As Greater Manchester prepares for the launch of the Bee Network’s bus franchising system in September, 300 new recruits are expected to get behind the wheels of a massive new fleet.

Bringing control of the bus network back into council hands has many more implications than just yellow buses with a bee symbol – it is a complete shift in how companies run the buses. Go North West, one of the new bus franchise contractors has been training up numerous new drivers in anticipation of the launch.

To see what life is like in the shoes of a new driving recruit, we tried getting behind the wheel ourselves.

Arriving at Queens Road Bus Depot, the base of Go North West, it’s hard to believe that there are around 200 buses parked up behind the face of a Grade-II listed building. Beyond those walls it is a hive of activity with new recruits being sent off for training and old hands setting off for their usual routes in different corners of Greater Manchester.

There is a buzz about the place as management prepares for September 24, 2023 – when a London-style transport system will be rolled out. This will start with Bolton and Wigan, as well as parts of Manchester, Salford and Bury.

“Overnight, we will have a whole new brand for Manchester and that means us taking on the employment of all the staff that work there (in the Wigan and Bolton depots), the buses, the ticket machines,” Nigel Featham, managing director of Go North West said. “It will be a really big weekend for us and for Manchester.

“We have been engaging in a big recruitment campaign. We are aiming to pull in 300 people. We’ve never tried to recruit on this scale before.

“It is really fascinating to see people from all walks of life deciding they want to try bus driving. What people realise is that, you have the importance of looking after passengers, but you are part of everyday Manchester life.

“You are out there on the open road and you don’t really have a boss.”

Becoming a new recruit for the day, the Local Democracy Reporting Service was given access to a new yellow bus and an experienced instructor to learn the ropes. After learning the basics of the buttons and how to actually make the bus go, it was off to the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford to hit the practice track.

After dodging bollards, weaving through lampposts and reversing into tight spaces – it is clear there is more to being a bus driver than just steering an 11 tonne vehicle. The safety of passengers, other road users and the pedestrians outside is a key component to the work these new drivers spend weeks perfecting.

Not only do they learn how to get a feel for the bus they are driving, but they need to know the bus routes like the back of their hand. Dealing with the public constantly and making sure they get to their destination on time is something Go North West are keen to get right as soon as possible.

The whole point of bringing buses back into the control of council is to improve reliability, make fares fairer and make sure routes are targeting those in need of a bus. The new contract holders are confident they can deliver that, but they also want to maintain the atmosphere and feeling around the place this new scheme has sparked.

“There is something exciting about the transition,” Mr Featham continued. “I think people will see a difference visually with the buses becoming yellow.

“They won’t all be yellow, but gradually they will be. It will be an iconic look.

“Eventually, every bus everywhere in Manchester will be part of that Bee Network look. This is the first place outside London to go down the franchising route.

“Putting it back under public control means lots of people will be looking at how it works. The plan is to make this a bus city, a public transport city.”

The managing director described the depot as a very friendly place which is ‘like being part of a community’. It is not just community friendly, but family friendly, as Mr Featham explained there are some third generation bus drivers amongst their ranks as well.

Speaking to the LDRS, some trainee drivers on their second day of the course expressed their anxiety about taking on the task of driving a bus. They explained that learning the different bus routes, especially those from outside the region, was seen as the most difficult task ahead for them.

There were some that had backgrounds in jobs that involved driving such as delivery driving and truck driving. Many had previous jobs in factories or retail and were just looking for a change.

Depending on how quickly they pick up the skills, it can take between three to six weeks to get trained up as a bus driver. Once fully qualified, drivers can earn over £30,000 a year depending on shift patterns, according to the Go North West managing director.

With this new schemE aiming to be as green as possible, some of the new drivers could expect to be seated in one of the new electric buses. The new electric bee buses makeup around a quarter of the overall fleet currently, with plans to increase that in the coming years. “We have 50 electric buses in the fleet,” Connor Lomas, Franchising Training Lead at Go North West, said. “The plan is to eventually phase more (electric buses) into the fleet.

“The main reasons (all buses are electric straight away) are because there is a lot of infrastructure associated with the introduction of electric vehicles. In order to operate them you have to have charging points at the depot.

“We would have to build in a charging system throughout the day for the buses. So operationally they are more complex than a diesel bus, which is why it is better to phase it in.

“It could be a bit chaotic if we brought it in straight away. This is especially the case when you bring them into depots where drivers have never driven an electric bus and engineers have never worked on them before.

“It is not just a case of switching them on one day and saying here we go. A lot goes on behind the scenes in order to get them in.”

Regular commuters have already noticed the changes being made to their routes ahead of the big day on September 24 – with Bee Network branding already being donned at Wigan and Bolton bus stations. Some keen eyed locals will already be able to see a few yellow buses already flying about the roads across Greater Manchester as well.

This new system will mean Greater Manchester is the first region to bring bus services under local control since 1986.

The ongoing row over the ownership of the Salford Red Devils stadium is already causing ‘significant financial hardship’ for the rugby league club. 

This was revealed at a special Salford city council scrutiny meeting where councillors opposed to the authority becoming 100 per cent owners of the stadium were voicing objections.

The council already owns 50pc of what is now the City of Salford Community Stadium (COSCOS) – also used by Sale Sharks – but property giant Peel who own the other half wants out of the deal.

City mayor Paul Dennett wants the council to buy Peel’s share and although the Salford cabinet has agreed in principle to a deal, Conservative councillors led by Coun Robin Garrido are fiercely opposed to the move.

Coun Garrido had succeeded in getting the decision ‘called-in’ – the process by which major decisions are reviewed – so convening a special meeting of Salford’s growth and prosperity scrutiny committee. 

But after a stormy meeting, the committee decided not to refer the decision back to the cabinet for further consideration.

As well as submissions from Mr Dennett and Coun Garrido, the committee also heard from Red Devils officials who took exception to suggestions from the Conservatives that they were not truly a community club.

