Manchester cafes and coffee shops gripped by 'crisis of conscience' over staying open for takeaway sales

straight to your inboxIlkay Gundogan helped Manchester City to move to the top of the Premier League with a superb run of form, and now he's hoping to offer his magic touch to struggling local businesses in the city that have been hit hard by lockdown restrictions.Gundogan scored twice in City's 5-0 win at West Brom on Wednesday that took City top of the table, and they stayed there after Manchester United's shock defeat to Sheffield United.

straight to your inbox every day for free Paul Pogba defended former Manchester United teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic following his spat with Romelu Lukaku in the Milan derby.

straight to your inbox every day for freeThe games are still coming thick and fast and Manchester United are back in action on Wednesday as Sheffield United visit Old Trafford.United go into the game full of confidence after beating Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday and having not lost in the Premier League in 13 matches.The players were back in training at the start of the week ahead of the Blades' visit.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United have opened their Old Trafford stadium to be used for vaccination training.St John Ambulance will be granted access to four hospitality suites across the stadium to utilise as a training centre for hundreds of volunteers as part of the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme.The suites will be adapted and used as a large-scale training facility over the next five weekends.The adaptation of Old Trafford is part of a UK-wide programme which

direct to your inboxThe Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital is to open emergency Covid beds for adults in a sign of the unprecedented pressure facing Greater Manchester’s hospitals.Sir Richard Leese, the region’s health chief, said the situation in the system was now ‘critical’ as NHS bosses have scrambled to discharge as many people as possible ahead of a sustained peak over the coming three weeks.Crisis meetings have been held to determine the ability to scale up beds, as Salford Royal and

direct to your inboxThe NHS has sadly confirmed the deaths of 29 more patients in hospitals in Greater Manchester who had tested positive for Covid-19.The region's hospital death toll now stands at 4,757.NHS bosses said on Friday a further 993 people who tested positive for the virus have died in hospitals across England.It brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 65,104.In the north west, a further 94 hospital deaths were reported, the NHS said on Friday.A

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United are open to loaning Facundo Pellistri to ensure he gets regular playing time at senior level.Pellistri, 19, joined United from Penarol for €9million on deadline day in October but is yet to make his first-team debut and has played eight times for the Under-23s and Under-21s.The Uruguayan tested positive for coronavirus earlier this month but the MEN understands United are prepared to loan Pellistri this month once he has made a full

direct to your inbox'You can't sleep, you can't do anything, it's literally all consuming'.These are the words of Anandi Ramamurthy, describing life caring for a relative with a severe mental health condition.

direct to your inboxA flood 'alert' has been put in force in Greater Manchester today after hours of heavy rainfall overnight.The alert warns of 'possible' flooding around the area of the middle River Mersey catchment area.It includes areas near Bramhall in Stockport, Sale, Altrincham and Urmston.The Environment Agency warned: "Flooding is possible - be prepared."And Transport for Greater Manchester said: "With heavy rain in Greater Manchester this morning, expect flooding in some areas.

direct to your inboxThe independent public inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing atrocity has been put on hold over the continuing Covid-19 pandemic.The inquiry was due to resume on Tuesday next week after the Christmas break.But it was confirmed today that chairman Sir John Saunders has decided to 'pause' proceeding until January 18 at the earliest.The use of virtual hearings and limited attendance at Manchester magistrates court, where the inquiry is sitting, will be considered in the

direct to your inboxManchester City have secured their annual spot in the Carabao Cup final, after beating Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford.City, in search of their fourth consecutive trophy in the competition, earned bragging rights after second half goals from John Stones and Fernandinho. Meanwhile for United, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in particular, it represents a fourth semi-final defeat under the Norwegian, reigniting the pressure that had been quelled in recent weeks.

straight to your inboxManchester City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes appears to be a doubt for Sunday's match against Chelsea and the Manchester Derby on Wednesday.Pep Guardiola 's men face Manchester United at Old Trafford during the week in a Carabao Cup semi-final clash, and they could be without their number one. Ederson has said he is self-isolating, putting him at risk of missing the clash with Manchester United in just four days' time.

direct to your inboxThe streets were empty as Greater Manchester said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in a new year - but many were determined to keep alive at least one tradition.Our video from Werneth Low shows how many parts of Greater Manchester were ablaze with colour as people set off fireworks at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 2021.Around 200 socially distanced people gathered on the popular spot to watch the moment our region said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in the New Year.Car horns

direct to your inboxAs the clock struck midnight this New Year, snow fell onto the empty streets of Manchester city centre.Fireworks filled the sky as people celebrated at home and some shouted 'Happy New Year' from their balconies.Earlier in the evening, there was an eerie feel as fog masked much of the city and temperatures dropped to almost freezing.The usual nightlife hotspots were empty.Shutters were down on bars and pubs, though some, who perhaps had a glimmer of hope that they would be

direct to your inboxIt has been a year like no other.However Great Mancunians have still made headlines across the world, for all sorts of reasons.Here we look at those who have put the region on the map in 2020, a year we will never forget.2020 has undoubtedly belonged to Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford.However it is his incredible work off the pitch which has made the headlines, even more than his impressive goal-scoring feats on it.The Withington-born and Wythenshawe raised

direct to your inboxWith Greater Manchester being moved into Tier 4, people are having to get used to another set of rules.Despite some areas of society being closed off due to the new restrictions, others are able to remain open.Recycling centres across our region are permitted to remain open, even in Tier 4.This will be welcome news to people who have plenty of waste to remove after the festive holidays.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free

direct to your inbox"It's absolutely gut-wrenching."Hair salon owner Jane Nixon describes how she felt as Matt Hancock announced that Greater Manchester would be moving into Tier 4.And it's a feeling thousands of business owners across the region will be familiar with.A change in restrictions, businesses finally being allowed to open then being forced to shut again just a few weeks later.

direct to your inboxDoctors and paramedics say they are bracing themselves for a new tide of Covid patients to hit Greater Manchester's hospitals within weeks. Speaking as plans for the region's move to Tier 4 were announced and the return to school for secondary pupils was delayed, Dr Carole Gavin, a consultant in Greater Manchester, said concerns were growing as hospitals in the south battle to find beds as infection rates - largely found to be caused by the new mutant strain - rise.

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