Stagecoach Manchester Strike Action Called Off

Revised pay deal for bus workers confirmed

A new pay deal for the employees of Greater Manchester’s largest bus operator has staved off the threat of strike action. Yesterday (19 October), Stagecoach Manchester has confirmed that agreement has been reached on a pay deal for bus workers in Manchester. Local trade union representatives have worked constructively with Stagecoach Manchester on a pay offer that has now been agreed by employees.

Jobseekers’ Discount Scheme Pays Off for Stagecoach

Jobseekers’ bus journeys double on Stagecoach routes as UK vacancies near million mark

• Trips under Stagecoach’s National Jobseekers’ discounted travel initiative up 115% since May;
• Bus travel to find work rises as latest ONS data reveals more than 950,000 UK job vacancies;
• More than 120 people a day applying to work with Britain’s biggest bus and coach operator;
• Job applications up 8.5% on pre-COVID levels as 300 operations and engineering roles on offer;
• Government figures show bus journeys outside London now close to 70% of pre-COVID levels.

The Bus Bus Bus could take us to our Jobs Jobs Jobs as Britons get back to bus. Passenger numbers are beginning to reach pre-COVID levels outside London. For the country’s jobseekers, demand for buses have doubled as individuals look to secure roles among a record number of vacancies in the UK.

One Answer to the Million Pound Question: the Stalybridge Heritage Walk

A possible approach to the Stalybridge Heritage Walk

In our previous article entitled The Million Pound Question: Stalybridge’s Historical Quarter, we looked at the story behind Tameside MBC’s successful bid. We also looked at how the heritage walk should form part of a greater scheme. In other words, how the Heritage Walk should be accompanied by prospective private and public sector development.

The Million Pound Question: Stalybridge’s Historical Quarter

Could the town’s rich history be a panacea for economic growth?

Stalybridge has a proud history. In spite of losing its town hall and the conversion of its market hall to a civic hall, there is still a lot to like about the Cheshire town. Especially Cheetham’s Park and the town centre’s equivalent of The Three Graces (Holy Trinity Church, Stalybridge Civic Hall, and the Astley Cheetham Art Gallery and Library).

Tameside’s and Glossop’s Retail Highlights: Small Business Saturday 2017

02 December 2017, from a local shop near you, throughout the United Kingdom

For many people, taking a trip to the supermarket or retail park is the easy option. Choosing to stay at home and shop online is another. If you choose the aforementioned options, they make for a dull experience. The internet is a boom when you need to buy certain items but there’s no scope for impulse purchases.

Budget 2017: Money For Brexit (and Changes to UC)

East of the M60‘s frank verdict on Philip Hammond’s 2017 Budget

• Brexit department biggest winner of 2017 Budget;
• Slight changes for Universal Credit claimants;
• 16 – 25 Railcard extended to cover persons born from 1986 to 1991;
• Stamp Duty scrapped for first time buyers.

More than anything, today’s budget was a disappointment. Firstly, we are no clearer as to whether the Trans-Pennine electrification work is going ahead in its unabridged form. Secondly, it seems as if the money for the terrorist attack at Manchester Arena has gone to the Department for Exiting the European Union. Thirdly, those good eggs have cut the waiting time for Universal Credit (but don’t all rush at once).

Ale Trail Abolition Boost for Colne Valley Residents: East of the A627

Colne Valley residents able to take back control of local pubs this coming weekend

From Saturday 08 July, residents in the Colne Valley villages will be able to enjoy a quiet pint their local pubs. The Rail Ale Trail will be no more. Throughout the weekend, no trains will be stopping at intermediate stations between Stalybridge and Huddersfield.

Budget 2016: A Corporate Welfare State in Ascendency

East of the M60‘s frank verdict on George Osborne’s 2016 Budget

• Corporation Tax cut to 17%;
• Boost for Academisation of English schools;
• DevoManc police plans uncovered;
• Jamie Oliver Sugar Tax given go-ahead.

Surely some misprint? This is the nameplate of 319 362 Northern Powerhouse, a cast-off EMU from the Thameslink system. Image by Hugh Llewellyn, 2015. (Creative Commons License – Some Rights Reserved).

If by chance you happen to be an upper middle-class egotistical headteacher with a fledgling business, pour yourself a glass of fizzy Vimto. You did very well out of this year’s Budget. In fact, you may well be one of the lucky people, all 0.05% of you. As for the 99.95% of us, well, we have missed out.

The View from Ridge Hill – Part Two: Our Town, Our Way

The concluding part of our series on the state of Stalybridge

A sunnier outlook: could greater devolution unlock Stalybridge’s potential as The Gateway to the Pennines?

Friday 20 September 2014, Westminster. A typical work day, but a seminal moment North and South of the Border. A sigh of relief for the Coalition Government and Labour as the break up of the UK was postponed. In a referendum the previous Thursday, Scotland voted against independence from Westminster: 55% NO, 45% YES. Shortly after the result and in the run-up to the referendum, there was talk of greater devolution in England. In this case, its main urban areas, federal units, or an English parliament.

The View from Ridge Hill – Part One: Whose Town Is It Anyway?

A two part series on the state of Stalybridge

A Christmas Eve 2009 view of Armentieres Square shops, and a broken bus stop flag.

 

Monday 16 March, Stalybridge town centre. A typical work day, not that you were able to tell unless you went to the town’s Tesco store. Melbourne Street and Grosvenor Street, its main shopping streets: a place where the tumbleweed jumped ship years ago.