{"id":517303,"date":"2025-10-21T15:37:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T15:37:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/517303\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T15:37:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T15:37:26","slug":"the-mancunian-way-sankeys-or-sourdough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/517303\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mancunian Way: Sankeys or sourdough"},"content":{"rendered":"

Balancing the needs Mancs old and new PLUS \u2018Sorry, you don’t look gay enough\u2019Hello,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Are you Sankeys or sourdough? Dry Bar or Diecast? Madchester or Manchattan?<\/p>\n

Balancing the needs and wants of old and new Mancs is a tension council leaders are \u2018well aware of\u2019.<\/p>\n

And as Ethan Davies reports, it\u2019s a tension that is only growing as Manchester city centre<\/a> becomes busier than ever.<\/p>\n

Our man on the ground has been looking at the state of the city in 2025 by speaking to those who live and work there. It\u2019s a fascinating read.<\/a><\/p>\n

Get news, views and analysis of the biggest stories with the daily Mancunian Way newsletter – sign up <\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

As Ethan writes, redevelopment has been spearheaded by successive pragmatic Labour-run councils, willing to work with the private sector to attract investment.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cBy the 2010s, billions flowed into the city as property developers moved in.<\/p>\n

\u201cOut went surface-level car parks. In came skyscrapers and mill conversions into apartments, fully occupied by urban young professionals, complete with new bars, restaurants, and shops.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey brought disposable income and an enthusiasm for fancy everyday luxuries like craft beer, sourdough, and artisan coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking to Mancs old and new over the last few weeks, Ethan has found that fans of the \u2018new\u2019 city centre love its buzz, the job opportunities, and \u2018confidence\u2019. But others – usually lifelong Mancs who grew up within a couple of miles of the skyscrapers – feel left out.<\/p>\n

People like Julia, who told Ethan she only visits town if she\u2019s \u2018cutting through\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s horrible,\u201d she said. \u201cIt’s as rough as anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elisabetta Nicoli disagrees. She’s left Italy twice to live in Manchester – swapping the sun-kissed Tuscan Renaissance city Florence for Mancunian rain-soaked cobbles and concrete.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cI moved here for work in 2013 and I loved it,\u201d she explained while clutching her pooch Rudy, near her home on Chapel Street on the Salford<\/a> side of the city centre.<\/p>\n

\u201cManchester is exciting. A lot of things are happening. My friends are here, there\u2019s gigs, there\u2019s music, there\u2019s bands and the people are very nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not that it\u2019s easy to find somewhere to live. As Liz Gordon knows only too well.<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old actress sells flowers on Stevenson Square to make rent and has been viewing seven properties a week.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year I was in an apartment and I was looking to move to Ancoats or Salford. I wanted to pay about \u00a3750 per month in a share. But estate agents were asking for me to have a guarantor who earned I think \u00a383,000.\u201d<\/p>\n

You can read Ethan\u2019s excellent feature on the state of the city here.<\/a><\/p>\n

The worst of humanity<\/strong>\"YoniYoni Finlay(Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

Just a fortnight after being shot during the Yom Kippur terror attack, Yoni Finlay returned yesterday.<\/p>\n

The father-of-three was accidentally shot by police as he barricaded the doors of Heaton Park<\/a> synagogue and was one of three men who were seriously injured in the incident that claimed the lives of two people.<\/p>\n

Mr Finlay, 39, was at the synagogue yesterday<\/a> to welcome King Charles.<\/p>\n

He said the King’s presence showed the Jewish community that they have support in this country.<\/p>\n

Mr Finlay said he feels \u201clucky\u201d and said those who were killed are \u201cthe real heroes\u201d.<\/p>\n

“Three weeks ago I saw the worst of humanity but since then you do absolutely see the best. There’s a lot of good people out there so that really helps.”<\/p>\n

You can read more here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Ex-council chief denies allegation<\/strong>Joanne Roney(Image: David Oates)<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an interesting battle going on in court at the moment.<\/p>\n

Ben Rose, a property agent for major city centre landowners Weis Group, is suing Manchester City Council and Joanne Roney for \u00a330,000 in damages.<\/p>\n

He claims the council\u2019s ex-chief executive called him a \u2018massive Jewish b****nd\u2019 amid city centre land negotiations, a court has heard.<\/p>\n

Ms Roney, who left Manchester to become Birmingham City Council\u2019s managing director last year, denies the allegation.<\/p>\n

You can read about the first day of the court battle here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Poorly managed<\/strong>Angela Thompson(Image: Humberside Police)<\/p>\n

Grandmother Angela Thompson died just five days after leaving HMP Styal.<\/p>\n

A report into her death has now concluded that the \u201cclinical care\u201d she received during her time at the women-only prison in Wilmslow<\/a> was \u201cpoor\u201d.<\/p>\n

The 62-year-old was said to have a \u201clong and extensive contact with community mental health services\u201d. She died after being hit by a taxi following her release from prison in April 2022.<\/p>\n

A coroner recorded a conclusion of suicide after an inquest.<\/p>\n

And the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has now said \u201cprison service suicide and self-harm prevention procedures\u201d at Styal during Ms Thompson\u2019s stay were \u201cpoorly managed\u201d.<\/p>\n

You can read the details of the report here.<\/a><\/p>\n