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.
“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
News
Family pay tribute to father-of-two killed in Rochdale plane crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man killed in a light aircraft crash in Rochdale have paid tribute to a ‘deeply loving father and devoted husband’.
36-year-old Arian Abbasi was one of two men killed when an aircraft crashed into farmland in Littleborough in Rochdale last week, after travelling from Birmingham.
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 11am on Tuesday 3 February, but sadly pronounced both men dead at the scene.
It’s believed there was no one else on board the aircraft, and there were no reported injuries on the ground.
Now, Arian’s family have issued a moving tribute to him. He was a pilot from Harrow in Greater London.
They described him as being a ‘deeply loving’ family man, whose passion was flying.
He was about to embark on a new chapter with a commercial airline in just a few weeks’ time.
His family said: “He lived his life for his family and friends, giving them his constant love, strength, and support.
“Flying was his passion, and he was on the brink of beginning an exciting new chapter with a commercial airline on 23 February; a dream he had worked toward with immense pride and determination.”
GMP investigations are now focused on finding part of the parachute system which contains propellant and hasn’t yet been located.
Finding the device has been ‘very difficult’ due to the nature of the terrain and the wide area over which it may have travelled.
It measures approximately 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm long and has a red anodised finish. It weighs less than 2 kg. It may have a silver metal collar attached at one end.
GMP said: “Please do not handle the device if you see it. If discovered, contact the police immediately via 101 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1056 of 03/02/26.”
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free bus travel to and from school
Emily Sergeant
Children who are currently living in temporary housing in Greater Manchester are set to get extra support with school travel.
In a move that was announced by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) at the end of last week, and following years of campaigning, homeless children living in temporary accommodation are now set to get free school travel on all Bee Network buses.
TfGM says it understands that some children end up a long way from their school when placed into temporary accommodation, and this leaves parents or carers with the difficult choice of either having to move them to a closer school, which ultimately disrupts their education, or having to pay unexpected travel costs.
While the Greater Manchester Strategy – which is the plan for the city region’s next decade – commits to reducing the number of families and children in temporary accommodation, and measures are also being taken to make sure residents have the support they need to ‘access, improve, and retain’ a decent, affordable home, this doesn’t tackle the immediate issue.
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free school bus travel / Credit: TfGM
So, to help those families when they ‘need it most’, free bus travel to and from school is set to be provided, as subject to approval of this year’s Combined Authority budget.
The move comes after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham asked TfGM last year to look at options to help with the cost of travel.
“Using our locally-controlled Bee Network buses to support families when they need it most is the right thing to do,” Andy Burnham commented.
Of course, the long-term solution is no kids in TA and we’re working with our councils to achieve this in the next few years.
We can do it because GM will soon hit the point where we are building more council and social homes every year than we’re losing through right-to-buy. 👍🏻
“A move into temporary accommodation is often a massive upheaval for families and can be a worrying time. With this measure, the cost of travel to school will be one less thing for families to worry about.
“It will mean parents and carers don’t have to choose between an extra demand on their household budget and keeping their children with friends and teachers they know and trust.”
Daisy Jackson -
4th February 2022 
