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Six fire engines called to Zara in Manchester city centre after reports of smoke

Bad time to try and do a return...

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 5th June 2023

There was a huge presence of fire engines in the city centre today after reports of smoke inside a shop, with shoppers seen evacuating from Zara.

Six fire engines attended the scene on New Cathedral Street and St Mary’s Gate, around Zara.

Witnesses reported shoppers being evacuated from the building and fire crews entering.

Firefighters stayed on the scene for around an hour this afternoon, Monday 5 June.

The incident started just before 1pm in the afternoon.

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Shoppers were seen congregating at a safe distance with their Zara bags while the incident was dealt with by fire crews.

Fire engines outside Zara in the city centre. Credit: The Manc Group

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just before 1pm this afternoon (Monday 5th June), six fire engines from Salford central, Moss Side, Philips Park, Broughton and Gorton fire station were called to reports of signs of smoke in a shop on Cathedral Street, Manchester.

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“Crews arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighters used a thermal imaging camera, hearth kit and gas monitor to make the building safe.

 “Firefighters were in attendance for around an hour.”

It’s understood that Zara and the surrounding shops are now open for business again.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Women can now get the ‘morning after pill’ free on the NHS at high street pharmacies

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Women can now get the ‘morning after pill’ free of charge on the NHS in high street pharmacies across England.

As part of a major expansion of pharmacy services announced by the NHS in what is said to be the biggest change to sexual health services since the 1960s, the oral emergency contraception pill is now available for free to women from almost 10,000 pharmacies across the country without needing to see their GP or get an appointment at a sexual health clinic.

The initiative is part of a wider package of support for community pharmacies, helping people to get the care they need in ‘convenient’ and ‘familiar’ settings.

Dr Sue Mann, who is an NHS National Clinical Director in Women’s Health called this move a ‘game-changer’ in making reproductive healthcare more easily accessible for women.

“Instead of trying to search for women’s services or explain their needs, from today women can just pop into their local pharmacy and get the oral emergency contraceptive pill free of charge without needing to make an appointment,” she added.

Free morning after pills aren’t the only change to pharmacies’ services this week, as people who have been newly prescribed antidepressants will also be able to seek additional advice and support about their medication and healthy lifestyle changes from their local pharmacist too.

As well as over-the-counter support and treatment for minor health concerns, community pharmacy services can also supply medicines to treat common conditions.

All of these changes follow a record funding boost by the Government to pharmacies of £617 million over two years, which is supported by Community Pharmacy England.

“This is a major step forward that removes barriers of access to reproductive care that have let women down for too long,” commented Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock.

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“Pharmacies play a central role in communities, trusted by local people and easy to access [and] that’s why it’s vital there are a wide range of services and medications available.

“These changes will make it easier for people to get the advice and medications they need, while also reducing unnecessary pressure on GPs.”

Featured Image – Rawpixel

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Salford Red Devils granted another adjournment over unpaid debts

Danny Jones Danny Jones Salford Red Devils given 2 more weeks by HMRC unpaid debts

Salford Red Devils have been given one more adjournment and yet another stay of execution, being given another two weeks to find the money to cover their unpaid debts.

The local rugby league side, which has been wrapped in all manner of struggles both on and off-pitch over the past year or so, reportedly needs to pay around £700,000 to HMRC alone and still owes roughly £5 million in total to various creditors.

Earlier this month, the Red Devils were officially relegated from the Betfred Super League, leaving Salford supporters not only even more furious but also dropped by the top tier themselves, despite having one of the best fan bases in the country.

To no surprise, regular matchgoers, neutrals and even rivals alike have expressed their continued disappointment with the club, mainly at the lack of transparency and clarity from the organisation throughout this long, drawn-out process.

Updating fans on social media, this is all the information they have communicated at this time: “Salford Red Devils can confirm that HMRC have granted the club a two-week adjournment, providing additional time in which to secure the necessary funds.

“We would like to reassure supporters that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a positive resolution. Further updates will be shared as soon as possible.”

It’s worth noting that the current owners have reiterated that they inheited around £3m in existing debt before they took over the club, but assurances over their own investments have still come to nothing; meanwhile, with many still waiting on wages, players and staff alike have now left.

Having been propped up by loan players and emergency loans, the team is now closer to a skeleton crew than it is an outfit capable of competing in the premier division.

Either way, the outrage remains and is only growing stronger. One user wrote on X: “A good approach by them if they was legit would be to engage and bring in The 1873 to bridge the communication black hole (they created).

“The problem with that is if they did it would expose them for what they are… Extortionists using the club as a vehicle.”

More alarm bells were raised recently when assistant coach and Krisnan Inu – who was also director of the company set up to take over the business – withdrew himself from a key position behind the scenes.

Eyebrows raised as key coach and director of the company set up to buy Salford Red Devils resigns

Speaking of The 1873, the outspoken supporters trust took no time at all in issuing a response of their own, adding: “The judge presiding over today’s case has adjourned by 14 days. This adjournment has dragged the uncertainty on even longer.

“Every delay makes planning for 2026 harder and keeps the club stuck in limbo when it desperately needs clarity and direction.

“The fans, the players and the future all deserve better — The 1873.”

You can see the rest of their statement in full down below, but for now, what do you make of this seemingly neverending saga, Salfordians?

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Featured Images — Anthony Parkes (via Geograph)

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