The University of Manchester has announced that students who are unable to return to their accommodation due to the national lockdown will not have to pay their rent.
It comes after the university first introduced a 30% rent reduction until 31st January following a series of student protests in November last year – which amounted to a six-week rent reduction in total – and it means that anyone who has been unable to return to campus as a result of ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions will not have to pay until the restrictions end or the student returns to their accommodation.
The news of the rent pause was confirmed to students in a joint statement issued by Professor April McMahon – Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students – and Dr Simon Merrywest, Director for the Student Experience.
The statement reads: “Recognising that this is a time of uncertainty and financial challenge, the date of the next instalment of your rent (due on 21st January), will be pushed back to give you time to reflect on your decisions for study in Semester 2, and to let us know if you are here or not.
“We will write to you as soon as possible and with plenty of notice to confirm the new payment date.
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“You will still be able to cancel your license agreement at any point up until 31 March 2021 and will only be charged up to the date you return your key.”
Students living in University accommodation who have not returned since the national lockdown announcement on 5 January, will not pay any rent until the end of the current restrictions, or the date that they return to their accommodation in Manchester.https://t.co/ydA628RCdR
— The University of Manchester (@OfficialUoM) January 8, 2021
It continues: “From 1 February, you will pay the full rate unless you choose to leave or not to return.”
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With regards to private accommodation facilities, the University of Manchester stated that: “We and the Students’ Union will be writing to private providers to tell them what we are doing for students in our halls and encourage them to consider rent reductions for those of you who aren’t able to use their accommodation.
“However, this is their decision and not one that we can enforce.”
The university also reinforced awareness of the additional financial measures it is offering students, stating: “We know that the availability of part-time work or other circumstances might be causing some of you severe financial difficulty, so we have put additional money into our living cost support fund.
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“Wherever you are based, there is support available for you”.
The statement closed out by saying: “The pandemic has caused enormous disruption this year, so we want to thank you again for continuing to make the most of your experience and for following the rules that help protect everyone in our community.
“We are very grateful for the support of the Students’ Union for these measures.”
News
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is returning to Greater Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is coming back to Manchester once again, and they’re bringing yet another phenomenal lineup with them.
National radio station and overall upcoming music connoisseurs, BBC Radio 6, are back with their music festival, and just like years previous, it’s taking place across Manchester.
Over the years, the festival has brought some of music’s biggest names to lots of local venues, putting on an array of brilliant live performances.
Last spring saw the arrival of rock band Gossip and Irish singer CMAT, both taking up residency in O2 Victoria Warehouse, Lily Fontaine of English Teacher at Band On The Wall, while DJ Seinfeld went B2B with Salute in Depot Mayfield.
Leading this glowing roster of performers is Ezra Collective, a Mercury award -winning band known for their brilliant jazz productions, and then from one Mercury-winning band to another, Lily Fontaine won’t be riding solo this year, instead she’s bringing all the crew with her, as English Teacher are set to perform at this huge festival.
Fat Dog, whose debut album is titled ‘Woof’, are joining in on the fun with Scottish band Mogwai also making a feature too.
There’s even a chance for an exclusive first listen too, as Kae Tempest will be debuting new material right here in Manchester.
Ezra Collective are performing at BBC Radio 6 Music Festival.English Teacher make a return to Manchester for this special event.Fat Dog are also playing the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival.
All performances will be taking place at a multitude of venues, like the previously mentioned O2 Victoria Warehouse, Depot Mayfield, and Band On The Wall, as well as loads of other events at entertainment bar, Yes.
Every highlight, alongside live and recorded live performances, will be taking place at MediaCityUK in Salford, in order to keep everything Manchester central.
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is happening from 26 – 29 March 2025, with tickets going on sale from 6 February at 10am here.
MediaCity’s new £2.5m indoor activity park confirms opening date just in time for half term
Emily Sergeant
A brand new indoor activity park is set to open its doors in Greater Manchester, and the launch date has now been revealed.
In case you missed it, it was announced towards the end of last year that Salford had been chosen by Oxygen Activeplay as the location for its next venture, and will be descending on Quayside MediaCity this month with state-of-the-art equipment and activities to help local families stay active whilst having fun at the same time.
Oxygen will sit above bustling food hall Kargo MKT, taking over the former site of I’m a Celebrity Jungle Challenge.
Following a £2.5 million investment, the new park will feature more than 30 trampolines, a mega-air bag, a high ropes course, a ‘Rollglider’ aerial ride which flies over the facility, and Oxygen’s signature illuminated sensory experience ‘Excite Tunnel’, along with even more “epic” activities.
A series of optional games and dance parties will also be on offer during each play session, and the new Manchester park will also host ‘Peaceful Play’ sessions designed for neurodivergent guests, who prefer a calmer and quieter playing environment, as well as there being a ‘Toddler Venture Zone’.
A cafe serving drinks, snacks, and meals is also set to overlook the park.
But, up until recently, the date when the exciting new venture would be welcoming in the public for the first time remained under lock and key.
A new £2.5m ‘state-of-the-art’ indoor activity park will be opening at MediaCity / Credit: Jamie McPhilimey
It’s been a long time coming, but after 6,000 hours of hard work from the construction team, it has now been confirmed that Oxygen at MediaCity will open on Monday 17 February , just in time for half term.
Doors will open at 9am, and pre-booking is advised.
“With Oxygen at MediaCity being our tenth park, we knew we had to do something really special, so we have some really big and exciting plans,” teased Oxygen Activeplay CEO, Stephen Wilson, ahead of the new park opening in a couple of weeks time.
The Manc -
11th January 2021 
