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Helen Clarke Greater Manchester has unveiled an ambitious ten-year plan to deliver tens of thousands of new jobs and homes. Proposals published yesterday show plans to deliver £1 billion of investment annually for the next ten years and build homes on a scale not seen for two decades. At the heart of the plan is the creation of a single pipeline for growth which would target investment at Growth Locations across Greater Manchester - sites with the highest potential to boost the regional economy and bring benefits to all 10 boroughs. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: "Greater Manchester is ready to kickstart a new decade of growth at the heart of a resurgent North. "We’ve used our devolved powers to deliver the biggest change in public transport since the ‘80s, now we'll use them to deliver transformative regeneration across our city-region. "With the backing of Government and private investors, we can do even more and add an extra £13 billion a year to the UK economy." Each location has land earmarked and shovel-ready for the creation of new housing and employment sites which would spread the benefits of economic success. Last week it was revealed that one Growth Location scheme alone could unlock 48,000 new jobs, 17,000 new homes, and add £4.2 billion to the local economy. The area around Manchester United’s Stadium in Old Trafford is a key part of the Western Gateway Growth Location, with plans to create new housing, commercial and public space around a new 100,000-seater stadium, or a refurbished 87,000-capacity ground. The Old Trafford Regeneration Scheme represents the biggest sports-led regeneration scheme since the London 2012 Olympics. Economists say it could transform the area’s fortunes just as MediaCity transformed Salford Quays - and give a £7.3 billion boost to the UK economy. To drive forward this major regeneration project, Greater Manchester is setting out proposals for a new Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) for Old Trafford. It would replicate the success seen in Stockport, where the MDC took on powers to acquire and develop land and bring forward new infrastructure. Stockport MDC has so far attracted £600 million in private investment and delivered 1,200 new homes, 170,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, and a new transport interchange. Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council said: "Locally we’re already driving forward major regeneration schemes to unlock Oldham’s future potential, from the development of 2,000 homes in the town centre, to the revamp of Spindles Shopping Centre, and the restoration of the beloved Old Library."

MCRJourno Band on the Wall presents Ukrainian ‘ethno chaos’ quartet DakhaBrakha for one night only in Manchester. Hailing from Kyiv, Ukraine, the group reflect fundamental elements of sound and soul, creating a world of unexpected new music. DakhaBrakha was created in 2004 at the Kyiv Center of Contemporary Art “DAKH” by the avant-garde theatre director Vladyslav Troitskyi. The name means “give/take” in the old Ukrainian language Theatre work has left its mark on the band performances as their shows are always staged with a strong visual element. After experimenting with Ukrainian folk music, the band has added rhythms of the surrounding world into their music creating a bright, unique and unforgettable sound. They strive to help open up the potential of Ukrainian melodies and to bring it to the hearts and consciousness of the younger generation in Ukraine and the rest of the world. Accompanied by Indian, Arabic, African, and Ukrainian traditional instrumentation, the quartet’s astonishingly powerful and uncompromising vocal range creates a trans-national sound rooted in Ukrainian culture. At the crossroads of Ukrainian folklore and theatre, their musical spectrum is at first intimate then riotous, plumbing the depths of contemporary roots and rhythms, inspiring “cultural and artistic liberation”. This tour is a Band on the Wall Fundraiser and will be coming to Royal Northern College of Music on 3rd October at . Artists on stage: 8.00pm Curfew: 11.00pm Tickets here.

MCRJourno Salford City Council’s cabinet has set out budget proposals for the next financial year that would see the authority spend more than £392 million. The council proposed to commit 64% of the budget (£251 million) for children’s services, adult social services and health.   Proposals would see extra money invested into adult social care to provide care packages and support adult social care workers in being paid a Foundation Living Wage. Under the proposals, an additional £2 million would be invested in school transport for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This includes services that the authority has a statutory responsibility to provide, including supporting around 560 children in care and providing long-term care to 2,400 vulnerable adults, and short-term care to a further 400 vulnerable adults. There is a proposed 2.99% increase in council tax, as well as a 2% increased precept for adult social care to help meet the rising demand and cost for services. This would mean that for a Band A property, the city council’s element of the council tax would be £1,368.51, an increase of £1.25 per week. The new government has announced that the Council will receive a welcome £6.5 million to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including £2.7 million for homelessness prevention. However, the Council will still have to increase its budget The budget aims to protect essential services including investment in street cleansing vehicles and staff. The city will also get a share of an additional £14.8m to support road maintenance and tackle potholes. Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “The new government’s Recovery grant award of £9.7 million recognises that we have a greater need than many other councils. "The previous government took £245 million out of Salford’s budget and has significantly contributed to increased demand on council services. "Over the past 12 months we have delivered on our priorities to support residents with a real living wage, we have worked at pace to give more than 2,000 elderly households a total of £412,200 winter fuel payment support, and pledged support to save Salford Lads and Girls’ Club."

