The streets of Manchester city centre are usually teeming with revellers on any given weekend.
But the familiar hustle and bustle that makes part of why the city is so great has sadly been somewhat non-existent since the country was first placed under national lockdown restrictions amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic towards the end of March 2020, and while the partial lifting of those restrictions throughout the year and the introduction of the tiered system that followed, allowed for a significant number of hospitality businesses to welcome customers through their doors for a period of time, before being ordered to close once again, others have never been permitted to reopen at all.
When it comes to the identifying the industries that have been continuously subjected to ongoing restrictions, it’s hard to recognise the nighttime economy – the fifth biggest industry in the UK – as being anything other than one of the hardest hit.
Nightclubs right across the UK have now been closed for in excess of 329 days.
And after ongoing economic struggles, several devastating permanent closures, and a long, hard fight by business owners and industry names – as well as the forming of an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in December – that inevitably arose as a result of prolonged shut-down, the Nighttime Industries Association (NTIA) was left with no choice but to issue a stark warning to the government last month.
ADVERTISEMENT
The body urged government ministers to provide further financial support to nightclubs, after warnings came that 75% of clubs could face serious hardship during the third national lockdown.
While some of Manchester’s most iconic nightclubs and entertainment venues were among those to celebrate receiving a share of the government’s £1.57 billion Cultural Recovery Fund, many more were denied funding and were left feeling that the Arts Council considered them to be “culturally insignificant” due to their rejection.
ADVERTISEMENT
NTIA CEO Michael Kill said that the entire sector faced financial ruin if support is not implemented soon.
“Our biggest concern at the moment is nightclubs becoming systematically extinct by the government’s ignorance and lack of narrative around the night time economy.” Mr Kill said.
“That becomes a cultural issue and an economic issue.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Visit Manchester / Flickr
The overarching feeling among the night time industry was that it had ultimately been forgotten by the government throughout the pandemic.
Neglected to be addressed in the daily press conferences, and with updates only sporadically provided.
But yesterday evening, after what seemed to be one of the longest times coming, Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation directly via a live televised Downing Street press conference and appeared to hint that Brits could be allowed to return to nightclubs with the use of rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) tests.
Mr Johnson said that the use of lateral flow tests could be the “route forward” to reopening those businesses that have been “the toughest nuts to crack”.
"We want this lockdown to be the last."
Boris Johnson says his roadmap out of lockdown that he will announce on 22 February will outline "as much as we possibly can about the route to normality, even though some things are very uncertain".
Ahead of the revealing of his roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions next week, the Prime Minister said: “For the purposes of this country and doing things within the domestic UK economy, we will look at everything.
ADVERTISEMENT
“But what we are thinking of at the moment is more of a route that relies on mass vaccination [as] we intend to vaccinate all of the adults in the country by the autumn, plus lateral flow testing, rapid testing for those bits that have been the toughest nuts to crack.
“Such as nightclubs or theatres – those parts of the economy we couldn’t get open last year.
“I think that will be the route that we go down and that businesses will go down [and] you are already seeing lots of business using the potential of rapid, on-the-day testing as well.
“I think that, in combination with vaccination, will probably be the route forward.”
He then insisted that it was “still early days” in easing COVID1 -19 measures, and that “there are lots of discussions still to be had”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pregnancy-style lateral flow tests, or ‘rapid’ tests, have been used by the government as part of “surge testing” in areas with high coronavirus (COVID-19) infection rates – including most recently in parts of the borough of Manchester where a new variant has been found – as they can give results in 30 minutes.
They are also currently being offered to people who do not have symptoms in a range of settings, such as universities, schools, care homes and workplaces, with the potential for nightclubs to be added to that list.
Despite previous doubts by Public Health England (PHE) over their reliability, Sir Patrick Vallance – the government’s Chief Scientific Adviser – last week described lateral flow tests as a “really important part of our toolkit”.
The government is reported to have spent more than £1 billion on lateral flow tests so far.
