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”.
Pat Regan at the Fairfield Social Club – a brilliantly unhinged evening of standup comedy
Clementine Hall
There’s a particular kind of chaos that only Pat Regan can deliver, and the recently re-recognised Fairfield Social Club got the full force of it last night.
Making his Manchester debut as part of the ‘A Lovely Time’ series at the equally as lovely Fairfield Social Club, the New York comic, writer, and podcast host arrived with the energy of someone who had already lived through three emotional breakdowns before breakfast and somehow still had the worst to come.
Known for his work on HBO’s Hacks and the cult-favourite podcast Seek Treatment with fellow comic Catherine Cohen, Regan’s stand-up feels less like your traditional comedy set and more like being trapped in the world’s funniest group chat.
The perfectly intimate room beneath Fairfield’s railway arches was packed with adoring fans who were immediately on side as Regan launched into stories about traumatic trips to Paris, Grindr dates, massage tables and having crushes at the gym.
The audience was in the palm of his slightly sweaty hands (don’t worry, he’ll be fine with me saying so), laughing at every awkward punchline and self-deprecating anecdote.
The material is nothing groundbreaking, but this is what makes it so deeply hilarious; never before has shopping for the perfect pair of jeans been so serious and unserious at the same time.
There was laughter rolling through the venue for virtually the entire set, and after an hour of never-ending quips and jokes, we were left wanting more.
And the best part is, it won’t be long until we get more from this place, and it’s no wonder they’re starting to get the hosting plaudits they deserve.
It’s safe to say Fairfield Social Club has become one of Manchester’s most exciting homes for alternative comedy, and this felt like exactly the sort of booking that justifies its growing reputation.
By the time Regan left the stage, the audience looked equal parts exhausted and delighted. An absolutely classy evening indeed.
Find out about what else is on at the Fairfield Social Club HERE.
First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
Emily Sergeant -
24th July 2023 
