Ever wondered what self-driving cars are actually like? Manchester will have the opportunity to find out this weekend.
In what is part of an innovative study lead by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) – which is a joint Department for Transport, and Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy unit – the people of Manchester are being invited to head on down to the Great Self Driving Exploration this Friday 22 – Sunday 24 July.
The exciting new event is happening at the Etihad Campus, next to the Metrolink stop, and will be open over the three days from 9am-6pm.
Self-driving vehicles are said to have the potential to make our journeys “greener, safer, and more reliable”, and could make a difference to everyone’s transport – no matter where they live, whatever their income level, and whether they have a disability that limits their ability to access to different transport services.
The Great Self Driving Exploration roadshow will give people the chance to look at self-driving vehicles, ask questions about them, and even take a ride in one if they fancy.
ADVERTISEMENT
A safety supervisor will always be in the vehicle with anybody test-driving.
The Great Self Driving Exploration is coming to Manchester this Friday 22 – Sunday 24 July / Credit: Pxhere
They will be ready to take control should there be any requirement to do so, as well as being on hand to help answer any other questions people may have.
ADVERTISEMENT
The CCAV is working with BritainThinks to bring the event to our city.
“This is an ideal opportunity for people from Manchester and the wider North West to see first-hand the innovation, safety features and convenience that self-driving technology could bring to our roads and communities,” said Transport Minister Trudy Harrison.
“This innovation has the potential to completely reform how we get from A to B.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’ll make our future journeys easier, more environmentally friendly, and most importantly, safer, while creating thousands of high skilled job opportunities right across the UK.”
Lucy Farrow – Associate Partner at BritainThinks – adds that the event will offer “a unique opportunity” to understand both what people think of self-driving vehicles as they are now, and what their “hopes and expectations” are for the future.
Featured Image – Pxhere
Trending
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester
Emily Sergeant
Today is National Doughnut Day, and to celebrate, Morrisons is on the look-out for one sweet treat fan to take on a new role.
That’s right – today (5 June) is National Doughnut Day, and Morrisons is officially on the hunt for the nation’s ultimate doughnut devotee with the launch of its brand-new (and delicious) role, The Chief Doughnut Tester – with all glaze enthusiasts, sprinkle connoisseurs, and jam-filled aficionados urged to get applying.
The search is on to crown one lucky fan who’ll take on the dream job of taste-testing their way through the supermarket‘s range of doughnuts.
The Chief Doughnut Tester is more than just a title, Morrisons says it’s ‘serious business’.
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester / Credit: Morrisons
The new hire will be tasked with taste-testing doughnuts before they hit the shelves, giving verdicts on new flavours and textures, all in the name of research.
The role will also involve teaming up with Morrisons’ internal doughnut-expert team to develop new and limited-edition treats that’ll be in stores next year.
Crowned as the nation’s definitive doughnut authority, the selected winner won’t just earn the title of Chief Doughnut Tester, they’ll also receive the ultimate of sweet perks – a year’s free supply of Morrisons fresh doughnuts, which the retailer sells more than 1.1 million of weekly.
Aspiring Chief Doughnut Testers can apply on the Morrisons website here, by filling in a short 200-words about why’re the ideal candidate.
Applications close at midnight tonight (Friday 5 June), so you’ll need to be quick.
Featured Image – Annie Spratt (via Unsplash)
Trending
First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
Emily Sergeant -
20th July 2022 
