A union has called the proposed two-week rent reduction for University of Manchester (UoM) students a “slap in the face”.
Students representing UoM Rent Strike, Students Before Profit and 9K4WHAT have been holed up in the otherwise empty Tower in Owens Park since last week – demanding that the university cuts rent prices.
The building WiFi was shut off during the early part of the protests, with UoM insisting the students “shouldn’t be there.”
But following negotiations Sunday, the university said that all students would receive a discount of two weeks’ rent.
The University and College Union (UCU) said the offer isn’t good enough.
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General Secretary Jo Grady said: “After student protesters asked for a rent reduction of at least 40%, a reduction of two weeks must feel like a slap in the face. We completely support students’ protests against how they’ve been treated.”
She added: “UCU is very worried the university’s actions this term will lead to students speaking with their feet and choosing not to study at Manchester which could lead to job losses for our members.
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“The university must now step back from the brink, limit any further damage to its reputation and meaningfully engage with the students protesting.”
Protesting students had been asking for UoM Vice-Chancellor Nancy Rothwell to engage with them on a number of issues – including the installation of “prison-like” fencing overnight on Fallowfield campus.
Following widespread uproar, the fences were torn down by the students themselves on Bonfire Night.
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UoM said they met with student representatives over the weekend and are working to “progress a number of areas.”
This hasn’t been the year that any of us would have planned and we know we haven’t got everything right. But we're making this five-point pledge to all students in our accommodation: https://t.co/vaJv9CVlSqpic.twitter.com/MCAiJ4m47B
The university admitted they “haven’t got everything right” this term and published a “five-point pledge” to improve living standards for students – announcing rent reductions, flexible accommodation agreements, better maintenance support, tackling antisocial behaviour, and better study spaces.
However, students insist the offer doesn’t meet their demands.
UoM Rent Strike wrote on Twitter: “Students & staff have seen this pitiful pledge for what it is.
“Within 1 day hundreds have signed up to make January the biggest rent strike yet.”
Protests and negotiations continue.
News
Sacha Lord set to back local hospitality again with money behind the bar of one Greater Manchester pub
Danny Jones
Local figure Sacha Lord is once again looking to help support Greater Manchester’s food and drink scene once again this spring by putting a total of £2.5k behind the bar of one lucky pub.
Well, let’s be honest, we’re about to be the real lucky ones.
It’s far from the first time that the Night Time Economy Advisor has done this, having previously put sizeable sums towards shared tabs on a few ocassions over the last few years.
Lining up his next handout for this coming early May bank holiday (perfect timing), it’s going to be a super and potentially very sloppy Sunday…
Tell me your favourite pub in Greater Manchester.
Bank Holiday Sunday 3rd May, I’ll be turning up and putting £2500 behind the bar.
Sharing the video above online earlier this week, the 54-year-old simply wrote, “Tell me your favourite pub in Greater Manchester. Bank Holiday Sunday, 3rd May, I’ll be turning up and putting £2500 behind the bar.”
The message is as straightforward as ever: “Support your local pub.”
Now obviously, the fact that people can reply with their go-to boozers and help influence the decision is one thing – something that has certainly always created an attraction each time he’s done this – but it’s also just a good way of marketing these watering holes to begin with.
Whether or not someone’s favourite public house tucked away in one of the 10 boroughs, or their bar of choice here in Manchester city centre, ends up being selected or not, it’s obviously great publicity having their names plastered on a notable social media account.
This is especially so when you see how much the post itself ends up being reshared and the overall exposure Lord ultimately lends them via creating such a big crowd discussion.
Here’s hoping we get proper beer garden weather over that long weekend.
It’s also worth noting that the further support stunts like this have helped garner support for other regional businesses – in particular, indies that are battling the cost of living crisis and so many other challenges within the sector – has proved crucial for some places to stay open to begin with.
A good example is the Thirsty Korean, who teamed up with the Altrincham-born entrepreneur to cover hundreds of bills back in 2023, and has now been able to expand into a larger venue down the road from their original Chorlton location.
The obstacles facing the hospitality industry remain varied and numerous, but gestures like this can go a long way to helping prop up those who need it.
Hoardings spotted as Uniqlo prepares to open second Manchester store inside Trafford Centre
Emily Sergeant
Hoardings have officially been spotted, as Uniqlo prepares to open its second store in Greater Manchester.
The popular Japanese high street fashion retailer currently operates 24 stores in the UK, with its first British store having opened its doors all the way back in 2001, and its first European flagship store opening on Oxford Street in London in 2007 – but now, Manchester is about to get a second helping later this year.
Uniqlo has announced that it will be opening its second Greater Manchester inside the Trafford Centre, following the huge success of its city centre store opening on Market Street in 2019.
The Trafford Centre store makes Manchester the first location outside of London to have two Uniqlo stores.
Uniqlo prepares to open second its Manchester store inside the Trafford Centre / Credit: Trafford Centre (via Facebook) | The Manc Group
Shoppers at the Trafford Centre this week have spotted that hoardings for the new store – which is taking over the old Ted Baker store following its closure in April 2024 – have officially gone up, and it’s fair to say, they seem pretty excited about it.
“Uniqlo in Trafford Centre would be a dream come true,” another person said on Instagram, while a third added: “I will never have to step foot on Market Street again,” and plenty others chimed in with comments like “finally” and “can’t wait”.
Uniqlo’s arrival at the Trafford Centre follows the opening of several other high-profile stores in recent months, like Urban Outfitters, White Company, Stradivarius, and many more.
While no official timeline or dates for Uniqlo’s new Trafford Centre store have been announced, fashion business news outlet Drapers has reported that it’s set to open during the autumn/winter period.
The Manc -
19th November 2020 
