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Manchester youth charity calls for greater alcohol prevention
A Manchester youth charity is calling for greater alcohol prevention after data revealed a rise in alcohol consumption in young people. Despite the decline in young people’s alcohol use nationally, alcohol consumption has increased from 55 per cent in 2022 to 81 per cent in 2023 in Greater Manchester. According to data from GM Trends, seven of the […]
“It’s a big step”: Brookland bookshop celebrates first anniversary
A Brookland bookshop had celebrated its first anniversary in its new premises despite the decline of small businesses in the UK. Established by Michelle Crosby in March 2025, B for Butterfly is a cosy independent bookshop that aims to match customers with the right book for them. Inspired by her childhood book Calling B for Butterfly by Louise Lawrence, she wanted to […]
New Stretford cinema will be a ‘gamechanger,’ says resident
Stretford residents will be welcoming a new cinema this Friday, which one resident said will be a ‘gamechanger’ for businesses on the high street. The Northern Light Cinema, owned by the Mundin family, is set to open on Friday 20 March, on Pinnington Lane in Stretford town centre. The new three-screen cinema will create an accessible and relaxing environment for film lovers to watch new releases, […]
‘A politics of hope’, Green party supporters react to Gorton and Denton by-election.
After the Green Party won the Gorton and Denton by-election last week, supporters shared their ‘joy’ at the result. Last Friday, the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer, a plumber, won the Gorton and Denton by-election with a majority of more than 4000 votes. Ali Hamza, a resident in Gorton said that he had voted Green because […]
Budget gaps loom over Salford council
By 2028, Salford council could face a reoccurring budget gap of around £19m. This is due to ‘significant and sustained financial pressure’. Particularly, because of increased demands for adult social care, children’s and SEND services. The Medium-Term Financial Plan sets out methods of combatting rising costs. This includes investing in ICT systems to make council […]
81-year-old woman conned into buying £5,000 gift cards
An elderly woman from Greater Manchester was targeted into buying £5,000 gift cards from a man she believed was a well-known singer. The 81-year-old woman was first contacted on Facebook by an individual claiming to be linked to a celebrity. The conversation moved to Telegram, an encrypted messaging app. Over several months, the woman was persuaded into buying gift cards, believing that the payments would […]
‘Am I safe going outside?’ Transgender hate crime is on the rise in Greater Manchester
Many transgender people have been left with a huge ‘mental toll’ over where they can be ‘safe’, after police data has shown a 27% spike in Transgender hate crime in Greater Manchester last year. In 2024, there were 219 reported incidents, whereas, in 2025, there were 279. This data covers January to November of each […]
A New Era for the British Passport: What the 2025 Redesign Means for the UK
The British passport is undergoing a rare and historic transformation. In late 2025, the UK will begin issuing a newly redesigned passport that will reflect the reign of His Majesty King Charles III, introduce new landmark-themed interior pages, and include some of the most advanced security features ever seen in a UK travel document. This […]
Charities and Students in Manchester Voice Fears Over New Asylum Reforms
A Greater Manchester charity say the government’s sweeping overhaul of the UK asylum system could increase hardship and uncertainty for people rebuilding their lives in the region. On Monday 17 November, the government announced reforms to the asylum system which aims to reduce arrival and increase removals from the UK. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described […]