A man has been arrested on suspicion of a knife point business robbery after being apprehended by two Greater Manchester Police officers in Dukinfield.
The officers were on routine patrol in Tameside on Saturday night, when they witnessed a man in all dark clothing running from an address on King Street.
The officers gave chase, but the man turned and threatened them with a knife.
A 43-year-old man remains in custody for questioning in connection with the incident.
DCI Abdul Kahar of the Tameside district said: “This was an excellent arrest and I am very proud of the officers involved who reacted quickly and in the interests of keeping the public safe. Knives have no place on our streets – they bring only violence and misery and we will continue to work tirelessly to remove them and hold any offenders to account.
“We all have a part to play in fighting, preventing, and reducing knife crime. If you know or suspect someone is carrying a knife, please report it immediately. Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via gmp.police.uk or 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.”
Those aged between 11 and 17 can make anonymous reports via Fearless.org
Road closures have been announced ahead of the Manchester Christmas Parade which takes place in the city centre on Sunday.
The free family-friendly parade will start and finish at Manchester Cathedral, setting off at 1 pm from the Cathedral along the following route: Manchester Cathedral – Victoria Street – Deansgate – John Dalton Street – Cross Street – Market Street – St Mary’s Gate – Deansgate – Victoria Street – Manchester Cathedral
Details of the road closures, changes to Metrolink timetable and on-street parking which are necessary in order for the parade to safely go ahead are listed below:
Road closures from 8am to 5pm
Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach)
Market Street (Cross Street to Exchange Street)
St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate)
Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square)
11am to 3pm
Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel Street to Deansgate)
Deansgate (Victoria Street to John Dalton Street)
John Dalton Street (Southgate to Clarence Street)
Cross Street (John Dalton Street to Corporation Street)
Metrolink suspension
From 12pm to 2.30pm
2CC (St Peter’s Square to Exchange Square) suspended parking
Suspensions and exemptions
From 6pm on Friday to 5pm on Sunday
Market Street (outside Marks and Spencers) – One bay only
From 6pm on Saturday to 5pm on Sunday
Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach)
Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square)
St Ann Street (Southgate to Cross Street)
Deansgate (Victoria Street to John Dalton Street)
John Dalton Street (King Street West to Clarence Street)
Cross Street (John Dalton Street to Corporation Street)
Market Street (Cross Street to St Mary’s Gate)
St Mary’s Gate (Market Street to Deansgate)
St James’s Square (John Dalton Street to South King Street)
King Street West (Deansgate to Bridge Street)
Members of the public coming in to watch the parade are advised to plan their journey in advance and to use public transport where possible. Information on how to travel by public transport to watch the parade at tfgm.com
Proposals for a new major urban park at the former Central Retail Park site have been submitted.
Designed in collaboration with landscape architects Planit-IE the investment aims to transform the long-term brownfield site to deliver a high quality, attractive green space in Manchester’s city centre – while also connecting to the existing Cotton Field Park behind and through to Ancoats and New Islington.
Following public consultation in August and September of this year, detailed design work has now been undertaken to enable the planning application to be submitted.
Providing a green buffer to Great Ancoats Street, the tiered design will navigate the site’s various level changes, creating accessible pathways through the playful, garden-style elements.
A central lawn and plaza tie together the wider development of the site, offering a space where people can escape the bustle of the city centre, alongside a play area for children.
The new park will complement the wider first phase of development of the former retail site, which will be developed separately by the Government Property Agency (GPA), to create a state-of-the-art digital campus. The office complex will bring together a number of Civic Service departments with a focus around digital skills, and will support around 7,000 Civil Service jobs.
A second phase of development will be brought forward by the council at a later date.
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have envisaged a greener, more welcoming future for the former retail site for some years and this feels a landmark moment for this part of our city centre.
“Once a barrier to the thriving neighbourhood behind, these proposals reimagine the site as a vibrant district with a green oasis at its heart, helping to meet clear demand for quality park space in our city centre – and part of a thread of nearby green space investment, including Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green.
“More widely, the retail site will be part developed by the GPA who will deliver a new digital campus that will support 7,000 quality Civil Service jobs in the coming years, creating employment opportunities for local people and continued growth in Manchester.”
Police are continuing to investigate the murder of a 27-year-old man in Leigh, as his family pay tribute today.
