Keep up to date with all the big stories from across Greater Manchester in the daily Mancunian Way newsletter. You can receive the newsletter direct to your inbox every weekday by signing up right here.
Here's the Mancunian Way for today:
Hello,
It’s been hailed as a groundbreaking moment, but new Census data on sexual orientation must also be treated with caution according to experts.
They say the figures - available for the first time - will help charities better target resources and support to help LGBTQ+ people thrive. But they stress it offers merely a ‘snapshot’ and the data ‘remains incomplete’.
We’ll be discussing that in today’s newsletter. We’ll also be looking at the new bulding hoping to rival Beetham Tower and how being rejected on Dragon's Den actually helped a Manchester entrepreneur. Let’s begin.
A groundbreaking moment
It's the Manchester neighbourhood with one of the highest numbers of LGB+ residents in the country - and the highest in the North.
Piccadilly and Ancoats has 1,693 people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or another sexual orientation other than heterosexual. And more LGB+ people live there than in any other Greater Manchester neighbourhood.
That’s according to census figures collected for the first time, in a move hailed as ‘groundbreaking’ by the LGBT Foundation.
The census also collected data on gender identity. In Greater Manchester, the city of Manchester had the highest proportion of people who said they have a gender identity different from their sex registered with at birth - 1.02 per cent.
Here, Rusholme West and Moss Side East has the highest proportion of people who said they have a gender identity different from their sex registered at birth, with 2.42 per cent.
The LGBT Foundation says asking about gender identity, sexual orientation and trans identity recognises and normalises diversity and difference.
"It is an exciting and groundbreaking moment that gives a baseline understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences in the UK,” they said.
Nancy Kelley, chief executive of Stonewall, says LGBTQ+ people have previously been 'invisible' and this new data will help charities better target resources to support and help them thrive.
“It’s a historic step forward after decades of Stonewall campaigning to record sexual orientation and gender identity in the census, finally painting an accurate picture of the diverse ‘Rainbow Britain’ that we now live in, where more and more of us are proud to be who we are.”
Richard Ault, of the Reach data unit, has been crunching the numbers on sexual orientation and found that 84,983 people living in Greater Manchester do not identify as straight or heterosexual. That represents 3.72 per cent of the population aged 16 and over.
Census maps show the strongest LGB+ communities in the region with more people identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual or any ‘other’ sexual identity in the Piccadilly & Ancoats neighbourhood than anywhere else. A total of 1,082 people living there identify as gay or lesbian, 508 are bisexual and 103 have an ‘other’ sexual identity, such as pansexual or asexual.
LGB+ people also make up a higher percentage of the population in Piccadilly & Ancoats - 16.96 per cent - than anywhere else in Greater Manchester. In fact, in all England and Wales only three neighbourhoods in Brighton have a higher proportion of LGB+ residents.
There are also high proportions of LGB+ people in Greengate and Blackfriars in Salford (15.34%), City Centre North & Collyhurst in Manchester (15.11%) and New Islington South & Bradford (15.02%).
Winstanley in Wigan is the ‘straightest’ neighbourhood in Greater Manchester, with 94.60 per cent reporting to the Census that they identify as heterosexual.
The LGBT Foundation has welcomed the collection of information on sexual orientation and gender identity, but says the data merely offers a ‘snapshot’. They say there are a range of reasons why people may not feel able to disclose these details and advise approaching the data ‘cautiously’.
“The historic and ongoing attitudes towards LGBTQ+ communities, particularly trans and non-binary people, will stop many from feeling safe to provide this information,” they say.
“Meanwhile, many LGBTQ+ people are living within households and environments where they are unable to be open about their gender identity, sexual orientation and trans identity. As such it will be years before we get an accurate picture, informed by figures from, and comparison with, future surveys.”
They added: “To achieve a fair and equal society, we must understand the lived experience of LGBTQ+ communities. Census data is just one part of that - it constitutes a vital step in ensuring our communities can share their experiences and identities at a national level.
“We know that figures provided in the Census represent only a small proportion of all LGBTQ+ people, and we hope that an increasing number of our communities feel confident to self-disclose in future censuses."
The skyscraper hoping to rival Beetham Tower
These images show how the Northern Quarter’s new £154m tower block will look on completion.
One Port Street will stand at 33 storeys with 477 apartments, a private swimming pool, spa pool and gym and rooftop terrace.
As Jon Robinson reports, it’s expected to feature a 'grand reception area' that will be 'reminiscent of a hotel', centred around a 360° firepit with concierge service. There will also be a ground floor urban garden with covered seating.
The scheme - which was twice rejected by planners - is being led by Select Property Group, which bought the site from Town Centre Securities for £12.95m in December. Construction is now expected to start in the coming weeks.
Ian Simpson, partner at architecture firm SimpsonHaugh, says it will be ‘the ultimate place for professionals to live’. "One Port Street will become as synonymous with the Northern Quarter as Beetham Tower has become for Deansgate,” he says.
He's in bits
Here’s an update on Manchester’s big Santa after yesterday's 'why are you up after twelfth night?' drama.
He was last spotted in pieces, outside Central Library, by local democracy reporter Joseph Timan.
A headache
Speaking of the festive season, it’s expected that Manchester's Christmas markets will not return to Piccadilly Gardens after the area began 2023 as a 'mud bath'.
Town hall bosses are looking for alternatives for this year, after the market and New Year's Eve celebrations left Piccadilly Gardens looking a mess.
Coun Pat Karney told reporter Stephen Topping: "I can see it looks horrible and a mess, I can see what everyone else can see, and it's because people have got affection for Piccadilly Gardens. It's in everyone's memories in Manchester.
