An appeal for witnesses to come forward has been issued after reports were made of “several individuals fighting” on Market Street.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says it’s “aware” of video footage that’s been circulating on social media over the weekend that appears to show a disturbance and subsequent fight in the Market Street area of Manchester city centre last Friday, and is now directly appealing to the witnessing public to provide information.
The incident in question is believed to have occurred shortly before 9pm last Friday (21 July).
GMP are aware of video footage appearing to show several individuals fighting in the Market Street area on Friday 21 July 2023 circulating on social media.
Officers responded quickly and so far, a 16-year-old boy has been arrested.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) July 23, 2023
GMP says officers were called to reports of the disturbance, but when the arrived on the scene, all parties “quickly dispersed” from the area, and so far, only a 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection to the incident.
Temporary Superintendent Muz Kernain confirmed that the force believes those involved in the fight were “known to one another” and rather not “members of the public trying to go about their daily business” – adding that enquiries remain “ongoing” to try and identify anyone who was involved in committing offences.
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Mr Kernain, who forms part of GMP’s Central Neighbourhood Policing Team, also added in his appeal for witnesses yesterday that no victims have come forward “at this time”.
Police appeal for witnesses after reports of ‘several individuals fighting’ on Market Street / Credit: GMP
“We understand seeing footage of this nature may be worrying to those who live, work, or visit this busy area of Manchester,” Mr Kernain admitted in a statement, “but I want to provide reassurance to the public that officers did provide a swift response to the reports.
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“The City Centre policing team continually patrol the main shopping high street, providing a visible presence to deter crime and act swiftly to incidents that arise, and additionally, officers from our Transport Unit frequently run operations alongside partner agencies across the transport network, including at tram stops in the centre.
“When situations such as the one captured in this footage arise, we ask that members of the public don’t intervene or put themselves at risk, but instead call 999 so that we can dispatch officers to the area immediately.”
The City Council has spent all day trying to get an update from GMP about this incident without success. GMP are now telling us this happened on Friday evening. They first told us there was no record of this incident We will be talking to –@AndyBurnhamGM about this situation. https://t.co/SFlZ4A0cyg
Appealing to the public for witnesses, victims, information, and any potential footage, Mr Kernain continued: “We would like to hear from anyone who believes themselves to be a victim or witness during this incident to come forward to us, [and] we’re also keen to speak to anyone with additional mobile phone footage.
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“We appreciate any piece of information, no matter how big or small you believe this to be, that might help us act against those involved.”
He concluded that Manchester city centre “overwhelmingly” remains a safe place for everyone, adding that incidents “of this nature” are not a “common occurrence”.
Middleton to receive a cinema and Metrolink as part of regeneration plans
Thomas Melia
Greater Manchester town Middleton is about to undergo a huge facelift thanks to a new regeneration project, including a new cinema and Metrolink tram station.
Middleton is one of many bustling communities that make up the borough of Rochdale, and with these new plans, the town might receive a fair few new visitors who want to know what it’s all about.
The Greater Manchester town is undergoing a huge transformation with regeneration plans confirming that Middleton will receive a brand new cinema complex along with an extended Metrolink line as part of the Bee Network expansion covering this area.
This is all thanks to Middleton teaming up with the Mayor to launch the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which pushes forward regeneration plans for the town and future ideas.
Middleton Shopping Centre right in the heart of the town centre.Middleton Town Centre bustling as the markets take place.Credit: Steven Haslington (via Geograph)/@Rept0n1x (via Flickr)
The MDC considers lots of aspects of the town and even aims to create new homes and improve surrounding public spaces.
Middleton regeneration plans have been floated previously, but complications arose due to a lack of land and available funding, which ultimately brought these foundations to a halt.
Now it seems the green light has been lifted and Middleton is about to get a whole new facelift, which will not only improve the town economically but aesthetically too, along with the wider Rochdale region.
For many Middletonians, the idea of a cinema may have felt like a distant memory, with their last big screen location shutting down just over a decade ago.
This all-new high street regeneration will not only bring an array of shopping favourites back to the town centre but also the long-awaited return of a local cinema. Most importantly, the plans also include a slate of new housing, with an estimated 300 apartments set to be created in one building alone.
Early CGIs of the proposed Middleton regeneration plans.Grade II-listed Warwick Mill looks set to be turned into flats.Credit: Publicity Picture (supplied)
This all falls in line with the ‘Atom Valley scheme‘, which has been commissioned in order to generate over 20,000 job opportunities for people in Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.
The scheme also mentions how it aims to bring a combined economic boost of around £1 billion to these previously mentioned areas.
Rochdale Borough Council leader, Neil Emmott, said: “The development of 1.2 million square metres of employment space around the junction 19 area will help to generate 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1 billion economic boost.”
Featured Image — Publicity Pictures (supplied via Rochdale Borough Council)
News
Scouting For Girls announce stacked UK tour with Manchester date
Thomas Melia
British boyband Scouting For Girls are heading out on an extensive UK tour with dates up and down the country, including right here in Manchester.
If the first thing that pops into your mind when you read this headline is “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know how we’ll make it through this”, then you’re on the right side of history.
Nearly 20 years since their single ‘She’s So Lovely’ reached catastrophic heights and had everyone putting on their best Roy Stride accent, Scouting For Girls are heading back on the road.
This UK tour announcement comes two years after their last project, The Place We Used To Meet, reached our ears and was coined by the band as “Our best work since our debut”.
It’s been 18 years since this Brit trio captivated our hearts with their eponymous debut album, which sold over one million copies and went number one on the UK official charts for two weeks.
Whether you know them for ‘Heartbeat’ or ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, it’s clear to say this band had their fair share of smash hit singles throughout the noughties.
This tour, however, celebrates the sophomore follow-up: Everybody Wants To Be On TV, which went on to continue their legacy and secure them their only number one, ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’, back in 2010.
Now, the boys are treating UK fans to an array of live performances, and if you can’t make one date, fear not because there are 20 different locations for you to choose from.
The group will also be playing the likes of Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and a whole host of other Northern cities, so you have plenty of chances to catch them.
If you can’t wait all the way until March 2026 for your next Scouting For Girls fix, lead singer Stride has his own cameo account where you can get the star to read out a message or even sing you a song: “‘Michaela Strachan’ in full, please?…”
Scouting For Girls are coming to O2 Apollo in Manchester on 21 March 2026, with tickets going on sale next Friday, 2 May at 10am HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
24th July 2023 
