Latest news with #Chorlton
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
Gardener arrested over 'dagger' trowel on his belt
A man returning home from his allotment found himself surrounded by armed police – because of a gardening tool on his Rowe was wearing a Japanese bladed trowel in a sheath on his hip as he got back to his house in Chorlton, as he was pruning his hedge, police arrived and Mr Rowe was handcuffed, arrested, and then put in a cell for 12 Manchester Police (GMP) said it had cautioned him for possessing a "dagger", but the 35-year-old theatre manager said he felt like he had no choice but to accept the reprimand so he could go home. Handcuffed Mr Rowe said he had been terrified when the armed officers – who did not draw their weapons – arrived outside his home on 3 said they were "shouting at me to drop the knife"."I said I didn't have a knife and they told me to drop the knife again."So I dropped my Japanese hand gardening sickle and a handful of privet that I just cut off the hedge."They turned me around, pushed me up against my house, handcuffed me, then put me in the back of a van," he said. Mr Rowe said he was then taken into custody where he was questioned by police."It felt like they'd gone out that day expecting to catch some kind of lone wolf attacker," he said."I was doing nothing treated me like I had been doing harm to people."Mr Rowe was carrying a Japanese-made trowel in its sheath, a small Japanese gardener's sickle, and a peeling said the peeling knife was his late grandmother's, that he'd bought the sickle a decade ago, and that the trowel – which has a short blade and wooden handle – was a Rowe said he was not aware of any warnings about carrying the tools in since his arrest, one has appeared on the manufacturer's tells customers "to familiarise themselves with offensive weapons law before carrying the tool in public", adding: "We strongly advise that you keep this tool concealed, sheathed, and out of sight in public places – preferably in a gardening bag or toolbox rather than on your belt." 'Large dagger' Mr Rowe said he had gone without any legal representation while in custody because officers had been unable to contact a solicitor for accepted a conditional caution, but said he was now worried it could affect his job as a technical manager at a theatre, where he sometimes had to work with vulnerable young are given to people on the basis that they admit an offence, but do not count as a criminal simple cautions are spent as soon as they are accepted, but others could be flagged up on standard and enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) checks."I don't believe I committed a crime," he said, adding he was worried the caution could affect future employment opportunities, and calling for it to be added that he understood the police had a job to do but was now scared to continue with what had been a lifelong said officers were responding to a call that they had seen a man with a knife."He was subsequently stopped and a small sickle, a large dagger which was in a sheath on a belt, and a peeling knife, were seized," the force said."He admitted the offence and was given a conditional caution, which entailed advice and guidance around the legislation of knives and bladed weapons in a public place." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
More than 170 people stood up to save this 'popular' farmhouse gym - now it's gone
A 'popular' and beloved gym in a grade-II listed farmhouse is set to close and become flats — despite more than 170 objections. Little Box Gym, which opened on St Werburgh's Road in Chorlton in February 2017, faces an uncertain future after building owners secured planning permission to convert its 18th century home into three apartments. The planning application was met with fierce opposition, with 172 objections sent to Manchester council. Most said losing the gym would mean the neighbourhood will lose 'a vital and unique community hub'. READ MORE: The truth behind claims Greater Manchester veterans are being 'turfed out apartments for migrants' READ MORE: The mechanic whose MOT pass rate was just too good to be true Ahead of the meeting, a council report said 'irrespective of the outcome of the planning application', applicant David Flanagan 'confirmed that leasing to the gym operator will be brought to an end'. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here Speaking out about the decision, Little Box owner, Sarah Morrison, said: 'After more than eight years here, it hasn't been without its challenges, but we've built something truly meaningful: a community. 'Hough End is in Withington, and YSG is in Whalley Range – what we've created here is deeply rooted in Chorlton. There is no other space quite like this in the area. 'Our community ties run deep. We support local schools like Chorlton High, Chorlton High South, William Hulme, and Loreto with student work experience placements. Chorlton Park Primary uses our facilities for their 'Kids in the Gym' sessions and fun run days. 'Local parents have formed what we affectionately call the 'Drop-In Squad'. This is the kind of gym where clients come in even when they're having a tough time and don't feel like it – because we are a community and they know we genuinely care. We are far more than just another gym.' However, Manchester council's planning committee said they 'empathised' with Ms Morrison but could not find a reason to block the application. Des Jones, council planning officer, said: 'We have to look at the use of the heritage building. 'From a planning point of view that's all acceptable. There's no planning policy which would require a gym or employment place at this location.' Others said they 'sympathised' with Ms Morrison's 'situation', with Coun Suzanne Richards adding: 'I would hope we as a council can support the business owner.' The land around 136 St Werburgh's Road was once Park Brow Farm, which was a working farm until the mid-1980s, before it was sold off. Opening three more apartments continues a trend of more and more homes coming to former farmland, with terraced housing arriving in the late-1980s, when the farmhouse itself was listed, and apartments coming to a barn in 2006.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- BBC News
