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Here is today's Mancunian Way:
Hello,
A piece about a plug-in heated airer that costs just 3p an hour to run was the most read story on the Manchester Evening News website this morning. It offers a good insight into what Mancunians are really worried about as the colder days begin to draw in.
As such, designer Lisa Walsh has come up with these brilliant graphics to show the average price of running household appliances following news of the new energy price cap.
Of course it’s not just individuals and families worried about their upcoming bills. Those running pubs, bars and restaurants are already making changes. The Gherkin in Levenshulme, has started a ‘pay what you feel’ offer in response to the cost of living crisis. The Monday night menu began as a gesture to help displaced Ukrainians, but has been extended to anyone feeling the pinch.
Meanwhile Northern Quarter vegan diner V-Rev has slashed opening hours as they are ‘no longer able to operate in the same way’ due to the soaring costs.
Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester’s night time economy advisor, has warned that seven out of 10 pubs could close this winter unless they get urgent government support to combat soaring energy bills.
"I think we are now entering probably the most critical week for my industry in my lifetime," he told the World At One. “My phone is red hot and people are just at the end of their tether."
Getting to London
Reporter Stephen Topping is currently one of thousands forming an orderly queue on the banks of the Thames as he waits with mourners to file past the Queen’s coffin at Westminster Hall.
People have been warned they could face a 12-hour wait. The doors of the hall will not actually open until 5pm - but by 8am the line already stretched several miles between Lambeth Bridge and Westminster Bridge.
Greater Manchester Police is dispatching hundreds of police officers to the capital to boost security ahead of the state funeral on Monday.
It’s lucky Stephen managed to get down to the capital at all today, given the current state of train services between Manchester and London. Mayor Andy Burnham and Manchester Council leader Bev Craig have written to Avanti bosses asking them to better support people wishing to travel down south to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
They ask for tickets to be released earlier, first class seats to be declassified to make more available and a ‘significant improvement in customer service'.
Weather, etc.
- Thursday: Cloudy changing to sunny intervals by late morning. 17C.
- Roads closed: One lane closed due to bridge maintenance work on M67 in both directions from J1 to J4 between 5am and 9pm Mondays to Sundays until September 19.
Humanity and respect
Family and friends of Manchester's first homeless tour guide gathered at an emotional memorial ceremony to honour and pay tribute to his life last night.
Much-loved Danny Collins passed away in July aged 66 after a long illness.
He worked with Invisible Cities, which trains people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own cities. Friends said Danny's tours taught his visitors about 'humanity and respect'.
Manchester headlines
Investigation: Police are preparing to investigate alleged mistreatment of patients at The Edenfield Centre, a mental health unit based in the grounds of the former Prestwich Hospital. It follows a BBC Panorama programme about the unit. Chief reporter Neal Keeling has the story. Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - which runs The Edenfield Centre - is already under scrutiny after three young people died within nine months at other units at the Prestwich facility.
Fines: Drivers could be fined up to £70 for breaking rules at seven junctions across Manchester if the city council gets new powers previously held by police. The town hall has selected seven sites where it would enforce restrictions which are already in place but police do not have the resources to enforce, including areas of Stockport Road, Princess Parkway and Great Ancoats Street.
Out of area: A group of Wythenshawe parents are keeping their children back from school and refusing to accept places they have been offered. They all applied for places at various Trafford Council schools, but youngsters were instead offered places at Manchester Academy, in Moss Side, five miles away. More here.
That's all for today
Thanks for joining me. If you have any stories you would like us to look into, please email: beth.abbit@menmedia.co.uk
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