Board member Oli Randall told the committee: “The delays over the clarification of the future ownership of the stadium is already causing significant financial hardship for it tenants.

“We can’t set prices for season tickets, which should already have been placed on sale in July. The current owners and management team have been in place for just four years during which time the Covid lockdowns devastated the revenue and commercial relationships during the last 12 months.”

Executive director Paul Trainor referred to ‘disrespectful comments’ made about the [lack of] community engagement of the club.

“We have hundreds of students and children a week playing in our rising stars programme, our building for the future programme engages with 100 schools across Greater Manchester, many of them in Salford.

“I think we are more than doing our part in terms of engaging with young people. It’s more than just playing on pitches, it’s about our players visiting schools, community clubs, and all the positive work going on around mental health – there’s a whole host of things that the club is doing for that which is integral to our work as a community club.”

Coun Garrido said: “Salford Reds are an important part of this city’s sporting heritage, and long may they continue to be so, but it does not need the city mayor or the council to purchase the stadium for this to happen.”

And he disputed Mr Dennett’s assertion that the future of the 150-year-old super league club could only be safeguarded if the city council took full control of the stadium.

He added: “The city mayor talks about improving sport throughout Salford by owning the stadium but they have been part owners for 13 years and what has been achieved? Have we seen a proliferation of new local sports clubs, particularly for our young people, I am afraid not.

“I am bound by confidentiality not to talk about negotiations currently being carried out with the city’s existing partner Peel, but whatever the detail it will inevitably cost this city millions of pounds bearing in mind that the city is already liable for £30million of the original £38m from the borrowings to build the stadium [in 2009/10] and towards initial operating costs.”

However, Mr Dennett hit back saying: “We made it clear, as the executive, that this is an in-principle decision, which means the decision has not yet been made.

“Therefore, there will be further reports brought to the mayoral team for consideration which will potentially address some of Coun Garrido’s concerns with regard to the finances.”

He said the city council was currently in the middle of negotiations and defended keeping elements of the dealing out of the public domain.

“Many of the reasons for this are in line with the law,” he said. “We have been advised that everything that is debated in private, has to be debated in private.”

Mr Dennett went on: “We are in the middle of negotiating an operating lease with someone who inevitably will run the stadium for the city council.

“And what we’re hoping will happen is that will generate a financial return that will come back to the city council every year while at the same time de-risking the entire operation of the stadium.”

Families can find out about all the support that's available from Swinton Family Hub at Swinton Gateway, at a special open day on 30 August from 10am to 2pm.

Salford's family hubs have been having open days during August, to give local people the chance to find out all the ways they can have support and fun in the hubs, and in their community.

There are four family hubs localities across the city offering support for young people aged 0 to 19 and their families (up to 25 years old if they have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)). Support includes early help services (help, support or guidance for babies, children, young people, and families at the earliest opportunity).

They are run by Salford City Council with local health organisations, and voluntary and community groups.

The open day will have a host of free family-friendly activities from a mini zoo, a climbing wall, to face painting.

Early help workers from early help services will be providing messy play, and arts and crafts. There will also be staff from the council's youth service, Health Improvement Team, Welfare Rights and Debt Advice service; the police and young people's mental health support from Kooth/Quell, oral health information and more.

The family hubs have services for the whole family including children, young people, mothers, fathers, the wider extended family and carers. These include support for antenatal, postnatal, child health, targeted early help, relationships, parenting, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), adult, and child mental health, youth services, debt and welfare advice, employability and training. Family hubs services are being expanded across the city, into community spaces in partnership with voluntary and community-led groups.

Councillor Jim Cammell, Lead Member for Children's and Young People's Services said:

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"Salford's family hubs do such great work in helping local people. We're so proud of what they have done so far and the possibilities to make a real difference to people's lives now and in the future. These open days have been a great opportunity for families to see all the help and support that's available, as well as the many free activities that take place at our family hubs."

Salford City Council is one of 75 councils across the country to receive funding from the Department for Education's Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.

The programme aims to champion family hubs through the Best Start for Life: A vision for the 1001 Critical days and deliver the health Child Programme 0 to 19 public health services.

For more information about Salford Family Hubs visit: https://salford.gov.uk/familyhubs

Salford housing association Salix Homes has secured a £120million refinancing deal with banking partner NatWest.

The deal means Salix Homes, which owns and manages more than 8,000 properties in Salford, can deliver the ambitions set out in its Business Plan, which includes building more affordable and sustainable homes across the city.

Salix Homes was established as a stand-alone housing association in 2015 when its residents voted for the landlord to take over ownership of their homes from Salford City Council in a stock transfer, which it previously used to manage on the council’s behalf.

Since then, Salix Homes has invested more than £210million in homes and communities across Salford and built more than 290 new homes, with another 250 currently under construction.

Sue Sutton, Chief Executive at Salix Homes, said:

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“This refinancing deal with NatWest marks another major milestone for Salix Homes, and will enable us to continue with our ambitious plans to deliver much-needed, new and affordable housing, as well as invest in our existing homes and communities.

“Against a backdrop of national financial uncertainty and the challenges facing the housing sector, we’re delighted that our long-standing funding partner NatWest continues to have confidence in our abilities to deliver a high-quality housing service in Salford we’re all proud to be part of, and we’d like to thank the bank and our advisors for their continued support.

“We will soon be launching our next Corporate Plan setting out our key priorities for the future, which aims to take us back to our roots and refocus on our core values to provide good quality homes and services to our customers, as well as build 100 new and affordable homes every year. Sustainability is a key focus, and we’re committed to building greener homes and neighbourhoods, while ensuring we continue to be well-governed and financially viable.”

 

The refinancing exercise has been supported by NatWest and Savills Financial Consultants.

Martin Skinner, Director, Housing Finance at NatWest, said:

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“Like Salix Homes, NatWest is dedicated to supporting our customers and communities and it is fantastic to be able to support the organisation with a new finance package that will help create new homes in Salford. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the team at Salix Homes and seeing the organisation thrive on the next stage of its journey.”

