A second pre-inquest review has been opened into the death of a teenager who died in a crash after reportedly failing to stop for police.
03.07.2022 - 10:09 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
“The only thing keeping me going is the fact I have staff with bills to pay,” Lauren Hutchinson says. “I’m desperately trying to hold on for them.” It’s an impossible situation many small business owners face at the moment.
Lauren is currently working 50-hour weeks to keep her Afflecks shops afloat – but doesn’t know how much longer she can go on.
The 37-year-old, from Bury, owns two businesses in the iconic Manchester indoor market – zero waste shop Earth Friendly Rocker and sustainable witch-themed café Potions. Despite juggling two shops, Lauren has been forced to take up a second full-time job as the cost of living crisis continues to bite businesses and consumers across the country.
READ MORE: Woman slapped with £100 parking fine after donating blood to save lives
“You want to stay open for the regulars who come in,” she told the Manchester Evening News. “It’s a witchy-themed café and it’s given a place for practicing witches to go and find solace.
“I’m neuro-diverse and I have a lot of customers who are too. It’s providing a safe space for people and it would be really sad to lose that.”
Though she works such long hours, Lauren says she doesn’t see any money herself. She is only just managing to cover her personal bills and was forced to close the kitchen in her café in April to cut back on costs.
“All of our equipment has been dying,” she continued. “We stopped food service at the end of March because the kitchen is just in desperate need of a refurb and we can’t afford to keep it open. Now we serve coffees and snacks like cakes instead of full meals. We’d be prepping breakfast and then have to throw it away due to not seeing a soul until lunchtime.
“Part of you is like, ‘Is it even worth it?’ Some days we
A second pre-inquest review has been opened into the death of a teenager who died in a crash after reportedly failing to stop for police.
Police have circulated a leaflet on social media after a Bury resident allegedly had unwanted work done to her home against her will.
Temperatures have soared to new heights again in Greater Manchester as the region saw its record high temperature broken for the second day running. Official Met Office records had only just been smashed yesterday (July 18), when the two nearest weather stations to Manchester recorded their highest temperatures to date.
The Job Centre in Wythenshawe has been temporarily closed due to the ongoing heatwave.
As the heatwave descends across the UK, tips on how to keep your houses cool in this scorching weather are essential.
Iconic Manchester gig venue Gorilla is cancelling its live events for the next six weeks due to ‘essential work’ from today (July 18).
A UK dad who fell for a Ukrainian refugee and ditched his long-term girlfriend says the pair are “surviving with nowt” – after he lost his job because of the furore around his new relationship.
A veteran has told of how he turned his hobby into success after he lost his job right before the pandemic. Steven Spence, who was previously in the Irish Guards, worked in maintenance for a Royal British Legion hotel that served as a respite place for serving and ex-personnel.
Another shop on ' counterfeit street' has been shut down after 11 different businesses were found trading and selling fake goods. Bury New Road, to the north of Manchester city centre, has become synonymous with shops selling knock off products, from fake Dior jewellery and Givenchy perfume.
A wax figure of Boris Johnson has appeared outside a Job Centre as the Prime Minister resigned as Tory leader.
Scores of civilians are feared dead or seriously injured after a Russian rocket strike hit a crowded shopping centre in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, officials have said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Telegram post that the number of victims was “unimaginable”, citing reports that more than 1,000 civilians were inside at the time of the attack.
A reverend who realised he was gay after years of being married to his wife 'lost his job' after coming out.
To the outside world, Reverend Andrew Fitchet had a perfect life. Working as a minister of the church and serving his community as a councillor, he owned a house where he lived with his wife, baby son, and their Labrador.
Manchester saluted military personnel past and present to mark Armed Forces Day. The outstanding contribution of the nation's armed forces was honoured with a special day of family activities and entertainment.