Blackpool Zoo has confirmed the the king of its lion pride has been “put to sleep” after suffering from age-related health conditions.
With work currently going on to renovate the Big Cat House at the Lancashire-based zoo, and many of the lions having to relocate to other zoos across the UK in the meantime, king of the Pride of Blackpool, Wallace – who was an African Lion, was nearly 16-years-old, and was undoubtedly one of the zoo’s most popular residents – underwent a series of pre-transfer tests in anticipation of his temporary move.
While those tests were being carried out, the zoo said that several “age-related health conditions” were identified.
But despite taking the time to explore all possible options, Blackpool Zoo confirmed in a statement over the weekend that both the animal team and the veterinary experts eventually concluded that “the kindest thing” to do was to put Wallace to sleep.
“Wallace’s massive personality was matched only by his impressive roar and he will be greatly missed,” the zoo said in a touching post on social media.
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Blackpool Zoo confirmed that Wallace’s legacy will now live on in his son Khari – who has been moved to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo while the Big Cat House at Blackpool is being renovated – and that it is now in discussions with other UK zoos to decide which lions will be joining Khari to create “a new pride” in Blackpool.
Khari will become the head of the group when the new Big Cat House opens at Blackpool Zoo in Spring 2023.
The zoo also provided an update on its Amur Tiger, Alyona – who has recently taken up residence in a new home at Woodside Wildlife Park in Lincolnshire.
Alyona will initially live in her own facility at her temporary home – which has been purpose-built to meet the needs of tigers – and Blackpool Zoo says that further discussions will now take place to find a suitable companion for her ahead of her return to Blackpool next year.
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Updates on Khari and Alyona’s progress in the coming months will be provided by the zoo.
Since announcing the tragic news of Wallace’s passing, Blackpool Zoo said its staff and keepers have been comforted by “the outpouring of messages” it has received from members of the public on social media.
The zoo has encouraged people to continue sharing photos and memories of Wallace, as staff “love to see them”.
Drinks prices revealed as Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub opens inside T2
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Manchester Airport’s first-ever JD Wetherspoon pub has officially opened its doors inside Terminal 2.
The 300-seater pub – which welcomed its first customers earlier this week – is named The Belle Vue after Manchester’s historic showground.
Throughout the pub, you’ll spot design features that nod to the city’s sporting heritage – including vintage event posters and memorabilia, a ‘locker wall’ hosting trophies and other sporting exhibits, and a cricket-themed design in the carpets and bar panels.
Creating around 150 jobs in the process, The Belle Vue is the final planned new eatery to open in the airport’s redeveloped Terminal 2, marking one of the final steps in the super-terminal’s decade-long, £1.5bn transformation.
Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub has opened inside Terminal 2 / Credit: Supplied
According to the MEN, pints are priced from £6.20 for Carling and Coors lager, £6.45 for Budweiser, £6.60 for Guinness, and £6.70 for Poretti and 1664 Biere.
Prosecco is £9.20 for 175ml glass and £37.10 for the full bottle, while spirts and mixers are £6.80 for singles and £10.20 for doubles.
There’s also the classic Wetherspoons tea and coffee machines, where you can refill as many times as you like for just £3.60.
“It’s a proud moment to see the final new retail unit opening in our new-look Terminal 2,” commented Richard Jackson, who is the Retail Director at Manchester Airport.
“To be rounding off this 10-year programme by adding such an iconic name as Wetherspoon to the terminal is particularly special and we know that it will prove extremely popular with passengers. We think they’ll love the nods to Manchester’s heritage in the décor and design – and of course the name.”
The Belle Vue will be open from the first flight to the final flight each day, and food will be served from opening until 10pm.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Emily Sergeant -
16th May 2022 
