or two in your hotel room as well.
I think it’s safe to say there certainly will be carbs in Marbs.
Police ‘stop and search’ powers authorised following double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens
Emily Sergeant
Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers have been introduced in Manchester following a double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens last night.
Beginning this morning (Thursday 3 July) and set to be in place for 24 hours, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has authorised a section 60 in the city centre, with powers effective on Ring Road between Great Ancoats Street and Trinity Way, and Irwell Street between Trinity Way and New Quay Street.
Police will have the right to stop and search anyone they have suspicions over within the area during the authorised time frame.
The section 60 powers come under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, and after having run for the full 24 hours, is set to expire at 12:53am on Friday 4 July 2025.
The section 60 authority comes after GMP says it received multiple calls of an ‘ongoing disturbance’ where weapons were ‘seen and had potentially been used’ in Piccadilly Gardens, and when officers attended the scene, they found two men – one in his 20s and another in his 30s – both with stab wounds.
#INCIDENT | This morning (Thursday 3 July 2025), we authorised a Section 60 authority in the outlined area of the city centre.
The Section 60 is in place following a double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens at around 12.50am.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) July 3, 2025
Both men remain in hospital at this time – with one receiving ongoing treatment, and the other remaining in critical condition.
No arrests have been made at this stage, and investigations are ongoing.
“The Section 60 authority put in place overnight gives officers additional powers which will be utilised to prevent any further incidents or the carrying of weapons,” commented Chief Inspector Rob MacGregor, from GMP’s City Centre division.
“There will be a significant presence of officers, particularly on foot patrol in the area today.
“If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who will reassure and respond to any queries.”
CI MacGregor added that Section 60 powers are ‘crucial’ to preventing potential further offences or instances of violence in the community.
Anyone with information or footage relating to this incident is urged to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 71 of 03/07/2025, or report it via the LiveChat online at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Sam Ridgway -
2nd July 2020 
