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There’s a new Manchester ‘party bike’ combining BYO pints and pedals

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 6th July 2022

There’s.a new ‘party bike’ experience in Manchester that gives punters the chance to pedal themselves about the Northern Quarter whilst sipping on ‘BYO’ pints.

Known as the MCR Party Bike, the bee-emblazoned contraption has been shipped over from Europe and can seat up to 12 people at a time.

It requires a minimum of six people to get it moving and is already proving to be something of a bargain day out, as pedallers are even able to bring along their own booze to save some money.

Image: MCR Party Bike

Launched by two local lads who previously ran bars over in Majorca, Stuart Smith, 51, from Monton, and Shane Steenson, 33, from Mossley, came up with the idea after paying a trip out to Dublin where Shane’s cousin runs something similar

Having invested a lot of time and money into adapting the bike, they’ve finally managed to get it out on the road – and despite only being out and about for a couple of weekends, it’s already caused quite the stir amongst city-dwellers.

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Whilst the duo are in talks with local Northern Quarter businesses about collaborating to offer takeaway drinks, for now, no such deal has been arranged – meaning that bikers can hop on with their own booze for the low-low price of £10 per person.

Read more: This Manchester gin bar is hosting a boozy Hacienda brunch

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Image: MCR Party Bike

As the pair both have other jobs, the MCR Party Bike is a weekend-only affair. Running every Saturday from 1 to 9pm, bookings run at hourley intervals. Walk-ups are also welcome, provided the bike isn’t too busy.

The route starts at Hilton Street and then loops around the Northern Quarter, taking around 30-40 minutes in total.

Speaking on their new venture, the pair told the Manchester Evening News they’ve had a great reception so far: “We’ve only been out a few weekends and you wouldn’t believe the reaction we get.

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Image: MCR Party Bike

Read more: Inside Canvas, Manchester’s new late-night bar, restaurant and music venue

“It doesn’t fly along, it just trundles along, and even if we’ve got a bus behind us, you’ll see people stopping and taking photos.

“We’ve put a big sticker on the back saying ‘smile and wave to the party bike’ and people just do. They love it, it’s all good fun.

“It was a good laugh this weekend, we’re still buzzing about it. It’s unbelievable when we drive through Stevenson Square it’s like we’ve won the Oscars or something the amount of people taking photos and videos.”

To find out more about the MCR Party Bike, visit the Facebook page here.

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Family pay tribute to ‘larger than life’ biker after fatal Wigan crash

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Leslie Baron was one of two victims of a crash in Wigan. Credit: GMP

The family of the second victim of a crash in Wigan have paid a moving tribute to him.

Leslie Baron, 56, had been the passenger on a motorbike when it was involved in a road traffic collision with a car.

Both Leslie and the rider – 21-year-old Lewis Durham – were unseated and suffered serious injuries.

Lewis tragically died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services, while Leslie passed away several hours later in hospital.

Leslie’s family have now issued a tribute to him, describing him as a ‘larger-than-life character’ who loved his dogs, biking and golf.

His family also praised the hospital staff who cared for him in his final hours.

They said: “It is with a heavy heart that we write this message in tribute to Leslie Baron, known to us as “Lez”. He was a much-loved brother, uncle, and a friend to many.

“We would firstly like to thank the emergency services and the members of the public for all their efforts in helping him at the scene of the collision. We extend our praise to the hospital staff at Aintree Hospital also.

“Lez was a larger-than-life character who loved his dogs, riding his motorbike, and playing golf. He would do anything for anyone. He will be missed deeply by us all.

“May he rest in peace; we will love you always.”

The crash occurred on Ormskirk Road in Wigan shortly after 7.15pm on Saturday 13 April, at the junction with Billinge Road.

The driver of the car involved, a 41-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury by careless driving. He has since been released on bail.

Lewis Durham tributes Wigan death
Lewis Durham, who was also killed in the collision in Wigan. Credit: GMP

Lewis’s family yesterday issued the below tribute to him, the second victim of the fatal crash in Wigan.

“It is with great sadness that Lewis has been so tragically taken away from us. He sadly passed away in a road traffic accident in Wigan on Saturday 13th April.

“The youngest in our family with the world at his feet. He’s left a huge hole in our family, our hearts are absolutely broken. He was always a happy, fun-loving character, who had everything going for him in life, loved by everyone and had the best of friends. A loving son, grandson, and little brother.

“We’d like to thank the emergency services and people who assisted him at the scene who comforted him in maybe his last moments. We’ll cherish every memory we have of you, Lewis.

“We’re all beyond proud of you and will miss and love you forever. You’re now the brightest star in the sky Lewis. Love you forever and always Mam, Dad, Grandma, Granda, Nana, and your two big sisters.”

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Featured image: GMP

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Classical music will be played at Northern train stations to ‘deter anti-social behaviour’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Classical music is to be played at dozens of train stations across the North in a bid to “deter anti-social behaviour”.

It may not be the first tactic you’d think of if you were trying to ward off trouble and prevent it from happening again in the future, but after a successful trial was conducted at 35 train stations in Greater Manchester and across the North back in 2022, Northern has now announced that “classical music is here to stay”.

After noticing a rise in incidents of anti-social behaviour, the train operator orchestrated a plan to play music inspired by the likes of Beethoven, Mozart, and Handel at nine stations.

Following this, it was then introduced at another 26 stations last year.

As part of the trial aimed at “preventing loitering, vandalism, and graffiti”, the teams at the participating stations would play the classical music at certain times of the day that were identified or often associated with incidents of anti-social behaviour, but would make sure to control the volume so it didn’t disturb local residents.

Classical music will be played at Northern train stations to ‘deter anti-social behaviour’ / Credit: Northern

During the initial trial, the music was played at stations in Billingham, Shildon, Heighington, North Road, Orrell, Keighley, Hyde North, Ilkley, and Newton Aycliffe.

The following year, it was rolled out at Beverley, Birchwood, Bryn, Cottingham, Cross Gates, Fitzwilliam, Flimby, Halewood, Haltwhistle, Hattersley, Levenshulme, Lostock Gralam, Maryport, Mill Hill, Newton for Hyde, Penistone, Rainhill, Sowerby Bridge, Sunderland, Ulverston, Wetheral, Whiston, Nunthorpe, Seaton Carew, Stockton, and Seaham.

When the trail proved to be successful, passengers apparently “called for an encore” as they claimed the music made them feel safer at participating stations, because large groups had stopped gathering there on a regular basis to “cause a nuisance” – particularly during the school holidays.

It follows successful trials carried out at 35 stations in 2022 and 2023 / Credit: gov.uk

“We’re pleased to have found an innovative and effective way of deterring anti-social behaviour,” commented Tricia Williams, who is the Chief Operating Officer at Northern.

“Following the successful trial, we will continue playing classical music at these stations and look to introduce it at others in the coming months, as we want all of our customers to feel safe and secure when they travel.

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“This approach, along with other investment we are making, is working well.”

Featured Image – Jonny Walton (via Northern)

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