Alex Morgan, Director at Savills Financial Consultants said:

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“We are proud to have supported Salix Homes through this significant transaction that has navigated both market volatility and sector-specific challenges. The outcome materially reduces treasury risk whilst releasing capacity to allow the organisation to expand investment into its communities. We look forward to seeing Salix Homes use this platform to continue tackling the housing challenges in Salford by providing high quality homes in safe supportive communities.”

Current new-build developments being delivered by Salix Homes include the Greenhaus eco-apartment block on Chapel Street, which is a 96-home affordable housing development being built to Passivhaus standards, which is the gold standard in energy efficient design and construction, and has also been partially financed by NatWest.

Construction is also underway on the Neighbourhood development in Seedley, which is a 157-home development comprising social housing, homes for affordable rent and properties for shared ownership and outright sale.

Already home to a well-established traditional Market Hall, INDIEPOP SALFORD will see the creation of a second market hub within the centre, with the focus on local, independent and pop-up retail providing a diverse range of unique products, services and grab and go food and drink operators aimed at the ever growing, diverse population on the centres door step. 

The centre already has a successful track record of integrating an indoor market format into the shopping centre having launched "The Market Hall" in 2019. 

The Market Hall is home to a range of businesses and has a very traditional market offer, selling everything from clothing and footwear, fashion accessories, tech accessories and repairs, fruit and veg, meat, poultry & pies and an evolving lunchtime food offer. 

Ilan Goldman, Director of Retail at Praxis Real Estate Management, said:

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"INDIEPOP Market Hub will provide a vibrant new place to meet, eat and shop for our visitors with a constantly evolving line up of great independents and pop ups. 

"There is a great heritage of markets in Salford and we hope to attract a new generation of small businesses to the centre taking advantage of our diverse catchment, high volume footfall and affordable rents. 

"We are looking for interesting, unique, forward-thinking businesses with great products and services from across Salford and beyond to join us."

 

Salford Shopping Centre is currently on the lookout for businesses to take up residency in the new INDIEPOP Market Hub.  

Interested suppliers or traders are invited to email their interest to scork@salfordsc.co.uk

We have been made aware of an ongoing incident on Leicester Road in Broughton.

Police have not yet released information as to the nature of the incident but we are being told that there is a large police presence and officers can be seen negotiating with a man through the smashed front window of a property.

Another witness has said that armed police officers were seen at the rear of the building.

Police say that road closures are in place, and are asking drivers to find alternative routes around the area.

Residents are being advised to stay inside their homes until the incident is dealt with.

We have asked Greater Manchester Police for comment.

A historic control tower that once controlled the swing bridge linking road traffic between Salford and Trafford goes under the hammer soon with a guide price of between £50,000 to £100,000.

The three-storey Grade II-listed Trafford Road Bridge Control Tower is now derelict and is set to be sold to the highest bidder by Auction House North West – an online event on September 7.

It dates back to 1894 when the Manchester Ship Canal opened, forming the road linking Salford Docks with the Trafford Park industrial estate.

The bridge was the largest, heaviest and widest of the seven swing bridges that once crossed the ship canal and has been hailed as an iconic piece of 19th century engineering.

It was permanently opened to vehicles 31 years ago and in 1998 a scheme to widen the road to a dual carriageway was carried out to improve traffic.

Auction House’s website says the building would suit a variety of uses, but has advised potential buyers to consult Salford city planning department over any intended use for the building.

The building holds a prominent position fronting Trafford Road (A5063) which links Chester Road (A56) to Regent Road (A57) at the end of the M602. It backs on to Clippers Quay in Salford Quays and is close to Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.

A mum-of-three claims the leaking kitchen roof of her Salford maisonette has rendered her home ‘uninhabitable and dangerous’ – driving her to the brink of a nervous breakdown.

Harwinder Kaur, 34, was unable to use the kitchen to cook for her children after water from the balcony above flooded through the ceiling of her home on Wyndham Drive in Swinton. 

Workers from her landlord ForHousing have cut away the central section of the ceiling and placed plastic sheeting over the gap.

But she claims water has continued to permeate through the roof and the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) saw pooled water next to electrical wiring when we visited her home.

“Since moving into this property six years ago it has been a living nightmare,” said Harwinder, who was made redundant from her job at a jewellery chain during the pandemic.”

And she claimed: “I have had mental health problems for which I have had to seek medical treatment due to the stress caused by the property and am currently still receiving it. I’ve been on the verge of a nervous breakdown.”

Harwinder claims the kitchen roof has been persistently leaking throughout the time she and her children have been living there.

“There is damp and mould throughout my kitchen and my living room due to the historic leak,” she said.

“But despite the landlord sending out many different workers over the years to paint over the mould or to asphalt the balcony or put a new door on the balcony the problem has persisted and I have been living with this leak in my kitchen. I am having to constantly wake up to a flooded kitchen and having to keep buckets in two different places.

“During heavy rainfall – and we all know Manchester is notorious for rainfall – I am unable to use my kitchen facilities and with three children all under the age of 16 this is absolutely unacceptable and really difficult.”

She said that on Monday (August 14), a plasterer attended the property to hack off a three-square-metre area off the kitchen ceiling and had been told to then re-plaster and skim the ceiling.

Harwinder continued: “They turned my gas supply off and left myself and my children without any hot water and heating. Upon hacking off the ceiling the plasterer discovered rotten crumbling timber joists.

“He then told me he would contact his supervisor and make him aware the ceiling isn’t being properly supported and he cannot just plaster over as the rotten timber needs replacing.

“He then put a plastic sheet over the exposed part of the ceiling and an electrician taped up the light fitting and they left my property.

“The following day, another plasterer attended my property and said he wasn’t even willing to take down the sheeting as there is a live wire and the rainfall from Monday night had left puddled water running into live electrical wires.

