News

Police warn public about the hot tub scam that has bubbled up during the pandemic

Police have revealed an increase in hot tub fraud since the start of the pandemic; where scammers will advertise a non-existent unit to potential buyers, warn them they cannot permit a viewing due to coronavirus restrictions, and then cut off all contact once payment is made.

The Manc The Manc - 15th September 2020

Greater Manchester Police have been posting warnings about a prevalent scam which has bubbled up during the coronavirus pandemic: Hot tub fraud.

Shortly after COVID-19 first hit the UK, fraudsters seized the opportunity to prey upon national panic by posing as funding agencies, charities or delivery companies.

But now these cyber crooks have apparently turned their attention towards luxury home products.

Police have revealed an increase in hot tub fraud since the start of the pandemic; whereby scammers will advertise a non-existent unit to potential buyers, warn them they cannot permit a viewing due to coronavirus restrictions, and then cut off all contact once payment is made.

Posting online via their official Twitter account, GMP stated: “Fraudsters are using online sites to advertise hot tubs for sale.

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“They will request deposits for the hot tubs and tell the victim that [their] delivery date is to be confirmed.

“The fraudster will tell the victim the hot tub cannot be viewed because of lockdown restrictions.

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“The fraudster will then cease contact with the victim meaning the deposit is lost.”

Officers are warning buyers to be vigilant before making any big purchases online, and to spread the word about the unusual scam which is leaving many people out of pocket.

Staying safe online includes dealing only with reputable sellers, avoid paying by money transfers, checking the URL in the web browser (is it actually the same website as the design suggests?).

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Police are also encouraging people to use their instinct; if sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

For more information on protecting your money online, visit ActionFraud.

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Full list of road closures announced for Manchester’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display 2024

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Road closures will be in place as Manchester city centre prepares for its spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

Once the hustle and bustle of Christmas dies down, Boxing Day has been and gone, and we enter the time where nobody knows what day it is, everybody then begins waiting for New Year’s Eve to arrive, and for 2025 to bring new beginnings and a fresh start.

And case you missed it, Manchester City Council confirmed last week that Manchester will be celebrating the occasion with a bang.

Spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display confirmed for Manchester

Last year was the first year since 2019 and post several COVID lockdowns where Manchester city centre hosting one of its famous fireworks displays that “say goodbye to the old and welcome in the new”, and it went down a huge success with residents and visitors alike – so it makes sense that it would return again for 2024.

Families from all across Greater Manchester are invited to the “fun-filled event” this Tuesday 31 December from 10pm.

This year’s end of the year celebration marks the first time St Peter’s Square has been used for the New Year countdown event, and also the first time that New Year fireworks will be let off from the roof of Manchester Central Library.

Spectacular New Year's Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester
Spectacular New Year’s Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester. Credit: Unsplash, Chris Curry

Around 20,000 people are expected to attend the free to head on down to.

You can expect “high spirits and party tunes” throughout the night in the run-up to the midnight countdown and fireworks – which will end at 12:30am.

The Council says that, in order to ensure “a safe and celebratory event for all”, security staff will be keeping a close eye on revellers to minimise any disruption and allow everyone to see in the new year together.

To best accommodate the event and everyone attending, the following road closures and parking suspensions have been confirmed:

Road closures

From 7:30am – 2pm

  • Peter Street westbound (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
  • Peter Street eastbound (Deansgate to Lower Mosley Street)
  • Oxford Street (Peter Street to Portland Street)
  • George Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
  • St James Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
  • Bale Street (Lower Mosley Street to Hall Street)
  • Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)

From 9pm – 2am

  • Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
  • Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
  • Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)

Parking suspensions

From 8am on 29 December – 6am on 2 January

  • Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)

From 6pm on 30 December – 6am on 1 January

  • Oxford Street (Lower Mosley Street to Portland Street)
  • Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
  • Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
  • George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
  • Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
  • Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
  • Southmill (Windmill Street to Bootle Street)
A number of road closures and parking suspensions will be in place / Credit: Unsplash

Portaloo toilet facilities, including accessible toilets will be available on site and the Lloyd Street public toilets will remain open until 1 am.  

Hot drinks and food will be available on site, but alcohol is not permitted.

Read more:

There will be no tram services through St Peter’s Square from 8pm on 31 December until the end of the fireworks display.

Full details of Metrolink service and accessible shuttle buses can be found here.

Featured Image – designecologist (via Unsplash)

News

Spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display confirmed for Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Spectacular New Year's Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester

Manchester will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a spectacular FREE fireworks display, the council has confirmed.

This year, the dazzling display to ring in the new year will be set off from the roof of the city’s landmark Central Library building.

Mancs will be able to gather in St Peter’s Square as the city waves goodbye to 2024 and welcomes a new year.

The family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration has never taken place at St Peter’s Square before, nor has the iconic Manchester Central library hosted any sort of fireworks display.

The fireworks spectacular and New Year countdown will take place on Tuesday 31 December between 10pm and 12.30am, hosted by local radio presenter and DJ Joe McGrath.

With a rough capacity of 20,000 people, there’ll be a festive atmosphere in the city centre – but Manchester City Council has stressed that alcohol is not permitted at the New Year’s Eve fireworks event.

Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “If there’s something we do well in Manchester, it’s getting together for a big celebration – and there’s no better time for a big do than New Year’s Eve.

“This is the time to remember the year we’ve just had and to look ahead to the new one and all it may bring, surrounded by the people we love.

“Mancunians of all ages love a party, and this New Year’s Eve is going to be fantastic – a chance to dance the night away, with one of the biggest fireworks displays in the region for everyone to enjoy.

“All you need is your dancing shoes, party spirit and your nearest and dearest. Grab hold of those and we can’t wait to see you in St Peter’s Square for the last party of 2024.”

Manchester New Year's Eve fireworks
Spectacular New Year’s Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester. Credit: Unsplash, designecologist

There are a few things you need to know ahead of the event – attendees are asked to limit bag sizes to no larger than A4 in size, with bag searches in operation at the entrances.

It will be a standing room only event though there’ll be a managed designated accessible viewing area located on the Metrolink tram platform closest to Central Library, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Portaloos, public toilets until 1am, and hot drinks and food will all be available on site.

Event staff will make sure St Peter’s Square is cleared promptly after the event and once the fireworks are over to minimise disruption to local residents.

Councillor Pat Karney added: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy New Year’s Eve, including the growing number of local residents who live in town.

“I will therefore be working closely with local councillors and others to ensure that we minimise any nuisance for city centre residents.”

Important road closures and event information for the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Manchester

A number of temporary but necessary traffic management measures will be put in place in the run-up to and on the day itself so the event can go ahead.

Road closures – 31 December 2024 

7.30pm–2am

  • Peter Street westbound (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
  • Peter Street eastbound (Deansgate to Lower Mosley Street)
  • Oxford Street (Peter Street to Portland Street)
  • George Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
  • St James Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
  • Bale Street (Lower Mosley Street to Hall Street)
  • Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)

9pm–2am

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  • Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
  • Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
  • Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)

Parking suspensions from 8am on 29 December until 6am on 2 January

  • Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)

Parking suspensions from 6pm on 30 December until 6am on 1 January

  • Oxford Street (Lower Mosley Street to Portland Street)
  • Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
  • Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
  • George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
  • Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
  • Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
  • Southmill (Windmill Street to Bootle Street)

Accessible parking

  • Unreserved accessible event parking is available on Mount Street.

Read more

Featured image: Unsplash, Chris Curry

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