'Inside Kagyu Ling Buddhist Centre where I felt sense of calm'
Weekday mornings in our house are chaotic. One or both of the kids tend to wake us any time from 05:30 and, no matter how prepared we are, there is not enough time to get them both up, dressed, fed, packed and out the door. Then there's the rush to get myself sorted and if I am off out filming, then I also need to sort my face out. Suffice to say, it's a the morning I was due to film at Kagyu Ling, Manchester's first Buddhist centre, the M60 rush-hour traffic did little to lift my mood. The youngest had been awake a lot in the night post preschool jabs, my eyes were heavy and coffee wasn't touching the sides. The rain trickling down the windscreen was a constant reminder that I'd not listened to my own my line of work, it's rather embarrassing to turn up at a shoot centre was halfway down a leafy road in Chorlton. As I pulled over, the pitter-patter of rain slowly stopped and the clouds parted. The sun beamed on my windscreen and for the first time that morning I paused. Perhaps, I thought, the only place I should be is at a Buddhist centre. "Please forgive my lack of knowledge and understanding, I want to know as much as possible, I'm just sorry I don't already," I wittered on to Sheila Ryan, a Buddhist at Kagyu Ling. Sheila had nominated the centre for BBC North West Tonight's 25 in 25 series, where we shine a spotlight on 25 people or places that make the North West of England a great place to live."Buddhism is a way of life," Sheila says."It's something that offers me structure, and an outlook, hope, a way of connecting and adding value to my life, making my life meaningful."Leading a group meditation during my visit was John Sainsbury.I watched as everyone entered the room, kneeled and prayed to the Buddha, they wore mala [prayer] beads and carried their scriptures. I felt an overwhelming sense of calm watching a room of 20 or so people sit in complete silence. I had been right - this was indeed where I needed to be. Afterwards, tea, coffee and cakes were offered in the adjoining room. One of the younger members, seven-year-old Luna told me she liked coming to Kagyu Ling to relax and because "it opens her space a little".Luna fascinated me, I'd watched her pray, mediate and sit in silence, comfortable in her own space to just be. I imagined my seven-year-old in the room and questioned if she could switch off - sad at the thought she might not, while excited to help her are the vision for Kagyu Ling, John told me. "Often you see in religious traditions that they pass through the children, and we're hoping that children will find this a comfortable tradition and they'll be able to make sense of it and make it their own."This year Kagyu Ling celebrates 50 centre hosts art and music events and welcomes everyone to join in its weekly meetings as well as opening its doors to the wider community. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Italian restaurant chain to shut all but one site in UK as boss admits ‘we simply don't have the clout'
A POPULAR Italian restaurant chain has announced it will be pulling the shutters on another location. The move marks the company's third closure in recent years, leaving just one venue in operation. Beloved Italian institution Croma revealed it would soon be closing one of its two remaining locations, in Chorlton, Manchester. The Italian-fusion chain opened its first restaurant in 2000 and became famous for its creative dishes, which are made with specialist ingredients. Based around Manchester, Croma's original venue was located on Clarence Street in the city centre. Post-Covid closures This location remained a staple in the area for over two decades before closing its doors in 2022 following the on-going impact of the pandemic. The following year, bosses announced the closure of the Didsbury venue. They cited the end of the location's lease as the main reason for closure. After this, only the Chorlton and Prestwich restaurants remained in operation. And now the team behind the group of restaurants has said it will now also be closing the Chorlton venue later this month. Bosses released a statement sharing their sadness at the closure in south Manchester. They announced that the last day of operation will be on Sunday, July 28. Restaurant loved by celebs and royals has to close after it's infested with rats The location first opened in 2005 and had recently undergone a revamp in 2023. This renovation saw a conservatory extension and an external patio dinning area added to the venue. The restaurant is known for its famous pizza as well as other menu favourites including Tandoori chicken, crab pappardelle, and lasagne. Croma also offers desserts, including in-house gelato and its popular homemade Tiramisu. 'After 20 amazing years, we're sadly saying goodbye," Croma bosses said. Why are retailers closing stores? RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis. High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going. However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector. The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024. End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker. It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date. This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023. It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns. The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker. Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations. Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes. Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020." "Our beloved Chorlton restaurant will be closing its doors at 10pm on Sunday, 28th July 2025. 'Join us one last time and come down to raise a glass and share a slice of fabulous Pizza as we celebrate two decades of incredible memories with our wonderful community. "Let's make these final weeks unforgettable.' Remaining location Bosses also confirmed the Prestwich restaurant, on Longfield Centre, will remain open, serving customers seven days a week for lunch and dinner. The group of restaurants was co-founded by Andrew Bullock and Bob Dunn, after they left the Pizza Express franchise. Andrew spoke to the Manchester Evening News when the closure of the original city centre venue was first announced three years ago. 'As an independent, we simply don't have the clout with landlords, or the balance sheet that large companies have," he said. More restaurant closures Another beloved restaurant chain announced the closure of all its locations after two decades in business. And a Coronation Street star recently confirmed the closure of her restaurant after 13 years. Plus, a complete list of all the Wetherspoons set to close their doors this year. 3 3
The Sun
28-06-2025
- The Sun
Travellers left ‘potentially hazardous' POO at park to fester in 30C heat…the smell was ‘unbearable'
"POTENTIALLY hazardous" waste including poo and used bog roll was allegedly left to fester at a park in 30C heat by travellers. Locals living near the Hough Ends Fields in Chorlton, Manchester, have complained of unbearable smells following the encampment. 9 9 9 It comes as a large traveller encampment was evicted from the playing fields last Friday - with the city council then posting signs reading: "Potentially Hazardous Waste Do Not Enter. "Cleaning will be commencing as soon as possible." The authority also taped off a vast area of woodland with the same "do not enter" signs in place. Around 30 caravans had pitched up from June 12 for eight days with residents and dog walkers horrified at the level of filth and muck spread around. The pitches invaded by the Travellers are used by rugby union team Broughton Park FC. One 80-year-old walking her dog Sky told The Sun: "It was disgusting. Dirty toilet paper just blowing about, nappies and sanitary towels. "One pick-up truck just raced onto the field and missed my dog Sky by just inches – they have no respect and don't seem to care. "They left a pile of cuttings from trees and garden waste down the other end and that needed clearing away. "The smell was absolutely horrendous." International business student Conor Gregory, 22, who lives nearby, hails originally from Appleby in Cumbria - which hosts the annual Horse Fair every June. Shops close down and streets patrolled by cops as thousands of travellers gear up for 2nd day of Appleby Horse Fair Conor added: "It has got a lot worse more recently." Shopworker Kyra Crump, 18, said: "The litter and mess and other filth is just appalling. They obviously have no common decency – otherwise they would clear it all up themselves. "If you go out you have to watch where you are walking as there is so much waste on the floor. "People were posting images of just how disgusting it was. "They don't care about the local community at all. One minute they are here and the next they are gone." 9 9 9 Games host Connie Harphand, 25, who has a flat overlooking the playing fields, said: "It was a shock waking up one morning and seeing them all there. "My flat mate sent me a video of the antics and we had vans and police cars ever day. "We probably had 30 or so caravans and they were just driving through an entrance they had made for themselves on the main road." A 59-year-old handyman, from Altrincham, who works in the area, but declined to be named, told The Sun: "I've worked around here for 25 years and they have been turning up more in recent years. "Some of the people I work for are very appalled that it's happening so much – they fear it will have an impact on property prices and want the council to keep them out." The city council has confirmed it has blocked access to sections of Hough End Playing Fields, for the clean up and a vast skip stands on the path with all the tapes and warning signs now removed along with the waste. A council spokesperson said the waste was found after a "traveller encampment" was "evicted" from the Fields last Friday (June 20). A statement read: "An encampment of travellers was evicted from Hough End Playing Fields on Friday, June 20. 'The site was assessed and re-secured and an initial clean-up operation to remove a huge quantity of waste was undertaken. "The removal of the remaining waste by our contractor Biffa has started today to ensure that this part of Hough End is re-opened and accessible for residents once again.' The statement from the authority added it will investigate security for the park. The spokesperson continued: 'We continuously review our site security and we will work with the rugby club to see how we can both better secure this site for the future." The council spent millions on a controversial expansion of the Fields' leisure centre that opened in 2022, with campaigners arguing building car parks and artificial sports pitches on the grass was bad for the environment. The Sun has contacted Greater Manchester Police for comment. 9 9 9
