A number of essential retail and hospitality outlets have remained open in two of the region’s largest shopping centres under Tier 4 restrictions.
Greater Manchester was placed into Tier 4 restrictions following the second official review of the UK government’s system last Wednesday, which has seen all Greater Manchester residents told to “stay at home” and not leave / be outside of their home except for specific purposes.
All hospitality and non-essential retail has thus closed – except for takeaway, drive-through or delivery services – as well as all indoor leisure and entertainment venues having closed too.
But a selection of businesses in Manchester Arndale and the Trafford Centre have remained open.
This “partial opening” of the two shopping centres is permitted under Tier 4 restrictions to provide visitors with a range of services deemed essential.
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Manchester Arndale
Manchester Arndale is currently open to provide access to a number of essential retail services.
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Additionally, a selection of retailers have also chosen to provide a Click & Collect service, and a number of food outlets are also offering takeaway and delivery services in line with Tier 4 regulations, with the mall asking shoppers to consume takeaway food and drink outside the centre as sitting inside the centre is not permitted.
Shoppers are encouraged to check the website of the stores they wish to visit as opening times may vary.
In line with government guidelines, visitors are required to wear face coverings upon entry to the centre, and in all stores and communal areas throughout, except fo those with medical conditions and disabilities who are exempt to the rule, along with children under the age of 11.
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Customers will also be required to wear face coverings when ordering takeaway food and drink from shops.
The list of shops and hospitality businesses currently open in Manchester Arndale are:
Aldi
Apple (Click & Collect)
Argos (Click & Collect)
Arndale Market
Boots
Cafe Nero (Takeaway Only)
Chopstix (Takeaway Only)
Costa Market Street & Winter Garden (Takeaway Only)
Currys PC World (Click & Collect)
Euro Change Lower & Upper Mall
Five Guys (Takeaway Only)
Greggs Lower & Upper Mall (Takeaway Only)
Hasty Tasty (Takeaway Only)
Holland & Barrett
i Smash
Krispy Kreme (Takeaway Only)
KFC (Takeaway Only)
Lush (Click & Collect)
McDonalds (Takeaway Only)
Metro Bank
Nespresso (Click & Collect)
Newspoint
Next (Click & Collect)
Over the Rainbow
Pandora (Click & Collect)
Post Office
Poundland
Rymans
Specsavers
Starbucks (Takeaway Only)
Subway Upper Mall (Takeaway Only)
Superdrug
Timpson
Taco Bell (Takeaway Only)
Vision Express
Vodafone (Takeaway Only)
WH Smith
Wilko
You can find more information via the Manchester Arndale website here.
Manchester Arndale
Trafford Centre
The Trafford Centre is also “partially open” as Greater Manchester kicks off the new year in Tier 4.
The shopping centre will be giving customers access to essential services including pharmacies, opticians and the M&S Foodhall, and several food outlets will also be staying open to offer takeaway, as well as Click & Collect, and virtual services.
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Mirroring that of Manchester Arndale and according to government regulations, face coverings must be worn at all times – unless exempt – and all food and drink must be consumed outside the centre.
Opening times of each store may vary.
A statement on the Trafford Centre website writes: “We’ve always put the safety of visitors and staff first and we’d like to say an enormous thank you to our customers for doing their part and our amazing staff for keeping The Trafford Centre clean and safe.”
The list of shops and hospitality businesses currently open in the Trafford Centre are:
Boots
M&S Food
Superdrug
Holland and Barrett
Vision Express
Optical Express
WHSmith
Archie’s
Barburrito
Burger King
Costa
Five Guys
Frankie & Benny’s
Gourmet Burger Kitchen
Greggs
Haute Dolci
KFC
Krispy Kreme
McDonalds
Millies
Pizza Hut
Slim Chickens
Starbucks
Tampopo
Tru Street
Three entrances to the Trafford Centre will remain open in Tier 4 – the lower entrance next to Debenhams, the entrance next to Namco Funscape, and the lower entrance next to John Lewis.
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You can find more information via the Trafford Centre website here.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Could the reaction to Casemiro’s swansong Man United season see him stay ‘one more year’?
Danny Jones
Casemiro has arguably been up there with one of the best Manchester United signings in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, after the likes of Bruno Fernandes; maybe not in terms of how it’s impacted the wider transfer budget, but now he’s about to leave, most supporters aren’t ready to let him go.
