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.
News
Police appeal after teenage girl reports being sexually assaulted in a Stretford park
Emily Sergeant
An urgent appeal for information has been issued after a teenage girl reported being sexually assaulted in a park in Stretford.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers attended Victoria Park, in the Stretford area, earlier this week on Tuesday night (21 July) following reports that a teenage girl had been sexually assaulted.
The incident is reported to have happened between 5:30pm and 5:44pm, and the offender is described to be an older white male of a large build who was wearing a black t-shirt.
No arrests have been made at this time, GMP confirmed, and enquiries are ongoing.
As police continue their investigation at pace, a public appeal for information has been issued in the hopes that someone can come forward and provide the details needed to track down the offender.
“Detectives are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry and the victim is being fully supported by specially trained officers,” explained Detective Superintendent Suzanne Keenaghan, from GMP’s Trafford district.
“There will be an increased police presence in and around Victoria Park while officers continue their investigation and provide reassurance to the local community.”
Police say they are ‘particularly keen’ to hear from anyone who was in the park at the time, or who may have CCTV, doorbell, mobile phone or dashcam footage from the area.
Anyone with information can speak to police officers at the scene, call 101, or contact GMP via LiveChat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 3029 of 21/07/26.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues to be slashed by 20% next year
Emily Sergeant
Business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues across England are set to be slashed by 20% next year.
Continuing on with his week of, seemingly, introducing a new measure a day amid the cost of living crisis, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has now announced that he has taken action to cut business rates for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues across England from April next year.
It’s expected that these new business rate cuts will benefit nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues, saving the typical pub an estimated £1,100 in the next financial year.
“For too long, the pubs, social clubs, and live music venues that form the backbone of local high streets have been replaced by boarded up windows and for sale signs,” the Government said in a statement as the cuts were announced today.
Andy Burnham is slashing business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues by 20% next year / Credit: John Arano (via Unsplash) | Wikimedia Commons
These changes are set to be fully funded by the Government – including through reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops for example.
The Government says it also plans to crack down on businesses that sell through online marketplaces but do not comply with their tax obligations, which therefore puts them at an unfair advantage over businesses that do play by the rules.
I’m giving thousands of pubs, clubs and music venues a 20% cut in business rates.
I won’t stand by while these cherished local spaces disappear, replaced by boarded-up windows and ‘For Sale’ signs.
They’re the heart of our communities and it’s time we backed them.
“Pubs, clubs and live music venues are at the heart of communities across the UK,” explained Chancellor John Healey. “They help make a place what we love. They bring people together, support local jobs and help keep high streets, and town centres busy, which is why we will back them all the way.
“We are determined to bring hope back, give businesses the support they need and generate growth in every postcode.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham added: “For too long, Governments have stood by while cherished venues have disappeared from our local high streets. So today I am changing that.
“This Government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities. I said I would protect pubs and local high streets, and that’s what we will do. What we’re announcing today is just the start as we work to bring back hope across the country.”
Georgina Pellant -
6th July 2022 