“I have made numerous calls to ForHousing to make them aware of the risk to myself and my children and have asked to be rehoused temporarily whilst the ceiling is reassessed and fixed they have left myself and my children with water and live electrics in the kitchen.

“Should my children or I be electrocuted, I would like to make this known.” 

ForHousing, ForHousing’s executive director of homes, told the LDRS: “There have been some historic issues with the water outlets within Miss Kaur’s balcony blocking and causing issues within her home and we would like to apologise for this. 

“We are currently carrying out work to repair the issues. Once the repairs are complete our team will return to decorate the affected area. 

“We take the safety of our tenants extremely seriously and have visited Miss Kaur in her home to reassure her that the works involved do not pose a risk to her or her family and to ensure she has everything she needs to feel safe in her home. 

“We will visit the property each day to check on the progress of the works. We have spoken to Mrs Kaur today (Thursday August 17) to update her and apologise for the issues.”

The controversial move to buy the Salford Red Devils’ stadium by the city council is set to be reviewed at a special scrutiny meeting on Wednesday (August 23).

Salford mayor Paul Dennett says the future of the 150-year-old rugby league club and the city’s rugby league heritage can only be safeguarded if the authority takes total control of the stadium.

Currently, the city council are 50-50 joint owners of the stadium, its two training pitches and car park with property giant Peel.

But the move is fiercely opposed by Conservative members on the authority, led by Councillor Robin Garrido.

His request for the cabinet resolution that the city council becomes sole owners to be ‘called in’ – the process under which major decisions are scrutinised and reviewed – has been granted by the borough solicitor, Iolanda Puzio.

In his submission to the growth and prosperity scrutiny panel Councillor Garrido says that ‘an expenditure of many millions of pounds’ would be required to buy the stadium, or shares of what will be known as the City of Salford Community Stadium (COSCOS).

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“There is no evidence of the stadium itself producing the estimated 750 jobs,” he said. “These would be provided from the future development and sale of the surrounding land which would not be included in the purchase of the stadium.

“The benefits of purchasing/owning the stadium cannot be considered proportionate to the projected results of the stadium itself.”

 

The city council’s move has been forced by Peel’s desire to exit the joint arrangement which saw the stadium built in 2009/10. 

As well as being the home to the Red Devils, the ground is also used by Sale Sharks RUFC.

In advance of Wednesday’s meeting Mr Dennett has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS):

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“I want to stress that our in-principle commitment to take full ownership and control of the stadium is based on the council’s original vision to provide a truly community asset, support our historic rugby league team and provide demonstrable social value for the city.

“The proposals would secure the council’s long-term interests in any future redevelopment and regeneration of the stadium site, adjacent land and the surrounding area of key growth including the inland tri-modal port (Port Salford) which will play a regional role in economic development and future prosperity, offering rail and water links for freight and goods. “

 

The mayor said that there had already been ‘significant benefits’ with 240 jobs, £30m of infrastructure and £18.45m of social value.

He added.

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“We anticipate in the future 709 jobs, £65m of private sector investment, gross development value of more than £90m, £1.2m of business rates a year and £28m of social value.”

“These are opportunities we do not want to squander.”

 

With the success of our Lost Pubs of Eccles videos, three of them we have decided and quite rightly that we should venture onto the mean streets of Salford and remember our love affair with those pubs, an incredible 400+ before World War Two... and now? lucky to name more than twenty, I mean pubs, proper pubs like The Red Cow, The Ship, The Clowes, Peeping Tom, Red Rose, Bay Horse, The Fox etc not wine bars and licenced restaurants.

I came down Eccles New Road yesterday from The Lamb pub and there isn't one pub open, same with Regent Road, in Weaste alone you had The Swan, Grey Mare, Coach and Horses, Grapes, Widows, and The Old Veteran plus The RAF Club all either demolished or closed down.

Imagine if you had been exiled from Salford for say 40 years a long time I know but a stroll along Broad Street, Cross Lane and Trafford Road which were not only bustling and busy main roads and also jammed with pubs... and now?  Lucky to find a single pub there.

We shall be filming hopefully in Weaste this week talking about the lost pubs, characters and general crying into our non existent beer, and then moving onto other areas of Salford which have suffered the same fate.

We would love to hear from you with your memories of your favourite pub and why, and hopefully join us on our sentimental journey around Salford's drinking heritage if you fancy it?

Contact us at newsdesk@salford.media with memories or post on Facebook or after this article, look forward to seeing you.

More than 5,000 visitors enjoyed The Lowry’s annual Open Day on Sunday 6th August that this year featured almost 50 activities and events for visitors of all ages. 

Always a highlight of Open Day, visitors were able to meet members of The Lowry’s programming and technical teams before stepping onto The Lowry’s iconic Lyric stage, exploring backstage, technical areas, and dressing rooms. 

Steve Cowton The Lowry’s Head of Theatre Operations, said:

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“Over 500 people gained a unique insight into the running of our busy theatre. It was brilliant to see so many young people on stage - and we hope some of them may have been inspired to pursue careers in the Theatre in future years.”

Visitors to the Galleries enjoyed fun family tours of the LS Lowry collection led by Gallery Interpreter Tina Savage who dressed in costume and brought to life Ann, one of Lowry’s most recognised subjects. As well as life drawing with Salfordian artist and Gogglebox star Helena Worthington. 

Plus, lots of people also explored our new free exhibition Julia and Axel: Thirty Years of Favourite Stories. The exhibition celebrates the acclaimed picture book partnership between Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and continues until January 1st, 2024. Some of The Lowry’s Partner companies, including Rambert, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and The National Theatre, delivered free workshops and activities offering the chance to get hands-on and have a go.

Birmingham Royal Ballet, said:

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“Open Day provides opportunities in addition to our UK tours, for Birmingham Royal Ballet to reach communities with our sensational art form, including those who may not have engaged with us before.

