Sacha Lord calls for probe into how Covid measures damaged hospitality
He's calling for an “urgent interim report” to look at policies like enforced table service, 'substantial' meal requirements, 10pm curfew and Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
Sacha Lord has today joined hospitality leaders in requesting that the industry be included in a formal government enquiry assessing the impact of Covid measures on the sector.
Manchester’s Night Tsar has joined other hospitality veterans in calling for a probe into the ‘wide-reaching damage’ caused, following the government’s release of the draft terms for its Covid-19 inquiry last week.
Joined by Punch Taverns founder Hugh Osmond and Michael Kill, chief executive officer of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), Mr. Lord has criticised the inquiry as not going far enough.
All three claim that the current draft does not investigate thoroughly enough the impact that a variety of pandemic restrictions had on bars and restaurants across the country, particularly those in higher tiers, like Manchester, who were told they could not serve alcohol unless it appeared alongside a ‘substantial meal’.
Now, they are putting pressure on the government to do more – asking for it to look specifically at hospitality-related policies like enforced table service, ‘substantial’ meal requirements, 10pm curfew and Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
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Image: The Bay Horse Tavern
The trio is also calling for an “urgent interim report” to assess the impact shutting down large swathes of hospitality had on business during the height of the pandemic, in order to address immediate industry concerns.
They said: “If complete closure of the industry becomes the expected response, the sector will become un-investable.
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“The importance of the timing of such a report is crucial.
“If the Inquiry waits until the end of its process before producing a report, further waves of Covid may have hit, and it may already be too late for the sector to recover.”
“To fail to address any of the industry-specific measures will mean that the collective impact of the rules which were being imposed in succession of each other and contemporaneously will not be properly represented or considered by the Inquiry,”
Feature image – Sacha Lord / The Bay Horse Tavern
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd April 2022 
