The national lockdown officially ends on December 2 – but it won’t be the grand reopening we’d all hoped for.
The government has confirmed the country will return to its tier structure – whereby each region will be assigned its own risk category depending on case rates and infection levels.
We’ve experienced a taste of the tier system before – prior to the second lockdown in November – when the country was divided into three categories: ‘Medium Alert’ (Tier 1), ‘High Alert’ (Tier 2), and ‘Very High Alert’ (Tier 3).
The premise is the same this time around, only the rules have become somewhat tougher.
99% of the country is being bundled into the strictest two categories – Tier 2 and Tier 3 – when the system is reinstated later this week.
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Greater Manchester is – at least for the time being – heading into Tier 3; which means continued social curbs and certain businesses staying shut.
So, what exactly are the rules for Tier 3 this time around? Here’s what you need to know.
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Will shops and businesses reopen in Tier 3 after lockdown?
In most circumstances, people in Tier 3 areas cannot meet anyone who is not in their household/bubble.
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The government states: “You must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, this includes in any private garden or at most outdoor venues.”
The ‘Rule of Six’ applies in certain outdoor public spaces such as parks, beaches, countryside and public gardens.
Weddings can go ahead with 15 people in attendance.
Receptions are not allowed.
30 people can attend funeral ceremonies; 15 people can attend linked commemorative events.
What are the rules on sport in Tier 3?
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Elite sport events can take place in Tier 3 – but no fans will be allowed to enter stadiums.
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Organised outdoor sport is allowed – but only outdoors.
The government has also stated that “higher-risk contact activity should not take place.”
Can I travel from Tier 3 to other areas?
You should not travel outside of a Tier 3 area if possible.
The government is urging people to avoid any movement between high tiers unless it is ‘necessary’ – such as travelling for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or for caring responsibilities.
Passing through Tier 3 areas as part of a longer journey is ok.
More information on local COVID restrictions and the tier system is available on the government website.
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Altrincham named one of the UK’s best places to live in 2026 in The Sunday Times’ annual ranking
Emily Sergeant
A popular Greater Manchester town has been named among the UK’s best places to live by the Sunday Times in its annual ranking.
That’s right… it’s that time of year, once again.
The Sunday Times is known for pulling together a list of what it considers to be the most sought-after places to live in the UK every year, and 2026’s ranking has officially been published today – with dozens of locations across the country making up the comprehensive guide, and six of those coveted locations being right here in the North West.
The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all locations on the list, and assessed factors such as schools, transport, culture, broadband speeds, access to green spaces, the health of the high streets, and much more to devise the always-talked-about annual ranking.
Macclesfield in Cheshire, Eden Valley in Cumbria, Lancaster in Lancashire, and Aigburth in Liverpool are just some of the North West areas named by the publication in the 2026 list.
Altrincham has been named one of the best places to live in the UK / Credit: The Manc Group
A spotlight has also been shone on two Greater Manchester towns, and one of two has even been given the regional North West title… but which are they?
Where has taken the top spot as the best place to live in the North West for 2026, and is therefore one of the best places to live in the whole of the country? Well, that honour has been given to none other than Greater Manchester’s very-own Altrincham.
The publication described the Trafford town as ‘classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable’.
“Altrincham is a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands, and now it’s flying even higher,” The Sunday Times said.
The fact that co-working has now arrived on the high street thanks to the conversion of the old Rackhams department store, and that the town’s cultural and creative ‘cachet’ is also on the rise, have been highlighted as reasons as to why Altrincham has been chosen as the North West’s winner, as well its newly-flourishing fitness scene.
Of course, the town has also been praised for its transport links into Manchester city centre and across the region, as well as it being a great place for families thanks to the excellent local schools on offer.
Didsbury was the other Greater Manchester town chosen to represent the best of the North West – with the Manchester suburb described as being ‘stylish, solid, safe, and, yes, a little bit smug in parts… but that’s okay’.
You can read the full Altrincham feature here, and see where else The Sunday Times included in its list for 2026 here.
Featured Image – Geograph
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11 arrested and £70k cash seized during early-morning police drug raids across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
11 people have been arrested, as well as a large amount of cash and drugs seized, during early-morning raids across Greater Manchester.
The raids took place during the early hours of the morning yesterday (Thursday 19 March 2026), where Greater Manchester Police (GMP) successfully executed eight warrants simultaneously across Tameside, Oldham, and Rochdale to tackle a ‘suspected criminal network’ involved in the distribution of class A drugs and firearms.
Officers from Tameside Programme Challenger team, the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), and GMP’s Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) were deployed to each of the addresses.
Following weeks of intelligence gathering and preparation, a total of 11 people – each aged between 24 and 77 – were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences during the raids.
Eight men and three women were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs, being part of an organised crime group, possession with intent to supply, money laundering, and possession of an offensive weapon.
They all remain in police custody for questioning at this time, GMP confirmed.
During searches of the addresses, various class A, B and C drugs – including crack cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and nitrous oxide – were seized, while further recoveries of £70,000 in cash, a zombie knife, a BB gun, and four vehicles were also made at the same time.
Speaking following the success of the raids yesterday, Chief Superintendent Shan Nasim, District Commander for Tameside, said: “[This] operation has been a powerful example of our continued, determined effort to dismantle organised crime in our district and Greater Manchester.
“We have 11 people in custody being questioned by our investigation teams in relation to an organised crime group (OCG) that have been causing widespread harm across our communities.
“This action caused significant disruption of an organised crime group (OCG) and has prevented drugs and weapons from reaching the streets, as well as the associated harms that come hand in hand with organised crime.
“Organised criminals exploit vulnerable people and blight our communities; we will take robust action to catch offenders, keep our communities safe, and protect vulnerable people across Greater Manchester.”
The Manc -
30th November 2020 
