News

Tributes paid to a Manchester legend as Sir Howard Bernstein dies aged 71

He typified local government at its very best.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 22nd June 2024

Tributes are pouring in following the death of Manchester legend Sir Howard Bernstein, who sadly passed away at the age of 71 on Saturday morning following a period of illness.

Bernstein, the former chief executive of Manchester City Council who worked his way up through local office after starting as a junior clerk at the age of 18 back in the 1970s, is considered to be one of our most important figures and cultural contributors in the city’s history.

The Cheetham Hill-born councillor, who finished his career helping lead the UK’s Sustainability and Transformation plan footprint (STPs), retired back in 2017 but his legacy here in 0161 spans generations and is credited with helping bring the city into the 21st century.

He leaves behind his wife Vanessa and two children.

As you can see, countless local figures and peers who have undoubtedly followed his example over the past few decades have been paying tribute to the legend of local government, along with Mancunians who simply admired his work as a passionate and beyond-loyal city servant.

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Tom Bloxham MBE, chair of Manchester International Festival and local developers Urban Splash, said, “So sad to hear this morning”, while former Granada News reporter Rob McLoughlin called it “A tremendous loss to a city which looked battered and maybe economically finished in the early 80s.”

Manchester Evening News labelled him “a true hero” and the City Council’s Deputy Leader Luthfur Rahman OBE wrote: “Sad day for Manchester. Howard was a great public servant, he had the vision and ability to bring different stakeholders together to deliver for Manchester.”

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The MCC’s full statement on his passing should tell you everything you need to know about how important a character Howard was in this city’s story.

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Council Leader Bev Craig summed up his contributions perfectly, writing: “He had boundless energy, strategic vision and a passion for Manchester.

“In 46 years at the Council, serving as chief executive between 1998 and 2017, he played an integral role in the regeneration and economic growth of the city, from the city centre’s resurgence after the 1996 IRA bomb and the 2002 Commonwealth Games and transformation of East Manchester to the creation and extension of Metrolink.  

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“He was also integral in the establishment of strong working relationships between the 10 Greater Manchester councils, culminating in the establishment of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in 2011 and a series of historic devolution agreements which transferred power and resources away from Westminster and Whitehall to our region. He leaves an incredible legacy in the transformation of the city.”

Simply put, Manchester would not be anywhere near where it is today without Howard Bernstein and we have him to thank for a lot of what makes this modern, thriving city so great.

Our thoughts are will his loved ones at this difficult time. Rest in peace to a legend and thank you.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — University of Manchester/NCVO London (via Flickr)

News

Full list of Christmas opening hours at all UK supermarkets 2024

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Aldi, and M&S are among the supermarkets to adjust opening hours at stores across the UK during the festive period.

As Christmas is fast approaching, most of us will have already started to stock up on food and drink for the big day ahead of time, but with so much to prepare for, it’s pretty easy to forget something important – which tends to leave us running to the shops before 25th.

While some have probably opted for home deliveries or Click & Collect services, others still prefer to shop in store.

To help you make sure everything is sorted, we’ve pulled together a list of all the major supermarket opening hours over the festive period, so grab your bags for life and get your shopping list at the ready, because Santa is on his way and he’ll be expecting his annual dose of mince pies.

Here’s a roundup list of supermarket opening hours.

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Tesco

Shoppers are being advised to check the Tesco Store Locator for the festive opening times at their local, as different branches may be operating different hours, however, most stores are operating reduced hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, as well as being closed all day on Christmas Day.

Here’s a rough guideline:

  • Monday 23 December: 6am – 12pm
  • Christmas Eve: 6am – 7pm
  • Christmas Day: CLOSED
  • Boxing Day: 9am – 6pm
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: 6am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: 9am – 6pm

Check the opening times for your local Tesco store here.

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Sainsbury’s

Just like Tesco, Sainsbury’s will be operating reduced hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, as well as being closed on Christmas day, but shoppers are encouraged to head to the retailer’s Store Locator to find out the opening times for their nearest branch.

  • Monday 23 December: 6am – 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 6am to 7pm
  • Christmas Day: CLOSED
  • Boxing Day: 9am to 6pm
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: 7am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: 8am – 8pm

You can check the opening times for your local Sainsbury’s store here.