Emergency services were called to Siddow Common at 6.50pm on Tuesday, to reports that a man had been stabbed.
Jack O’Brien (pictured) was taken to hospital for further treatment but passed away.
Police have arrested two men aged 55 and 53, on suspicion of murder, and two men aged 53 and 45 have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Jack’s family said: “Where do we start? As a family were absolutely devastated somebody has brutally taken our only son, brother, uncle and grandson.
“No mother should ever have to bury a child.
“We have been left with a massive hole in our hearts which will never heal.
“As a family we will cherish every memory good and the bad. His memory will live through us all, forever our Jack and forever 27.”
Detectives are still appealing for anyone who has any information to come forwards and speak to them.
A police spokesman said: “No piece of information is too small and it could be what we need to get answers for Jack’s family.
“If you have any information, CCTV, dashcam or phone footage please contact us on 101 or contact detectives directly on 0161 856 1995 quoting log number 2989 of 03/12/24. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Officers are appealing for information following a burglary at a warehouse at Manchester Airport.
Between the evening of Saturday, November 23 and morning of Sunday, November 24, a large quantity of cosmetic derma fillers and products were taken, before being loaded onto a truck and driven away.
Two people, aged 28 and 33, were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, with a number of the items taken now recovered. The pair have now been released on bail pending further enquiries.
The products taken were Lumifil branded items (MAX, KISS, and LITE), in addition to Volifil branded DEEP and SUB-Q items.
Anyone who has been offered the products, whether on a personal or commercial basis, is asked to check the following batch codes:
Lumifil Max Batch codes LLX2410 / LLX2409 / LLX2408
Lumifil Max Batch codes LLX2410 / LLX2409 / LLX2408
If you believe you have purchased the products, you should contact police via 101 or contact the Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting CRI/06II/0001752/24. You can also contact 0161 856 0241. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
According to research from the Charity Commission, only 47% of individuals donated money, goods, or raised funds for charity in 2023 – a decline from 62% in 2020.
This downward trend, coupled with a higher demand for services and a surge in operating costs, has the potential to place significant strain on many Greater Manchester charities.
Ansvar Insurance, a provider of insurance for the charity, not-for-profit, faith and care sectors, has identified the five risks charities are expected to face in 2025, and is providing expert advice on how organisations can protect themselves.
Adam Tier, head of underwriting at Ansvar, said: “In 2025, charities will have to deal with rising operational costs, growing service demand, and monetary donations continuing to be affected by the cost-of-living crisis. The impact on the sector has been significant, particularly for smaller, local charities, where resources are already stretched.”
1. Financial instability
Charities are struggling with declining donations and rising costs, including increased utility bills and the upcoming living wage increase to £12.21 per hour. To maintain financial sustainability, charities must prioritise financial planning and seek alternative funding sources like corporate partnerships and grants.
2. Increased demand for services
Whether it’s foodbanks, hospices or mental health support, charities across Greater Manchester are on the front line. While government funding for social care and healthcare is expected to help, local impact will take time. Strategic partnerships with local authorities and other charities are key to managing demand effectively.
3. Declining income from donations
Changes in Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax in the recent budget may encourage legacy giving. Therefore, charities should invest in donor engagement strategies to address the ongoing decline in donations, as noted by the Charity Commission.
4. Cybersecurity threats
Cybercrime is on the rise in the charity sector, with a third of charities that responded to the Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 reporting they have fallen victim to an attack. Charities need to implement strong cybersecurity measures, educate staff on safe online practices and ensure they have insurance coverage specific to the charity sector that addresses cyber threats.
5. Regulatory and compliance risks
The government has announced that new charity tax regulations will come into effect in April 2026, which is in addition to the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (DPDI) which may impact data protection, fundraising, and safeguarding. Ansvar urges charities to regularly review compliance strategies to avoid financial and reputational risks from regulatory breaches.
Adam added: “It’s vital that charities take proactive steps to ensure their resilience, from reviewing their financial strategies to securing adequate insurance cover to protect against emerging risks. We’re committed to helping charities understand the hazards they face and take the proactive steps needed to protect themselves, so they can continue making a difference in their communities.”
