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.
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 Newsthey’ve had a great reception so far: “We’ve only been out a few weekends and you wouldn’t believe the reaction we get.
“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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Holly Willoughby delivers honest and emotional statement addressing Phillip Schofield scandal on This Morning return
Danny Jones
Holly Willoughby has officially addressed the ongoing Phillip Schofield scandal on her return to This Morning on Monday.
Making her first appearance since the pair both dropped off the show following Schofield’s admission that he had a relationship with a younger man who worked on the show, his former co-presenter jumped straight into the issue at the top of the show.
“Firstly, are you OK? I hope so. It feels very strange sitting here without Phil and I know that you might be feeling a lot like I have: shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing on all sides of what’s been going on, and have lots of questions.
“You, me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career they loved. That is a lot to process and it’s equally hard to see the toll that has taken on their own mental health.”
Holly Willoughby’s opening statement on her This Morning return.
The 42-year-old went on to say, “I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal for the health and wellbeing of everyone. I hope that as we start this new chapter and get back to a place of warmth and magic that this show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other.
“From my heart, can I just say thank you for all your kind messages and thank you for being here this morning. Myself, Josie, Dermot, Alison, Craig and everyone who works on this show will continue to work hard every single day to bring you the show that we love.”
Stand-in host Josie Gibson then hugged Holly and said: “All we can do now is be the family that we are”.
After making it through the statement, Holly and Josie then jumped back into the regularly scheduled programming as usual.
As for the scandal itself, Schofield recently gave an exclusive interview with the BBC admitting that his “career is over” and had “suicidal thoughts” after the story broke, as well as insisting that he hasn’t spoken with Holly since apart from sending her an apology via text following his own statement.
The 61-year-old continues to deny allegations that he groomed the man he maintained a relationship with for a number of years but ITV has stated that they are continuing to investigate the situation following his resignation.
Tribute paid to gran, 51, stabbed to death in broad daylight in Tameside
Daisy Jackson
A 51-year-old woman who was stabbed to death in broad daylight last week has been named as Michelle Hodgkinson, as her family issue a heartbreaking tribute.
She has been described as ‘the most amazing, loving, selfless and funny daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie and most recently a nanna’.
Michelle, or ‘our Shelly B’ had been walking along Edge Lane on Friday 2 June when she was approached by a male and stabbed.
Emergency services rushed to the scene but tragically, Michelle died at the scene.
She had just been going about her day, walking to meet her mum so that she could take her shopping.
A 28-year-old man has been arrested arrested on suspicion of murder and has since been detained under the Mental Health Act.
Michelle was a community-driven individual with a long history of charity work and volunteering, as well as being her family’s ‘biggest cheerleader’.
#TRIBUTE | Family pay tribute to ‘amazing’ ‘loving’ and ‘selfless’ Michelle Hodgkinson who was killed in Droylsden
Michelle Hodkinson (51) has been named as the victim of the attack on Edge Lane in Droylsden on 2/6/23
— Tameside South and West Police (GMP) (@GMPTamesideS) June 4, 2023
In tribute to her issued through GMP, Michelle’s family said: “Everyone who knows Michelle is in utter shock at the attack she endured and how horrific her last moments were. Our Shelly B was the most amazing, loving, selfless and funny daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie and most recently a nanna. It was a privilege to have been known and loved by her.
“She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile. She would be there for anyone and the day she was taken from us, she was doing just that – walking to meet her mum to take her shopping and to go for a coffee.
“Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has crumbled and will never be the same. We will support each other, and we thank and appreciate the love and support shown by our family and friends. Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.
“Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Our biggest cheerleader, our confidant, our rock – she will never be forgotten. We love you to the moon and back! We’ll do everything we can to get justice. Love you forever and always!”
Georgina Pellant -
6th July 2022 
