UK News

Pubs in England permitted to stay open until 11:15pm for Euro 2020 final

Ministers have made the announcement in anticipation of the game going to extra time and penalties.

The Manc The Manc - 6th July 2021

Pubs in England have been given the green light to stay open until the later time of 11:15pm for the Euro 2020 final on Sunday.

The decision was confirmed by Downing Street today.

Gareth Southgate’s England squad will face Denmark in the semi-final of European football’s flagship tournament tomorrow evening – but regardless of whether they defeat their opponents to make it through to the final, pubs will be permitted to remain open for the full duration of the match on Sunday (11 July).

The extended closing time of 11:15pm has been chosen in the event that the highly-anticipated final match should be taken to extra time and penalties.

“We are taking forward plans to allow pubs to open until 11.15pm on Sunday,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson confirmed.

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“The entire nation has been gripped by the Euros and this will ensure people can get together to enjoy the final in pubs, should they wish to do so.

“I’m sure everyone will want to wish England well in the semi-final.”

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Wembley will host 60,000 fans for the final of Euro 2020 on Sunday / Credit: UEFA

Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night urged the nation to support the Three Lions “enthusiastically, but in a responsible way”.

Pubs in England normally have to shut at 10:30pm on Sundays, but it was reported that officials feared chaotic scenes if fans were thrown out before the conclusion of the final at Wembley.

An emergency “tweak” of the law is set to be brought forward in Commons imminently to change opening times for one day.

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Wembley will host 60,000 fans for both semi-finals and the final of Euro 2020 on 11 July.

Featured Image – The Oast House

UK News

Manchester City fans appeal to Pep Guardiola ahead of planned protest at Wolves game

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester City fans planning protest over season tickets for Wolves game

A number of Manchester City fan groups have come together to appeal to the club and Pep Guardiola in particular ahead of a planned protest at the Etihad Stadium over season tickets and matchday prices this week.

Man City are set to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League this Friday, but with the title now wrapped up and just European football left to secure (not a certainty but still expected), plenty of Blues’ attention has turned to the pressing issue of further impending ticket changes.

Not only are prices going up once again, and season tickets still somehow increasingly scarce/difficult to secure, even despite plans to increase the stadium’s capacity already underway, four different supporters organisations have come together to pen an open letter to Pep personally.

Quoting Pep’s own comments on wanting the stands to be more “alive” on matchday, they begin by writing: “With that in mind, we ask you for one more favour.”

The direct address urges the Catalan coach to implore club CEO, Ferran Soriano, to “do one more good thing” and reconsider their current stance on ticket policies and pricing, with the ‘Flexi-Gold Season Tickets’ advent alone causing considerable controversy.

Leading supporters organisation, The 1894 Group, goes on to add: “The stadium is growing by 8,000 next season and the fans want the club to bring back some real season tickets so that the generational links can be protected.

“The amount of season ticket-holders in the stadium has been shrinking. When fans cannot attend games the club then cannot resell those tickets because they are priced too high. We think the club has time to rethink two issues: season ticket availability and matchday pricing.

“We want the same things as you. A powerful club, with a loud atmosphere in the stadium. Surely the most important thing is to ensure there are no empty seats inside the Etihad?”

Insisting that the Etihad buzz will never reach the heights that Pep has cried out for in recent times, if they do not create better avenues for younger ‘Cityzens’ to attend games and ensure that “generational links can be protected.”

1894 Group are also spearheading a campaign to give a proper send-off to club legend Kevin De Bruyne, who revealed that he wasn’t offered a new contract before deciding to leave at the end of this season.

Warning that those at the club will not “get the atmosphere you crave if you do not think again” and take their suggestions on board, the overarching goal was put in the simplest terms: “no empty seats inside the Etihad Stadium.”

As for the planned peaceful demonstration itself, a boycott of seats is scheduled to take place before the Wolves fixture at 8pm on Friday, 2 May.

It’s unclear how many in attendance will participate in the protest, but with adults facing £88 and kids up to £58, those inside the ground will no doubt echo their stance.

With Lionness and former Man City Women player Esme Morgan even coming out to criticise the new restrictions regarding season tickets, the profile of this protest is definitely increasing.

Esme Morgan calls out Manchester City over new season ticket restrictions
She may not be able to regularly attend Man City games these days, but still shares the feelings of those fans set to protest.

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Featured Images — Dunk (via Flickr)/ football.ua (via Wikimedia Commons)

UK News

A literacy charity is making its way to Manchester bringing lots of FREE books

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

A charity dedicated to literacy is coming to Manchester in May providing families and individuals with plenty of free books.

Led by Bookbanks, this London-founded organisation was set up in line with food banks to provide people with access to free books and now they’re coming all the way to Manchester.

This charity started in 2022 all thanks to writer and journalist Emily Rhodes, who has read her fair share of books and wants to give this privilege to anyone who might not be able to get their hands on any.

The charity has seen widespread positive reception quickly expanding into Norfolk and is now partnering with various food banks in Manchester, marking the organisation’s first Northern venture.

Bookbanks gives out an average of 30 books per week, per site and has distributed over 5,000 books so far at food banks.

Crates being organised in Manchester food bank.
Crates being organised in Manchester food bank.
Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

Titled Bookbanks after the fact that they work very closely with food banks to provide books far and wide to food banks across the UK, they also host a range of interactive events.

Alongside all the fantastic work the team do, there’s a handful of free workshops and author events on offer for all ages and backgrounds, to further build the connection between people and their books.

Currently, there are two famous figures backing this book-based charity, Elizabeth Day and Andrew O’Hagan, both of which are no stranger to a pen and paper.

Day is an award-winning author who has written nine fiction and non-fiction books to date, while O’Hagan is Booker Prize nominated and is London Review of Books’ Editor-at-Large.

Bookbanks relies on the general public to spread their message further and there’s even a section on their website detailing how you can get involved to continue distributing books within food banks.

One of Bookbank's many free author events, some of which will hopefully take place in Manchester.
One of Bookbank’s many free author events, some of which will hopefully take place in Manchester.
Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

Whether you’re an avid runner or keen to try something new why not raise money for and be sponsored by Bookbanks, knowing you’ve done your bit to bring books to those who need them most.

If you don’t fancy lacing up those trainers and heading out for a run, why not donate any old books you’ve finished reading to this book-focused charity and allow others to discover a whole new world of reading.

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Bookbanks first official Manchester site will launch on Friday 2 May at Manchester Central Food bank and a second site is already in talks at Greater Together Manchester’s Social Supermarket in Miles Platting.

To find out more ways to get involved as a company, publisher, member of public and more, you can find all information on their official site HERE.

Featured Image: Publicity Picture via Annabelle Williams

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