In an unusual turn of events at the Trafford Centre, visitors to Gandeys Circus have found themselves mistakenly dropped off by taxi drivers who believed they were heading to nearby Old Trafford, home of Manchester United. Bippo, a clown performing with the circus, detailed the amusing mix-up during a recent interview. He mentioned that staff at the box office received multiple inquiries from families who had been misinformed by their taxi drivers. “The other day the ticket staff rang ringmaster Joel up to say that there were people at the box office asking if they were at Old Trafford,” Bippo explained. “We thought it was just a one-off and someone was having a laugh, but then we had a few others where the situation was the same.” He suggested that this might be part of a prank by local taxi drivers targeting United fans, leaving them to ponder the antics of a circus instead of watching their football heroes play.
In other news, Greater Manchester is set to see an increase in its police presence with the addition of 176 neighbourhood police officers, according to Chief Constable Stephen Watson. As reported, some of these will be newly recruited while others will be redeployed. This expansion is part of a national initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to introduce 13,000 new officers across the UK by 2029. Watson noted in an interview that while the force is currently not overworked, adequate pay for officers was essential. He stated, "It's not just about numbers, it's what you do with the numbers," highlighting that increased personnel could enhance effective policing in the region.
The long-standing trend of students moving from Fallowfield to the city centre is expected to continue, as plans for 861 new student accommodation units near First Street are set to go before council planners today. Developer Vita's proposal, while likely to be approved, has faced some criticism. Residents in neighbouring Hulme have expressed concerns that the new tower block could be "oppressive." The shift in student living preferences is notable, with a report indicating that student numbers in Fallowfield have decreased by 20% over the past four years while city centre living has surged by nearly 50%.
Additionally, Mayor Andy Burnham's initiative to rebrand Job Centres as Live Well centres in Greater Manchester is progressing, with an allocation of £10 million to develop these facilities throughout the region. The aim is to provide more comprehensive support, addressing not only employment but also housing and health needs.
In Oldham, local councillors are voicing their frustrations regarding the government's decision to reject a plea to withdraw from the Places for Everyone housing scheme, which has drawn criticism due to potential threats to green belt land. This has led to strident opinions, particularly from Liberal Democrat group leader Howard Sykes, who called the decision a “betrayal” of local interests.
Meanwhile, as families enjoy the Easter holidays amidst pleasant weather, The Manchester Evening News has compiled various suggestions for activities, including Easter egg hunts and theatre productions, aimed at keeping children entertained during this spring break.
In Stockport, residents have expressed concerns about the potential creation of a "banking desert" following NatWest's plans to close a local branch in June, as part of efforts that will see over 50 other branches shut down across the country.
As Manchester prepares for upcoming events, the city is also gearing up for Eurovision festivities, highlighted by the launch of the MancHagen festival, which will celebrate the musical contest’s legacy with performances from notable past entrants.
Source: Noah Wire Services