UK food and drink experts have forecasted the trends that will shape consumer behaviour in 2025. Among the highlights are functional foods, improved standards in low and no-alcohol beverages, intriguing European flavours, eco-friendly choices, and a strengthened organic sector—all set to redefine how we interact with our food and drink.
Here the UK’s advisors to the EU’s ‘More Than Only Food and Drink’ campaign reveal their trend predictions which pave the way for a more mindful and dynamic food and drink landscape for the year ahead:
Better gut health with functional foods
As consumers increasingly seek to protect and improve their gut health, the global digestive health market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.3% in the next five years. As a result, fermented foods and products made using traditional methods continue to find favour in consumer health choices. Sourdough is one such product growing in popularity as consumers look for authenticity and a return to low intervention production methods.
Simon Atkins, an expert on the UK and EU bakery industry and advisor for the EU’s ‘More Than Only Food & Drink’ campaign, predicts that this focus on authenticity and traditional methods will drive further demand for a wider variety of artisan breads in the UK.
Simon explains: “As awareness around ultra processed food continues to gain momentum and people place more focus on how the food they eat makes them feel from the inside out, consumers are seeking out products which are made using traditional baking methods. Sourdough is an example of this. There are different variations made across Europe – from pain au levain (French sourdough), a traditional bread made with wild yeast to create rustic, crusty loaves with a mild tangy flavour; to Denmark’s rugbrød, a traditional sourdough rye bread that is dense and hearty, made with whole rye grains, seeds, and a natural sourdough starter.”
“Whilst local grains and fermentation times vary, at the heart of sourdough is centuries old breadmaking traditions, celebrated for their natural and gut-friendly properties. These breads will become a key part of the functional food movement in the year ahead.”
The functional health agenda is also driving new product development in confectionery, according to Katherine Shipley, retail product development expert and confectionery advisor to the EU’s ‘More Than Only Food & Drink’ campaign.
Katherine says: “Products with lower sugar or more natural sugars are gaining momentum, certainly in the natural sugar arena. We are seeing gummies made with fruit juice without added sugar or sweeteners. This is paired with innovation in wellness confectionery, such as adding nutrients and vitamins or adding mood enhancing ingredients..”
The bar will be raised in the low and no sector
According to the IWSR, the overall no and low-alcohol segment showed volume growth of 47% from 2022 to 2023, with forecast volume CAGR of 19% from 2023 to 2028.
Neil McAndrew a wine industry consultant and advisor to the EU’s ‘More Than Only Food and Drink’ campaign says: “Moderation is increasingly a key factor for many consumers and there is a greater tendency to socialise without alcohol or opt for no and low alcohol alternatives. These changing habits are driving a surge of new wine related drinks with a leap in the quality and flavour profile available..”
He adds: “This new demand has been recognised by some of the world’s leading wine producers and the prospect of famous producers in key regions such as Bordeaux in France, applying their expertise to this emerging sector is particularly exciting.”
“I expect to see consumers demanding more from the low and no category in 2025 – both in a restaurant and bar setting, as well as in off-trade environments. Offering a choice of high quality alcohol free beverages will be crucial to meeting changing customer demands.”
Sustainability will move from plate to packaging
Following a recent visit to Champagne, drinks writer Alice Lascelles reported that sustainability was dominating the conversation like never before, with packaging the hot topic.
An estimated 46% of total greenhouse gas emissions, from picking grapes to bottling the wine, comes from glass production and European wine producers have been seeking ways to reduce the weight and environmental impact of the packaging for a number of years.
“In 2025, consumers will be playing event closer attention to the sustainability credentials of the food and drink that they are consuming”, predicts Neil McAndrew. “But it’s not just about the way that food is produced, packaging will be a key consideration too.”
Neil continued: “In Italy, one winery has been reducing the weight of its glass bottles gradually since 2021 and worked with a glass supplier to create a lighter bottle. Since 2023, it has been using a 420g bottle (this was not patented to allow other wineries to use the design). The company estimates the latest model reduces its glass consumption from 512 tonnes of glass with the old 650g bottle, to 398 tonnes with the 420g bottle.”
“The winery also stopped using aluminium screw caps and replaced the zinc capsules on cork-closure bottles with paper ribbons, estimating that these moves reduce the use of zinc alloy and aluminium by five tonnes a year.”
