Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy Advisor has spoken out this morning urging the government to pledge more support to the entertainment venues on the brink of closure.
Sacha Lord has issued an “11th hour” warning as rent holidays, grant schemes and furlough come to an end and has stated that unless urgent further support is provided, nearly three in five businesses in the sector could potentially be at risk of closure by the end of the year.
Mr Lord has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to “stop celebrating the return to work while leaving others out in the cold”.
It comes after a significant number of restaurants, bars, pubs, music and other entertainment venues across Greater Manchester and the rest of the UK have fallen victim to economic struggles amid the coronavirus (COVID) pandemic and have thus had to permanently close doors.
Most notably, two of Manchester’s longest-standing and beloved independent music venues – Deaf Institute and Gorilla – announced back in July that they would be closing down indefinitely after “struggling to see a future” post-COVID, before being saved by at the last minute.
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I cannot put this in strong enough words. We are in the 11th hour. A large proportion of our Night Time Economy is either still shut or on the brink. Without extending support we will see mass closures and job losses in the next 2 months. https://t.co/ELO0BCi4rA
Speaking to Business Live today, Sacha Lord said: “I’m extremely concerned about what will happen in the final quarter and the mental health for all involved.
“For some, August has been strong with the Eat Out To Help Out scheme, but my fear is for those in the wider night time economy who haven’t benefited. Not only the wet-led bars and pubs who weren’t included in the offer, but the night clubs, live music venues and theatres which are still closed.
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“Rent holidays have ended, grant schemes are closed, and next month, all furlough support for these businesses will finish, so today, I am pleading with Johnson, [Chancellor Rishi] Sunak and the government to reconsider ongoing support for this sector.”
Gorilla Manchester
He also hit out at Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the sector – which contributes £66 billion to the economy and employs almost 8% of the UK workforce – during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“It is an embarrassment to watch our Prime Minister buoyant and jovial on TV, peddling unsupported false facts and hailing the great return to work, while ignoring a sector which brings in over £66 billion into the UK economy each year and employs almost 8% of the UK.” he said.
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“We have needed strong leadership throughout this global pandemic and we have seen the opposite with u-turn after u-turn.
“While we do need the public to return to city centres, the latest ‘All In, All Together’ campaign slogan to encourage Britain to ‘get back to work’ is shameful, ignorant and insulting to those whose businesses are still closed, and for the workers who are struggling to pay rent and feed their families.”
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Mr Lord closed out his statement urging the government to protect businesses into 2021.
He said: “What we need now are serious conversations about how to keep these operators afloat.
“The government must look to protect businesses and prevent severe job losses by following the example of Germany and extending the furlough scheme into 2021 [because] without ongoing support, the heart of British culture scene will be decimated, and by the end of the year, we will see mass closures.
“It is no longer a question of if they will close, but when.”
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Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
Featured Image – Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
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Seven people arrested in Salford over plans to conduct coordinated mass shoplifting campaign
Emily Sergeant
Seven people have been arrested in Salford over plans to be part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign of ‘high end’ retailers and supermarkets across the country.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), it is believed the group had been training for ‘non‑violent direct action’ in Salford as part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign, where they were intending to steal goods from high‑value stores and major supermarkets across the country, and then redistribute them to places such as food banks.
Working in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service, officers arrested one male and six females in Salford yesterday afternoon (Sunday 19 April) on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.
They all remain in police custody for questioning.
It has been reported in multiple sources, such as the BBC and the MEN, that the individuals arrested are believed to be part of the Take Back Power Action Group.
Take Back Power Action Group describes itself on its website as a ‘nonviolent civil resistance group’ that is aiming to ‘put the 99% in charge’ through citizen’s assemblies.
“We are ordinary people from all walks of life who believe that in order to fix Britain, taxing the rich is an essential first step, and we want ordinary people to decide how,” a statement on the group’s website declares.
Speaking following the arrests over the weekend, Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: “This joint operation with the Metropolitan Police has resulted in the arrests of seven individuals who we believe were planning to take part in coordinated national activity targeting high‑value retail stores.
“We are taking robust action to disrupt this type of organised criminality, and it will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester.
The Manc -
3rd September 2020 
