Tiki bar in Manchester has its license stripped after operating as nightclub
Mahiki was found to be operating as a nightclub twice during the summer, with 'no efforts being made to ensure social distancing or take customer details for tracing'.
A tiki-style bar in the city centre has had its license stripped by Manchester City Council after it was discovered the venue was operating as a nightclub.
Mahiki, on Central Street near St Peter’s Square and Albert Square, had received multiple warnings about its refusal to adhere to COVID regulations.
The bar apparently assured the council that it would establish a one-way system, lower music volume and enforce a ban on dancing.
But, according to Manchester City Council, ‘it became apparent that the owner had no intention of enforcing any of these precautions.’
Mahiki was found to be operating as a nightclub on two separate occasions during the summer, with ‘no efforts being made to ensure social distancing or take customer details for tracing’.
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Central Street / Google Street View
Earlier this week, Mahiki was officially stripped of its licence, prohibiting it from serving alcohol to the public.
Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, executive member for neighbourhoods for Manchester City Council, said: “Sadly, in the case of Mahiki it was clear its owner had zero interest in doing what was not only expected by us, but what was the morally correct thing to do.
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“We do not like to bring the hammer down as we want to be a Council that works with venues to resolve issues amicably. However, in this case we had no choice. A summary licensing review is a tool we use in only the most serious of circumstances, and stripping a venue of its licence is not something we do with any pleasure.
“But, we have to make clear that the safety of Manchester residents is paramount and we will take any steps necessary to ensure that.”
Superintendent Chris Hill, of Greater Manchester Police, said that the case of Mahiki should serve as a warning to other venues that refuse to comply with regulations.
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“The health and safety of our communities is our priority and unfortunately in this case, the business continued to flout the rules we had in place,” he added.
“We will not hesitate to take action against businesses putting the health and welfare of their customers and their own staff at risk, and we will use our powers and legislation to the full to ensure premises are operating safely.”
News
Six GMP officers dismissed following racial discrimination allegations
Emily Sergeant
A number of police officers have been dismissed following an internal investigation, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed.
Following the internal investigation into alleged racial discrimination against an officer on the Bury district – which was launched by GMP‘s Professional Standards Directorate in July 2024 – six officers and two former officers were found to have committed gross misconduct, and a ninth officer was found to have committed misconduct.
The investigation came after a report was made that an officer had been subjected to ‘racist behaviour’ by colleagues in December 2023.
The panel heard how PC Y – who has African heritage and has been granted anonymity – made a complaint after her accent was mimicked by a group of officers. She was also compared to a suspect with similar skin colour, and one of the dismissed PCs made a derogatory comment about her hair.
PC Y was supported and kept updated throughout the investigation, GMP assured, as well as providing evidence at the hearing.
The misconduct hearing lasted just over two weeks, with the panel concluding that the officers breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Equality and Diversity, Authority, Respect, and Courtesy.
The six officers who have been dismissed are PC Demi Green, PC Heena Rani, PC Lucy Granby, PC Matthew Barlow, PC Matthew Hill, and PC Mohammed Abid, while the former officers who were found to have committed gross misconduct are PC Jake Holt, and former Officer A – who has been granted anonymity.
The panel also found that Sergeant Adrian Bick’s actions amounted to misconduct, as there was no breach of the standard of equality and diversity.
As a result, the six serving officers have been sacked without notice, while the two former officers would have been dismissed had they not already left the force, and Sergeant Bick was issued a written warning.
“No officer or member of staff should have to come to work and experience discriminatory behaviour from the people they serve alongside,” declared Deputy Chief Constable, Terry Woods.
“Everyone has the right to feel respected, valued and part of the same team with a shared commitment to serving our communities and keeping people safe.”
‘There must be a way’ – Andy Burnham vows to save Jodrell Bank after funding cuts
Emily Sergeant
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to save the UK’s largest telescope at Jodrell Bank.
In case you hadn’t heard, back in July, theUK Research and Innovation (UKRI) announced that the Jodrell Bank Observatory – which is home to the Lovell Telescope – will not be prioritised for further funding after its current agreement ends in March 2028, despite the telescope standing in its Cheshire home since 1957.
The UKRI said the decision not to continue funding priority was ‘the result of a comprehensive, evidence-based prioritisation process’.
Since the news broke, however, it has been a topic of national uproar and discussion as to how to ensure its legacy lives on.
A proud part of the University of Manchester (UoM), Jodrell Bank had a pioneering role in the development of radio astronomy, and has evidence from its emergence as a new science in the 1940s through to the present day, making it an outstanding part of scientific heritage.
The Prime Minister was pressed to address concerns surrounding the future of the site by Sarah Russell, Labour MP for Congleton, in the House of Commons yesterday (1 September 2026).
Mr Burnham replied: “Every one of my generation went on a school trip to Jodrell Bank, and there is no way that we can see its demise – it won’t happen under my Government.
“I know there’s changes that have been made in relation to research funding, but Jodrell Bank is a heritage asset for the country, as well as a research asset.
The Manc -
3rd September 2020 
