Struggle......
Monday, May 30, 2005
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Red Devils set to gamble
MANCHESTER United have unveiled plans to build a super casino and an entertainment complex close to their Old Trafford stadium - despite government ruling to limit the number of casinos in the UK.
The proposed plan include a luxury five-star hotel, restaurants, health club, sports bar and a casino near the Lowry Outlet in Salford Quays and is set to create upto two-thousand jobs.
The move involves Manchester United working in collaboration with Las Vegas Sands Corporation, a renowned entertainment and gaming company, and Trafford Council.
“The Club is delighted to be part of this exciting project. If selected by an Independent Advisory Panel, it will provide first class entertainment and accommodation on one of the most famous sporting sites in the world,” said Andy Anson, Manchester United’s Commercial Director while welcoming the proposal.
Should the planned proposal is accepted, the move, with the Lowry Centre and Imperial War Museum already in existence, will create the largest cultural village outside London. A new Metrolink station, improved bus routes and additional parking spaces are just a few extras in the pipeline.
The government’s initial acceptance to ‘super’ casinos, seen as an attempt to increase tourism and jobs, came under fire from critics who said it will result in a sharp rise in gambling addiction. This led to a major reshuffle bringing down the number of such planned casinos firstly to eight and then to one, albeit on a trial-run, in a pre-election compromise with the Conservatives.
Manchester United have cited a substantial revival of the Salford Quays area as well as a regeneration of a wider area around the stadium as a reason for their bid. This would also raise the potential for more recreation and entertainment-based business, a move similar to what their local rivals Manchester City alluded to while proposing their own super-casino next to City of Manchester Stadium.
Addressing the issue, Mr. Anson emphasised that due care and planning will be undertaken before construction begins.
“Any plans will of course consider the social issues associated with gambling and we will take expert advice on putting an agreed plan in place to deal with those matters comprehensively,” confirmed Andy Anson.
Trafford Council’s Executive has agreed to support the joint proposal and has made an initial bid for a license. Council leader Susan Fildes assured residents, local businesses and every other party and organisations of their say in the matter as she welcomed the move while envisaging the regeneration potential for The Quays area such a major new attraction could bring.
“I want to reaffirm the Council’s determination while working with the club on this adventurous proposal that the views, comments and opinions of everyone directly and indirectly involved will be considered,” added Susan Fildes.
Las Vegas Sands Corporation recently showed interest in a similar move with Everton FC. However, that move is subject to government ruling regarding gambling laws. The gaming company, however, is quite confident, and pleased, to be working with Manchester United.
“Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world and a truly global name. It’s great to be working with them and Trafford Council for this proposal which will develop new links between Old Trafford and the Quays,” said Rodney Brody, UK representative for Las Vegas Sands.
“The project has the potential to create up to 2,000 new jobs and an outstanding new entertainment and leisure complex for tourists and local community who will benefit from a range of new facilities,” Mr. Brody confirmed.
An independent advisory panel has been appointed by the government to choose who is granted the license for a super-casino with Manchester United in competition with Manchester City and Blackpool.
© Faras Ghani 2005
The proposed plan include a luxury five-star hotel, restaurants, health club, sports bar and a casino near the Lowry Outlet in Salford Quays and is set to create upto two-thousand jobs.
The move involves Manchester United working in collaboration with Las Vegas Sands Corporation, a renowned entertainment and gaming company, and Trafford Council.
“The Club is delighted to be part of this exciting project. If selected by an Independent Advisory Panel, it will provide first class entertainment and accommodation on one of the most famous sporting sites in the world,” said Andy Anson, Manchester United’s Commercial Director while welcoming the proposal.
Should the planned proposal is accepted, the move, with the Lowry Centre and Imperial War Museum already in existence, will create the largest cultural village outside London. A new Metrolink station, improved bus routes and additional parking spaces are just a few extras in the pipeline.
The government’s initial acceptance to ‘super’ casinos, seen as an attempt to increase tourism and jobs, came under fire from critics who said it will result in a sharp rise in gambling addiction. This led to a major reshuffle bringing down the number of such planned casinos firstly to eight and then to one, albeit on a trial-run, in a pre-election compromise with the Conservatives.
Manchester United have cited a substantial revival of the Salford Quays area as well as a regeneration of a wider area around the stadium as a reason for their bid. This would also raise the potential for more recreation and entertainment-based business, a move similar to what their local rivals Manchester City alluded to while proposing their own super-casino next to City of Manchester Stadium.
Addressing the issue, Mr. Anson emphasised that due care and planning will be undertaken before construction begins.
“Any plans will of course consider the social issues associated with gambling and we will take expert advice on putting an agreed plan in place to deal with those matters comprehensively,” confirmed Andy Anson.
