Following Manchester City Council’s “reluctant” announcement last month that it is cancelling its eight organised firework displays and bonfire events across the borough, citing that the decision was based on current government advice that large-scale outdoor events with close density crowds should “require attendees to prove their COVID-19 status”, Salford City Council has also followed suit.
Salford City Council and Greater Manchester Police issued a joint statement yesterday confirming that its two bonfire events at Buile Hill Park on Friday 5 November, and at Prince’s Park in Irlam on Saturday 6 November, are called off after “extensive consultation”.
The Council confirmed in the statement that this decision has been taken after “consideration of advice from public health colleagues, the emergency services, event professionals and Transport for Greater Manchester.”
The statement continued: “Factors included the possibility of unanticipated levels of attendance after other events in the area were cancelled, capacity of services supporting the event and the local area, including access for emergency medical help which is under huge pressures currently.
“That coupled with high COVID rates across the city and Greater Manchester, it was agreed by all city partners that cancelling was the right decision.”
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Bonfire and firework events at Buile Hill and Prince’s Park have both been called off this year / Credit: PxHere
Giving further insight into the decision taken, Tom Stannard – Chief Executive at Salford City Council – said: “Whilst we regret to have to make this late decision, the safety of our residents at events like this is at the forefront of our thinking and of utmost importance.
“We have hosted successful bonfire events in the city for our residents for over 20 years and hope to continue to do so in the future.
“But for this year, we need to follow advice to keep people safe. Please ensure you stay safe if you celebrate at home.”
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Shaun Donnellan – Salford Division Chief Superintendent at Greater Manchester Police – added: “After much deliberation with all organisations involved, cancelling these events is unfortunate, but is the right decision to take.
“With the additional pressures of increased attendance, it would simply be impossible to make these safe events for all attendees.”
Featured Image – Flickr
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New Mayor Bev Craig announces £20m fund to ‘revitalise’ Greater Manchester high streets
Emily Sergeant
The new Mayor of Greater Manchester has unveiled plans to ‘breathe new life’ into local high streets with a landmark £20 million fund.
Bev Craig says Greater Manchester has enjoyed a decade of rapid economic growth, ‘outstripping’ every other city region in the UK in the process, but now she wants to make sure that everyone can ‘see and feel’ the benefits of that growth where they live.
The new £20m Good Growth High Streets Fund will be made available to local businesses, business groups, and voluntary and community organisations across Greater Manchester to improve their high streets, and will primarily back ideas that can ‘make a real difference’ to good economic growth and restore local pride.
The new fund forms part of the Our High Streets campaign – which will run throughout her first mayoral term to ’empower’ local communities to revitalise where they live, shop, and socialise.
New Mayor Bev Craig has announced a £20m fund to ‘revitalise’ Greater Manchester high streets / Credit: GMCA | Jonny Gios (via Unsplash)
To drive forward this work, Bev is calling on local businesses and groups to join a new High Streets Taskforce, which will help design the ‘ambitious’ plans for the fund and put them into practice across the city region.
Bev launched her high street plans in Middleton yesterday, where she said the ‘passion and ambition’ of local people and the independent business community are already leading to a transformation of the town centre, and there’s potential of even more to come.
“Our high streets are the beating hearts of our communities, and people want to feel pride about where they live,” commented Mayor Bev Craig.
“They are rightly worried and frustrated when they see derelict pubs, boarded-up shops, and dodgy operators, and independent traders moving away. They want to see practical support for local businesses now and that’s why I’m taking action.
“Our new £20 million Good Growth High Streets Fund is all about restoring pride in a vibrant high street, backing our neighbourhoods, and spreading the rewards of good economic growth everywhere.”
The Good Growth High Streets Fund will open for applications later this year.
Featured Image – GMCA
News
Student police officer charged with off-duty rape and kidnap of woman in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A student police officer has been charged with the rape and kidnap of a woman in Manchester while he was off duty.
Mohammad Hassan, 23-years-old and of Asian-Pakistani ethnicity, has been remanded in custody following the charges, and has been suspended Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
The charges – which have been authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) following a police investigation – relate to reports made to authorities on the evening of Saturday 8 August 2026, which ended in a police pursuit on the M62 in West Yorkshire.
Following the police pursuit, a woman was safeguarded at the scene, and continues to be supported by specialist officers and support services.
Hassan has been charged with oral rape, kidnap, strangulation, sexual assault, theft of mobile phone, and dangerous driving.
He is set to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today (11 August).
“GMP detectives and staff have been working on this investigation throughout the last 48 hours to ensure charges are brought in this case,” explained GMP Assistant Chief Constable, Mark Dexter.
“The victim is our priority, and we are ensuring she continues to receive specialist support. Criminal proceedings must now take its course without interference.
“I understand, and share, the feeling among the public and our thousands of hard-working, decent staff who will have seen this news. Proceedings are underway and necessary action will be decisively taken within the regulations.”
Emily Sergeant -
3rd November 2021 