MCRJourno Credit: EXHBTN 360 LIVE Exhibition - home to three of Manchester’s independent kitchens has announced the launch of EXHBTN 360 LIVE, a brand-new immersive live entertainment experience. The new experience will launch in the city centre on Saturday 1st February. EXHBTN 360 LIVE aims to elevate Peter Street’s nightlife scene with a carefully curated and high-energy blend of live music, interactive performances, and premium cocktails. Exclusively for over 21s the events run every Friday and Saturday night from 9pm until 1am with free entry. The venue can hold 350 people and hopes to make its mark on the city's nightlife with live vocal and instrumental performances. Will Parkinson, founder of Exhibition said: "Our goal is to create a destination where guests can continue to enjoy incredible food with expertly crafted drinks, and then fully immerse themselves in high-energy live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night. "EXHBTN 360 LIVE is the perfect evolution for our brand, blending everything we’re known for with something fresh that will set the standard for Manchester’s nightlife." To celebrate its arrival, Exhibition will offer its Exhibit Eight signature cocktail range for just £8 each (usually £12) until the end of March. With musicians, singers, and saxophonists performing throughout the venue, EXHBTN 360 LIVE’s music will be ever-changing. The venue also promises to tailor the shows to each night’s audience to create an atmosphere that keeps crowds engaged. EXHBTN 360 LIVE marks an exciting new chapter for Exhibition, offering a 360-degree immersive live music experience combined with premium cocktails. Exhibition is located at St George's House, 56 Peter St, Manchester M2 3NQ. Please drink responsibly - https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/

Helen Clarke Gareth Hodgson. Credit: Manchester Wool & Yarn Manchester is a hot-bed for IRL crochet events as TikTok sees a trend in crafting content. Gareth Hodgson, founder of Manchester Wool & Yarn in Stockport has cited its low cost and ability to bring people together as reasons for the uptake in attendance. Hodgson runs a variety of classes on Eventbrite from workshops to crochet decorations to ‘B*tch and Stitch’ events, he said: "There’s so much going on in the world right now and crocheting is a mindful activity that helps people switch off for a while. "Most of the people coming to our classes and social events are under 40, also, it doesn’t have to cost much, it’s less than a fiver for a hook and ball of yarn and they can just get going." Credit: Manchester Wool & Yarn Eventbrite has reported a 39% increase in crochet-related classes, workshops, and social events over the past year - with Manchester being a key area of growth. The crochet craze has been sweeping TikTok and has now jumped from on-screen to IRL meetups as the trend gains traction. It reflects a growing movement where online communities are transforming into real-world connections. TikTok's thriving online crochet community is marked by 2.3 million #crochetersoftiktok posts and 1.4 million #amigurumi entries to date. The Japanese art of amigurumi - creating small stuffed animals and characters is a particular favourite. Credit: Manchester Wool & Yarn Workshops across the UK are teaching everything from basic techniques to specialised projects like emotional support chickens. "We're seeing crochet evolve beyond a solitary hobby into a powerful tool for community building," said Eventbrite’s Sebastian Boppert. "From a 'Queer Craft Club' to 'Stitch and Sip' gatherings for black neurodivergent women and queer [people], these events are creating inclusive spaces for connection." Beyond traditional teaching formats, hybrid event concepts have emerged, including movie-watching crochet sessions, outdoor crafting picnics, and some events now combine crafting with wellness, offering mindfulness sessions and relaxation techniques alongside crochet instruction. Hodgson adds: "We run lots of events so attendees can either learn different techniques, work on a particular project or they can just grab a brew and a biscuit and bond over textiles."

