News

Rules for businesses published ahead of second lockdown

The government has published a list detailing the rules for each industry - explaining what can stay open during the second lockdown.

The Manc The Manc - 2nd November 2020
Number 10 / Flickr

England is set to enter a second national lockdown on November 5.

Over the weekend, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that large portions of the economy would be forced to hibernate for a four-week period ahead of Christmas 2020 due to COVID-19 cases rising across the country.

The new rules dictate that many businesses must close until at least December 2.

Johnson outlined the types of business that would need to shut during his address on Saturday, but now the government has published a provisional list detailing the rules for each industry.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Which businesses will close during the second lockdown?

Waldemar Brandt / Unsplash

The government has confirmed that most business premises must close from November 5 – December 2.

Non-essential retail stores are included in the list, which will mean the following stores will have to shut down:

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  • Clothing shops
  • Electronics stores
  • Vehicle showrooms
  • Travel agents
  • Betting shops
  • Auction houses
  • Tailors
  • Car washes
  • Tobacco and vape shops

Non-essential retail can however remain open for delivery and click-and-collect services.

Mark Bertulfo / Unsplash

Indoor and outdoor leisure facilities must also close from November 5. These include:

  • Bowling alleys
  • Leisure centres
  • Gyms
  • Swimming pools
  • Golf courses and driving ranges
  • Dance studios
  • Stables and riding centres
  • Soft play facilities
  • Climbing walls and climbing centres
  • Archery and shooting ranges
  • Water parks
  • Theme parks
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Personal care facilities must also close during the second lockdown. Businesses in this sector include:

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  • Hairdressers and barbers
  • Hair, beauty and nail salons
  • Tattoo parlours
  • Spas
  • Massage parlours
  • Body and skin piercing services
  • Non-medical acupuncture
  • Tanning salons
Rosie Fraser / Unsplash

Most hospitality, entertainment and culture venues are also being instructed to shut down from Thursday. These include:

  • Pubs
  • Bars
  • Restaurants
  • Theatres
  • Concert halls
  • Cinemas
  • Museums
  • Galleries
  • Casinos
  • Adult gaming centres
  • Arcades
  • Bingo halls
  • Zoos
  • Botanical gardens

Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to operate takeaway and delivery services. However, takeaway of alcohol will be banned.

What can stay open during the second lockdown?

Hanson Lu / Unsplash

Essential retail stores can continue trading throughout the second lockdown. Business included in this bracket are:

  • Food shops
  • Supermarkets
  • Garden centres
  • Retailers providing essential goods and services.

Accommodation can remain open for those who ‘have to travel for work purposes’.

This means that hotels and hostels may be permitted to operate for certain visitors, but the rules for this sector will be set out in law at a later date.

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Schools, colleges, universities and playgrounds will stay open as normal, although there are growing calls for some of education facilities to close.

For more information on the restrictions coming into law on November 5, visit the government website.

News

Police appeal after Bolton woman, 24, dies in collision following suspected ‘medical episode’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

An appeal for information and witnesses has been issued following a fatal collision in Bolton earlier this week.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 7pm on Tuesday (16 September), a car was travelling eastbound along Chorley Old Road, near to the Horwich area of Bolton, when it is believed to have lost control and collided with a wall.

Sadly, the driver of the car – a woman aged 24 – died at the scene, and it is believed she may have had a suspected ‘medical episode’.

No other vehicles were involved in the shocking incident.

The road was closed for large part of Tuesday evening, close to the junctions with Old Kiln Lane and Walker Fold Road – with at least six police cars reported to be in attendance at one point, as well as several paramedics and even an air ambulance.

Police are still investigating the full circumstances of the collision, and are now asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to get in touch.

This also includes anyone with dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell footage which capturing the collision.

Read more:

Can you help? Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101, or on the Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 2921 of 16/09/25.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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News

Manchester United announce record revenue despite on-pitch struggles

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester United have declared a record revenue figure for the full 2025 fiscal term, even with their poor performances on the pitch over the past 12 months.

