News

Wigan man fined for having a cup of tea with his mate during lockdown

"As a follow on from yesterday's post reminding you we are currently in Lockdown 2.0 as they say and under Government restrictions, a fixed penalty was issued to a male last night who decided he was going to see his mate and have a brew with him..."

The Manc The Manc - 9th November 2020

A man in Wigan has been issued with a fixed penalty notice after breaching coronavirus regulations by having a brew with his mate.

As reported in the MEN, Greater Manchester Police’s Golborne and Lowton team said they’d fined a man who had popped round to see his pal for a cup of tea on Friday evening.

The male then apparently “tried to lie” about his reasons for being at the property and was subsequently handed a fixed penalty notice.

The police statement, posted on social media, read: “As a follow on from yesterday’s post reminding you we are currently in Lockdown 2.0 as they say and under Government restrictions, a fixed penalty was issued to a male last night who decided he was going to see his mate and have a brew with him and to make matters worse he tried to lie about why he was there.

“You cannot go to another person’s address unless for certain exemptions i.e. child care, support bubble etc. full details are available online.”

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Under current lockdown regulations, members of separate households are not allowed to mix indoors except in particular circumstances.

For a first breach, people must hand over £200 – or £100 if paid within two weeks.

Either, way, that’s a seriously expensive cup of tea.

News

Work on Greater Manchester’s very own ‘Tebay-style’ motorway service station is finally underway

Danny Jones Danny Jones New Tebay service station Altrincham Tatton Greater Manchester

You heard us right: the time has come for Greater Manchester to level up its service station game, as work on the long-talked-about Tebay-style venue over in Trafford has finally begun.

Those motorway trips are about to get even better.

We first heard about the vision to provide a brand-new Tatton Services back in March 2022, with the Westmorland Family – known not only for Tebay but the similarly popular Gloucester and Cairns Lodge equivalents – promising to deliver a new top-quality stop-off point in the region.

It’s one that people across the North West have been keeping a keen eye on ever since, and now the dial is finally moving on the major project. You can see more detailed images here:

Credit: Publicity pictures (via Westmorland Family)

With the Westmorlands and the official Tatton Estate agreeing a partnership that weighs heavily in the former’s favour, the new services will be located around the M56 near the Bowdon Roundabout in Altrincham.

Bordering the electoral ward of Trafford and Cheshire, it is set to be located between junctions seven and eight of the M6 motorway near neighbouring Millington and Rostherne.

It’s estimated to cost more than £65 million and will be one of the most expensive developments of its kind the country has ever seen, with only the pending Chalfont St Peter station by Extra Motorway Services Group set to be more expensive (approximately £90m).

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As per Forecourt Trader, the blueprints include a dedicated 100-room hotel, one of their trademark farm shops that those travelling rave about so much, a petrol station, as well as 40 charging bays for electric vehicles. Service station facilities have come a long way since 1972, when Tebay first opened.

However, while plans are at long last getting underway, it will be arriving much later than expected, with the initial opening date slated for some time later this year; instead, it is now they are now aiming for spring 2028, meaning you’ll just have to make do with the OG for now.

We promise this was purely a coincidence on our way back from Kendal Calling 2026, by the way…

Speaking on behalf of family, the Tatton Services Proposal team, and members of the estate, Westmorland chair Sarah Dunning said in a recent statement on the update: “We’re very excited to bring our proper food offer and ethos to Cheshire.

“From day one, this is about creating something rooted in the local landscape and community. We have committed to working with at least 70 producers within 30 miles of the site – and we hope that number will grow as relationships flourish.

“We’re also creating over 400 skilled jobs for local people, alongside apprenticeships and training programmes designed to build meaningful, long-term careers in the food industry. Our ambition is not only to serve travellers but to create opportunities and lasting value for the communities around us.”

What do you make of the proposed plans for the ‘next Tebay‘?

tatton services map
Credit: Westmorland

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Featured Images — Westmorland Family

News

Major incident declared in response to Greater Manchester wildfires ‘stood down’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Wildfire on the moors

The major incident that was declared in response to several wildfires across Greater Manchester has now officially been ‘stood down’.

Nearly a month on from the first blaze breaking out near the popular beauty spot of Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham on 11 July, which then unfortunately went on to merge with a fire at Tintwistle and Swineshaw, prompting a major multi-agency response, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The fire service says it has made the decision to ‘stand down’ the major incident that was declared in response to the fires.

It comes after firefighters worked hard in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.

Greater Manchester moorland fires are still burning after more than two weeks / Credit: GMFRS

Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies were also deployed over the past month as operations continued across multiple sectors.

While the major incident has been stood down, however, GMFRS says it wants to be clear that the fire is ‘not over’ yet.

Issuing a formal statement on the current situation as it stands, GMFRS said: “Reflecting the significant progress that has been made over recent weeks, the fire is now largely contained and the risk of further significant spread reduced substantially.

“This milestone has only been possible because of the outstanding efforts of firefighters, landowners, and partner agencies and organisations, who have shown incredible professionalism, commitment and resilience throughout a challenging and prolonged incident.

“Whilst standing down the major incident is an important step forward, the incident is not over.

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“Fire is still present beneath the surface so firefighters will remain at the scene to monitor and contain any fire spread, while working alongside our partners to support ongoing recovery efforts.”

Featured Image – Emma Renly (via Unsplash)

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