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Asda

Following along the same lines as Tesco and Sainsbury’s, Asda shoppers are being advised to check the Asda Store Locator for the festive opening times at their local store, as different branches are operating different hours, however, most stores are operating reduced hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, as well as being closed all day on Christmas Day.

Here’s a rough guideline:

  • Monday 23 December: 5am to 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 5am – 7pm
  • Christmas Day: CLOSED
  • Boxing Day: 9am – 6pm
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: 7am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: 9am – 6pm

Check the opening times for your local ASDA store here.

Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, and more have adjusted their opening hours for the festive period / Credit: Tesco

Morrisons

Morrisons is open throughout the festive season, just like its other competitions, and will only closing on Christmas Day, but hours will vary so you’ll need to check the opening times for your local.

  • Monday 23 December: 7am – 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 5am to 7pm
  • Christmas Day: CLOSED
  • Boxing Day: 9am – 6pm
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: 7am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: 9am to 6pm

Check the opening times for your local Morrisons store here.

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Aldi

Aldi stores across the UK are set to close of the three major festive bank holidays this year, meaning doors will be shut on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, with reduced hours in operation on the days surrounding it.

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Here’s what you need to know:

  • Monday 23 December: 7am – 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 7am – 6pm
  • Christmas Day & Boxing Day: CLOSED
  • Friday 27 & Saturday 28 December: 8am – 8pm
  • Sunday 29 December: 9.30am – 4pm
  • Monday 30 December: 8am – 8pm
  • New Year’s Eve: 8am – 6pm
  • New Year’s Day: CLOSED

You can find out more about the supermarket’s decision to shut up shop on the three festive bank holidays this year here.

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Lidl

Lidl has released a list of its festive opening hours, and just like Aldi, will also be closing most of its stores on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, but you’ll want to check Lidl’s website to find out more information.

  • Monday 23 December: normal hours
  • Christmas Eve: normal hours
  • Christmas Day & Boxing Day: CLOSED
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: normal hours
  • New Year’s Day: CLOSED

Check the opening times for your local Lidl here.

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Co-op

Just like many other retailers on this list, Co-op’s opening times vary from store to store over the festive period, but the retailer has confirmed it will be operating reduced hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day – with all branches closed on Christmas Day across the UK as a standard.

Shoppers are being urged to check the Co-op Store Finder for the opening hours for their nearest branch here.

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M&S

Once again, M&S is another retailer where festive opening hours differ from store to store, so it’s best to check your local branch specifically, but what we do know is that all stores across the UK will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day as a standard.

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  • Monday 23 December: 6am – 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 6am – 7pm
  • Christmas Day & Boxing Day: CLOSED
  • Friday 27 & Saturday 28 December: 8am – 8pm
  • Sunday 29 December: 11am – 5pm
  • Monday 30 December: 8am – 9pm
  • New Year’s Eve: 8am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: CLOSED

Check the opening times for your local M&S store here.

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Featured Image – Morrisons

News

Man jailed after robbing and throwing hot coffee over elderly man in Piccadilly Gardens

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man who robbed an elderly man in Piccadilly Gardens earlier this year, leaving him “disoriented”, has now been jailed.

Simon Quest appeared on trial at Bolton Crown Court this week.

The court heard how, on Thursday 6 June 2024, the 37-year-old robbed a man while he was walking through Piccadilly Gardens by following the victim on his bike, throwing a cup of coffee over him which caused him to fall over, and then proceeding to rummage through the victim’s pockets.

Quest managed to steal the victim’s phone before fleeing the area, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained.

Following this shocking incident, a police investigation was launched by detectives within GMP’s ‘Operation Vulcan’ team, and a short while later, Quest was then arrested in Piccadilly Gardens – with police recovering bolt cutters, Mercedes wheel locks, and a man bag from him.

Quest pleaded not guilty to the offence, but following a two-day trial at Bolton Crown Court, the jury found him guilty in just 18 minutes.

He has now been jailed for four years and six months for robbery. 

According to Detective Constable James Hayes, Quest had shown “no remorse for his deplorable actions throughout the entire process”.

“Our victim was left completely disoriented and was unable to defend himself, and Quest took this opportunity to steal his phone,” DC Hayes continued.

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“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to help the victim but also stayed at the scene to share witness statements with us, as their assistance and continued support have been crucial to securing this conviction.”

Featured Image – GMP

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