A Metrolink trial allowing dogs to ride the trams in Manchester has officially got underway today.
From 1 August, pooches will be permitted to use the service with their owners while TfGM decides whether to make it a permanent feature of the tram network.
Dogs haven’t been allowed on board since Metrolink’s inception 30 years ago, with the exception of service dogs.
They are allowed on buses and trains, and in London are allowed on the Underground, but Manchester’s strict rules have frustrated dog-owners for years.
The Manc team’s dogs on the Metrolink tram network this morning. Credit: The Manc Group
TfGM says it wants the Bee Network to ‘work for everybody and for public transport to be as accessible as possible’.
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We here at The Manc took a group of our four-legged friends down to Manchester Piccadilly this morning to see what commuting is like with your pets in tow, and absolutely loved it.
So many dog-owners in Greater Manchester are limited by the ban on dogs, with beautiful green spaces – like Heaton Park, Ordsall Park and Sale Water Park – difficult to access without the Metrolink.
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Relaxing the rules will allow many to abandon their cars and use the Bee Network instead.
The dogs on trams trial does come with a set of strict rules that people will have to follow, which are outlined below.
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Metrolink will allow a maximum of two well-behaved dogs per passenger without charge, but you will be liable for their behaviour.
Dogs must always be kept on a lead and under control at all times. They will need to be able to listen to your commands and travel without bothering other passengers.
Your dog is your responsibility. If your dog is involved in an incident concerning another passenger or member of the public, you will be liable.
If your dog makes a mess on the tram, stop or anywhere on the network, you will need to clean it up and inform a member of staff where possible.
Dogs are not allowed on seats while travelling on the tram.
Be considerate of others on the Metrolink network who may be frightened of dogs, or who may be allergic to dog hair.
Be aware of your dog’s needs. Bring water and treats for your dog if you need to, but also make sure you have poo bags and wipes so that you can clean up after any mess your dog makes, on or off the tram.
Please keep your dog away from assistance dogs and the disabled boarding points.
You should avoid being in the wheelchair space on the tram and must move out of this space if a wheelchair or pram user needs it.
TfGM is inviting people to share their views and experiences in this survey during the trial.
Featured image: The Manc Group
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One in 10 Brits are fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party, new survey finds
Emily Sergeant
We’re in peak office Christmas party season right about now.
With just under two weeks to go until the big day itself is here, many businesses across the UK are treating their staff to night out to celebrate both the festive season and all of the hard work they have been putting in throughout the year… and as you can expect, these are usually quite eventful gatherings, shall we say.
But now, a survey by has shed light on just how ‘eventful’ they actually are, as a new survey has revealed that, apparently, one in ten Brits face some sort of disciplinary action or dismissal due to their behaviour at Christmas parties.
The study was conducted by After Drink, and included more than 2,000 participants.
During the research, it was highlighted that 89% of employees admitted to drinking alcohol at these events, Lad Bible reports – with 65% of these confessing that they drank “excessively”.
One in 10 Brits get fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party / Credit: Kraken Images | Mimi Thian (via Unsplash)
There are a multitude of incidents which could lead to disciplinary action in the workplace nowadays, but according to the survey, some of the common reasons following festive celebrations with colleagues included inappropriate comments (23%) and even getting into fights (21%).
16% of these incidents were because of drug use during the event, while inappropriate interactions with colleagues accounted for 14%.
Some of the legal reasons you can be fired from your place of work after a Christmas party include gross misconduct, drunken behaviour, and fighting of any kind.
Despite all these risks, however, Christmas parties still remain as popular as always, and a whopping 79% of respondents said they are planning to attend theirs this year.
Clearly, the moral of the story here is , enjoy yourself… but just not too much.
Featured Image – The OurWhiskey Company (via Pexels)
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Half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner, new survey reveals
Emily Sergeant
Christmas dinner is one of the key parts of any festive celebration.
No matter whether you choose to tuck into a traditional roast with all the trimmings and lashings of gravy, or you prefer to go for something a little different like a curry or a Chinese instead, your Christmas dinner is a chance to gather round with your loved ones and enjoy one of the heartiest meals you’ll likely have all year.
However, some shocking new figures have revealed that half of Manchester residents have no clue how to even cook a Christmas dinner.
Through a major study by the UK’s leading electrical retailer, AO.com, it was revealed that the majority of our city’s residents are “losing confidence” in preparing even the simplest of British dishes – with a traditional roast or Christmas dinner being one of them.
A new survey has revealed that half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner / Credit: Freepik | GoodFon
As part of its new campaign to get Brits back into the kitchen, AO found that just 57% of respondents reckon they would be able to make a roast dinner, 52% could whip up a classic shepherd’s pie, 58% could cook bangers and mash, merely 61% could prepare a full English breakfast, and again, only 57% could tackle fish and chips.
Classic desserts are clearly a struggle for us Mancs too, according to the survey, as only 19% of respondents said they’d feel confident cooking a Christmas pudding.
The survey also found that nationwide, it was Gen Z – those between the age of 16 and 27 – that are the least confident in their ability to cook great British classics, while on the other end of the spectrum, Baby Boomers are the most capable, proving that culinary confidence increases with age.
Our region’s residents are apparently ‘losing confidence’ at cooking simple British classics / Credit: Freepik
Commenting on the results, Jay Lockton, oven expert at AO.com, said: “Kitchens should be a place of creativity and joy, but our data shows that a lot of people in Manchester are losing confidence in preparing even the simplest of British dishes.
“Based on our findings, many younger people may be opting for convenience foods or takeaways due to their busy schedules and the perception that cooking from scratch is time-consuming or difficult.
Daisy Jackson -
1st August 2022 