“We return to Salford with our tour of The Sleeping Beauty in March 2024, which was our focus for the Open Day 2023. Our display of spectacular costumes enthralled visitors. Our try-on rail of costumes allowed children and adults to literally step into the shoes and characters performed by our company dancers and children learned ballet steps and discovered the magic of our production of The Sleeping Beauty in workshops led by our Learning Engagement Access and Participation department.”

 

Empowering pop musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World based on the popular children’s book returns to The Lowry’s Quays Theatre this Christmas.  For Open Day visitors were treated to a short performance and workshop led by the books author and Suffragette relative Kate Pankhurst.

Olivia Johnston, Kenny Wax Productions, said: 

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“It was a joy to introduce Frida Kahlo from Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World to The Lowry audiences at Open Day ahead of the show's return this Christmas season. It was brilliant to see people of all ages captivated by the performance and getting fully involved in the draw-a-long workshop led by author and illustrator Kate Pankhurst.

“To be able to directly connect with families in this way has been wonderful; we cannot wait to bring the show back to The Lowry with our brand-new cast and for audiences to meet Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, Emmeline Pankhurst, Mary Seacole, and even more kickass-pirational women from history!”

 

Throughout the day The Lowry’s Pier Eight Restaurant Manager, Mike Lee presented Gin Masterclass’s focused on the history of the drink, plus participants sampled the popular LS Lowry Gin; a collaboration with SIS4ERS DISTILLERY and children and families enjoyed cupcake decorating. Also, The Lowrys Developed With 2023 artist Edy Hurst helped audiences of all ages find their funny side with his joke-writing machine and comedy puppet factory.

Almost a third of audiences surveyed on Open Day said that this was their first visit to The Lowry with 99% of visitors rating Open Day as either Great or Good!

This year The Lowry collaborated with four community leaders working alongside local people to programme local artists and services for Open Day. This included Ethiopian dance from Love Community Café, Persian dance, and rug weaving with Community Doosti, a pop-up spa from Women With Wings, and one of our Community Connectors organised a quiet space for neurodiverse people.

Outside crowds enjoyed carnival vibes from Global Grooves, Hip Hop and breakin’ with Developed With 2023 artist Bobak Champion and renowned Hip Hop dancers Amirah Sackett (USA), Kadir ‘Amigo’ Memis (Germany) and Flo Gonthier (France) alongside graffiti artist Sam Hain, plus for our youngest visitors, HandMade Theatre brought their animal creatures for some wonderful live music. 

A long-neglected footpath linking Salford with Manchester city centre is set to be transformed as part of the Bee Network at a cost of more than £150,000.

Salford city council’s procurement board is set to approve the Ordsall Chord Riverside Footpath Improvement scheme when its procurement board meets on Wednesday.

Lancashire Engineering Ltd will be awarded the contract with professional fees of £18,000.

Cash for the scheme is coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund (MCF).

A report to the board said: “The pathway along the River Irwell has been closed off for many years for a number of reasons, including unsafe surface conditions.”

It said the proposed works include resurfacing the footpath, installing a safety handrail, lighting and signage.

If approved, work on the site will begin in September and will be completed before the end of the year.

The Ordsall Chord riverside connection scheme was one of eight projects included in a package that sought MCF funding to complete an integrated network of walking and cycling routes and public spaces – the Bee Network.

“The emerging city centre network provides high levels of connectivity and this scheme contributes to the network by providing a supplementary walking route, connecting to the busy Bee Network routes that link the Irwell River Park walkway on both Salford and Manchester side,” the report said. 

“It will transform the riverside walkway into a safe, attractive and welcoming environment for local residents and those accessing Salford central (railway station).”

The site is on the riverside pathway below the Orsdall Chord from Stephenson’s Viaduct in the south to the canal inlet just beyond Princes Bridge.

Meanwhile, Manchester city council and the company Allied London are proposing a new riverside route and public spaces to complement the St John’s and Factory Art Centre development with connections to Spinningfields and Castlefield.

The English Cities Fund has already provided a new green space and riverside route for the Novella development at New Bailey. This will connect the new public space created by Network Rail under the Ordsall Chord and onward to Salford Quays.

“Improving and reopening this short section will complete the missing link to the riverside connection providing a safe and continuous route between Salford and Manchester city centres,” the report added.

“The opening up of this section will provide a safe traffic free connection to Salford Central Station and the new and emerging neighbourhoods in New Bailey and Middlewood Locks.”

After officially winning The HBA National UK Barber of the Year 2023, what better way to spark a little more excitement into their barber shop and salon, raise team morale, and get the North West talking, as the Eccles-based McLaren & Co Barbering, Hair Replacements & Aesthetics are proud to announce that they have been recognised again for their high standards, by being shortlisted and becoming a finalist in the following EIGHT categories at The UK Hair and Beauty Awards in 2024:

• Best for Aesthetics

• Barber of the Year

• Barber Shop of the Year

• Best Salon

• Spotlight Salon of the Year

• Best Business Branding

• Rising Star Award

• Entrepreneur of the Year

McLaren & Co Barbering, Hair Replacements & Aesthetics was set up by Ian Anthony McLaren, 37, from Eccles, in April 2022, after working in the Hairdressing and Barbering industry for twenty years, starting as an Apprentice at just 16.

During this time, Ian has developed a strong passion of constant learning and development, by undertaking additional training and several courses to gain more and grow in the industry. He decided to build his own business by creating it from scratch 18 months ago, renovating the place completely, painting and beautifully decorating it, taking nine weeks to make it perfect before opening, and is now a favourite with the people in North West, working alone to provide all services, five days a week.

Ian Anthony McLaren, owner and founder of McLaren & Co Barbering, Hair Replacements & Aesthetics is extremely grateful, he said:
 

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“It’s so nice to be a finalist again for 2024 in all eight categories, after winning the National UK Barber of the Year Award this year, and I am very proud to be representing Eccles, Greater Manchester and the North West.

