Like many things, the Covid-19 pandemic put a halt to many people’s wedding plans for the year but now there is some light at the end of the tunnel!
Currently, those areas in tier 1 and 2 can have weddings with 15 people at the reception whereas those in tier 3 cannot have a reception at all.
Talking in the People’s Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday a wedding venue owner and bride-to-be herself, Lara asked when the wedding industry would be able to start to record.
Boris – who is due to be wed soon himself – responded with some good news!
He promised that things could be back to normal for those getting married as soon as Easter next year.
Drew Coffman/Unsplash
He explained: “As we roll out community testing, and get better at understand how people respond to it and how it works, [normality] is very much is on the cards,”
He went on to add that with the news that the coronavirus vaccine is scheduled to be rolled out as early as next week it is a promising aid for large events.
He added: “Mass testing, combined with the growth of the number of people being vaccinated before Easter, and lateral flow testing…will allow events like wedding to go ahead,”
“If you’re thinking about the summer, I think you’ll be alright. It’s my strong hope and belief, by the summer, whether by one way or the other, whether by vaccination which I hope and believe we would have delivered by Easter, or by lateral flow testing, we’ll be in a different world.
Alasdair Elmes/Unsplash
“My hope is by summer, it really will be a different world for the weddings and events industry. And I hope that your potential customers will be full of confidence and optimism as well, and will be getting hitched in the normal well.
He added: “I think mass testing will help before Easter, hopefully well before Easter, but I think you should be able to plan for a really more active summer, and lots of happy nuptial events all over the UK.”
It’s promising news for those planning their big day next year or who have had to push back their nuptials due to the pandemic!
Marks and Spencer have released first look images of a huge brand new ‘market-style’ Stockport Foodhall ahead of its opening next week.
The retailer has released more details about the massive new Foodhall at Stockport Retail Park to offer residents a picture of how it will look and what to expect before its grand opening on Wednesday June, 14th.
The 16,000 sq ft space promises to offer a ‘fresh market-style design’, with shoppers able to browse displays filled with ‘great quality, trusted value’ produce from the retailer’s Select Farms.
Marks and Spencer
Customers will also be able to pick up freshly baked bread and pastries from its ‘show-stopping’ bakery, including M&S new collection sourdough, which is made using a traditional 30-hour process.
The high street brand confirmed the news of its opening earlier this year where it said it would create more than 70 jobs in the area.
But it has now been confirmed that more than 110 jobs have been created to support the new M&S Foodhall. It comes after the retail giant closed down its Stockport store in Merseyway shopping centre in 2021.
Marks and Spencer
Store Manager, Anna Priest, who has worked at M&S for seven years, said: “We are excited to be sharing a sneak peek of the new Foodhall and are really looking forward to welcoming the community to our new Stockport store when we open next week!
“The new store is packed with so many exciting new features, so we’re really excited to finally open the doors and see local customers experience it for themselves.
“Whether you’re looking for a big family food shop or dropping in for some daily essentials – we’ve got you covered.”
Marks and Spencer
The new M&S Stockport site follows the retailer’s recent announcement it plans to invest £500 million in its store rotation programme, creating over 3,400 new jobs nationwide.
A new full-line store is also set to be created at the former Debenhams site at the Trafford Centre, and another full-line store being created in Liverpool.
Also included in this investment is a new Foodhall in Macclesfield, opening November 30th, and the store in Bury’s the Rock has also been enhanced.
The new Stockport M&S is located at Unit 4B, Stockport Retail Park, Stockport, United Kingdom, SK1 2HH and will be open Monday – Saturday 8am – 8pm, and on Sunday, 10:30am – 4:30pm.
A 15-year-old boy riding an e-bike has sadly died after colliding with an ambulance in Salford, after he was followed by the police.
The teenage boy died after crashing into a parked ambulance after being followed by police officers on the afternoon of Thursday, June 10th.
The teenager has been named locally as Saul Cookson.
A huge response of emergency services, including an air ambulance, rushed to the scene at Langworthy Road, Salford, shortly after 2pm.
