Boroughs

Waterloo Road has boosted Greater Manchester’s economy by a staggering £6.5 million

I may not be a maths teacher, that sure sounds good to me.

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 11th September 2024

Waterloo Road has boosted Greater Manchester’s economy by a staggering £6.5 million, according to the BBC.

The British high school classic has seen strength after strength following the new BBC reboot.

Waterloo Road first reached our TV screens in 2006, where we saw Salford’s-own Chelsee Healey burst onto the scene as the fiery Janeece Bryant, a disruptive but loveable student who always found herself getting into trouble. 

Since then, the school-based drama has gone on to see 14 seasons and more than 200 episodes, with an eight year interval in between, befoore returning to our screens again in 2023.

And with a new season dropping just yesterday (10 September), the love for the show certainly isn’t over yet.

The show has been filmed in Greater Manchester since airing, with three seasons retreating to the Scottish lowlands of Greenock in Scotland. 

The first seven series of the TV drama were filmed in the former Hill Top Community Primary School in Rochdale, with the filming location for the most recent season taking place at a former Manchester College building in the city centre.

The newest series sees famous faces like comedian Jason Manford, and ex-Coronation Street star Kym Marsh join the cast.

In new statistics provided by the BBC, it was revealed that the production of the first three new series generated more than £9.5 million for the broader North West area, and at least £6.5 million for Greater Manchester’s economy alone.

“It’s a series that helps nurture and champion local talent and directly supports the economy in the North West,” commented Charlotte Moore, who is the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, “and it’s also part of a much bigger story.

“The BBC now invests more than 60% of its TV budget outside of London – supporting hundreds of production companies and suppliers.”

Read more:

You can catch Season 14 of Waterloo Road on BBC one every Tuesday at 9pm, or all episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer here.

Featured Image – BBC

Boroughs

Iconic Thomas the Tank Engine replica is back travelling through Greater Manchester this weekend

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making another return to Greater Manchester once again this weekend.

And there’s still time to get yourself some tickets.

After delighting families throughout the region during countless successful events over the past couple of years, East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that the Thomas the Tank Engine replica train is back by popular demand now that schools are out for summer, and will return to its tracks this weekend.

In case you aren’t too familiar with the beloved Day Out With Thomas experience, it’s said to be ‘a train ride like no other’.

Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making another return to Greater Manchester this weekend / Credit: ELR

Families will have the chance to hop onboard the replica of the cult-classic blue train character when he returns next weekend for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.

The journey begins at Bury Train Station, where you’ll be greeted by The Fat Controller, meet Sir Topham Hatt, say hello to Thomas on the platform, and then climb aboard a carriage, all before Thomas makes a final stop at the beautiful Ramsbottom station. 

The doors to Bury Transport Museum will also be open across the weekend and will be hosting loads of fun free activities.

There’ll be Thomas-themed stories, and engaging and interactive activities to make the most of, as well as amusing performances by Sodor’s mischievous station sweepers, Rusty and Dusty, who’ll be entertaining with singing, dancing, and laughter all day long.

Not only that, but you can also expect fun fair rides, face painting, balloon art, and so much more throughout the weekend.

ELR’s Chairman Mike Kelly is “thrilled” about Thomas’ return next weekend.

The Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be ‘a train ride like no other’ / Credit: ELR

Mr Kelly said Day Out With Thomas events hold ‘a special place’ in the heritage railway’s calendar.

He added that: “They remain one of our most beloved experiences, as Thomas is cherished by people of all ages and this makes the event a source of joy, not just for children, but also for parents, grandparents, and our volunteers.”

Day Out With Thomas tickets are still on sale for this Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August – with prices starting at £13.50 for kids, and £22.70 for adults.

Read more:

Find out more and get your last-minute tickets here.

Featured Image – ELR

Boroughs

Northern is offering Greater Manchester students half-price train tickets for the entire academic year

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

School students in Greater Manchester are to be offered 50% off their train tickets for the entire upcoming academic year.

Now that schools are out for the summer, train operator Northern is encouraging parents and guardians of schoolchildren who use the train to get to and from school to take advantage an early bird discount giving them 50% off tickets for the coming academic year.

The operator hopes that the discount will convince parents of children aged under 16 to ‘trust the train’ for their school run. 

The half-price child season ticket for the 2025-26 academic year is available until 11:59pm this Thursday (31 July).

Season tickets for those under 16, and Year 11 students, that are purchased after this date will only be 40% off the normal child season ticket price, and term time tickets are to also become available from this date too.

Train ticket barrier
Northern is offering Greater Manchester students half-price train tickets for the entire academic year / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | TPE

Any season tickets purchased will be delivered in time for the new school term in September. 

The 50% off offer comes as Northern teams up with TransPennine Express to offer school children maximum flexibility – with education season tickets now valid on both operator’s services on a number of routes across the North. 

“As we continue in our mission to make our railway accessible and as easy to use as possible, annual education season tickets are there to offer the best value for journeys to school and college,” commented Alex Hornby, who is the Commercial and Customer Director for Northern.

“We’re encouraging parents and guardians to take advantage of even bigger savings now before of the end of July, where the discounts available will reduce.

Read more:

“Locking-in this earlybird discount with a season ticket not only saves a lot of money; it ticks one more thing off the back to school list and it means no more faffing around with day or weekly tickets too.”

Find more information and take advantage of the Education Season Tickets offer here.

Featured Image – Jonny Walton (via Northern)

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