I’m so glad I dived in and got my own shop 18 months ago, because if I didn’t do it then, I probably wouldn’t have done it. After renting chairs and working for other barber shops and salons, I decided during lockdown, that instead of paying for other people’s businesses, it’s about time I set up my own and do it for myself.”

 

Ian is also a Professional CPD Certified, Fully Insured and Qualified Advanced Practitioner, specialised in all forms of Gents Grooming, Traditional Barbering, Great Classic Contemporary Styling and Funky Cuts, Hair Replacement Systems, and Aesthetics Treatments.

He is completely passionate about his work as he continues to get more certifications and go through courses.

Ian added:

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“I wasn’t expecting to be recognised and shortlisted for eight categories in 2024, yet alone winning the national UK Barber of the Year Award this year. I just want to thank all my customers for their support, and everyone in Eccles, Greater Manchester and the North West who have been popping in saying congratulations and well done.

Thank you for loving my work and being truly valued and respected clients.”

 

The judges said:

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“We thoroughly enjoyed seeing what you’ve been up to this year and are excited to see what the future holds for you and your business.

You have done absolutely amazing to get this far and we wish you best of luck for the 2024 Grand Final."

 

The UK Hair and Beauty Awards celebrate the hair and beauty industry in an aim to support businesses both large and small and expose all candidates to new opportunities via social media, no matter their financial and social status.

Ian will now celebrate in style by coming together with others in the industry, and heading to Birmingham with his husband, Jack, for the VIP Grand Final Red-Carpet Event on Saturday 1st June 2024 at The ICC International Convention Centre.

He said:

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“We’re now looking forward to meeting more people with the same interests and same passions at The UK Hair & Beauty Awards Grand Final. It’s nice supporting each other instead of trying to knock others down.”

The UK Hair and Beauty Awards is breaking down barriers, helping contestants build followings and recognition – even if they don’t win. That is why they are celebrating the entire process of the competition and all the amazing talent.

He added:

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“Even though it’s eat, sleep, work and repeat, the hard work is paying off, and this is why I do what I do. Sometimes you have to just go for it, and believe in yourself. It will pay off in the end.”

To learn more about The UK Hair and Beauty Awards, visit https://hairandbeautyawards.co.uk

McLaren & Co Barbering, Hair Replacements & Aesthetics is open 9:30am-8pm Tuesday to Friday and 9:30am-2pm Saturday, taking bookings for consultations and appointments, with walk-ins welcome too.

It is located near Eccles Shopping Centre on 26 Church Street, Eccles, Greater Manchester, M30 0DF, situated from Junction 2 of the M602 motorway, and close to A576 Eccles Rail, Tram & Bus Station, with services running directly to and from Manchester City Centre and Liverpool Lime Street.

A 2 minutes drive from Trafford Park, a 5 minutes drive from The Trafford Centre, and a 7 minutes drive from MediaCityUK.

Connect with McLaren & Co Barbering, Hair Replacements & Aesthetics:

Facebook - https://facebook.com/mclarenandcohairandaesthetics

Instagram - https://instagram.com/mclarenandcohairandaesthetics

Manchester, Salford and Wigan Councils all have projected budget deficits in the millions for 2025/26, according to a BBC Shared Data Unit investigation. This means they will need to reduce spending where possible or break into their reserves in order to balance the books.

Unison warned that some councils across the country will not be able to provide basic services due to the £5 billion ‘black hole’ found in public finances.

The Local Government Association said inflation, the Living Wage and energy costs were adding billions to budget books. Together, the 190 authorities surveyed said they would need to find £5.2bn to balance the books by April 2026 – even after making £2.5bn of cuts this year.

Every single council in Greater Manchester has committed to use up their financial reserves in order to balance the budget for 2023/24.

Manchester

In Manchester, the predicted cumulative shortfall for 25/26 is £40m which is 5.4 pc of the net budget. This means the predicted deficit per person is £134.24.

Manchester City Council explained their deficit would be far higher if not for shrewd investments. They have labelled government funding of councils ‘unfair’.

A Manchester City Council spokesperson said:

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“Since 2010 we have had to make more than £428 million of savings to cope with unfair government funding cuts and pressures such as inflation and population growth which government funding has failed to keep up with.

“We have already put forward £36m of savings for the three years 2023/24 to 25/26 and committed to the use of £17m reserves. Without this sound financial management we would be looking at a much bigger £93m cumulative deficit by 2025/26.

“We will still need to identify further savings in the years ahead but we also need fairer government funding which reflects the challenges facing us as we try to help the city through the impacts of austerity and the cost-of-living crisis.”

 

Salford

The predicted cumulative shortfall for 25/26 at Salford City Council is £36.35m, which is 14.9 pc of the net budget. This means the predicted deficit per person is £134.24. 

Wigan

Wigan’s predicted cumulative shortfall for 25/26 is £32m, according to BBC Shared Data Unit statistics, which is 12.7 pc of the net budget. This means the predicted deficit per person is £97.04. 

However, the council have stated that their estimation of the shortfall number is actually slightly less at  £26.7m.

Councillor Nazia Rehman, portfolio holder for finance, resources and transformation at Wigan Council, said:

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“Like councils up and down the country we continue to feel the pressure of budget restraints and urge the Government to find a more long-term solution for the funding of local authorities and the invaluable services we provide for our residents in their everyday lives.”

Detectives in Salford are appealing for witnesses after a man was deliberately driven at in Eccles and pinned between the vehicle and a wooden post

Yesterday, Saturday 19 August 2023, at approximately 12.55pm, GMP responded to reports that a man had been deliberately hit by a vehicle on Higher Croft in Eccles.

The victim was pinned by the vehicle, which deliberately mounted a pavement, leaving him with serious injuries to his legs, which have today required surgery.

Police are now asking for anyone who was in the area yesterday to get in touch.

Salford's Detective Chief Inspector Yanica Weir said:

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"This was a clearly targeted attack, in which a vehicle was used as a weapon.

