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Tier 3 restrictions come into force in Greater Manchester today. Here’s what you can and can’t do.

But with Tier 3 restrictions imminent, Greater Manchester residents are now determining what they can and cannot do once new measures become law at 00.01 BST.

The Manc The Manc - 22nd October 2020

Greater Manchester has officially moved into Tier 3 today – with the toughest measures being imposed on the region at 00.01 BST on October 23.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and his local leaders have dedicated the past two weeks to fighting the government for an improved financial package for the region – which is being recategorised in the ‘very high’ risk alert level.

Greater Manchester MPs had previously refused to enter Tier 3 without more support, tabling several discussions with the government that all resulted in deadlocks or abandonment.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that he would be forcing Greater Manchester into Tier 3 without a deal; but on Wednesday told the Commons he’d be giving the region £60m to distribute across all ten boroughs.

Now, with Tier 3 restrictions imminent, Greater Manchester residents are wondering what they can and cannot do once new measures become law at 00.01 BST.

Here’s what you need to know.

Which areas are affected?

The measures cover every borough in the Greater Manchester area.

After midnight tonight, Tier 3 restrictions will apply to:

  • Manchester
  • Bolton
  • Bury
  • Stockport
  • Tameside
  • Trafford
  • Wigan
  • Salford
  • Rochdale
  • Oldham

What will close in Tier 3?

Gabriella Clare Marino / Unsplash

Several types of businesses must shut under Tier 3 restrictions. These include:

  • Pubs and bars – according to the government, these venues “can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant” ie serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal. They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.
  • Casinos
  • Bingo halls
  • Betting shops
  • Adult gaming centres
  • Soft play areas

All hospitality must stop trading at 10pm.

Delivery, click and collect and drive-through services are allowed to continue after 10pm in Tier 3.

Hospitality venues in ports, on transport services and in motorway service areas do not need to close at 10pm, but must not serve alcohol after that time.

Currently, gyms, leisure centres, libraries, community centres and places of worship are set to remain open in Greater Manchester.

Can I meet with friends and family outside my household in Tier 3?

Brooke Cagle / Unsplash

In most cases, no.

In Tier 3, there is a total ban on household mixing – indoors and outdoors in private gardens.

There are exemptions for meeting one other adult in your ‘support bubble’.

However, you can continue to meet people you do not live with in groups of six or less in certain outdoor public spaces like parks, beaches, countryside, forests, public gardens, allotments, outdoor sports courts and facilities, and playgrounds.

The government has warned that meeting in larger groups carries the risk of big penalties – including £200 for a first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

Anyone found involved in organising an illegal gathering of over 30 people can be fined £10,000.

Can I play sport in Tier 3?

Abigail Keenan / Unsplash

Yes.

The government has announced exemptions to the Rule of Six for certain sporting events. These include:

  • Elite sportspeople for competition and training
  • Outdoor exercise and dance classes
  • Organised outdoor sport and licensed outdoor physical activity
  • Indoor organised sport for disabled people, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s

Are weddings permitted in Tier 3?

Samantha Gades / Unsplash

The government has confirmed that weddings and civil partnership ceremonies can take place in COVID-secure settings or outdoors provided guests are restricted to 15 people.

Receptions are banned.

People living outside of Greater Manchester can travel into the area to attend a wedding, but they must not meet with another household in a private home or garden or stay overnight.

Are funerals allowed in Tier 3?

Mayron Oliveira / Unsplash

Funerals must only take place in COVID-secure venues or in public outdoor spaces.

A maximum of 30 people can attend.

Wakes are limited to 15 people and must not take place in private homes.

Can I travel in and out of a Tier 3 area?

why kei / Unsplash

The government is strongly advising against travelling in and out of Greater Manchester whilst the region is under Tier 3 restrictions.

The official advice is for people to avoid the region where possible. If anyone needs to visit Greater Manchester, they should “reduce the number of journeys [they] make.”

Entering the region is still allowed for work/education purposes.

Commuters are also being urged to walk or cycle if possible to reduce congestion on public transport.

Visitors are also being told not to meet people indoors or stay overnight in Greater Manchester.

Residents can travel to hotels and other guest accommodation within the region, but only with people in their households.

You can read the full list of Tier 3 restrictions for Greater Manchester on the government website.

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Heaton Park’s ‘Gallagher Hill’ where people have been watching Oasis for free is no more

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Heaton Park's 'Gallagher Hill' where people have been watching Oasis for free is no more

The Heaton Park viewpoint coined ‘Gallagher Hill’ which fans flocked to to watch Oasis for free has been closed off ahead of the remaining gig dates.

The particular high area of Heaton Park has gone viral online after Oasis fans have been using it to watch the Live ’25 shows for free, with a distant view of the huge screens.

