The Manc Asked: How do you feel about the new indoor ban?
In an attempt to understand the region's reaction to the new rules, we took to our social channels and asked our readers: Have your plans been altered in light of last night's announcement and how do you feel about it?
3/4 The spread is largely due to households meeting and not abiding to social distancing. So from midnight tonight, people from different households will not be allowed to meet each other indoors in these areas. pic.twitter.com/Yy7wLbdh9V
Instead of waking up today with smiles on their faces and a giddy enthusiasm for the weekend, Mancs pulled back their covers with a groan, switched on the news, and tried to make sense of the garbled messages that had been broadcast the night before.
Sadly, it hadn’t all just been a bad dream. These rules are indeed being enforced, and the indoor ban is going ahead.
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Greater Manchester hasn’t looked this sad in the sunshine since Mario Mandzukic netted an extra-time winner for Croatia in the 2018 World Cup.
In an attempt to understand the region’s reaction to the new rules, we took to our social channels and asked our readers: Have your plans been altered in light of last night’s announcement and how do you feel about it?
This is what you said:
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Yes they have. I've been shielding since March, should have gone back to work on 3rd August,( I'm a self employed chiropodist, doing home visits!) now I can't. No idea when I'll be able to go back to work!
— jannette o'donnell (@stumpyfootgirl) July 31, 2020
Greater Manchester is not a happy place to be right now.
As shown in these responses, residents are overwhelmingly disappointed and frustrated by the new measures – which came into force less than three hours after being announced online.
Those living in parts of the borough with lower infection rates felt particularly aggrieved, as did many situated on the borders.
Some are still fuzzy on the rules.
More detail has since been published on the government website this morning (31 July), confirming that people can continue to go to work (providing social distancing is adhered to) but cannot meet with others outside of their household/bubble in any indoor premises – like a pub, restaurant or cafe.
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Lot of people asking for clarity on the Government’s announcement. Our understanding is:
▪️ no visitors to your home or garden from tonight
▪️you can go to the pub but stay within your household/bubble
The ban on gatherings covers gardens, too – a guideline to which many have reacted with confusion.
And the regulations come with a warning. Those who don’t adhere can be issued a £100 fine.
Mayor Andy Burnham has said the measures will be reviewed weekly. So, until we hear otherwise, it’s time to sit tight again.
Cheer up, Manchester. Tomorrow is another day that is (hopefully) closer to normality…
News
Historic hidden library in Manchester city centre reveals £11m transformation plans
Emily Sergeant
Ambitious plans to transform one of Manchester’s greatest historical hidden gems have been announced.
Founded all the way back in 1806, The Portico Library – which is hidden in plain sight on Mosley Street, in the heart of the city centre – played a central role in Manchester’s rise as the world’s first modern city, and since then, it has been serving as a window into the past and a providing a place of inspiration for anyone who needs it.
But now, these new transformation plans, titled The Reunited Project, will ensure the building not only survives, but also thrives as the UK’s most sustainable historic library for generations to come.
The Portico Library‘s transformational scheme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and will look to ‘reunite’ the historic building’s three floors for the first time in over a century, creating a fully-accessible and sustainable cultural library.
Crucially, plans will see a step-free entrance and lift installed to make the library accessible to all.
There’ll also be new exhibition and event spaces introduced as part of the scheme to explore the stories of Manchester’s communities and the city’s heritage.
There will a Northern Bookshop, showcasing regional and emerging writers, and independent publishers, as well as a creative Portico Kitchen, which will celebrate the city’s food culture, writing, and history.
A place for school groups, families, and all people to explore Portico’s collection and experiment creatively also forms part of the plans.
“Portico Reunited is about more than restoring a building,” explained Dr Thom Keep, who is a Librarian & the Chief Executive of the Portico Library, after the transformation plans were submitted to Manchester City Council.
“It’s about opening doors to stories, ideas, heritage and communities across Greater Manchester.
“These plans secure Portico’s future, unlocking the power of heritage to inspire Manchester’s visitors and residents to explore, share, and celebrate their stories and the city’s literary and global heritage.”
If the plans are approved by the Council, The Portico Library will close for around 18 months for construction, during which it will continue to engage the public through its ‘Portigo !’ pop-up programme.
Featured Image – Portico Library
News
Government announces homebuying overhaul to fix country’s ‘broken’ housing system
Emily Sergeant
The Government has announced what it’s calling the biggest shakeup to the homebuying system in this country’s history.
In a bid to ‘rewire a chaotic system which has become a barrier to homeownership for thousands nationwide, the Government has today (Monday 6 October) unveiled proposals that it says will speed up the long-drawn out and costly process of buying a home by four weeks.
The Housing Secretary says this will not only save people money, but unnecessary stress too.
The proposed new plans would see sellers and estate agents required to provide buyers with ‘vital’ information about a property upfront – including the condition of the home, leasehold costs, and chains of people waiting to move.
It’s hoped this will help end any last-minute chain collapses and ultimately give greater confidence to first-time buyers when they’re making one of life’s most important decisions.
The Government has announced plans to fix the country’s ‘broken’ housing system / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
Binding contracts could also be introduced to stop people walking away from agreements after buyers painstakingly spend months in negotiations to hopefully halve the number of failed transactions.
The new reforms are also proposing that prospective buyers are provided with side-by-side information on estate agents and conveyancers, including their track record and expertise, alongside new mandatory qualifications and Code of Practice to drive up standards and work to rebuild trust in the industry.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to Twitter this morning to address the proposed new homebuying overhaul, commenting: “I promised that my Government would fix the broken housing system.
“Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives. That’s national renewal.”
I promised that my government would fix the broken housing system.
Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives.
The Manc -
31st July 2020 