Facebook
Officers in a police car began following the teenage boy who was riding an e-bike on Fitzwarren Street at 2pm, but stopped when they were prevented by bollards.
Moments later a ‘collision happened between a cyclist and an ambulance’. Officers were not in pursuit at the point of impact, Greater Manchester Police have said.
The teenager was taken to hospital where he died and the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Google Maps
A spokesperson for GMP said: “At around 2pm today, GMP traffic officers began following a boy riding an e-bike along Fitzwarren Street in Salford, onto Lower Seedley Road.
“Bollards prevented the police vehicle from continuing to follow the e-bike. A short time later, a road traffic collision occurred between the e-bike and an ambulance on Langworthy Road. The 15-year-old boy riding the e-bike sadly died.
“In line with normal proceedings, the incident has been referred to IOPC, who are now leading the investigation. A cordon remains in place on Langworthy Road.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the boy who tragically died.”
BBC
Locals and friends who knew the 15-year-old have been leaving tributes at the scene of the accident, where a police cordon still remains in place, as flowers have been placed with messages.
One read: “Saul, gone but never forgotten. RIP. I love you always keep smiling your cheeky smile.”
Another said: “Saul. You will always have a special place in my heart. I love you loads my dude.” And a message on a cardboard sign tied to a nearby fence declared: “Kids on bikes don’t kill.”
Beam Design Bespoke Interiors & Northern Power Garms
A Mancunian-born Northern slogan clothing brand is opening its first shop next month.
Northern Power Garms was created by makeup artist Jules Daniels, who began selling t-shirts from her house in Manchester after finding herself out of work during the pandemic.
The cool independent clothing and accessories store specialises in hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts, baby grows, bags and hats with Northern slang words and phrases such as ‘Ey up’, ‘Absolutely buzzin’ and ‘It’s not grim up north’ — we love this one!
northern_power_garms / Instagram
Jules’ idea took off like a rocket and after three years of selling online and gaining over 7,000 followers, her creation Northern Power Garms is now opening its very first in-person shop in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Adding a delightful pop of colour to Horton Street come July, shoppers can treat themselves to trendy garments that show off how proud they are to be Northern, and will be sure to brighten up many a grey rainy day — and there are many!
Beam Design, who curate bespoke interiors, worked with Jules to help bring her vision of a physical shop to life, creating some stunning CGIs – bringing a slice of Miami to Halifax – for us to have a sneak peek at ahead of its completion.
Beam Design Bespoke Interiors
Last week, Jules shared an update on the transformation of her soon-to-be shop as it undergoes a head-to-toe renovation.
In a caption on the Northern Power Garms’ Instagram page, she wrote: “Two weeks ago I was literally clambering over boards trying not to fall down to the basement and die because there was no floor. Now look at it!
“There’s a floor (!!) and boards are going up on the ceiling and walls. It’s properly starting to come together now.
Beam Design Bespoke Interiors
“We’ve had some incredible floor samples from @polyflorltd and paint samples from @crownpaintsuk – have you seen the visuals we posted, from Helena at @beamdesigninteriors? I could cry with happiness that the team and I will get to work here, every day!
“I met up with a gorgeous new supplier today too! We have some BEAUTIFUL earrings ready to stock, all handmade by Lauren at @plainjaynedesign – if you’re into colour, sparkle and WOW, then these are for you!
“There’s just so much going on, and honestly we cannot wait to get open and welcome you all in! Have you been past the shop? Let us know!”
Beam Design Bespoke Interiors
At the minute, the determined entrepreneur is working hard alongside a team of builders and designers at fitting out the unit along Westgate Arcade, as well as running her online business and updating followers on social media.
But once it’s open, shoppers and curious browsers can expect to step into a world of pretty pastels and modern terrazzo tables with a colour scheme that brings sunny Miami to Halifax, with carefully crafted garments that embody the heart and soul of northernness.
Check out Northern Power Garms online for more, and make sure to visit the shop and its stylish apparel when it opens in July.