“Whilst in Spain, recent regulations require all wine packaging to be 100% recyclable by 2030, those that do not meet the requirement will be banned.”
“Eco-design is a way for the Spanish wine sector to achieve ‘packaging circularity’, starting with measures aiming to prevent and reduce waste through better wine packaging criteria. These criteria include cutting out superfluous additional packaging, such as replacing labels with techniques such as screen printing, eliminating corner pieces on tertiary packaging, eliminating additional elements such as collars and communicating wine information through other means, such as QR codes.”
Confectionery is also seeing developments in more sustainable packaging, Katherine Shipley advises: “We are starting to see a lot more chocolate and confectionery packaged in paper, whether this is an outer sleeve or a paper sealed envelope. We are also seeing more compostable materials and packaging made from post-consumer recycled bottles. This will really gain momentum in 2025 as people actively seek out products with elevated sustainability credentials.”
International vehicle logistics firm Ontime Automotive has announced the formation of Ontime Automotive Germany GmbH. The launch of its first German premises in Bergheim, near Cologne, marks a pivotal step in the company’s strategic European expansion.
The new facility benefits from a central location, offering excellent links to major European motorways and road networks. It is situated near the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Europe’s largest hub for vehicle transhipments, which handles over three million new vehicles annually.
The Bergheim site will initially offer covered storage and technical support services, reflecting the activities of Ontime’s Technical Services division based in Chelmsford, UK. This approach ensures a consistent standard of service across its expanding European operations.
Serving leading German automotive manufacturers and high-net-worth clients, Ontime aims to build on existing relationships while investing further in its European logistics and customer services.
Commenting on the expansion, Ontime Automotive’s Managing Director, Justin Brinklow, said: “As a logistics partner to a number of manufacturers and automotive groups in Germany, it has always been our intention to establish a base here.
“With recent updates to EU regulations and Germany’s lead in producing more vehicles than any other country in Europe, it’s commercially the right time for us.”
He added, “We envisage the facility will become integral for existing clients and those who choose Ontime in the future.”
The company has also confirmed plans for additional investment in early 2025, including the deployment of its first German-based transporters. These vehicles will expand Ontime’s owned fleet, bringing its total number of covered transporters to over 90.
Ontime Automotive’s UK headquarters will continue to oversee operations, supported by facilities in Calais, France, and the newly launched site in Bergheim, Germany.
Formula One world champion Max Verstappen threatened a crash that would send George Russell’s head into a wall at the Qatar Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver has claimed while accusing the Red Bull superstar of “lashing out” whenever he has faced “adversity” on the circuit.
Russell and Verstappen were involved in controversy at the race on Sunday, with both drivers speaking to the stewards after the 27-year-old lost pole position for blocking the Briton and received a one-place grid penalty.
“I find it all quite ironic, seeing as on Saturday night he said he was going to purposefully go out of his way to crash into me and ‘put me on my f****** head in the wall”,” Russell told journalists on Thursday, discussing remarks the pair have exchanged since the race in comments first reported by ESPN.
“So to question somebody’s integrity as a person, while saying comments like that the day before, I find is very ironic – and I’m not going to sit here and accept it.
“People have been bullied by Max for years now, and you can’t question his driving abilities. But he cannot deal with adversity.”
Three fighting for the lead up front, three colliding at the back 💥
Speaking after the race, Verstappen told Viaplay that he had “lost all respect” for Russell because of behaviour he said he had shown in front of the stewards.
“I was quite surprised when sitting there in the stewards’ room, what was all going on,” Verstappen said.
“I’ve never seen someone trying to screw someone over that hard. He always acts extremely polite in front of the cameras but if you sit together with him personally, he’s a completely different person.
“I truly can’t stand that. Then you might as well get lost. I don’t want anything to do with you.”
ESPN said it had contacted Verstappen for comment about Russell’s latest interview. “What happens in the stewards’ room, you fight hard, but it’s never personal,” said the three-time Grand Prix winner.
“But he’s taken it too far now. He said, ‘I don’t know why you would want to screw me like this, I’m so disappointed in you.
“‘I was going to not even race you tomorrow, I was going to let you by. But now if I have to, I will purposely go out of my way to put you on your f****** head in the wall.’
