The group had demanded rent rebates, an end to police patrols on Fallowfield campus, and a reshuffle of leadership roles within the UoM hierarchy – but claimed the university “isn’t listening”.
Students confirmed they would vacate the building shortly after a roving protest took place in the surrounding area – with groups marching around the university campus and Oxford Road area as part of another general demonstration against UoM.
— UoM Rent Strike 2023 (@rentstrikeUoM) May 10, 2021
The university has admitted it has “not got everything right” after a troublesome 2020/21 academic year – which saw students tear down “prison” security fences at Fallowfield campus and President-Vice Chancellor Nancy Rothwell forced to apologise after a racial profiling incident.
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Students staged an additional protest in the abandoned Owens Park tower in November – which culminated in a rent reduction for semester one. UoM also announced a rent pause in January for any residents unable to return to their accommodation. But the relationship between students and the university has remained fractious.
In March, students held a referendum that resulted in a vote of ‘no confidence‘ against Rothwell, but the UoM confirmed it would stick by its President and her team.
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This latest protest had seen students reside in the Samuel Alexander building for 19 nights.
UoM Rent Strike representatives said: “The University has refused to engage with the Sam Alex occupiers and has threatened us with legal action that could criminalise further occupations and lead to violent evictions.
“Senior leadership has been watching our social media and has threatened us with disciplinary action for calling out the racism of security guards, sexism within the SU and the joke that is our senior management. These are the suppressive tactics of a failing leadership.
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“The uni didn’t even meet with the SU execs until we had been occupying for nearly 2 weeks and has since shut down any attempts at negotiation. It’s become clear to us that the university isn’t listening and continuing our occupation won’t change that.
“With a heavy heart, we are leaving the occupation so we can fight another day.”
Update from the Sam Alex occupiers! Despite increasing threats and hostile security, we are going strong on our 19th night and our numbers have MULTIPLIED BY FIVE since the morning and we now have over 30 occupiers – gonna take more than bullying to get us out!! pic.twitter.com/Dmya1DTZxp
UoM Rent Strike vowed to continue protesting and claimed “this is only the beginning.”
The group stated: “If the longest occupation in Manchester since the 70s can’t force change in our university, we have to escalate with new radical tactics.”
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A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “The students who have been occupying the Samuel Alexander Building have now left. With a full and welcome return to in-person teaching from 17 May, we will now begin the process of cleaning the building and ensuring it is COVID secure again for the use of staff and students.”
Featured image: UoM Rent Strike
News
Manchester’s newest hotel launches massive recruitment drive with 100+ jobs available
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s newest hotels has launched a massive recruitment drive with more than 100 jobs available to locals.
The Medlock, Manchester’s bold new 401-bedroom hotel – which is born from a partnership between Manchester City Football Club and Radisson Hotel Group, and is set to open later this year in the autumn – is looking for new team members across a wide range of areas, including front of house, housekeeping, engineering, and reservations.
To welcome these new team members onboard, the hotel has now launched a massive recruitment drive with dozens of roles available to local people.
Individuals who bring ‘authenticity, pride, and personality’ to everything they do are encouraged to apply for the roles – which go live early next week (Monday 27 April).
Aimed at boosting employment within the local community, vacancies span front-of-house, housekeeping, engineering and reservations.
The recruitment drive – delivered in partnership with Total People – is being lead by Valor Hospitality, the hotel’s operator chosen for its global expertise and people-first approach to hospitality, and will be offering tailored training programmes that are designed to make careers in hospitality accessible to Manchester residents.
Vocational qualifications across a range of skills will help individuals build confidence and step into rewarding roles in the industry, and it also means prior experience is not entirely necessary.
More than 100 roles will be available to local people / Credit: Supplied
General Manager Richard Pearson says the recruitment drive is a ‘unique opportunity to be part of an exciting partnership’.
“This is a milestone we’ve been eagerly anticipating, building the team that will bring The Medlock to life,” he added. “We’re looking for people who carry the spirit of Manchester with them, people who are proud of where they’re from and passionate about creating something special together.”
As mentioned, all job adverts will go live next Monday (27 April) so hopefuls can get their applications submitted here.
This’ll then be followed by invite-only open days for shortlisted candidates in mid May.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
UK passes bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from smoking in ‘historic’ moment
Emily Sergeant
In what is described as being a ‘historic moment’, the UK has now passed a bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from ever buying tobacco products.
It’s been a long time coming, but the final draft of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill completed its journey through the Houses of Commons and Lords yesterday (21 April 2026), and is now on its way to receiving royal assent to officially become the law.
For those unfamiliar, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will stop people who were born on or after 1 January 2009 from ever taking up smoking.
It will also give Government ministers new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products – including their flavours and packaging, which make them more appealing to younger generations.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has hailed the bill’s passing as a ‘historic moment for the nation’s health’ on the road to creating a smoke-free generation.
The UK has passed a bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from smoking / Credit: Lil Artsy (via Pexels)
“Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm,” Mr Streeting said after the bill was passed this week.
“Prevention is better than cure. This reform will save lives, ease pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain.”
The ban on purchasing tobacco products for those born after 2008 was first mooted by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Government a number of years back, but was eventually shelved ahead of the 2024 General Election, and then revived again by Labour when they took power.
The bill’s passing parliament has been welcomed by charities and campaign groups – most notably Cancer Research UK.
“This is a historic achievement that will shield our children from the devastating grip of tobacco addiction and help to put an end to cancers caused by smoking,” concluded Michelle Mitchell, who is the Chief Executive Officer at Cancer Research.
The Manc -
11th May 2021 
