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Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott praised for ‘brilliant’ reason behind capping their tour tickets at £30
The duo said they are ultimately "against greed in the industry".
Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott have explained the “brilliant” reason why they’ve chosen to cap the price of their tour tickets at £30.
While the going rate for tickets to arena and stadium tours tends to hover around the £70-£80 or more mark nowadays, the pair – who were famously part of pop rock group The Beautiful South, which Heaton formed in 1988 and Abbott joined as lead vocalist from 1994-2007 – have said they are determined to keep prices affordable amid the rising cost of living crisis.
The duo announced their huge UK arena tour towards the end of August, and have released their fifth studio album titled ‘N.K-Pop’ today.
Heaton and Abbott have been on the receiving end of a lot of praise from members of the public after making an appearance on BBC Breakfast this morning to speak about rising costs in the music industry while promoting their new album.
Heaton said he was ultimately “against greed in the industry”.
“It’s really important that in the coming months, and possibly years, that we tell the fans that we are getting paid enough and want to keep it low for you,” he explained.
“I think people are delighted.
“I’m very much against greed in the industry. I feel as though there is quite a lot. We are trying to just battle and say ‘we’ll do it for as low as we can’.”
Heaton – who has some 15 million album sales under his belt, with a celebrated music career that also included a stint as the frontman of The Housemartins – said himself and Abbott are looking to “set a bit of an example” for the rest of the music industry going forward with their decision to cap tour ticket prices at £30.
A clip from the BBC Breakfast interview has been going viral on social media today, with fans of the pair calling them “legends”.
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One fan said on Twitter: “What a man. Brilliant. Understands people are struggling and he’s making enough why can’t others think like that. Top top man.”
“Need more Paul Heatons in this world. It’s as simple as that. Legend, hero, good human being,” another fan added, while a third said: “Paul Heaton is one of the absolute greats in the music world and yet rarely gets any recognition. It’s a travesty.”
The award-winning duo’s appearance on BBC Breakfast comes after they announced they would be making a return to Manchester on their UK tour in December – which will include some of their biggest-ever shows as a duo, with support from special guest Billy Bragg at all dates.
They’ll be gigging at the AO Arena in Manchester, as well as the O2 Arena in London, and Sheffield’s Utilita Arena as part of the upcoming tour.
This isn’t the first time this year that Paul Heaton has gone out of his way to make life a little easier for his fans, as he cemented his place in the nation’s hearts back in May by putting £1,000 behind the bar of 60 pubs across the UK and Ireland.
The gesture was done so that people could have a drink on him to celebrate his 60th birthday.
Featured Image – BBC Breakfast
News
Oldham police issue dispersal order following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder in town centre
Emily Sergeant
A dispersal order has been issued in Oldham following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder between groups of youths.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that it has implemented a Section 35 dispersal order and additional Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers in Oldham following repeat incidents of disorder between groups of youths in the town centre.
The measures were introduced yesterday afternoon (9 December) after reports of disorder came into police, which also followed similar incidents seen earlier this and last week.
So far, five arrests have been made in connection with the incidents – two for violent disorder, and three for possession of offensive weapons.
A Section 35 dispersal order is in effect for 48 hours until 1:25pm this Thursday (11 December), and the Section 60 is in effect for an initial 24 hours until 1:25pm today.
The dispersal order allows officers to exclude a person, or people, from an area for up to 48 hours through a written notice, while the Section 60 authority grants officers extended powers to stop and search individuals within the area.
Neighbourhood officers will maintain a high-visibility presence in the area and will use these powers where necessary to ‘keep the public safe’.
“These measures are in place to prevent further disorder and ensure the safety of those living, working, and visiting Oldham town centre,” commented Inspector Amie Whitehead, who is the Neighbourhood Inspector for Oldham South & West.
“We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour and will take robust action against anyone involved.
“These powers are crucial to preventing any further offences from taking place. If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who are there to help.”
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Anyone with any information is urged to contact police via 101 or using the LiveChat function on www.gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1619 of 09/12/25.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Trafford Centre announces opening hours for 2025/26 festive season – including Boxing Day
Emily Sergeant
Trafford Centre has published its full list of opening hours for this current festive season.
We all know that the Christmas period is one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry, with people flocking to the shops in their millions to snap up festive gifts for their loved ones, and it only gets busier from Boxing Day onwards too when all the sales launch, offering shoppers some unmissable deals and bargains.
And nowhere in Greater Manchester gets busier during the festive season than the Trafford Centre. After all, with more than 200 stores all under one room, it’s not hard to see why.
This year, shoppers can make the most of extended opening hours at the Trafford Centre right through to New Year’s Day – with late night shopping until 11pm on selected dates in December leading up to the big day.
Alongside being a one-stop-shop for gifts, there’s also dozens of festive events and new Christmas lights to enjoy at the Trafford Centre too, so visitors can tick everything off their list and have a great day out while they’re at it.
The shopping centre will be open from 9am – 5pm on Christmas Eve, so you can whip round and grab any last-minute presents, before it’s closed fully on Christmas Day, and then opens again bright and early at 8am on Boxing Day.
Trafford Centre Christmas Opening Hours 2025/26
- 18 and 19 December: 10am – 11pm
- 20 December: 10am – 10pm
- 21 December: 12pm – 6pm
- 22 and 23 December: 10am – 11pm
- Christmas: 9am – 5pm
- Christmas Day: Closed
- 26 December: 8am – 8pm (some stores may be closed, please check with individual brands)
- 27 December: 10am – 9pm
- 28 December: 12pm – 6pm
- 29 and 30 December: 10pm – 10pm
- New Year’s Eve: 9am – 5pm
- New Year’s Day: 12pm – 6pm
It’s also worth noting, however, that not every store inside the Trafford Centre will be open on Boxing Day, so you’ll need to check with individual brands ahead of time.
For the restaurants, stores, and leisure venues that are open, you can check their specific trading hours on the Trafford Centre website here.
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When it comes to festive event, The Grotto is open until Christmas Eve for pre-bookings only, and the Christmas fairground and ice rink, Big Wheel, and Gandeys Snowstorm Firebird show are all open until 4 January (closed Christmas Day).
Featured Image – Trafford Centre (Supplied)
