Manchester is set to see the introduction of a new ‘super courtroom’ designed to provide more space to hold large trials.
The modified larger courtroom – which is coming to Manchester Crown Court, within the existing Crown Square site – is set to be the first of its kind in the UK, and will be created with the intention of providing additional space to hold complex “multi-hander” cases.
Multi-hander cases are cases usually involving multiple defendants being tried together, and the types of cases cited by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) as likely to be held include gang murder trials.
This is the latest scheme to be announced as the criminal justice system responds to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The introduction of the new super courtroom facility comes amid England’s third national lockdown, and after ongoing restrictions and social distancing measures over the past 11 months of the pandemic have meant that the court system has faced a number of challenges in accommodating large trials.
At a recent Manchester Crown Court murder trial with four defendants, for example, the accused were held in docks in two separate court rooms, with two in one court and two in another.
A second courtroom then followed the trial by video link, from the court where the judge and jury were present, and such trials often also need to employ a third courtroom, which is used as the jury’s deliberation room.
To help reduce delays in the justice system 14 new Nightingale courtrooms are opening at locations including London, Birmingham & Manchester. We have also announced a new 'super courtroom' due to be created to hear multi-hander cases.
That’s not the only new court coming to Manchester either.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has also announced this week that another new ‘Nightingale court’ will also be set up at The Hilton Hotel – located in the Beetham Tower on Deansgate – in an effort to “reduce delays” and “deliver speedier justice for victims”, while also “providing a financial boost to the venues”.
This new Manchester Hilton site will mostly hear non-custodial Crown Court cases.
Alongside several other new UK locations, the Manchester Hilton will bring the total number of Nightingale courtrooms – which were set up across the country to enable more socially-distanced trials – to 60 by the end of March 2021.
“We have achieved an immense amount in our battle to keep justice moving during the pandemic,” the Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland, said.
“Restarting jury trials before anyone else, turbo-charging the rollout of video technology, bringing magistrates’ backlogs down, and opening more courtrooms for jury trials [and now] these new courts are the latest step in that effort.
“I am determined to minimise delays and ensure justice is served for victims, defendants and the public.
“[And] that is why we are investing hundreds of millions to drive this recovery further, deliver swifter justice and support victims”.
Hilton Manchester Deansgate
Both of Manchester’s new super courtroom and Nightingale court form part of a UK-wide £113 million investment to “alleviate pressures on courts and tribunals”, which has so far included the recruiting 1,600 extra staff, the deployment of further technology, and on-site safety precautions such as plexiglass screens.
The MoJ confirms that this is also on top of the £142 million being spent to speed up technological improvements and modernise courtrooms.
You can find more information via the gov.uk website here.
News
Bob Vylan dropped from Manchester music festival following Glastonbury controversy
Danny Jones
English punk rap duo Bob Vylan have been dropped from an upcoming music festival in Manchester following the recent controversy surrounding their set at Glastonbury 2025.
The media storm surrounding their much-talked-about and heavily televised Glasto appearance has seen them reportedly dropped by their agency and their US Visas cancelled, along with multiple concerts – one of those being right here in Greater Manchester.
Bob Vylan were scheduled to play RADAR Fest at Victoria Warehouse in Stretford this weekend, but now the organisers have informed gig-goers that the artists will not be performing in their planned slot on Saturday.
The alternative music event did provide any additional details, posting nothing but this image:
For anyone unaware, Vylan were heavily criticised for the pro-Palestine chants, which Glastonbury itself has deemed as having “crossed a line”, labelling the chants against the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as antisemitic.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also commented on the situation.
In addition to RADAR, Vylan were also due to appear at Kave Fest in France the following Sunday, 6 July, but the music event has also decided not to host them.
The BBC also opted not to broadcast Northern Irish band Kneecap as part of their coverage this year, as the Belfast rap trio have also been outspoken on the issue, among many other musicians of late.
Responding to the decision on social media not long after the news broke, the act simply shared the post on their Instagram story along with the caption: “Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting. Manchester, we will be back.”
Trafford Centre launches school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families
Emily Sergeant
A school uniform drive has been launched at the Trafford Centre to support local families ahead of the new school year.
With schools across Greater Manchester soon set to be out for the summer holidays, many parents, guardians, and carers in the region may be looking ahead to the new school year in September, concerned about how they may be able to provide their children with the necessary uniform items needed.
According to a 2020 survey by The Children’s Society, 23% of parents reported that the cost of school uniforms led to their children wearing ‘ill-fitting, unclean, or incorrect’ items.
It’s these statistic that highlight the ongoing pressure faced by families.
This is why the Trafford Centre has partnered with both Manchester South Central Foodbank and local charity, Bridging the Gap, to launch a school uniform donation drive aimed at supporting more than 700 children across Manchester this summer.
The Trafford Centre launches a school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families / Credit: Trafford Centre
From now up until the 15 August, anyone heading to the region’s largest shopping centre is encouraged to donate new or pre-loved school uniforms.
“The cost of living crisis has deeply impacted our community, with more and more families unable to afford the essentials,” commented Emily Jeremy, who is the Assistant Project Manager at Manchester South Central Foodbank.
“As an anti-poverty charity, we recognised the need for school uniform support years ago. Though costs vary between schools, a full set of branded secondary school uniform can total around £150, which is a significant burden for many households.”
All items can be donated at the shopping centre’s Guest Services point / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography | Trafford Centre (Supplied)
Simon Layton, Centre Director at the Trafford Centre, added: “We’re proud to be working alongside Bridging the Gap and Manchester South Central Foodbank to support local families during these challenging times.
“School uniforms shouldn’t be a barrier to education, and we hope this initiative will ease some of the pressure many parents face as the new school year approaches.”
The school uniform donation drive is running up until 15 August.
All items can be taken to the Trafford Centre’s Guest Services Lounge, which is located on Lower Regent Crescent next to M&S, and they must be clean and free from stains or damage.
The Manc -
18th February 2021 
