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Staff member behind racist meme ‘no longer works’ for Cruz 101, nightclub says

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 4th February 2022

A Cruz 101 employee who posted a racist meme has been removed from the business.

The nightclub posted a statement this afternoon confirming that the staff member in question ‘no longer works’ for the company.

The gay nightclub on Princess Street launched an investigation when one of its team members posted an offensive meme on Instagram.

Cruz 101 says that it has a zero tolerance policy to abuse and will ‘encourage the calling out of hate’.

They said that the former employee ‘made a serious error of judgement’.

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Cruz 101. Credit: Google Maps

The full statement from the club said: “Earlier this week a member of our staff made a serious error of judgement and shared a racist post on Instagram. Following an investigation, that member of staff no longer works for our company.

“Whilst this former employee made this post in their own time & on their own personal page, it has raised a very important conversation around how people of colour feel in all LGBTO+ spaces.

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“We commit to continue our work as a diverse & inclusive club at the heart of the LGBTO+ community in Manchester, and whilst we’re discussing many ideas currently that we hope to let you all know about soon, we have some things we can implement immediately.

“Our zero-tolerance policy to any abuse will be strengthened.

“Our managers will be available all night, at any time, to report incidents of abuse to. Be that racism, transphobia, homophobia or anything else. They will take immediate action to resolve this. As a customer simply ask to see the manager at reception.

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“All our staff will receive training and have a clear process to follow should they see or hear any form of abuse.

Read more: Manchester’s tiniest wine bar has opened inside a village of shipping containers

“With these commitments we will solidify a culture which encourages the calling out of hate. We will not tolerate it.”

People have praised the club for its swift action, with one person responding: “Fair play! Hats off to you for doing the right thing. We should love everyone regardless.”

Another said: “Well done @Cruz101Official for treating this issue with the seriousness that it deserves, and for your commitment to make the venue a safer place for LGBTQ+ people of colour. Racism has no place in LGBTQ+ spaces or in our communities.”

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Someone else commented: “Its such a rare moment of relief that a company I spend my money on has shown solidarity in seeing/listening to QPOC and advocating for our comfort and safety. I was honestly expecting them to keep him on.”

Featured image: Google Maps

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Manchester Remembers Foundation announces its return for a special anniversary charity match

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Remembers charity game back in 2027

The Manchester Remembers Foundation has announced the return of its charity football game in 2027, which will coincide with a special anniversary close to all Mancunians.

For those unaware, the MCR Remembers charity matches were set up in memory of the Manchester Arena victims, helping raise funds for the families of the 22 who sadly died in the attack.

While the fifth iteration of what started out as an annual vision, set for this past summer, was sadly cancelled back in May and the Foundation itself seemingly shut down, the co-founders have decided they’re not ready for it all to end just yet.

Somewhat quietly confirming the return of the fundraising footy match on social media, the next fixture will be returning next year, which marks a full decade since the tragedy.

Writing a slightly lengthier statement on Instagram, MCR Remembers creators Aaron Lee and Paul Corrigan said: “No matter how difficult things get and how little support we get from people in positions to help, we have to keep going.

“We take inspiration from the brave and courageous people who were so closely involved with the arena attack. We will continue to remember those affected and celebrate their legacy.

“We are planning a spectacular return for the 10th anniversary in 2027. Plans and talks to begin shortly
We will reassess after that event. As always, thank you to those that stuck by us. We see you, and we appreciate every single one of you. Stay tuned. Aaron / Paul.”

Lee – a local and a former police officer on 22 May 2017 – set up the organisation with his friend and fellow fundraiser (10 marathons in 10 months) with the aim of not only honouring those lost but also to help raise vital funds for their families and native bereavement charities.

They’re two incredibly inspiring individuals who have done a lot to help those in and around Greater Manchester, as well as keep that date in our heads and hearts.

Now a firefighter and having helped raise more than £200,000 for the six associated charities overall, he was presented with the Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation award in August 2024.

Although information is still scarce in these early stages, The MCR Remembers Foundation has assured that details regarding exactly when and where the game is set to take place will be shared over the coming week and months.

It goes without saying that we here at The Manc are glad to see the moving charity match being confirmed for a comeback, even if it’s only for a one-off, and can’t wait to see which ex-pros and celebrity players get involved.

Then again, who knows? A successful return could signal the start of a fully-fledged revival, and we sincerely hope it does.

Watch this space and see you next year for the anniversary edition of Manchester Remembers 2027.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

News

Manchester given extra £3m funding to help ‘prevent’ homelessness and rough sleeping

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester has been handed a £3 million funding boost to help ‘prevent’ homelessness and rough sleeping across the city.

The ‘substantial’ extra funding, which was announced by the Government last week on World Homelessness Day (10 October), will be a top-up to Manchester City Council’s existing homelessness funding up until 2027 in recognition of the continuing pressures that Manchester and other UK areas are currently under. 

The Council says it’s already begun to set out plans for how the extra money will be spent to make sure it has the ‘maximum impact’.  

At this time, it’s expected that around £550,000 of the funding will be awarded by the Council as grants to organisations in the city’s Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector – which are supporting people who are homeless, or are at risk of homelessness.

Manchester has been given an extra £3m funding to help ‘prevent’ homelessness and rough sleeping / Credit: Gary Knight (via Flickr)

Other funding will be used to ‘bolster support’ to help people in temporary accommodation move on to settled homes. 

The funding will also be used to adapt temporary accommodation for people with physical disabilities and other needs, which will meet the demand for such housing, while 180 ‘care leavers’ who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness will also be housed in shared rented homes.  

Finally, part of the funding will be used to help ensure social housing in the city is available to those who need it most – including a major crackdown on tenancy fraud, back efforts to bring empty homes back into use, and help people whose existing social housing is too large for their needs to ‘right size’, freeing up larger homes for families. 

“Tackling the homelessness crisis is one of Manchester’s biggest priorities and, working with our community partners across the city, we are turning the tide,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.

“In Manchester, we are working tirelessly to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place through early help, and to ensure anyone who does become homeless gets the support they need to build new lives in settled homes.

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“We welcome today’s extra funding boost from Government which, nationally, adds an extra £84 million to the billion that was committed earlier in the year.”

Featured Image – Flickr

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