Truly, if they had their way, many would happily keep him for at least “one more year”, as they continuously chanted during the most recent home game.
However, with the footballing veteran himself admitting that he’s been left moved by the response and certainly basked in the chants for him to stay following the win over Aston Villa last weekend, another one in which he chipped in with a key goal.
Casemiro scored the opener in what went on to be a vital 3-1 win in their pursuit of Champions League places, and has made it clear that, like the rest of the squad, this is his only goal for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign.
But with United now looking closer to securing third or perhaps even chasing down second place, according to many (some have even gone further than that…), this current, albeit still early doors, resurgence under Michael Carrick could be the start of a corner turned for the one serial winners.
However, fans have seen many false dawns at Old Trafford over the past decade or so, and there is obviously the risk of him ultimately spoiling what should now be a fine and fitting farewell.
Then again, after speaking in a recent interview with Sky Sports, the 34-year-old said it’s been “way more” special than he was expecting since he revealed his plans to leave on a high, and stranger things have happened.
You only have to look at Mohammed Salah and Liverpool, who looked all set to go before eventually U-turning and signing a new deal – though contract terms no doubt helped swing those negotiations.
As one of the highest-earning players not just at Man United or even the Premier League but in Europe, he’s already earned serious amounts during his time with the Red Devils, so there is a belief that the incumbent INEOS board would be happy to shift him off the books and reinvest in replacing him.
#mufc are in advanced talks to sign Bruno Guimaraes for around €80m, but renewed interest from Real Madrid threatens to complicate the proposed move [@Reuters, @fernandokallas]
The likes of Guimaraes, previously courted Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Wolves duo André and Joao Gomes have all been linked with possible moves to Manchester of late.
In fact, depending on how much room Jim Ratcliffe and co. have for spending on recruitment, they could potentially even cover the wages of more than one signing in the middle of the park or other positions that they feel may require further reinforcements.
All this is still very much in theory, of course, and while Casemiro has seemingly confirmed that he will depart this summer, who knows how much of the recent reaction and outpouring of love and support from the Stretford End and beyond could potentially sway the outcome?…
Then again, do you think reconsidering the decision would be a wise move, or at his age, is four years in the English top flight enough?
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot)/Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Two incredible locals are running all the way from Rochdale to London for a deeply touching cause
Danny Jones
This April, our eyes will be firmly focused on ‘Project240’: the incredible charity challenge being taken on by two inspiring Greater Manchester natives that will see them run all the way to London for a cause very close to their hearts.
And once they’re there, they’ve got one last rather big run to get done, too.
Project240 is being taken on by locals Alex and James, who will be running (you guessed it) 240 miles from Rochdale all the way to the capital before then taking on the 2026 London Marathon.
Staggering stuff, we’re sure you’ll agree, but it becomes an even more moving story when you find out why they’re doing it.
Taking on multiple ultras split across stages on behalf of Springhill Hospice in their hometown, this pair of lads will be cramming in the remarkable distance into less than a week.
More importantly, they’re also hoping to reach a seriously impressive and significant fundraising target of £26,000 for the facility to mark the year and in honour of one very important person.
For anyone unaware of their story, the duo are running in memory of Alex’s father, Darren, who was sadly diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) at the age of 45 back in 2021.
In an effort to give back to the organisation that did so much for his dad and raise more awareness around MND, they’ll be spreading the five ultra-marathons and this year’s major London race across six days, as well as facing the shared struggle head-on with Darren in their thoughts as always.
He sadly passed away on 23 January 2020, spending just a single precious night at the Hospice – one that has left a lasting impression on their family, with Alex saying simply, “I don’t know what we would have done without Springhill Hospice.”
Credit: Supplied
He went on to add: “The care given to my dad and our family was incredible, which made the most traumatic time of our lives that little bit easier.
“Springhill Hospice is a pillar of our community, and we need to do everything we can to keep the doors open.” We couldn’t agree more; both Alex and James have our utmost admiration for what they’re about to take on, and we wish them all the best.
The route – which they will begin on Tuesday, 21 April and are scheduled to complete the following Sunday – will take them from the old Lancashire town, through Buxton, Ashbourne, Hinckley, Old Stratford, before making it all the way to Greenwich and finally London.
Last but not least, you can donate to the fundraiser right HERE.
The Manc -
4th January 2021 
