Welcome to Salford Now’s Live Blog!
Clare Sellers is curating our live feed today and will be updating you throughout the day, from Salfordians reactions to Boris Johnson’s booster jab plans, to plans to have AFC Monton be used as a filming location for the next series of Brassic and much more.
Stay up to date with our socials on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
5:30pm
“I feel as if this is Boris trying to improve his popularity ratings at the expense of general practices” – Salford medical practice feels pressured by recent booster announcement
A booster vaccine is now available to every adult aged 18-years-old in England.
Prime minister Boris Johnson announced last night at 8pm every adult is illegible if they had their second jab at least two months ago.
This comes as cases of the new Omicron variant are rising in the UK.
Many nurses in the country feel as though this is putting yet more pressure on them to get people vaccinated.
To read the full story click here.
5:15pm
“We’re going to have to wait until next week to see what impact it has on us” – Salford cafés react to the return of ‘work from home’ measures
Salford cafés have expressed uncertainty as to the effects of the reintroduction of the government’s ‘work from home’ advice this week.
In response to the rise in cases of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, the government has introduced their ‘plan B’, which includes asking all office workers across the country to go back to working at home if possible.
The hospitality sector has been one of the hardest hit areas of society ever since the introduction of restrictions at the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020: despite seeing an increase in revenue around May this year, the Office for National Statistics says that it still remains at less than 70% of what it was pre-pandemic.
To read the full story click here.
5:00pm
Where to get Covid-19 booster jabs in Salford
The Prime Minister has warned against a ‘tidal wave’ of the Omicron variant, urging people to get vaccinated.
The booster vaccine rollout is going to be intensified, postposing other routine medical treatments in order to make staff more available. To ensure the best protection, a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone.
Clinics in Salford are open this week, offering 1st, 2nd and booster does. Available through walk-in clinics or booked appointments.
To read the full story click here.
Black&White- 35mm
4:45pm
Review: Anz & Boogizm – The White Hotel
An old mechanics garage with razor wire on the flat roof, stripped out and pumped full of smoke.
Manchester’s best dance venue, in Salford.
Longstanding resident and local DJ’s Anz and Tom Boogizm frequent the iconic music venue, nestled in the forgotten industrial estates was the legendary Manchester selector ‘Anz’.
As with every night at the iconic Salford venue the night kicked off late, starting at 12pm, but only really getting going around the two o clock mark. The listening was easy going and not too heavy, floating around the 130 beats per minute mark, for some stylish breakbeats and left-field house.
To read the full story click here.
4:30pm
“You don’t have to be unhappy at an office desk job” – Salford micro-businesses wake up and smell the coffee
Several new micro-businesses in Salford have seen huge success this year, despite the harsh climate for traders.
Coffee enthusiast Sam Seddon only opened her mobile coffee shop, Spice and Grind, in May after leaving her job to follow her passion.
She said: “Over Covid I found it really difficult being sat at a desk in my house. It kind of made me evaluate is this what I want out of life.
“I thought what is it I enjoy doing. I like coffee, I like food. So why not have a bit of a project.”
To read the full story click here.
4:15pm
“Lack of maintenance can kill”: Salford cycle routes see massive increase in use during pandemic
Cycling increased in Manchester in 2020 according to ManchesterWorld.
Salford is home to multiple cycle routes, however, some of these are becoming more dangerous due to a lack of maintenance.
Walk Ride Central Salford are campaigning to make walking and cycling the natural choice for everyday journeys across Salford.
To read the full story click here.
Screenshot taken from VoxPop video
4:00pm
Salford residents react to Boris Johnson’s booster jab plan
Last night, Boris Johnson addressed the nation last night to encourage everyone to get their booster jabs.
He announced everyone over the age of 18 will be eligible for their booster jab and the NHS would have to beat their vaccination record day-by-day.
This means one million people will have to have their booster jab every day until the New Year for Johnson’s plan.
To read the full story click here.
3:45pm
“You see authors and books in shops and you don’t think it’s a possibility” – Salford professional dog walker turned author on her debut book
Salford author and professional dog walker, Leanne Marshall released her debut book, ‘Loosing Lindani’ after spending five years developing it.
The story follows the main protagonist, Lois, on her reluctant journey to South Africa with her Ugandan born husband. But when he suddenly goes missing under strange circumstances, the people, places and situations which Lois finds herself in set her on a personal journey fraught with deceptive leads, grave sickness and profound secrets. Not only is Lois forced to question everything she believes to be true, she stands to lose much more than just her beloved husband.
To read the full story click here.
3:30pm
“The longer it lasts, the harder it’s going to be”- Salford business owners express mixed views over new Covid restrictions
Shop workers in Eccles have expressed generally supportive views over new Covid restrictions.
The governments Plan B options include reintroducing mandatory mask wearing in certain venues and working from home where possible.
Wendy Vickers owns a sewing shop in the markets of Eccles. When asked if she agreed with the return of the masks she said: “I do yeah. If it’s saving people’s lives, then definitely.
To read the full story click here.
