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Hello, Pub landlords, restauranteurs and bars owners are being asked how potential changes to UK licensing could make life easier for them. Among the nine key government proposals are potential plans to cut red tape, extend business rates relief and cut alcohol duty on draught pints. It could make it easier for venues to serve food outside, host more live music and open later if they so wish. But talk of longer licensing hours has some worried. Especially after the Chancellor’s hike on National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage - which have both hit businesses hard. “Since Covid, the drinking or hospitality scene has changed, people are coming out earlier and going home earlier, extending opening hours would suggest the Government doesn't understand that,” says Rob Norbury, who runs the Farrars Arms, in Oldham , and Muse, in Uppermill. He says the cost of staffing has become ‘uncontrollable’ meaning it’s almost at the point that it’s not worth opening some days. Neil Burke has just reopened the historic Horse & Jockey pub on Chorlton Green. He says extending hours will simply extend running costs. “I don’t want to be a late-night venue because you then have to think about security and costs associated with staying open late,” he says. “They should be supporting new businesses that open up in the short term and helping them survive the first 12 months.” Our What’s On editor Jenna Campbell has been speaking to those in hospitality about the challenges they face. You can read the full piece here. Andy Burnham should be able to tax Mancs directly to help pay for major transport infrastructure, a thinktank has said. Centre for Cities says regional mayors like Mr Burnham should have “the right to request” to impose a new “French-style payroll tax” to fund transport projects. The tax, first successfully introduced in France’s mustard powerhouse, Dijon, is a “local top-up [which] goes directly to funding local infrastructure”, Centre for Cities analyst Rob Johnson explained. “An Ultra-Low Emission Zone or Clean Air Zone is based on use, so if you drive in you pay based on your usage,” he told Ethan Davies. “This French tax is fiscal devolution where local authorities will be able to raise funds on top of national taxation.” The mayor's office refused to be drawn when asked if it was supportive of the idea. You can read more about the idea here. Gold bullion was amongst a £2m haul seized from suspected money launderers travelling from Manchester Airport . Seven bars embossed with "Suisse 1 kilo" and worth £700,000 were recovered from a car left at the airport. The ingots are the biggest gold seizure in the history of Greater Manchester Police . Two men have been arrested, as Neal Keeling reports. A government minister has spoken out on Manchester Airport’s drop-off and pick-up charges. People must pay £5 remotely rather than stopping at a barrier with £100 fines issued to those who don’t pay - reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. Manchester Airport is among the most expensive UK airports on a 'cost-per-minute' basis, according to RAC research. Oldham West MP Jim McMahon has called for a full review of signage and the appeals process. And more recently, Mid Cheshire Labour MP Andrew Cooper raised the issue in Parliament. Transport under-secretary Keir Mather now says parking charges are a matter for the airport operator as a commercial business. But he said the government “expects car parking at airports, such as Manchester, to be managed appropriately and consumers treated fairly”. The airport previously said its 10-minute drop-off rate compares "very favourably" to other airports. A pay dispute with staff at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has escalated with the threat of more industrial action looming. More than 200 workers at TfGM who run the Bee Network have rejected a 3.2 per cent pay offer. Their trade union Unite has said that this is a real terms pay cut 'dressed up' as an increase, referring to the higher rate of inflation which stood at 4.5 per cent in September. Union members, including those from Unison who are involved in the same dispute, are set to go on strike tomorrow (November 5). Jo Timan has the details here. Wednesday: Light rain and a gentle breeze. 16C. Roads: A665 Devonshire Street North, Ardwick, in both directions closed due to gas main work between A57 Hyde Road and Blind Lane. Until November 4. A6 Chapel St westbound, Salford , closed for long-term roadworks between Blackfriars Rd and New Bailey St until January 19. Manc trivia: Where is Elizabeth Gaskell House? Statement: The Home Office has issued a statement following reports that a convicted paedophile was arrested at a hotel housing asylum seekers. Details here. Improvements: A nursing home described as foul-smelling as it was placed in special measures last year has seen some improvement, a watchdog says. Ruling: A dog which was involved in a fatal attack on a three-year-old boy at a farm in Rochdale will be destroyed, a judge has ruled. Gig: The Prodigy have announced four huge outdoor shows for next summer - including a show at Wythenshawe Park on Bank Holiday Sunday. The answer to today’s trivia question is Plymouth Grove, Ardwick.