MCRJourno Credit: Essa Primary School A primary school in Bolton was selected as a leader in overcoming language barriers in the classroom. Essa Primary School was chosen from over 400 entries to become a UK Education Ambassador for language diversity. As one of only six schools in the UK that will partner with Pocketalk, the global leader in translation technology, the school was identified through a nationwide programme looking for outstanding schools. Jess O’Dwyer, General Manager UK at Pocketalk said: “Research has shown that children learn better when taught in their own language, which is crucial, especially in those early years." The partnership specifically aims to support EAL (English as Another Language) students, teachers, parents and caregivers in a step towards helping support the 1.7 million pupils in England’s maintained schools who face language barriers. Pocketalk invited schools across the UK to apply for the opportunity to trial up to 10 of their AI-based direct translators, which can facilitate real-time, secure, instant conversations in over 84 languages. In just nine weeks, the programme attracted over 400 entries from early learning settings, primary, and secondary schools nationwide. Essa Primary School stood out from the competition and was selected by a panel of judges for its desire to enhance the educational provision and also significantly improve the experience of its students and their families in the school setting. The primary school which has 254 students with EAL and 34 languages spoken will now integrate Pocketalk devices into its classrooms. A representative for Essa Primary School said: "Enabling real-time translation for our children, we believe Pocketalk could help our pupils [...] provide a sense of autonomy, confidence and independence, allowing our children to express themselves in their home language." With an estimated 300 languages spoken in classrooms across the country, initiatives like this are viewed as essential for fostering inclusivity and successful educational environments.

MCRJourno Credit: Johan Persson Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) will tour Sir David Bintley’s Cinderella to venues across the UK including Lowry, Salford from Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th March. The production remains one of the most popular ballets in BRB’s repertoire with Sergei Prokofiev’s sweeping musical score taking audiences on an unforgettable fairytale journey, played live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Carlos Acosta, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Director said: "Cinderella remains an enduring classic in the BRB canon and a firm audience favourite. "John Macfarlane’s awe-inspiring designs pair perfectly with Sir David Bintley’s beautiful choreography and Prokofiev’s rousing music in this spellbinding production." Credit: Sam Robinson Performances feature scenic and costume designs by the acclaimed artist John Macfarlane and will play at Tokyo’s Bunka Kaikan in Japan after the UK tour. Saturday 8th March will see an audio described performance in the afternoon at Lowry, making for a more inclusive experience. Tickets can be booked online and are available at the Lowry website: https://thelowry.com/whats-on/160//birmingham-royal-ballet-cinderella

MCRJourno The UK’s biggest festival of Japanese cinema is back in Manchester from February. Running from Monday 17th Feb to Thursday 6th March the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme (JFTFP) is back for its latest instalment at HOME. The cultural venue said: "In a world where injustice runs rampant, cinematic expressions of justice seem inexhaustible. Time and time again, heroic protagonists fend off malicious antagonists or enact their revenge, the constant injustices they face mirroring audiences’ own. "Japan is no exception to this, and the JFTFP25 promises to showcase how Japanese filmmakers use the language of cinema to explore the concepts of criminal, social, and moral justice, along with the ways people respond to external judgement." Films in the season include: A Samurai in Time Mon 17 Feb When an Edo-era samurai travels through time to the 21st century, he puts his sword skills to good use. In The Wake Wed 19 Feb A bizarre serial murder puts a spotlight on devastating injustices and unhealed trauma in Sendai nine years after the 2011 earthquake disaster. Ichiko Wed 26 Feb When Ichiko goes missing, her boyfriend immediately begins to search for her. But he discovers that she’s not who he thought she was. Qualia Sat 1 Mar Saki has been hired for a position at a family-run poultry farm. She also happens to be in an affair with her employer’s husband, plunging. All the Long Nights Thu 6 Mar A woman with debilitating PMS and a man with a severe panic disorder find companionship in one another. See the full programme here: https://homemcr.org/event/japan-foundation-touring-film-programme-2025-am-i-right-justice-justification-and-judgement-in-japanese-cinema/

MCRJourno After 25 years as a member of Secured by Design (SBD), the official police security initiative - one Radcliffe-based company is celebrating. UAP Ltd is a manufacturer in the door and window hardware space and has been a member of the initiative since 1999. Its products are built to rigorous Police Preferred Specification standards and have secured living and working environments for millions. Steve Cox, Managing Director at UAP said: "From the very beginning we’ve been dedicated to developing products that are designed around customer needs. "This milestone reflects the hard work, vision, and commitment of our entire team, and we’re excited to continue partnering with SBD." As one of SBD’s inaugural members UAP has championed innovation and quality and worked with customers across the UK building a portfolio of over 6,000 products. Starting in CEO David Jennings’ spare room in 1996, the company recently saw its 15th year of successive revenue growth. The company believes its work has contributed to over one million homes being built to SBD standards, significantly reducing crime. UAP says it remains focused on developing innovative solutions that push the boundaries of security and innovation.   Hazel Goss MBE, Development Officer at Secured by Design said:   "I was very proud to award UAP their 25-year member’s award. They are an amazing company with whom I have worked for many years now."