The news of the Prime Minister’s indication that rapid flow testing could be introduced in night clubs has been met with relief by notable figures within the nighttime economy sector, including Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy Adviser and co-founder of Warehouse Project and Parklife, Sacha Lord.
ADVERTISEMENT
After continuing to remain at the forefront of the fight to save the industry over the past 11 months, Mr Lord took to Twitter to give his thoughts.
Can someone pinch me please….
Tonight, after 11 months…The Prime Minister has finally uttered the word we have been waiting for:
With the release of the roadmap and the delivery of the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s budget both on the horizon, Mr Lord also said in an tweet prior to the Prime Minister’s press conference address that: “The next two weeks are the most critical two weeks for hospitality, that I can ever remember”.
“We must do everything we can, to fight to save the 5th biggest industry in the UK”.
Offering further comment and reflection on the Prime Minister’s announcement in an appearance on BBC Breakfast this morning, Mr Lord also clarified that: “None of the [venues] that I’m speaking to think it’s viable to open at a socially-distanced rate, they’re all pushing for 100% and this is the key,
“This is the answer and this is what we set out many, many months ago… that we have two options to get into these venues, either you have had the vaccine, or you have a quick test on entry.”
ADVERTISEMENT
.@BBCBreakfast this morning. After 5 months of talks with the Government, it feels like theatres, live music venues, events, nightclubs etc, are a step closer. The conversation has now moved to reopening. pic.twitter.com/WRAhprBbLf
He closed by acknowledging the fact that he knows that lateral flow tests still take time to produce results at this point, but said “we are not expecting nightclubs to open tomorrow” and commended the situation the country is in with regards to the wider vaccine rollout.
While it’s unclear at this point as to whether rapid testing will be the “route forward” that is hoped for nightclubs, there is at least some light at the end of the tunnel.
___
For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
#StayHome
News
Plans for more than 400 affordable homes available by ‘social renting’ coming to Wythenshawe
Danny Jones
Plans for a slate of more than 400 new affordable homes in Wythenshawe, which will also be made available for ‘social renting’, are now said to be moving forward following the official submission of three different applications this month.
Development group and so-called ‘placemakers’, Muse, have teamed up with Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG) to deliver not just one batch of new properties but a trio of new living locations in the town centre.
More importantly, all 422 of these prospective homes will be available via social rent, i.e. low-cost housing provided and leased by local authorities and/or housing associations, which are typically aimed at those on lower incomes and facing other adversities.
While Wythenshawe has plenty of council houses and social housing already, thanks to the WCHG, these latest proposals could see thousands more Greater Manchester natives given the opportunity to be part of the area’s next big overhaul.
As per a recent press release from the team behind the project: “The plans represent the first phase of housing within the wider masterplan, which will see up to 2,000 new homes created over the next 10 to 15 years, alongside new community facilities, green spaces and places to work and socialise.
It’s also worth noting that this undertaking, which will span over the next decade and a half or so, is part of the Greater Manchester region’s overarching goal to increase the level of high-quality domesticity throughout the 10 boroughs.
Besides various other projects in different up-and-coming areas like Stockport, Strangeways, Bolton, as well as here in the city centre, the area is also being hit with a major regeneration scheme.
Subject to planning approval, Wythenshawe will see the Brotherton House, Alpha House and C2 The Birtles buildings transformed into a modern residential complex, comprising a mix of apartments and townhouses aimed at local people with “differing requirements”.
You can see the map for where the developments are in relation to each other down below.
Credit: Supplied
Developers have promised that homes will be affordable, high-quality and energy-efficient, “with additional outdoor and communal spaces to promote interaction, health and wellbeing”.
Brotherton House – a now abandoned former office building – will be turned into 216 new homes, including an extra care apartment building with a further 109 rooms for people in later life and those living with dementia. Find out more HERE.
