Property in Manchester is not only reaching for the sky: its ownership is extending across the globe. With investors keen to cash in on the lucrative high rise luxury housing boom in Manchester city centre, the number of properties owned by companies registered overseas has risen by 8.8% in just eight months. Tower blocks are […]
Wythenshawe MP backs Manchester lawyer calling for end to legal aid cuts after being paid £255 for seven months work
Guest Article from The Wythenshawe Reporter: Catriona McLauglin, a solicitor advocate, based in Manchester says criminal lawyers are leaving the profession because of the cuts, denying access to justice to some of the most vulnerable people accused of crimes. And the independent body which represents solicitors, the Law Society, who are mounting a legal challenge to […]
Manchester is putting Housing First – and the results look good
This article is part of ‘The Meteor Explores: Homelessness in Manchester‘ series. Decadence, procrastination and occasional nudity. It would be tricky to explain some of our private domestic activities to an imagined third-party observer, but anarchic indulgence is for many the wholly necessary backend to the economically functional front which the aforementioned observer would probably wish […]
Inside the outside: living on the streets of Manchester
“Spice victims!” a well dressed woman said as she walked past us in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, where we were sat together, wrapped in sleeping bags at the entrance of a bank. It was late in the evening as late winter was turning into early spring. At this time of year, it is still cold, yet […]
‘No compassion’ as Manchester homeless squat evicted
Guest article from the Salford Star: Monday’s early morning eviction of a squat above the BefFred shop opposite Manchester Town Hall has been roundly condemned by housing campaigners, as 17 homeless people were put back on the streets. Greater Manchester Housing Action stated “shame on whoever it was that made the decision to evict”; while […]
BBC local democracy reporter sham as contracts handed to Manchester Evening News publisher
Guest story from the Salford Star: The BBC has announced that its new massively funded Local Democracy Reporter scheme is set to benefit the profit-driven mainstream media, with Manchester Evening News publisher, Trinity Mirror, getting six funded reporters in Greater Manchester. The Salford Star pulled out of the process months ago, with the board telling […]
Greater Manchester people to exchange ideas for ending housing crisis
Guest article from the Salford Star: An open ‘housing ideas exchange’ this Thursday aims to bring people from the community together with professionals, academics, activists and charities to “inspire and encourage new ideas around the housing crisis”. Anyone can attend and take part. Lack of affordable housing, private rent hikes, tenants’ rights and homelessness are […]
Hugs conquer hate in Manchester
Sitting and watching Sarah Whitehead and her team of volunteers giving out free hugs, it became clear to me that the spirit of this city will not be broken. Mancunians were visibly embracing the advice of poet Tony Walsh when he said “Choose love Manchester” at a vigil to those killed and injured in the […]
Poet Tony Walsh says ‘choose love Manchester’ at vigil for the Arena bombers victims
Guest article from The Salford Star: Last night, as thousands of people, including the Salford Mayor and the city’s MPs, attended a vigil in Albert Square, it emerged that the suspected Manchester Arena bomber, who left 22 dead and 59 injured, was 22 year old Salman Abedi, a student at the University of Salford. “This […]
Mayoral candidate Will Patterson proposes a green future for Greater Manchester
Will Patterson proposes a green future for Greater Manchester (GM) in his bid to become the first elected mayor of the region on the 4 May 2017, replacing the current interim mayor Tony Lloyd. Patterson answers questions previously posed to four other major mayoral candidates: Andy Burnham (Labour Party), Sean Anstee (Conservative Party), Shneur Odze […]