Whether you can believe it or not, a new survey has revealed that cats have become more friendly to their owners over the past few months of lockdown.
As most cat owners will tell you, these furry creatures aren’t always known for their friendly natures, or should we just say, they don’t exactly wear their affection on their sleeves in the same as their canine counterparts are known to do, but the feline sass is part of what distinguishes cat people from dog people after all.
It seems now though that the lines of friendliness are being blurred a little.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has altered everyone’s perspectives on life and this newly-conduced survey by Direct Line has shown that our pets are no different.
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Nearly 90% of respondents to the survey who have a cat in their lives said that their feline friend had provided them emotional support since March.
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One woman who responded to the survey revealed that her 15-year-old cat named Humphrey has been a lot more affectionate during lockdown and said: “He has never been a cuddly cat and didn’t enjoy a tickle like other cats I’ve had.
“He is a friendly boy, but he’s very aloof and loved being out and about, but a few weeks into lockdown he started sitting on my lap when I’m watching TV, which wouldn’t have happened before, and now he likes coming up to bed with us. I always take the dogs out last thing and Humph now waits for me in the garden.”
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A further 51% of respondents also said that their cat has been outside considerably less during the lockdown.
Although this feline affection will have been lovely while it lasted, when it comes to cat owners heading back into work post-lockdown, don’t be expecting your cat to be clawing at your leg and begging you to stay as according to Veterinarian Dr Kate Adams, “cats will probably be very glad when we all go back to work”.
“They’ll probably be like, ‘Okay, bye guys, I want this house back to myself now.” she added.
Some things never change, do they?
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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 -
18th August 2020 