They may still be a continually struggling Premier League side who seem to be in a perpetual state of transition, but they remain nothing short of a global giant in terms of sporting brands.

Yes, despite Man United recording two of the worst finishes in domestic history in the previous two campaigns and head coach Ruben Amorim having already overseen the worst start to a top-flight season in the modern era following the defeat on derby day, the football club has reached a monetary milestone.

According to their official reports for the fourth and final quarter of the financial year, they brought in a record-breaking £666.5 million throughout 2024/25 – but, as always, it’s more complicated than that.

Released on Wednesday, 17 September, Manchester United PLC confirmed that they had managed to record the biggest revenue figures on several fronts despite crashing out of the Europa League, finishing 15th in the table overall and failing to secure a place in any European competition this season.

The first half of Amorim‘s tenure at Old Trafford saw the club’s worst competitive placing since 1973/74, a.k.a. the last time the Red Devils were relegated from the first division.

Nevertheless, a fresh shirt sponsorship agreement with Snapdragon, new brand partnerships with the likes of Coca-Cola, an extension of their contract with travel experience company, SportsBreaks, and numerous other deals saw United achieve a record commercial revenue of £333.3m.

Elsewhere, match revenue was also up and reached new heights, tallying approximately £160.3m in the 12 months leading up to 30 June 2025 – the most they have ever registered when it comes to ticket sales, concessions, and other transactions in and around game days.

Controversial increases to some ticket prices and seat changes no doubt helped tip the scales in that respect, but it’s also worth clarifying that they still posted overall losses of £33m.

Although this number is a reduction of more than 70.8% what they lost last year (£113.2m), there is still plenty of concern among supporters over how money is still not only being spent but moved around.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS board did pay sizeable chunks of MUFC’s debt, which has piled up at an alarming rate in the two decades since the Glazer takeover, but there has still been plenty of borrowing.

In addition to a number of shorter-term loans, there has also been an increased level of amortisation and significant transfer spending this summer, despite being admittedly cash-strapped.

As well as actually having less money to play with over the past 12 months, they are also set to receive less in TV rights and broadcasting revenues this season due to not making it into any European competition, hence why they went on a post-season Asian tour to try and make up for funds lost.

It’s estimated that the business earned a further £8 million from these games, but it’s also worth noting that significant sums have been spent not only on new signings but also on severance fees and redundancy packages, so it’s hard to assess how much this extra injection helped with the fine margins.

Divisive CEO and former City Football Group exec, Omar Berrada, wrote in the comments section of the full findings and financial report: “As we settle into the 2025/26 season, we are working hard to improve the club in all areas.

“On the field, we are pleased with the additions we have made to our men’s and women’s first team squads over the summer, as we build for the long term. Off the field, we are emerging from a period of structural and leadership change with a refreshed, streamlined organisation equipped to deliver on our sporting and commercial objectives.”

Yet again, it’s worth noting that the same ‘streamlining’ her refers to includes sacking over 450 staff across two rounds of lay-offs.

He adds: “We are also investing [in upgrading] our infrastructure, including completion of the £50m redevelopment of our men’s first team building at Carrington, on time and on budget, following prior investment in our women’s team facilities, to create a world-class environment for our players and staff.

“Meanwhile, planning continues to meet our ambition of developing a new stadium at Old Trafford as part of a transformational regeneration of the surrounding community.

Manchester United’s Old Trafford regeneration project backed by UK government
Total Manchester United revenue may be up but they’re about to shell out seismic outlay for their new stadium costs.

Berrada signs off by insistig that for the club to have “generated record revenues during such a challenging year for the club demonstrates the resilience which is a hallmark of Manchester United.

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“Our commercial business remains strong as we continue to deliver appealing products and experiences for our fans, and best-in-class value to our partners.”

“As we start to feel the benefits of our cost reduction programme, there is significant potential for improved financial performance, which will, in turn, support our overriding priority: success on the pitch.”

What do you make of Manchester United’s 2024/25 annual report and how it fits into the wider picture/struggles elsewhere around the club?

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