"We are keen to trace the suspect(s) in this matter as quickly as possible and would be grateful if anyone who may have any dashcam, doorbell, CCTV or mobile phone footage depicting the events, could get in touch with us.

"At the moment, we believe the vehicle to be a silver/grey Volkswagen, either a Polo or a Golf, and we urgently need to trace it. 

"Please contact us on 101 quoting, log number 1759-19082023. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously via the independent charity - Crimestoppers - on 0800 555 111."

 

Officers received calls at approximately 2.30pm on Friday 19 August 2023, to reports of a man and woman shouting for help.

When attending Velour Close in Salford, a woman and two men were found to be have sustained stab wounds. One of the men has since had surgery on a life-changing injury. The other man and female have been discharged from hospital.

There is still a scene in place and CSI are continuing their forensic assessment of the property.  Police have been following various lines of enquiry and are now turning to the community to see if they are able to assist with the investigation. 

Detective Chief Inspector Yanica Weir said:

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"This appears to be an isolated, targeted and unprovoked attack, in which three men in masks and balaclavas were seen leaving the address on Velour Close following the attack.

"We are carrying out house-to-house enquiries and doing a CCTV trawl from the area, and we are now looking for anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident, to come forward.

"If anyone has any CCTV, mobile or dashcam footage in or around Velour Close on Friday 18 August, to please let us know.

"We can be contacted via 101 quoting log number 001978-18082023 or information can be passed anonymously via the independent charity - Crimestoppers - on 0800 555 111."

 

You may have heard me waxing lyrically about my time spent at Eccles Sewage Works, Peel Green in the mid 1970s and how my life was changed by the accidental find of a Victorian bottle found on an old tip on the works land.....been well dug out since I hasten to add,

I saw a flyer from the Bolton Bottle Collectors Club which is managed by Joe Clarke a well known and respected bottle digger, advertising their annual show to be held in the Clifton Community Centre, Bolton Road. today.

Carl and I drove up there and for that split second I was back in the mid 1970s as there were rows of tables laden with all kinds of bottles, brewery collectibles, ashtrays, match strikers, trade cards etc.

The following words will probably not mean much to you unless you are/were a bottle collector but here goes, Codds Heads, embossed ginger beers, Warners Safe Cure, Hamiltons, Skittles, cobalt poisons, Hop Bitters, castor oils, cream jugs, flagons, spirit flasks, crown cap, Rylands patent, hybrids...no I am not making these words up, to the bottle collector these are the names for the many varied types of bottle to be found.

Possibly the most common found is the humble Codd bottle, the one with a marble inside which was used as a closure. and used for pop, the name Codd comes naturally enough from the inventor of this type of bottle, Hiram Codd who in 1872 patented the Codd bottle as it has become known.

The Salford company Groves and Whitnall had a soft drink division called Globe from the nearby Globe Works, they manufactured their Codd bottles in rich shades of amber, dark green, brown making them highly collectible and I have dug many of them up over the years..

I only collect embossed stone ginger beer bottles and cream jugs these days with a collection of about 130, and today I happily purchased a "Farmers Milk Supply Association Ltd, The Creamery Walkden" cream jug, they are quite rare and it looks a treat in my collection, and that's all that matters!

Why not have a look in your cellar or outhouse there may may still be a few old bottles in there, I would be delighted to see them.

Cheers.

Salford Civic Centre is being lit red and white in celebration of the England women's national football team success at the World Cup 2023.

The Lionesses face Spain in the FIFA World Cup Final on Sunday 20 August.

The team beat Australia on Wednesday 16 August by three goals to one, with goals from Toone, Hemp and Russo sending the Lionesses into the final.

It is the first time England has played in a football world cup final since 1966.

Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Environment, Neighbourhoods, Sports and Leisure at Salford City Council, said:

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"The Lionesses reaching the final is a significant national achievement so in Salford we are lighting Salford Civic Centre to mark the occasion.

"With the cup tantalisingly close, the entire country can feel proud of what the Lionesses have achieved by raising the profile of women's football and inspiring the next generation of female players.

"On Sunday we will be behind the team wishing them every success, but win or lose they will come home as national heroes."

 

Photo ©: Salford City Council

Four men from a Salford drugs gang responsible for orchestrating a fake delivery drop-off as a disguise for brutally robbing over a million pounds' worth of cocaine in a bloody axe and machete attack in Liverpool have been jailed for a combined total of 43 years.

The group were sentenced today (Friday 18 August) at Manchester Crown Court following a comprehensive two-year probe by detectives in our Serious and Organised Crime Group (SOCG).

The court was told that the men were involved in an organised crime family consisting of three brothers from the Cox family supplying multi-kilogram amounts of cocaine and cannabis to distributors and dealers operating throughout the North West throughout 2020.

Headed by middle brother Jason Cox (37), from Warrington, the gang were exposed by the takedown of the encrypted communications platform - EncroChat, which was compromised in June 2020 - where detectives found evidence the group were involved in the trafficking of over 20 kilos of cocaine and supplying more than 50 kilos of cannabis.

Also uncovered by the EncroChat bust was the Coxs' successful plot the previous month to rob two men in a house in Liverpool of around 30 kilos of cocaine worth an approximate value of £1.2million.

Footage from a nearby property showed a van pull-up outside of the target address with Ben Monks-Gorton (31), from Burnley, dressed in a high-vis jacket purporting to be a delivery driver with a phalanx of three men dressed in black - Cox, his brother Craig (34) and Richard Caswell (41).

The men went into the house and attacked two men with machetes and axes - inflicting life-changing injuries to the older of the two - before leaving with a bag of the cocaine stash just three minutes later.

In the following hours, the OCG began to arrange the distribution of the stolen drugs as they travelled back towards Warrington - with courier Michael Nevin (36) instructed to take 10 kilos to a fellow Manchester-based gang.

