PLUS What is ‘Manchesterism’? AND Is it okay to like Morrissey?
Hello,
The tragic death of Genevieve ‘Gigi’ Meehan at the hands of a nursery worker who was supposed to be looking after her shocked the nation.
The nine-month-old girl was killed at Tiny Toes Children’s Day Nursery, in Cheadle, in May 2022. She was strapped face down onto a beanbag and left unsupervised for 90 minutes by her nursery worker, Kate Roughley – who is now serving 14 years for causing her unlawful death.
This week, Gigi’s parents delivered a letter to No. 10 urging measures to improve safety standards in nursery settings.
Genevieve ‘Gigi’ Meehan(Image: Supplied/Katie Wheeler)
The Campaign for Gigi – backed by the Manchester Evening News – calls for compulsory CCTV in nursery settings; unannounced Ofsted inspections to be routine in early years settings; review of camera footage in Ofsted inspections; clear, statutory safe sleep guidance for early years settings and mandatory safe sleep training for all nursery staff and Ofsted inspectors.
John Meehan and Katie Wheeler say Gigi was put down to sleep in a ‘manifestly dangerous manner’. Those responsible relied on the lack of clear statutory guidance on safe sleep, they said. They had also relied on a Ofsted rating that was ‘not fit for purpose’.
The parents say that without the CCTV at the Stockport nursery, they would not have justice for Gigi.
During their visit to Downing Street on Monday, John and Katie spoke to more than 50 MPs about the campaign, urging that speed is a key factor in implementing changes.
“Time is of the essence and that’s something we wanted to get across today and I think we achieved that,” Katie told reporter Amy Walker. John added: “Many parents are surprised that these measures are not already in place. Our message is we really need to move on these changes and get these changes as a priority, because it’s about the safety and welfare of the children and there is nothing more important than that.”
Tom Morrison MP, John Meehan and Katie Wheeler outside Number 10 Downing Street(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Speaking to The Mirror, John said he feels ‘real anger’ at what happened to Gigi. “The experience of having your child alive when you drop them off at nursery and then to get a call in the afternoon and to go to the hospital and they’ve died, that is the most appalling thing for any parent,” he said.
The family’s appalling experience has led mayor Andy Burnham to develop a ‘safety in setting’ action across early years providers in Greater Manchester
The plan is intended to support nurseries and other early years providers in the region, strengthen safeguarding and build the evidence base in order to make a case for the police reform sought through the campaign.
Up and Atom
Where Greater Manchester’s growth clusters are(Image: GMCA)
By now, we’ve all heard of Atom Valley – the innovation hub being created in parts of Rochdale, Bury and Oldham.
It’s one of five Greater Manchester areas, each tied to specific sectors, being focussed on by Andy Burnham as he aims to “reindustrialise the birthplace of the industrial revolution”.
His ‘Manchesterism’ plan singles out five ‘growth clusters’ – each dedicated to developing a specific industry to take the city’s economy well past the £100bn mark.
Manchester city centre is home to the ‘digital, cyber, and AI’ cluster, with the ‘life sciences’ cluster centred around Oxford Road’s universities, hospitals, and Manchester Science Park. MediaCity will be home to the ‘creative and media industries’. The ‘two emerging’ clusters include a ‘low carbon’ area around Carrington, Trafford, and ‘advanced manufacturing’ in Atom Valley.
Ethan Davies has the details here.
A bid
The Equity union has put in a ‘serious’ bid of £1 to acquire Manchester Pride’s brand-related assets(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
The union representing a number of artists who remain unpaid from this year’s Manchester Pride have put in a bid to buy the brand’s assets for £1.
The move came months after the company behind the Pride festival had gone into voluntary liquidation.
Our LGBT+ Writer Adam Maidment takes up the story here.
Weather
Thursday: Light rain and a gentle breeze. 10C.
Roads: A56 Deansgate northbound closed due to new road layout from St Marys Gate to A6 Victoria Bridge Street until November 14, 2026.
A666 Blackburn Road southbound, Bolton, closed due to roadworks between Waters Meeting Road and Prospect Street until February 22.
Manc trivia: Can you name the street where Morrissey first lived as a child?
Bigmouth strikes again
The Smiths’ performing at Finsbury Park, Aug 1992(Image: )
Is it okay to be excited about a new Morrissey album?
It’s a question my colleague Lee Grimsditch – a self-confessed Mozzerhead – has been pondering in detail over the years. After all, the former Smiths frontman has been offering up some controversial views for a long time now.
As he awaits Mozzer’s new album, Lee writes: “The fact that his silvery pompadour only seems to rise above the trenches to utter a catty or controversial remark before vanishing again, perhaps, hasn’t helped. But that’s the world’s most enigmatic pop star for you.”
You can read his thoughts on the matter here.
The answer to today’s trivia question is Harper Street, in Hulme.