MCRJourno Bury-based cycling clothing manufacturer Lusso has received a £13,000 innovation grant to support the development of its waterproof jacket. The company which headed by professional cyclist and former national Time Trial champion Jake Wright who became CEO in 2021. Wright said: "We'd identified a gap in the market but were facing a couple of barriers. The newer sort of high-tech machinery we need to make waterproof clothing is very expensive, and as a small business we struggle to fund it. "The textile lab has enabled us to test advanced exterior membrane fabrics for breathability and waterproofness [and] we’ve been able to manufacture a jacket that we think will be a market leader." Based in Radcliffe, Bury, the sportswear outfit is expected to be on the market in March of this year after utilising advanced testing facilities for the product at Manchester Metropolitan University. With further support from GM Business Growth Hub Lusso is predicting sales of 1,000 jackets in the first six months following launch creating a further two roles at the company. Lusso received a capital expenditure grant of £8,500 to cover half the new equipment’s cost, as well as pay for training and ongoing maintenance. An additional revenue grant of more than £4,500 funded product verification by textile specialists at Manchester Metropolitan University. Professor Jenny Shirley, Academic Director of the University’s Centre for Enterprise said: "Greater Manchester is fortunate to have a vast array of resources and many other organisations. At Manchester Met we’re committed to helping them grow and innovate, and we’re with them every step of the way."

MCRJourno With over 100,000 tickets sold, a blockbuster UK arena tour, and standing ovations at the Royal Albert Hall and The London Palladium, tribute act Queen of the Night is celebrating its 10th anniversary in jaw-dropping style. 2025 will see the production embark on its most ambitious tour yet, bringing the magic of Whitney Houston to 85 cities and towns across the UK. Featuring a live band, a company of extraordinary vocalists, and a production design that will light up stages across the country, Queen of the Night - A Tribute To Whitney Houston is a spectacle like no other. Adenike Adewale who portrays Whitney said: "When I step on stage in Queen of the Night, I’m not just singing I’m sharing my heart, my story, and my deep love for Whitney’s music. It’s the most incredible honour of my life." Adewale sang in school choirs before wowing millions on The Voice in 2021 where her unforgettable rendition of a Whitney classic propelled her to the semi-finals. From the explosive I Wanna Dance With Somebody to the heart-wrenching I Will Always Love You, and the anthems that defined a generation like How Will I Know and The Greatest Love of All, this show celebrates Whitney. Showrunners say this is your chance to witness the magic, the music, and the memory of Whitney Houston - and it’s going to be a night to remember as the performance comes to Stockport and Manchester. Upcoming shows: 20th March - Manchester Stockport Plaza 1st June - Manchester Bridgewater Hall

MCRJourno 'COOK!' with the Vegetarian Society is now fully open in Ancoats, Manchester with an array of workshops, supper clubs and experiences, delivered from their bespoke teaching kitchen in the heart of Manchester city. The Vegetarian Society and COOK! moved into and installed their new school in what was originally an electricity sub-station in Jersey Street, Ancoats. Housing COOK! in this unique venue gives the workshops an accessible home and it is set to become a hub for community cooking and professional training, making plant-based and vegetarian cooking more exciting and inclusive. Sam Linford- Platt, Head of COOK!, said: "People have loved our recent ‘Lions Mane Mushroom’ workshop and devoured the ‘Build a Bahn Mi’ class - it’s a really relaxed place to cook and experiment with food, whilst gaining confidence in the kitchen. "Our venue is a focal point for plant-based and vegetarian cooking and we have something for everyone, from our short social supper clubs through to full training weeks and community classes." From evening Supper Clubs and Curry Clubs where budding chefs can learn new skills and cook along with tutors to half and full-day experiences like Oodles of Noodles, Kick Start Korean, Dim Sum, Vegan Street Food, Plant Powered Protein, or Taco Time, there's plenty to get suck into. For those who want to gain in-depth knowledge of vegetarian and vegan cookery there is a five-day Vegetarian Society Certificate in Vegetarian & Vegan Cookery. Workshops start from £35 and can be booked online at the Vegetarian Society website - www.vegsoc.org/cook .