Moreover, if fully green-lit when the planning permission process is completed, the overview also includes 81 apartments and 25 two and four-bedroom townhouses, plus landscaped gardens and green spaces to encourage local wildlife and nearby residents to spend more time outdoors.
Already under demolition, neighbouring Alpha House will also be flattened and rebuilt to provide 125 one- and two-bedroom apartments, including 16 wheelchair accessible homes.
Meanwhile, the venue currently known as C2 The Birtles (next to the old market square), which holds existing retail and office spaces, will be replaced with around 81 one and two-beds, along with a new ground-floor retail space to complement the wider Civic offering.
Local councillor and leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, said of the plans: “Delivering truly affordable homes – with a focus on social rent housing – was one of our key priorities when we set out the vision for the long-term transformation of Civic.
“The town centre is the beating heart of this community, and that means building homes that are affordable to as many people as possible, creating a long-term sustainable community of people who are proud of where they live.
“These planning applications represent an exciting milestone for Wythenshawe – and it’s great to be working alongside Wythenshawe Community Housing Group to realise these important developments.”
As for WCHG, their executive director, Andrea Lowman, added: “We’re delighted to see the first phase of new homes progressing, marking a major step forward in delivering the high-quality, affordable housing that local people have told us they need.
“This phase will bring forward homes that support residents at every stage of life, creating a strong foundation for a vibrant, sustainable town centre that meets the needs of our communities now and in the future.”
Featured Images — Wythenshawe Community Housing Group/Muse (supplied)
News
More Metrolink disruption expected as further tram strikes have been scheduled
Danny Jones
Further disruption to the Bee Network is now expected during an already full-on time of year, as more Metrolink tram strikes have been scheduled over the festive period.
Put in the simplest terms, members of Unite the Union have said: “The dispute is over driver fatigue and fears that their shift patterns and lack of rest breaks are putting them and passengers at risk.”
As a result, they have now pencilled in protests on 19, 20 and 31 December, holding walkouts from their usual timetable.
A largely empty St Peter’s Square tram stop is a fairly rare sight to see. (Credit: The Manc)
In addition to the other pair of strikes planned for this coming weekend (5-7 Dec), the latest trio have been specifically timed in and around key dates on the city’s calendar.
As well as the return of Manchester’s firework display on St. Peter’s Square, the walk-outs will also coincide with a Manchester City fixture at the Etihad Stadium, as well as notable live music gigs like Jools Holland and Manc band, Doves.
Naturally, tens upon tens of thousands are set to use the Bee Network and trams, in particular, to travel to these events – reiterating just how important properly investing and staffing the Metrolink and other arms of Manchester’s public transport service is.
The most recent update from the union continues: “Unite has repeatedly raised issues with management, but has been told there is no funding available for improvements to working patterns.”
Their General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said as part of the most recent statement: “Driver fatigue is a serious problem. Our members are raising serious concerns about their and their passengers’ safety, but Metrolink management is burying its head in the sand.
“Management must sort this problem out once and for all. It can’t try to fob drivers off by putting profits before safety.”
Here are some of the scenes from the demonstrations earlier this year:
⏰HAPPENING NOW; when Transport for Greater Manchester wouldn't come to the table SO the strikers brought the table (*and chairs) to them! We're ready when you are TfGM. pic.twitter.com/io1OFHED8I
Union members have also clarified their position surrounding ‘fatigue’; it isn’t just the fear of possible risks in operating a tram whilst being “exhausted”, but both the wider mental and physical toll that working the current shift patterns has on workers.
One driver quoted as saying: “My colleagues are tired, but the fatigue is also giving them cold-like symptoms and many have been going off sick with stress, which adds to problems with staffing levels.”
So, if you’re planning on using the Metrolink this holiday season when travelling around for Christmas shopping or even just going home, make sure to keep the strike dates in mind.
Elsewhere, the Bee Network has also provided more information on the designs to bring tram lines to Stockport town centre. Read more down below.
Emily Sergeant -
16th February 2021 
