In the latest release from the Manchester Evening News, the team's morning meeting was interrupted by a video call featuring Bippo, a clown from Gandeys Circus, currently performing the Carnival Spectacular at the Trafford Centre. During the conversation, Bippo revealed an amusing ongoing issue: numerous visitors to the circus have mistakenly arrived, believing they were headed to Old Trafford, the home ground of Manchester United. "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. He noted that responsibility for the mix-up might lie with taxi drivers misdirecting football fans. Bippo quipped that rather than seeing “Bruno Fernandes,” confused fans were instead greeted by him, the clown.
In a significant push for community safety, Greater Manchester Police will increase their neighbourhood officer presence by 176 personnel over the next six months, as reported by Chris Slater of the Manchester Evening News. The plan, which includes 120 new recruits and 56 officers redeployed from other sectors of the force, is part of a broader initiative endorsed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to bolster police numbers nationwide. During an interview, Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson stated that while his officers are not overworked, he believes they should receive higher compensation. He expressed optimism about the plans, saying it allows the force to implement strategies that are already yielding positive results.
In local housing news, an exodus of students from Fallowfield to the city centre of Manchester is underway. Developer Vita is set to present plans for 861 new student residences near First Street today, anticipating approval from council planners. This shift is attributed to the allure of city centre living and purpose-built accommodations. Statistics reveal that student numbers in Fallowfield have decreased by 20% in the last four years, while those living in the city centre have surged by nearly 50%. The University of Manchester, however, remains committed to its Fallowfield presence, with plans for redevelopment set to increase student living capacity by approximately 1,000 rooms.
In a related initiative, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is proceeding with plans to transform Job Centres into ‘Live Well’ centres across Greater Manchester. Funded by a £10 million allocation, this project aims to provide comprehensive support, including services tailored to housing and health, with the hope of aiding thousands in finding employment.
In Oldham, opposition councillors have voiced strong concerns over the government's decision not to allow the borough to withdraw from the controversial housing scheme known as Places for Everyone. Critics argue that the scheme risks encroaching on precious greenbelt land. Liberal Democrat group leader Howard Sykes described the government's actions as a "betrayal" of local constituents, stating the borough is now "stuck with PfE."
Additionally, the article highlights a warm Easter holiday season, beneficial for families seeking activities. Suggestions for entertainment options, including Easter egg hunts and local pantomimes, have been detailed for those looking for ways to engage with their children over the holiday.
The local weather forecast for Friday is marked by sunny skies and a pleasant temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. In infrastructure news, road closures are set to impact travel in the area, with works ongoing that might affect local traffic flow.
Source: Noah Wire Services