A Covid Christmas could destroy independent retailers - here's how one Manchester shop has had to adapt

direct to your inboxCoronavirus has brought heartache to thousands of families across Greater Manchester.More than 3,800 people have died in our region's hospitals alone. And tragically, this number is continuing to rise.Behind the Covid-19 death statistics that we publish each day are human beings who all had stories to tell.

direct to your inboxFor landlord Simon Delaney, owning a pub isn't just about pulling pints.Running the Firbank Pub and Kitchen in Wythenshawe is about bringing members of his community together - young and old - in one safe space.It's about making sure his elderly regulars have a conversation that day, or the local football team have somewhere to celebrate their win.Simon, who also runs the Little Bee in Sale, has even won awards for his pub's ability to connect people, including best community

Blossoms have unveiled a new, animated short film, Christmas Eve (Soul Purpose).

direct to your inboxTwenty-six more people have died from coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's hospital death toll has risen to 3,900, the latest NHS figures show.Nine more Covid-related deaths were recorded by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in its 24 hour data.The trust runs the Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI), Wythenshawe Hospital, the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and Saint Mary's hospital.Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed five new deaths.

Perrie Edwards gave fans a treat after showing off her Christmas decorations, and in turn also the star’s incredible home.The Little Mix star lives in Manchester with her footballer boyfriend, Liverpool ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. While Alex is away, the star invited her friends over for some festive fun The trio uploaded the results to Perrie’s TikTok showing off her swanky pad at the same time.

Bolton sent a piece of paper to 12 artists from different parts of the country, in order to create a socially distanced piece of artwork. Ken Bromley Art Supplies, in Horwich, enlisted the help of talented artists from each region of the UK to create the collaborative piece.

direct to your inboxA Strangeways shop council bosses say flogs 'counterfeit clothes' has been shutdown.Town hall chiefs say it was 'found trading illegally in a premises that lacked any Covid-19 safety measures'.Police, trading standards and Home Office officials raided the Bury New Road shop on December 3, Manchester council said in a statement.After cutting open security shutters, inside, officials found two staff and six customers.None of whom were wearing masks, the council said.There was

A Grand Life, Heard, where some of Greater Manchester's most inspiring older residents tell their tales.

direct to your inboxA heartbroken student nurse has told how she fears she won't get the coronavirus test that would allow her to see her family at Christmas.Erin Hathaway,who is currently studying at the University of Manchester, posted an emotional video online about the situation she finds herself in ahead of finishing for the holidays.Erin, from Blackpool, explained how she will miss the December 15 deadline for tests put in place by the University of Manchester as she will be working until

will take place this year. But while many fans of the markets were delighted to hear they'll return in some capacity yesterday, there have been many raised eyebrows and criticisms of the decision to go ahead.

direct to your inboxEighteen more people have died from coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's hospital death toll has now risen to 3,787, the latest NHS figures show.Thirteen new deaths were recorded at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, the organisation in charge of the Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital, Saint Mary's and the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed four new deaths.

direct to your inboxIt's the moment that has been long anticipated in the UK's fight against coronavirus.The very first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have now finally arrived in English hospitals and are set to be rolled out in the next 48 hours.Hundreds of thousands of doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine arrived in the country on Friday on refrigerated trucks from Belgiam.They were transported to specialist refrigerated storage facilities before being shipped to 50 hospitals taking part in the

Christmas dinners, restaurant meet-ups and annual Christmas Eve trips to the pub with old friends. But with the current restrictions imposed on Greater Manchester in the harshest tier of the government's latest covid alert system - it's hard to feel festive.

I AM, formerly the Autistic Society of Greater Manchester, says they have heard of delays approaching three years.

straight to your inbox every day for freeGood morning, Manchester United fans. Here are your morning headlines for Saturday, November 28.Ferguson praises Rashford’s philanthropy Former Manchester United United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Marcus Rashford following the striker’s campaigning during the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus infection rates are falling faster in Greater Manchester than at any time during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest data from Public Health England.The rate for the Greater Manchester region is now 246.9, the lowest it has been since the end of September.There were exactly 7000 confirmed cases in Greater Manchester for the week ending November 23, which is 3,796 fewer cases than in the previous week.That represents a week-on-week fall of 35.2 per cent, the highest

Coronation Street, as well as performances from local schools and bands.

The latest infection rates for Greater Manchester are:Oldham 366.9, down 31pcRochdale 342.2, down 32pcWigan 301.2, down 27pcBury 300.5, down 33pcBolton 294.6, down 32pcSalford 246.5, down 42pcManchester 245.3, down 32pcTameside 241.1, down 36pcStockport 204.5, down 36pcTrafford 169.4, down 45pcThe national average in England is 202.4 per 100,000 population.Trafford is the only Greater Manchester borough to sit below the national average with 169.4 per 100,000.There were 661 positive tests across

straight to your inboxManchester City's Christmas schedule has been confirmed, as well as their upcoming Premier League games which include a Manchester derby at Old Trafford.City will face Manchester United in the first Premier League derby of the season, looking to avenge their two defeats in the league to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side last season. That game has been moved to the evening kick-off on Saturday December 12, with kick off at 5.30pm.

The latest infection rates for Greater Manchester are:Oldham 388.4, down 30pcRochdale 360.6, down 31pcBury 314.1, down 33pcBolton 306.4, down 31pcWigan 304.6, down 30pcSalford 260.0, down 42pcManchester 249.6, down 34pcTameside 249.4, down 37pcStockport  208.6, down 37pcTrafford 170.6, down 50pc Stockport's transmission rate has dropped below the national average too, with a rate of 208.6 - down 37pc in the week ending November 21.Overall, rates are falling faster in every Greater Manchester