Sacha Lord leads campaign to open indoor pubs, cafes and restaurants on April 12
The Greater Manchester Night Time Economy Adviser has announced his mission to get pubs, bars, cafes restaurants reopened at the same time as non-essential retail - arguing that hospitality poses no greater risk than shops.
Sacha Lord is leading acampaign to reopen the hospitality sector in full by April 12.
The Greater Manchester Night Time Economy Adviser has announced his mission to get pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants reopened at the same time as non-essential retail – arguing that hospitality poses no greater risk than shops.
Under the current roadmap to reopen the economy after lockdown, premises such as gyms, hairdressers and clothing stores are all set to welcome back customers on April 12.
The hospitality sector can also resume trading on this date – but only in outdoor settings.
Indoor hospitality cannot operate until May 17.
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Lord’s new campaign is arguing that “licensed, regulated hospitality venues” are just as safe as retail stores – and should therefore reopen at the same time.
Judges ruled the substantial meal measure was “arguably discriminatory towards certain sections of society”, which led to it being dropped.
Lord called it a “landmark victory for hospitality”.
Buoyed by the court result, the Parklife and Warehouse Project founder has now embarked on a fresh mission to change government rulings on the food and drink sector.
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10pm curfew: Gone
Substantial meal rule: Gone.
We will now argue that it is SAFER in a licensed, regulated hospitality venue, with measures in place, that it is on the busy high streets
We feel that hospitality should open at the same time as non essential retail
Lord stated: “We will now argue that it is SAFER in a licensed, regulated hospitality venue, with measures in place, [than] it is on the busy high streets.
“We feel that hospitality should open at the same time as non essential retail.”
Lord has also revealed his legal team may ask the High Court to prioritise the case due to the tight timeline; giving hospitality opportunity to prepare.
He added: “Hospitality is licensed and regulated. It is far safer to open up these safe, secure venues, than allow people to buy as much alcohol as possible from the supermarket, without any questions asked.
“People will mix in gardens/parks.”
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National restrictions were eased for the first time this week since the third national lockdown was initiated in England.
Schools returned on March 8, with care home residents now allowed one regular visitor.
The next date for measures being lifted is March 29 – when the official Stay At Home Order is lifted.
Outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will be permitted from this date – including in private gardens.
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Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
24-hour bus services are now running across all Greater Manchester boroughs
Emily Sergeant
24-hour bus services are now running across all boroughs in Greater Manchester.
You may remember that back in March, it was announced that every borough of Greater Manchester was set to get a night bus service in what is hoped to be a ‘boost’ to the night-time economy… and now it’s official, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched those 24-hour buses this month, along with a series of other measures.
Oldham, Stockport, Tameside, and Trafford now join the rest of Greater Manchester in having 24-hour bus services, meaning every part of the region will have a night bus operating Thursday through to Sunday.
It’s expected that these new services will help around 625,400 people working in the night-time economy across Greater Manchester, as well as those out enjoying the region’s nightlife, TfGM has said.
The routes which will run around the clock from Thursday until Sunday are:
50 (Salford – Manchester)
216 (Tameside – Manchester)
263 (Trafford – Manchester)
192 (Stockport – Manchester)
83 (Oldham – Manchester)
All Greater Manchester boroughs now have 24-hour bus services / Credit: TfGM
They launch alongside the most significant service changes to the Bee Network since the completion of bus franchising last year – including other new bus routes, and more frequent services across Greater Manchester.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy everything Greater Manchester offers, without the worry of how to get there and get home,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“By growing the Bee Network, we’re making it easier than ever for people to use the bus, day and night.
“Our night buses are already providing a lifeline to some of the hundreds of thousands of people who are growing our night-time economy and working in essential public services.”
“Whether people are heading home from a night at the theatre or starting the early shift at a hospital, they can now get on board the night bus as a safe and affordable way to travel.”
Further improvements will delivered from January 2027, and a full breakdown by borough can be found on the Bee Network website here.
The Manc -
10th March 2021 
