News
The Hut Group pledges £10m package of aid, products and services to Manchester
Sam Ridgway -
2nd April 2020
Sam Ridgway -
2nd April 2020 News
Lord Mayor of Manchester opens crucial new community kitchen in Blackley
Danny Jones
The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Carbine Grimshaw, has opened an upgraded community kitchen in the heart of Blackley.
Recently refurbished and officially unveiled last week, the uplifting new space, based out of the GM ward’s Higher Blackley Community Centre (HBCC), aims to be a key outlet and amenity for the area.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, which took place on Thursday, 17 July, was attended by local councillors, centre staff, as well as local community members and volunteers.
Christened with a commemorative plaque celebrating the completion of the important renovation, the work has been carried out by North West-based perimeter physical security specialists, ATG Access.
Having sat virtually untouched since the 1960s, the kitchen space was long overdue for some TLC, and now it has been reopened as a modern, purpose-built and community-driven facility.
Speaking at the event, the Lord Mayor said: “The work that has been done here is fantastic, especially the social value aspect of it. It’s clear to see it’s far more than just a community centre; it’s the hub of the community. The support it provides to so many people is remarkable.
“I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of the unsung heroes behind it all, from centre manager Kate and her dedicated team, to the board of trustees and all the volunteers. It’s a shining example of what community spirit can achieve, and I’d love to see it replicated right across Manchester.”
The kitchen itself is now kitted out with entirely new units, fresh flooring and splashback surfaces, as well as large appliances including a big range cooker, American-style fridge freezer and commercial dishwasher – all donated by ATG and its supply chain partners, Van Leeuwen and Welding Engineering.
But it isn’t just a place to cook; the sizeable room will host workshops, events, meet-ups and various other activities, from toddler groups to adult learning programmes, as well as offering services to various classes and groups.
In just its first week of being put to use, the kitchen has already helped provide meals for 11 families who would otherwise have gone without – nothing short of brilliant news for the district.
As for ATG, Managing Director, Richard Ellis, went on to say: “From our first visit, it was clear this was a place where we could make a real impact. The building was well-used and worn, but the people and the work being done there were inspiring.
“We felt a responsibility to help and were delighted to do so, getting ‘hands on’ through our volunteering programme.”
Finally, HBCC Manager Kate Shannon added: “It’s been a huge lift for the community. The new kitchen means we can do more, support more people, and take pride in our space again. It’s been a real team effort, and we’re so grateful to ATG.”
Well done to everyone involved in bringing the Higher Blackley Community Centre Kitchen to life.
Read more:
- The best deals and offers in Manchester city centre for the 2025 graduation season
- NHS urge public to keep ‘coming forward for care’ as doctors begin strikes from tomorrow
- The Greater Manchester charity that’s championing the community one step at a time
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Supplied
News
Man found guilty of ‘praying on’ and raping drunk people in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
A local man has been found guilty of ‘praying on’ and raping several drunk people in Manchester city centre.
Sid Ali Djelid – also known under the alias of Mourad Malki – appeared at Manchester Crown Court this week and was found guilty following a five-week trail, where the court heard how the series of rapes took place between February and July 2024, and how the 39-year-old would ‘pray on’ and attack intoxicated victims in the city centre.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the first of the three attacks occurred in the early hours of the morning on Sunday 18 February 2024.
CCTV footage shows Djelid – who is believed to be an Algerian nation, according to GMP – leading his female victim down a secluded back street near China Town, before raping her and stealing her mobile phone and making off.
His second crime was committed on Wednesday 12 June 2024 with a victim who was visiting Manchester with work.
Today (Thursday 24 July 2025) Sid Ali Djelid (09/01/86) of Smedley Road has been convicted on five counts of rape.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 24, 2025
The rapes took place between February and July 2024, with Djelid praying on and attacking intoxicated victims in the city centre.https://t.co/cxxUe3ABEC pic.twitter.com/8FCOKzDNiK
Djelid approached the victim outside a bar on Canal Street, and after chatting, walked him to a remote location close to Richmond Street and raped him.
Djelid’s final attack was on 18 July 2024, where he approached his male victim – again, who was visiting Manchester – and offered to assist him back to his hotel as he was lost, but while Djelid may have appeared as a concerned good Samaritan at first, he then led the victim to a secluded area of the canal at Jutland Street and raped him.
Similar to first incident, on the second two incidents, Djelid took the victims’ phones and wallets, and then pushed them to the ground before making his escape.
Police arrested Djelid three days later on Sunday 21 July 2024.
Mourad Malki, 48, also known as Sid Ali Djelid, has been found guilty of a series of rapes in the area known as Manchester's gay village.
— Crown Prosecution Service (@CPSUK) July 24, 2025
Read more: https://t.co/OCPjYWPm3N pic.twitter.com/wpwNQgAZYk
“Sid Ali Djelid is a serial sex offender who posed serious danger to both men and women – carrying out his horrifying crimes in one of the most celebrated and historic nightlife hotspots in the country,” commented Rebekah Tomlinson, who is the District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West.
“The way he targeted lone individuals who he believed would be vulnerable was both calculating and insidious.
“Canal Street holds a special place in the heritage of Manchester and the LGBTQ+ community, and those on a night out have the right to enjoy themselves free from the fear of abuse and attack.
Read more:
- ‘Dangerous sexual predator’ who raped lone women at knifepoint in Manchester city centre jailed for life
- Man in his 40s arrested for series of rapes across Manchester city centre
- Seven men arrested in Greater Manchester as part of investigation into child sexual exploitation in early 2000s
“Djelid’s crimes will doubtless leave a lasting impact on the victims, and my deepest thanks goes to them for supporting this prosecution, as without their evidence, this dangerous man would still be in our community.”
Featured Image – GMP
More News
Audio
Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute
Eats