The latest reports suggest that the UK government could be close to introducing new local lockdown restrictions in some of the worst-affected regions imminently.
This could see pubs, bars and restaurants in many parts of the North of England – including Greater Manchester – forced to close premises for a period of time which is not yet understood.
There are also talks that there could be a ban on overnight stays away from home in these areas too.
It is believed that a decision on this could be reached at some point today, with a formal announcement not likely to come until Monday, although this has not been confirmed.
This decision could be set to follow similar restrictions introduced by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday afternoon, which prohibits pubs, restaurants and cafes in most of the country from selling alcohol indoors for more than two weeks, and ordered pubs and restaurants in Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley in the central belt to close for 16 days from Friday.
It’s thought that these potential restrictions could take effect from as early as Monday too.
There are also strong suggestions that the government is likely to introduce a three-tier system for local lockdowns, which would see different parts of the country placed into different categories – although ministers are still believed to be discussing the precise details of the toughest level of restrictions over the next couple of days – but what does this really mean?
How could a potential “three-tier” restrictions system look if implemented in Greater Manchester?
Here is everything we know so far.
The Department of Health confirmed last month that a potential new “three-tier” system was being considered, but the concept was signed off by government officials and politicians earlier this month and the roll-out of the new tiers is expected following imminent formal announcement.
As the name suggests – and as understood by the BBC – the system could see towns, cities and regions in England divided into three categories.
Tier 1
Areas that fall into tier one will have fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 of population and residents living in these areas would be required to adhere to national restrictions.
This would include the “rule of six” and social distancing measures.
Tier 2
Tier two would kick in where cases are above 100 per 100,000.
Restrictions for these areas would be similar to those currently in place in large parts of Northern England – including Greater Manchester – such as prohibiting the mixing of households in indoor and outdoor settings.
Tier 3
Under the tightest restrictions, areas which are placed into tier three would have significantly higher infection rates and would face “full lockdowns”, although this would exclude the closing of schools and essential businesses – such as supermarkets and certain retail outlets – as well as places of worship.
This does however indicate that it would pertains to the closing of hospitality venues
iStock
Information on the system – again as seen by the BBC – shows that there are plans for additional money to be distributed to local authorities which are placed into tiers two or three.
Local authorities would get £1 per head of population if placed into tier two, and £2 per head for tier three.
There has been no formal confirmation at this stage as to which tier Greater Manchester would be placed into should the system be implemented in England, nor whether different areas / boroughs of Greater Manchester would be subject to different restrictions, or fall under different tiers.
More information is expected to be revealed to the public in due course.
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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.
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‘Dazzling’ Victorian silver sculpture goes on public display in Greater Manchester after fears it was lost
Emily Sergeant
A long-lost masterpiece of Victorian silverwork has been saved and is now on display to the public in Greater Manchester.
Anyone taking a trip over to the National Trust’s historic Dunham Massey property, on the border of Greater Manchester into Cheshire, this summer will get to see the ‘dazzling’ sculpture called Stags in Bradgate Park – which was commissioned by a former owner in a defiant gesture to the society that shunned him.
The dramatic sculpture of two rutting Red Deer stags, commissioned in 1855 by George Harry Grey, 7th Earl of Stamford, was said to be an ‘act of love and rebellion’.
It also serves as a symbol of ‘locking horns’ with the society that ostracised him over his marriage to a woman considered ‘beneath him’.
“This isn’t just silver – it’s a story,” says James Rothwell, who is the National Trust‘s curator for decorative arts.
“A story of a man who fell in love with a woman that society deemed unworthy. When the Earl married Catherine Cox, whose colourful past was said to have included performing in a circus, Victorian high society was scandalised. Even Queen Victoria shunned the couple at the opera and local gentry at the horse races in Cheshire turned their backs on them.”
Modelled by Alfred Brown and crafted by royal goldsmiths Hunt & Roskell, Stags in Bradgate Park is a meticulously-detailed depiction of nature, and was considered a ‘sensation’ in its day.
Showing the rutting deer positioned on a rocky outcrop with gnarled hollow oaks, it graced the pages of the Illustrated London News, was exhibited at the London International Exhibition of 1862, and at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867 – both of which were events that drew millions of visitors.
A ‘dazzling’ Victorian silver sculpture has gone on public display in Greater Manchester / Credit: Joe Wainwright | James Dobson (via Supplied)
The silver centrepiece was the celebrity art of its time, paraded through streets and admired by the public like no other.
Gradually over the years, some of the Earl of Stamford’s silver collection has been re-acquired for Dunham Massey, and this particular world-renowned sculpture, thought to be lost for decades and feared to have been melted down, has miraculously survived with its ‘dramatic’ central component being all that is left.
“The sculpture is not only a technical marvel, with its lifelike depiction of Bradgate Park’s rugged landscape and wildlife, but also a dramatic human story key to the history of Dunham Massey,” added Emma Campagnaro, who is the Property Curator at Dunham Massey.
“It speaks of nature, of craftsmanship, and of a couple who chose each other over status and what others thought of them.”
The sculpture has now gone on display at Dunham Massey from Thursday 26 June.
Featured Image – James Dobson (via Supplied)
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Lewis Capaldi announces MASSIVE comeback gig in Manchester this year
Thomas Melia
Everyone’s favourite Scottish ballad-maker, Lewis Capaldi, is heading out on tour across the UK, including a massive Manchester date.
Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi is ready to tug at our heartstrings again right in front of our eyes as he announces a new UK arena tour.
This huge announcement comes right after his surprise set at the UK’s biggest music event of the year, Glastonbury, where he made a heroic return to the Pyramid Stage just two years after being forced to pull out.
Capaldi is known for writing some of the most notable and emotive hits of the late 2010s and early 2020s, including a long list of anthems such as ‘Someone You Loved’, ‘Bruises’ and ‘Before You Go’.
His monster of a hit ‘Someone You Loved’ has surpassed 3.9 billion views and is the UK’s most-streamed song of all time, so it is safe to say that his presence has been well and truly missed.
To many fans’ delight, the singer has stepped back into the spotlight and is ready to sing his heart out live at a variety of arenas across the UK, including Co-op Live right here in Manchester.
Now, in a post on his official Instagram account announcing this upcoming UK and Ireland arena tour, it’s good to see the Scottish powerhouse hasn’t lost his wit and charm as he jokes, “About time I got back to work.”
These shows are set to be in high demand as the singer has also revealed these upcoming dates, “Will be my only shows in the UK, Ireland or Europe this year! Would love to see ya there.”
On the back of his glorious Glasto return, Capaldi has dropped a huge heart-wrencher titled ‘Survive’ which offers more insight into the struggles and challenges the singer has been facing.
There is no confirmation of whether this new single marks the launch of a bigger project or not, but we can’t wait to scream his hits at the top of our lungs, regardless of when he pays Manchester a visit later this year.
The Manc -
8th October 2020 