Trafford Council’s Executive has agreed to support the joint proposal and has made an initial bid for a license. Council leader Susan Fildes assured residents, local businesses and every other party and organisations of their say in the matter as she welcomed the move while envisaging the regeneration potential for The Quays area such a major new attraction could bring.
“I want to reaffirm the Council’s determination while working with the club on this adventurous proposal that the views, comments and opinions of everyone directly and indirectly involved will be considered,” added Susan Fildes.
Las Vegas Sands Corporation recently showed interest in a similar move with Everton FC. However, that move is subject to government ruling regarding gambling laws. The gaming company, however, is quite confident, and pleased, to be working with Manchester United.
“Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world and a truly global name. It’s great to be working with them and Trafford Council for this proposal which will develop new links between Old Trafford and the Quays,” said Rodney Brody, UK representative for Las Vegas Sands.
“The project has the potential to create up to 2,000 new jobs and an outstanding new entertainment and leisure complex for tourists and local community who will benefit from a range of new facilities,” Mr. Brody confirmed.
An independent advisory panel has been appointed by the government to choose who is granted the license for a super-casino with Manchester United in competition with Manchester City and Blackpool.
© Faras Ghani 2005
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Manchester students targeted in retail crime
SIX in ten students have been victims of verbal assault while working in Manchester City Centre.
The figure, part of the research carried out by Student Direct, comes days after a 41-year old shopkeeper was battered to death by a mob of youngsters in Wigan.
Physical and verbal threats, aimed at the student workforce, are also on the rise as a nine percent increase in crime was reported across the UK.
Of the student workers questioned, over seventy percent have been threatened either physically or verbally while being at work with a few being victims of physical assault as well; reaching its epic with a male staff being punched in the face.
“It’s just not worth it. You come into work on a Saturday to get some extra cash to spend during the week. Being sworn at or a hand in the face just isn’t required,” said Miss. X (the person’s identity cannot be revealed due to shop management’s request).
Over half of them have had a personal experience with shop-lifters but 95% would never personally confront one in the future, be it the stores’ policy on shop-lifters or the fact that the students just do not want to get involved.
Efforts have been undertaken by stores and police to clamp down on retail crime in the City Centre but students do not feel any safer as a great majority of them possess a fear of being attacked while at work.
© Faras Ghani 2005.
The figure, part of the research carried out by Student Direct, comes days after a 41-year old shopkeeper was battered to death by a mob of youngsters in Wigan.
Physical and verbal threats, aimed at the student workforce, are also on the rise as a nine percent increase in crime was reported across the UK.
Of the student workers questioned, over seventy percent have been threatened either physically or verbally while being at work with a few being victims of physical assault as well; reaching its epic with a male staff being punched in the face.
“It’s just not worth it. You come into work on a Saturday to get some extra cash to spend during the week. Being sworn at or a hand in the face just isn’t required,” said Miss. X (the person’s identity cannot be revealed due to shop management’s request).
Over half of them have had a personal experience with shop-lifters but 95% would never personally confront one in the future, be it the stores’ policy on shop-lifters or the fact that the students just do not want to get involved.
Efforts have been undertaken by stores and police to clamp down on retail crime in the City Centre but students do not feel any safer as a great majority of them possess a fear of being attacked while at work.
© Faras Ghani 2005.
University bosses wooing Londoners
UNIVERSITY of Manchester bosses, determined to break into the top 25 research-led universities in the world by 2015, have set up an office in London to keep locals aware of activities two hundred miles away.
It is one of several new attempts by University officials to convince prospective students to choose Manchester in the post-merger era while the students, and the administration, are trying to cope with the confusion that the merger has caused.
The office, situated in Covent Garden and operational since January, is primarily aimed at Londoners reluctant to move away due to their unwillingness to leave Capital City and lack of knowledge about venues and events outside of the city.
“There is a big wide world out there and London isn’t the be all and end all in Britain. We want to encourage London to come to Manchester,” commented Ian Haworth, manager of the London office.
According to the officials, the office will help people keep up to date about exciting things happening at University, as Manchester is one of the most vibrant cities in Britain.
“The City and University are going places” they tell Student Direct
© Faras Ghani 2005.
It is one of several new attempts by University officials to convince prospective students to choose Manchester in the post-merger era while the students, and the administration, are trying to cope with the confusion that the merger has caused.
The office, situated in Covent Garden and operational since January, is primarily aimed at Londoners reluctant to move away due to their unwillingness to leave Capital City and lack of knowledge about venues and events outside of the city.
“There is a big wide world out there and London isn’t the be all and end all in Britain. We want to encourage London to come to Manchester,” commented Ian Haworth, manager of the London office.
According to the officials, the office will help people keep up to date about exciting things happening at University, as Manchester is one of the most vibrant cities in Britain.
“The City and University are going places” they tell Student Direct
© Faras Ghani 2005.
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