But as thousands of ticket-holders flock back to the remaining Manchester gigs of Oasis Live ’25, fans who couldn’t manage to get any tickets will be disappointed to learn that the viral viewing point Gallagher Hill has been shut down.

Usually, this hill section of the Manchester green space isn’t filled with Gallagher supporters – it’s normally home to a herd of cows who use this land to graze and walk about on throughout the day.

Huge fences have now been erected around the area to prevent any further groups from gathering, with Oasis still set to perform on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Manchester City Council has said that there are also around 300 young trees that have been planted in this part of Heaton Park to develop a new woodland area.

@susiehookwayfitness #gallagherhill #oasis #oasisheatonpark #oasis25 ♬ original sound – Susie_m_h_fitness

The purpose of the fencing is ‘dual purpose’, a council spokesperson said: “Both to protect the environment from further damage and to dissuade people from gathering there. The necessary measure means the concert will no longer be visible from this area.”

After seeing videos of fans in this particular area, one TikTok user checked it out for herself asking her followers: “Would you get on Gallagher hill now?” before panning her camera to show cows grazing on the land.

Although fans of the Manchester icons were flocking to this spot in order to join in on the Oasis fun from afar, issues have been raised via safety concerns of visitors, the cattle herd and reports of litter.

Fans are now being directed to enjoy the many, many events taking place in the city centre, including the MCR Live Hub at Piccadilly Gardens.

'Gallagher Hill' in Manchester today ahead of the next Oasis shows
'Gallagher Hill' in Manchester today ahead of the next Oasis shows
‘Gallagher Hill’ in Manchester today ahead of the next Oasis shows. Credit: The Manc Group

Some fans have been very understanding reasoning this fair decision admitting, “Probably because of security and threats unfortunately”, while others express their disappointment asking, “How sad do you have to be to put that up?”.

One social media user, who was planning on taking a family member to this brand new Manchester landmark commented, “They could’ve utilised Gallagher hill”.

The fan went on to pose the question of making it an official viewpoint for concerts, posing the question, “£30 entry fee, is that too steep?”.

Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Employment, Skills and Leisure, Manchester City Council, said: “The atmosphere across Manchester has been electric over this last week with the whole city swept up in Oasis fever and peaking over the weekend with the first two hugely successful homecoming concerts at Heaton Park.

@x.777.sdj #oasis #oasis25 #gallagherhill #heatonpark #manchester #mancunian #manc ♬ original sound – Simone xo

“As you would expect given the size of the concerts and numbers of people attending, we go through a continuous process with partners of re-assessing the plans in place for the concerts to ensure both public safety and that any environmental impact on our award-winning park is minimalised.

 “The steps being taken ahead of the next concert regretfully mean the distant view of the large screens behind the event stage will no longer be there. Unfortunately our hand has been forced in having to put these additional measures in place to protect the very recent extensive planting of young trees in that location as we try to establish a new woodland area in the park, and the wellbeing of our cattle herd in the field, as well as to keep people in the park safe.

“Our advice to music fans who don’t have tickets for the concerts is to head into the city centre instead.  The whole city is going all out to celebrate and help everyone have a good time.  We’ve got some fantastic things going on with a real party atmosphere for everyone to enjoy whether they’ve got tickets for the Oasis gigs or not.”

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – The Manc Group

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The Maccabees’ Orlando Weeks on Gavin and Stacey, Glastonbury and comeback tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Orlando Weeks interview The Maccabees

UK indie band The Maccabees announced their comeback tour earlier this year alongside a very impressive All Points East headline date.

Since rocking into the music scene in 2007, The Maccabees have a Mercury Prize nomination to their name as well as three UK top 40 singles and one chart-topping album ‘Marks To Prove It’.

Just last year, the band ingrained themselves into UK pop culture for eternity thanks to the inclusion of their single ‘Pelican’ in the finale of the much-loved TV classic Gavin and Stacey.

The Maccabees have been a staple in British culture and indie music alike, and it’s safe to say fans were overjoyed when the news of a comeback tour was announced.

The Maccabees Manchester gig tickets
The Maccabees are coming to O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester on 21 and 22 August.

After nearly a decade apart, the lads are ready to hit the road again with a string of UK tour dates, which are in preparation for their huge All Points East headline date at the end of August.

Lead vocalist for The Maccabees, Orlando Weeks, sat down with us to talk reuniting with fellow bandmates after almost a decade, as well as all things Glastonbury and the upcoming All Points East headline slot.

Orlando Weeks from The Maccabees | The Interview

The Maccabees have played Manchester almost 20 times since entering the music scene in 2007. What is it about our Manc crowds that keeps pulling you back?