Messages also sent via EncroChat showed Jason asking older brother Lee Cox (39) if he wanted a kilo 'for free' after they had 'tracked them (victims) up' and had to 'chop the c*** up badly in his gaffe'.

Meanwhile, police from Manchester attending a flat in Fallowfield decided to search Nevin's property and found him hiding in the cellar with his iPhone in one hand and EncroChat device in the other.

Nevin was arrested after officers seized over £28k in cash, a food bag of cannabis, weighing scales with class A drug residue on them, and handwritten notes that included amounts owed by drug 'customers'.

Later that day, officers searched a storage unit in Bury where a further £30k's worth of cocaine was recovered - later found to be some of the quantity that was stolen in the Liverpool robbery.

Just a month later in June, the compromising of EncroChat by international law enforcement agencies saw us conduct dozens of warrants to target scores of suspects across Greater Manchester - included the Cox OCG.

The realms of chat on the encrypted network provided detectives with a treasure trove of evidence to not only prove the men's involvement in the Liverpool robbery, but also the prior and subsequent movement and dealing of class A and B drugs to distributors across the North West of England.

Craig was the only one of the Cox brothers to be present when officers struck at his home in Weaste, and he was arrested on suspicion of drug offences after already messaging some of the gang on EncroChat that he would smash his handset up.

Caswell, Nevin and Monks-Gorton - whose DNA had already come back on a forensic hit from a discarded surgical mask left at the scene of the Liverpool robbery - were arrested in the following weeks as the group's drug conspiracy began to unravel.

Cannabis dealer Jack Brownsill (24), from Warrington, was tracked down and arrested nine months later before detectives completed the sweep-up of the gang by extraditing Jason and Lee Cox from the Spanish town of Alicante where they had been arrested in July 2021 when driving in a hire car.

Investigators had already identified Michael Martin (37), from Lower Broughton, as being involved in the conspiracy despite not having an Encro device himself; he was sentenced to three years in jail on 25 November 2021 after admitting one count of money laundering.

Three other men had also previously been jailed in connection with the investigation.

Michael Nevin was sentenced to 9 years 8 months on 25 April 2022 for also admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, and conspiracy to possess criminal property.

Ben Monks-Gorton, was jailed for 6 years on 25 April 2022 after admitting conspiracy to commit robbery.

Jack Brownsill denied conspiracy to supply cannabis, conspiracy to possess criminal property, and being concerned in supplying cannabis before being convicted of all three offences by a jury following a trial in February 2022 - he has now begun a 4 year 3 month sentence.

Now the rest of the group have been jailed for a total of 43 years.

Jason Cox was ordered to serve 14 years and 8 months behind bars after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, conspiracy to possess criminal property and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Craig Cox was sentenced to 13 years and 6 months in jail after also pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, conspiracy to possess criminal property and conspiracy to commit robbery; he also admitted two breaches of a Serious Crime Prevention Order.

Lee Cox, from Swinton, has been sentenced to 8 years for admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, and conspiracy to possess criminal property.

Richard Caswell, from the Kirkdale area of Liverpool, received 7 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and diamorphine, possessing criminal property, and conspiracy to commit robbery.

All the men will have to serve a minimum of two-thirds of their sentence due to the severity of their offending.

Operation Venetic - the nationwide crackdown led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) into the criminal use of EncroChat - is the UK's biggest ever law enforcement operation.

So far in Greater Manchester, over £2.5million in cash has been seized as well as nearly a dozen firearms, over 1100 rounds of ammunition, over 12 kilos of class A and 25 kilos of class B drugs, and over £300k of assets including luxury jewellery and vehicles.

Well over 200 people have now been detained by GMP since the launch of Operation Venetic by the NCA in July 2020, and more than 150 of those have subsequently been charged for a range of drug, firearms and money laundering offences.

Detective Inspector Roger Smethurst, of GMP's Serious & Organised Crime Group, said:

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"The Cox Organised Crime Group are ruthless, career criminals who have successfully been brought to justice.

"Operation Venetic provided a valuable insight into their multi-kilo drug dealing and other criminal operations including a brutal robbery in Liverpool.

"GMP and our law enforcement partners relentlessly pursued this group even when they attempted to evade capture both in London and Spain.

"Due to the quality of the evidence put before the court they were left with no choice but to plead guilty to their crimes. Communities in the North West will be safer with this group behind bars for many years to come."

 

Former footballer and CEO of Salford City Football Club, Nicky Butt, surprised Salfordians today by giving away ice cream and free holidays courtesy of loveholidays. 

Butt teamed up with the online travel agent to offer members of the public the taste of a summer holiday abroad while manning an ice cream truck in the MediaCityUK precinct.

In addition to serving ice cream, he stunned five lucky people by handing over free holiday vouchers alongside their sweet treat.

The event took place to celebrate Salford City Football Club's new sponsorship deal with loveholidays, having signed the UK's largest online travel agent as its official holiday partner for the 2023-24 season.

As part of the deal, loveholidays will sponsor the club's matchday highlights, run a matchday activation and support exclusive holiday-themed competitions for fans throughout the year.

Al Murray, Chief Marketing Officer at loveholidays, said: 

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"We're delighted to be joining Salford City Football Club as its official holiday partner and are looking forward to supporting the club this season. To celebrate our partnership, we wanted to bring some sunshine to Manchester with the help of Nicky. We're really excited to help the lucky recipients of holiday vouchers to head off on their travels soon."

Katy Leeson, Marketing Director at Salford City Football Club, commented: 

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"We're pleased to welcome loveholidays on board for the 2023-24 season, and we are really looking forward to working closely with them. As a club we want to work with the right partners, and as a growing brand looking to offer the lowest priced holidays for our supporters and the Salford community, this is a great opportunity."

loveholidays offers a choice of over 35,000 hotels and flights from all major airlines serving Manchester and Liverpool John Lennon Airports.

For holiday inspiration or to book, visit https://loveholidays.com.

Photo ©: Salford City FC