Manchester city centre restaurant and bar Ramona has responded after guests visiting the venue over the weekend were injured in an accident following damage to the tipi.
The busy nightlife venue was evacuated on Saturday night after falling debris crashed through the canvas and injured customers.
Ramona has stated that the high winds brought on by Storm Elin caused materials to fly off a neighbouring construction site and onto the bar’s tipi below.
A large emergency service presence, including two fire engines, attended the ‘scary’ incident at the venue, which is situated just on the edge of Northern Quarter and Ancoats.
Ramona has been in touch with the guests who were injured in the freak accident, two of whom were sent to hospital, and all are reported to be ‘safe and recovering’.
They have also said that the construction site has ‘taken full responsibility’.
News of the accident first began circulating on a r/Manchester Reddit page, in which an anonymous individual shared details of a “serious incident”, with a witness claiming that a part of Ramona’s outdoor tent collapsed as a result of the damage and high winds drummed up by Storm Elin which has spread across the North West.
The poster said: “At least one person sat near the wooden supports that gave way was seriously injured. Not talking just a chipped tooth but life-threatening head injuries, profuse bleeding, the lot.”
They went on to add: “The place was immediately evacuated, and a major emergency services presence arrived shortly thereafter.”
We’ve enjoyed many a drink in the Ramona tipi which was damaged and partially collapsed’
Issuing an official statement to The Manc, Ramona said: “On the evening of Saturday, 9th December, an incident occurred where, during the severe storm, high winds blew several pieces of debris from a neighbouring construction site, onto parked vehicles, and piercing the Ramona tipis, injuring customers.
“Thankfully, all injured parties are now safe and recovering. They have contacted Ramona to thank the team for their wonderful support in what was a scary situation for all involved.
“The construction site next door to Ramona has taken full responsibility for what happened and ensured that all is safe and secure after the extreme conditions.
“The team is committed to continuing to support all involved and is speaking to Hospitality Action to arrange for some potential crisis management support for those who may want to take that up.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) also confirmed: “Around 8:15pm on Saturday (9 December) two fire engines from Salford and Manchester Central fire stations were called to Cable Street, Manchester, in response to reports about falling debris.
“Firefighters established a cordon to make the area safe, working alongside colleagues from North West Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Police at the scene. Crews were in attendance for around two hours.”
GMP also verified that “two people received injuries and were taken to hospital” as a result of falling debris”, with a cordon put in place to secure the perimeter around the incident.
We’re just glad everyone is ok and that the site has been deemed safe to re-enter.
You can stay in an aircraft, old school bus, or even a helicopter at this glamping pod near Manchester
Thomas Melia
There’s a glamping retreat near Manchester offering extraordinary stays in an aircraft, helicopter, old school bus and more.
Over in Blackpool at Manor House Glamping, there is a range of static vehicles that you can have an overnight stay or two in, and according to the pictures on its website, there’s even a resident emu.
You can stay in various modes of transport, such as an aircraft, an iconic yellow school bus, a campervan or a military green truck.
Each has its own perks ranging from a hot tub, outdoor bath, fire pit, sandpit and more. Whatever type of getaway or retreat you’re looking for, you’ll find everything you need right here.
The most eye-catching of the company’s stays is certainly the aircraft, which has kept its original cockpit features, although it’s safe to say the interior has definitely had a makeover.
There’s no such thing as a bad in-flight experience with this guest house, as you can get cocktails delivered to the cockpit after taking a dip in your own personal hot tub – not too shabby, eh?
With the bright and unmissable yellow school bus, there are plenty of decorations that help continue this theme in the form of various American road signs, one of which acts as your headboard for the night.
If you’re after a more toned-down chance to unwind, you can step into a pale-white camper van with cosy cushions and a snug haystack-turned-sofa adorned with some gorgeous blankets.
And if you’re looking at going all out, then your Manor House Glamping accommodation of choice has to be the chopper, which was once used by the Royal Navy.
Worried this option might be a tad nippy? Fear not, because this helicopter is fully kitted out to suit your glamping needs with two fluffy-lined cushions on each seat of this vintage heli.
Anyone who experiences cabin fever, fear not, because all the aircraft and vehicles are static and aren’t planning on making a long-haul journey anytime soon, you’ll still be able to keep your feet firmly on the ground.
Manor House Glamping has a variety of vehicle-themed guest houses, both old and new, for you to stay in overnight and if you’re interested or after any further information.
If you fancy staying within the boundaries of Greater Manchester but still fancy getting the feel for a cockpit, though, there’s a very fun day out over at Barton’s City Airport.
More than 100 ‘unsafe’ counterfeit Labubus seized in Oldham
Daisy Jackson
More than 100 counterfeit Labubus and accessories have been seized in Oldham, the council has announced.
The Labubu dolls – a plush collectible with giant smiles and bunny ears – have been seized because they are fake, and unsafe.
The haul of 104 Labubus has been given a street value of between £800 and £1000 – but if they were the real deal, they’d be worth more than three times as much.
The poorly-made figures were being sold for a fraction of the price of a real Labubu, which are manufactured by Chinese company Pop Mart (it’s set to open its second Manchester store in the Trafford Centre next week).
Oldham Council’s Trading Standards team said it seized the counterfeit Labubus from local businesses and found that they were unsafe and poorly made.
Officers raised concerns about the safety of the dolls, which had small parts such as eyes, hands and feet broke off easily, creating a choking hazard.
What a genuine Labubu should look like. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
They were also missing legally required safety marks such as the CE or UKCA labels, and lacked the name and address of a UK supplier, which is another legal requirement.
Councillor Elaine Taylor, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Licensing, said: “Oldham Trading Standards carries out regular checks to help keep unsafe products off the shelves. In this case, these counterfeit toys failed safety standards and have now been removed from sale.
“We know it can be tempting to buy toys that look like a bargain, but parents need to be extra careful. Fake toys like these may be cheaper, but they can put children in real danger if they’re not made to strict safety standards.
“If anyone has concerns about toys they’ve purchased, or if they see unsafe products on sale locally, we’d encourage them to get in touch with Trading Standards through the Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.”
Danny Jones -
12th December 2023 