Manchester has a musical heritage, which means there are enough venues that we can come back to so many times and people not be sick of us. The crowds are great, it’s always a good gig and always a good night out.

Having that kind of heritage and pride in your city makes it the kind of place [bands] want to come back to.

This will be the band’s first time playing O2 Victoria Warehouse, and after playing a variety of Manchester City centre music venues, how excited are you to be playing this one for the first time?

I’ve had friends that’ve played it, and everyone said that it’s a good gig. I have no doubt it’ll be good.

Due to incredible demand, you’ve had to add a second date after the first show sold out – what’s it like for you hearing news like this?

The original offer for us was to play All Points East, and so when we got that, it made up our minds to play these summer shows.

Getting to play once in Manchester will set us up [for this headline slot], and getting to play twice will set us up even better. I love being in Manchester anyway, so to have a little bit longer to have a wander and a drink is great.

What was it like getting back into the rehearsal process with the rest of the band after nearly 10 years of not performing or touring together? 

It’s very odd how powerful muscle memory is. It’s crazy how quickly all of the songs, structures and playing came back to us.

When we used to play, I invented so many completely useless little triggers for me to help remember lyrics or a chorus that I’d get stuck on, and I still remember those foot taps and placements that bring it all back.

Felix [White] boasted before we even started rehearsing that he remembered everything off by heart, and he could go straight into a gig. To be fair to him, it’s amazing how much his brain has retained.

At your first show in nearly a decade at The Dome in London, you created artwork to raise funds for the MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Society. Will fans be able to buy your artwork and support this charity at both the Manchester dates?

There will be an MS charity stall as well as one for Doctors Without Borders. If you’re reading this or coming to either of the gigs and have anything that you can contribute to either of those charities, then we as a band would be extremely grateful.

This 2025 tour sees support from indie rock band, Sorry – how excited are you to head out on the road with this talented group?

 The Maccabees have always been very lucky to travel around the world with other bands who are amazing, and Sorry are definitely part of that list.

You have a reason to get down early, because if you’re a fan of The Macs, you’ll be a fan of Sorry. I can guarantee that you’ll have a good time.

The Maccabees are taking part in some of the biggest events in the British music calendar [Glastonbury, All Points East]. How does it feel to have such immense support nearly 20 years into your career?

20 years in and 10 years off. There are a few people who aren’t in the band but have been such a big part of it, even through the 10 years that we weren’t really doing anything. They would say if you ever did wanna do something, there’ll be people there.

I just didn’t know that [The Macabees reunion] would be as popular as it has been. It’s very hard to explain or get your head around, really.

On the topic of Glasto, how surreal was it to be playing this major music festival for the third time?

@bbc6music Just WOW – #Florencewelch #themaccabees #Glastonbury ♬ original sound – BBC Radio 6 Music

I think we’ve been at least four times, maybe five times.

Headlining ‘The Park’ stage was special, and it was also the first time my son came and saw me on a stage singing. It was a great ‘take your son to Work Day’. We had Florence [Welch] coming out and singing with us, too.

I’ll remember all of The Maccabees’ Glastonbury experiences, but I think that’s the one I’ll hold onto for the longest.

Speaking of surreal moments, your song ‘Pelican’ featured in the finale of British favourite, Gavin and Stacey. How did this opportunity come about?

@nessa_smithy How has it already been 4 weeks since the finale came out?😭💗 #foryou #gavinandstacey #fyp #gavinandstaceyfinale #gavinandstaceyclips #ruthjones #jamescorden #gavin #stacey #britcomedy #smithy #nessa #unclebryn #pamandmick #davecoaches #themaccabees #robbrydon #gavinandstaceychristmasspecial #smithyandnessa ♬ Pelican – The Maccabees

I think Matt might’ve texted me, but it was Christmas and I was swept up in all sorts of celebrations. We got a lot of messages after it aired because an insane number of people watch the show.

It’s all thanks to James Corden and Matt Horne, who have always been fans from early on. It was very flattering and very nice to be part of [Gavin and Stacey].

And finally, after playing Manchester so many times, are there any shops or special spots that you always make sure to visit when you’re in the city?

I remember when we were in Manchester last time for ‘The Farewell’ tour, I’d started running by then – and I loved the canals.

Usually, I defer to local friends and I’ll just let them take me to whichever pub or place they recommend – Wherever they go, I go.

The Maccabees are set to play two nights at O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester, and there are still tickets available for their second date HERE.

The Maccabees announce huge Manchester gig on hotly-anticipated reunion tour
You should have heard our editor’s (whose favourite band is The Maccabees) screams when the comeback was confirmed.

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Featured Images – Press shots/David Dixon (via Geograph)/tv.bomb.co.uk (via WikiCommons)

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