3:15pm
“There really has been some success stories that have come out of people coming to us” – Foundation 92 coordinator talks about the charity’s impact
The 92 Shield scheme is one of Foundation 92’s earliest initiatives and has helped to transform lives across the Salford and Greater Manchester area for nearly 18 months.
The Foundation is an independent registered charity that focuses on supporting communities to improve their lives through sport, education and bespoke projects, with an emphasis on positive physical and mental wellbeing.
To read the full story click here.
3:00pm
New Intermediate Care Unit next to Salford Royal Hospital
The Bevan, a new intermediate care unit, has been opened at Salford Royal NHS hospital.
It is a 60-bed unit designed to support patients who no longer need to be in the hospital but still require further help before returning home.
The unit has been made up of three smaller ICU’s: The Limes, Salford: Barton Brook and Eccles and Hartley Green in Irlam.
Staff and patients from each unit have moved to the building which is over the road from the main Salford Royal building on Stott Lane and was built on the old visitor’s car park.
To read the full story click here.
2:45pm
Salford’s Muhammad Mokaev set for UFC debut after finally signing long-awaited UFC deal
2022 looks to be an exciting year for British MMA fans, with the UFC’s long awaited return to London due to take place on March 19 at London’s famous O2 Arena.
The North West looks like it will be overrepresented with Salford’s entertaining flyweight Muhammad Mokaev and Tom Aspinall as well as Liverpool’s Darren Till and Molly McCann all supposed to be fighting.
For someone that has only just signed his first UFC contract, earlier last month and is only 21 years of age, Mokaev has become a household name in the British MMA scene, as well as the wider world including his native Russia and Bahrain where he has spent some time competing.
To read the full story click here.
2:30pm
Swinton Pub Host its own Christmas Markets
On Saturday 11th December, The Morning Star in Swinton hosted its own Christmas Markets.
It aims to raise money for the Joseph Holts’ six charities, and allowing local businesses to sell their wares.
The Markets were bustling with local people who, despite the weather, turned out in force to support the Joseph Holt pub.
The markets had an outdoor bar, mulled wine stalls, and head chef, Andy Miller put on a hog roast, hot dogs, burgers and Yorkshire pudding wraps.
To read the full story click here.
2:15pm
Media City is awarded the Green Flag Award for a third year running
Rachel Williams, Soft Services Manager for MediaCity said: “Receiving The Green Flag Award for the third year in a row is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of our MediaCity team and partners Wright Landscapes and Anchor Group Services. Our green spaces set MediaCity apart from many other urban locations, as we have plenty of room to breathe, and space to support wellbeing and mindfulness in addition to spaces to promote play, fun and imagination for all ages.”
To read the full story click here.
2.00pm
POLICE: “More than 200 people die every year in a drink-drive related crash”
Greater Manchester Police Salford have said: “In the UK, more than 200 people die every year in a drink-drive related crash.”
During this festive season especially, GMP Salford are especially concerned. “We want everyone to enjoy themselves this festive season, however it is important that it is done responsibly.”
It’s vital to make sure you and your loved ones do not get behind the wheel under the influence. “There is no way of knowing exactly how long it takes to sober up completely after drinking, but it is longer than people think.” GMP Salford said.
To read the full story click here.
1:45pm
“It’s about protecting the animals and spreading the word, there’s so much going on that people don’t know about”
Mike Faulkner together with Fay Watts, owner of zero waste shop ‘The Dispensary’, have come together to form ‘Salford Animal Rights’ to help promote animal rights and veganism in the community.
“Our main aim is to put animals first and protect the animals in Salford, but on a wider scale too. We wanted to get a group of like-minded people together who wanted to do proper activism” said Fay.
The group has already amassed 707 members on Facebook, an achievement considering the group was only created 2 and a half weeks ago.
To read the full story click here.
1:30pm
“Covid-19 destroyed the system” – Plan B Covid restrictions could once again affect restaurants in Salford
Restaurants around Salford could be affected by Boris Johnson’s new restriction due to the Omicron variant.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people have to wear a face mask in a public setting and should work from home where possible.
An employee at Bella Italia, Roberto Marcos Gomez, said: “Those restrictions like many of the measures he took, they were too late.”
To read the full story click here.
1:15pm
Mandatory face coverings back in Salford
From the 10th of December 2021, face coverings will be mandatory again in shops and public transport around Salford due to the new Omicron variant arriving in the UK and cases rising.
Many businesses around Salford such as the Community Leisure centre will now require masks as part of the governments new restrictions.
However not all places require masks, for example schools do not need to reintroduce face coverings.
To read the full story click here.
1.00pm
“It’s a huge victory” – Anchor employees celebrate as care home giant adopts living wage
Catching you up on Salford Now’s news from the last 24 hours to start our live blog today!
Some Salford care workers are celebrating a pay boost after a long campaign to persuade their employer to adopt the real living wage.
Staff employed by the Anchor Hanover Group, the largest provider of specialist housing and care for older people in England, are to be paid £9.90 an hour rather than the minimum wage of £8.91.
Trade union Unison has campaigned for years to secure the rise from Anchor, which runs several homes in Salford.
To read the full story click here.
Recent Comments