“So, I mean… as I said, I don’t understand why he was so unnecessarily aggressive and violent in that regard.
A restart so frantic, it was impossible to know where to look!
“I honestly just want to set the record straight, to be honest. It’s just a total double standard that he has for the regulations, and just thinking that he is above everybody else.
“So it’s not me trying to assert my leadership style or anything. It’s just somebody has come out and said that I’m a two-faced m***********, and he’s entitled to his own opinions.
“But coming out and saying that publicly, and slamming me publicly – as I say, I’m just not going to accept it, and I’m going to tell people what the reality was.”
Verstappen ‘thinks he can get away with murder’
Verstappen’s daring tactics have drawn admiration from fans and reservations from critics during his career. “He pushes himself to the absolute limit week in, week out, and that, in 95% of the scenarios, is incredible to see,” acknowledged Russell.
“And I respect him for that 95%. But there have been incidents that have gone unpunished. Maybe that is why he thinks he can get away with murder. But that is not the world we live in and actions have consequences.
“They’re doing their utmost to get [team principal Christian] Horner out of Red Bull, but at the very first race that he wasn’t competitive, [Verstappen] was absolutely slamming his team.
“I know for a fact the week after, a quarter of his engineering team were sending their CVs to Mercedes, to McLaren, to Aston [Martin].
“So I don’t respect somebody who doesn’t appreciate those who have given him the chance to perform, because these last 12 races, he has had a car that is of normal competitiveness… that’s how it should be.
“He’s the biggest, most successful guy in the sport for the last couple of years. He can do what he wants in his own business, but when he starts throwing comments around like he did on Sunday night about me, I’m not just going to sit there and accept it.”
Verstappen won his fourth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 24.
Russell is currently sixth in the standings, immediately above teammate and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
The University of Salford’s Energy House 2.0 project has highlighted Loxone as a leader in energy-efficient and intelligent building automation, demonstrating its value for sustainable construction.
Loxone’s advanced automation technology excelled in the Energy House 2.0 testing facility, delivering high levels of precision and adaptability. The system maintained indoor temperatures of 21°C in average winter conditions and 20°C in extreme cold (-5°C) while achieving exceptional energy efficiency and minimising waste.
Located in Manchester, Energy House 2.0 features two state-of-the-art climatic chambers, making it a world-class facility for evaluating building technologies. These chambers replicate typical UK winter conditions (5°C) and more extreme weather (-5°C), providing a realistic environment for testing construction solutions. Since January 2023, the university has released several reports, including the latest, Energy House 2.0 Study on Future Homes Standard Heating Systems, which underscores Loxone’s BMS as a standout performer in both maintaining target temperatures and optimising energy usage.
“We’re thrilled to see Loxone’s system perform at such a high level in one of the most realistic testing environments available,” said Tyron Cosway, Branch Manager Loxone UK. “Our mission has always been to set new standards in building automation, and the Energy House 2.0 results underline our commitment to creating intelligent systems that minimise energy waste while delivering unparalleled comfort. The findings of this report further emphasise Loxone as a proven option for developers and home builders alike needing to adapt to the Future Homes Standard expected to come into effect in 2025.”
Integrated Solutions for Sustainable Living
Within the climatic chamber, a three-bedroom house named eHome2 was built in partnership with Barratt Developments and Saint-Gobain. Here, Loxone’s automation system integrated seamlessly with Thermaskirt heating panels and an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), enabling tailored temperature management with maximum efficiency.
When tested against another leading heating control system, Loxone demonstrated its ability to deliver consistent indoor temperatures across all zones, even under varying conditions. Its intuitive adaptation to environmental changes and user preferences ensures precise and efficient climate control, reducing energy use and enhancing comfort.
Setting New Standards for Sustainability
The Energy House 2.0 results position Loxone as an ideal choice for developers, self-builders, and housebuilders seeking sustainable solutions. By intelligently managing heat distribution and reducing energy consumption, Loxone supports the transition to eco-friendly, cost-effective building practices.
As an innovator in sustainable building automation, Loxone’s achievements at Energy House 2.0 highlight its capability to integrate seamlessly with diverse systems and deliver exceptional performance. Its BMS represents a forward-thinking solution for those aiming to build or retrofit homes for a sustainable future.