"The problem is, this area is used for multi-purposes all the time. It will probably be the last time we're here because we'll go somewhere else next year. It's still a headache with Albert Square not being available."
Off the rails
Bad news if you regularly use Salford Central railway station - it’s now closed until the summer.
Rail chiefs have been forced to close the station completely so that a multi-million pound refurbishment to increase platform heights and upgrade roof canopies, track and signals can take place.
The station already has lifts to the platform, but Network Rail said the stepping distance between trains and the platform edge was too far for most trains to accommodate ramps safely. Raising the height of the platform will mean ramps can be used for all trains.
Paul Britton reports that the station closed on January 2 and is not due to open again until the summer. A peak time rail replacement shuttle service will run every 15 minutes between Salford Crescent, Salford Central and Manchester Victoria.
Prisoner injured in brawl
An inmate was injured during a 'ten-man brawl' at Forest Bank prison.
It is understood violence erupted on C2, a wing which houses mostly younger men, on Monday, as John Scheerhout reports.
A source familiar with the Salford prison said a 'ten-man brawl' ended with one prisoner being taken to hospital after being 'badly assaulted'. They said one female member of staff had also been hurt. It’s understood there were 'no significant' injuries to staff.
This is the latest in a string of incidents at the prison, which is run and operated by Sodexo on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.
The prison watchdog is investigating after an inmate died at the prison last week - the latest in a number of fatalities at the Category B jail.
In December firefighters were called to put out a fire and two months prior, vandals damaged three cars belonging to staff.
The most recent watchdog report slammed Forest Bank for being 'unable to fill its role successfully', detailing 'cramped and overcrowded cells' and a problem with mice.
Bouncing back
She was rejected by the business gurus on Dragon’s Den, but it didn’t set her back.
Manchester-based entrepreneur Delight Mapasure instead took her South African sausage business to Costco and signed a deal with them.
First appearing on the BBC One show in 2021 to pitch for investment for K's Wors, Delight was turned down by the Dragons. But she has now revealed what happened afterwards.
Writing on LinkedIn, she said: "I remembered how I confidently walked onto the set of Dragon’s Den in 2021 with my big hair, big smile and bright blue and yellow outfit.
"I was watched by millions of people sharing my passion with the Dragons. I introduced them to our award-winning boerewors and even though they loved them, I could not convince them to invest in my business.
"Though I had faced rejection many times on this journey, this time it was different. It was in public, in front of millions of viewers.
"I had to dig really deep in order to comeback from this. As they say, the comeback must be stronger than the downfall and as a deeply spiritual person I had faith that I would bounce back.”
She signed a deal with Costco during the pandemic and her company is now exploring overseas markets and pursuing leads in UK retail.
Weather etc
- Wednesday: Overcast changing to heavy rain by lunchtime. 8C.
- Road closures: M56 Eastbound exit slip road to the A34 closed due to roadworks at A34 Kingsway until 7am February 5.
- A577 Atherton Road, in Hindley, closed due to roadworks between Morris Street and Platt Lane / Lord Street until 5pm on January 29.
- Trains: Salford Central will be closed until summer 2023 for vital platform and canopy works. Passengers are advised to use the free Manchester city centre shuttle busses to connect to trains at the other central Manchester stations.
- Trivia question: Oldham’s Sarah Lancashire is currently starring as Catherine Cawood in BBC One’s Happy Valley - but what was the name of the Coronation Street character she made her name portraying?
Manchester headlines
- Full up: Residents have slammed plans for a new housing estate in Salford, claiming it will 'make lives miserable'. Peel L&P want to build 350 homes on land off Leigh Road, Boothstown, on a site they are calling ‘Alder Carr’. The homes will have the capability of being 90 to 95 per cent energy efficient. But residents say the area is already ‘full up’ and fear the estate, opposite RHS Bridgewater, will trigger overpopulated roads, schools and GP surgeries. More here.
Delayed: The opening of a ‘desperately needed’ new £17m special school in Stockport has been delayed. Pear Tree Academy is set to provide places for up to 133 secondary pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with autism. It will be based at the derelict Orrishmere Primary School site, in Cheadle Hulme, which has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour over recent years. Councillors passed the plans last October and were delighted that children would benefit from being educated closer to home, while the authority would also save thousands by not having to shell out on external placements. The Worcester Road school was set to open this year. But there has now been a delay after the Department for Education decided to change contractor. More here.
- Flooding: Multiple flood alerts have been issued across Greater Manchester this afternoon after the region was battered by torrential rain. An alert is currently in place for the Lower River Irwell catchment which covers a large area of Salford as well as Manchester city centre, Tameside and Oldham. A second alert is in place covering parts of Wigan and Bolton due to rising water level at the River Douglas. The alert means flooding is possible and warns residents to prepare. Local residents are being advised to avoid low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding.
Worth a read
Crime reporter John Scheerhout and court reporter Andrew Bardsley have been looking at the links between the Abedi brothers and a multi-million pound drugs gang which flooded the streets with cocaine and ecstasy.
Their report follows the jailing of five drug dealers for their parts in a four-year plot which began before Salman Abedi committed the appalling atrocity at Manchester Arena in May 2017.
You can read the full piece here.
That's all for today
Thanks for joining me. If you have stories you would like us to look into, email beth.abbit@menmedia.co.uk.
If you have enjoyed this newsletter today, why not tell a friend how to sign up?
The answer to today's trivia question is: Raquel Watts (nee Wolstenhulme).
