Business

Sacha Lord vows to connect independent food traders with Greater Manchester pubs closed under Tier 3 restrictions

This is in the hopes that these businesses can "join the dots" and help each other out.

The Manc The Manc - 23rd October 2020
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Sacha Lord has taken to Twitter this morning vowing to “join the dots” and help connect local businesses hit hardest by Tier 3 restrictions in Greater Manchester.

Mr Lord – Night Time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester, and co-founder of Parklife Festival and Warehouse Project – has reached out by way of social media to the thousands of pubs across the region that have been required to shut doors today after not deemed to sell “substantial meals” as part of Tier 3 rules under the government’s new three tier coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions scheme.

He has offered to put these pubs in touch with his extensive contact list of independent festival food traders who are also out of work.

This is in the hopes that they can “join the dots” and “help each other out”.

Businesses interested in being connected are asked to email: [email protected]

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This gesture follows word of numerous businesses across England joining forces to remain open and afloat during what are some of the most turbulent times the hospitality industry has ever faced, and also comes after Mr Lord publicly announced that he had begun the process of taking legal action against the government.

Announcing the Judicial Review in a tweet on Wednesday, Mr Lord said: “Last night we started the Judicial Review into the legality of implementing emergency restrictions on Greater Manchester’s hospitality sector, without scientific evidence.

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A pre-action letter has been filed and we await the Health Secretary’s response.

“The fight goes on.”

Tier 3 restrictions officially came into effect in the Greater Manchester region at 0.01am today.

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Under Tier 3 regulations and guidance, several businesses must shut including:

  • Pubs and bars – according to the government, these venues “can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant” eg: serving “substantial meals” like a main lunchtime or evening meal. They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.
  • Casinos
  • Bingo halls
  • Betting shops
  • Adult gaming centres
  • Soft play areas

All hospitality businesses in the region must continue to stop trading at 10pm.

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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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Business

Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s official… Chester Zoo has been named to best zoo in the UK for 2024.

Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world – but now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.

The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.

Based on millions of online reviews, the new ranking puts the beloved Cheshire-based attraction ahead of the country’s other zoos after earning consistently good feedback from its visitors.

Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024 / Credit: Chester Zoo

According to Chester Zoo, the “wonderful news” means that, as a conservation charity, it can continue its work with countries across the world to “help all animals survive and thrive”, as well as provide expert care to the 37,000 animals who currently call the zoo their home.

The zoo has also thanked its visitors for all their continued support each year, as this allows to “keep making a difference”.

“With every admission ticket, membership, animal adoption, or experience purchased, you are contributing to our mission of preventing extinction,” Chester Zoo said in a statement.

Speaking on the coveted new TripAdvisor title, Jamie Chirston, who is the CEO at Chester Zoo, says he’s “over the moon to be named the best zoo in the UK”, adding in a statement that: “It’s an incredible achievement and especially pleasing given it’s based on thousands upon thousands of genuine reviews and opinions.

“It’s a real seal of approval from our visitors, and testament to every single one of our dedicated, hardworking, and talented staff that make our conservation zoo the wonderful place it is.

“Every time someone walks through our gates, not only do they enjoy all kinds of wildlife experiences and a have great day out, but they’re also contributing to the vital conservation work we carry out here and around the world, and that’s why, as a not-for-profit conservation zoo, this top TripAdvisor ranking means such an awful lot to us.

It’s all thanks to more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings by visitors on TripAdvisor / Credit: Chester Zoo

“It’s confirmation that we’re getting things right for our visitors, [which is] especially important as, together, we’re preventing extinction and making a real difference for wildlife.”

The UK’s best zoo isn’t the only title Chester Zoo has claimed this month either, as TripAdvisor has also listed it as the eighth-best zoo or aquarium to visit in the whole of Europe too.

Read more:

So it double congratulations are in order – and they couldn’t be more well-deserved, right?

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

Business

‘Not just for mums’ – Iceland drops iconic slogan after more than 50 years

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Iceland has dropped its iconic slogan after more than 50 years, and has finally admitted that it’s “not just for mums”.

We all know that “that’s why mums go to Iceland” is one of the most famous slogans in British retail history… but, as of last week, more than 50 years since it was first uttered on TV, Iceland has decided to say farewell to the iconic phrase.

The headline-grabbing move is thought to be the supermarket‘s bid to become more inclusive, as it has cited the decades-old tagline as “outdated”.

Iceland’s first use of ‘mum’ in its’ marketing campaigns was all the way back in 1970 with the phrase “Mums love it”, before it was slightly changed to “Mum’s gone to Iceland” in 1988 ahead of its expansion into Europe in 1991.

Iceland has dropped its iconic slogan after more than 50 years / Credit: Iceland Foods

Then finally, in 2004, the frozen food retailer introduced its now most-iconic strapline, “So that’s why mums go to Iceland”, to coincide with introducing celebrity pop star Kerry Katona as the new face of its TV advertisements.

But now, as part of its latest advertising campaign, the world ‘mum’ has been dropped once and for all in favour of the altered tagline “That’s why we go to Iceland.

Explaining its decision to part way with its use of ‘mums’, Iceland’s Executive Chairman Richard Walker commented: “Iceland’s always been number one with mums, but the reality is, people from all walks of life, and life stage, choose to shop with us. That includes everyone from students and seniors, to single-parent families, mums, dads, and fitness enthusiasts.

“We’re a Great British institution, and open to all.”

Alongside the new slogan, Iceland is continuing its tradition of appointing celebrity mums as the face of the company.

TV presenter Josie Gibson has landed the role of the supermarket’s new ambassador.

Read more:

“With her famous warmth and positivity, Josie is the perfect person to encapsulate the friendly welcome all our customers receive at Iceland,” Mr Walker continued, adding that the retailer is “delighted to have her onboard”.

Featured Image – Iceland Foods

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