themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-29--In care homes people are dying - while staff beg for help that never comes

Heartbreaking testimonies from workers on the frontline paint a horrifying picture of life and death during the coronavirus outbreak in some of Greater Manchester 's care homes .
There were more than 4,000 coronavirus-related deaths in care homes up to April 24 , according to the Care Quality Commission .
But it is the stories from care home workers on the frontline that reveal the awful truth behind the numbers .
Staff tell of feeling powerless as they lose resident after resident to this cruel disease .
They say they have seen patients test positive for Covid-19 in hospital before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disclosure of their condition - risking the lives of staff and the elderly .
They recall nursing patients with chest infections being refused antibiotics under the assumption they have COVID-19 .
And they live daily with the problem that 's plagued key workers from the start - a dangerous shortage of testing and PPE .
On Tuesday - and confronted by up-to-date numbers on the death toll by the Care Quality Commission - Health Secretary Matt Hancock said they would finally expand testing to all care home residents and staff in England whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said care home deaths would be included in daily figures from now on .
But the lack of urgency up to now has already taken its toll on workers , who speak with flat resignation of this perfect storm ; years of austerity and neglect by central government , compounded by weeks of inaction .
The M.E.N spoke to a senior nurse with nearly 20 years ' experience who works in a Greater Manchester care home .
She says there have been 17 deaths from confirmed or suspected COVID-19 .
Four of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis - were patients who had come to them from hospital having tested positive for COVID-19 .
Crucially , she claims , the home was not told of their status and it was only when they noticed the symptoms and spoke to a GP that the positive result was found in their medical notes .
She said : `` We had n't been told - probably because they thought the home would n't take them .
`` I think those patients brought the infection into the home .
`` All those patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Health and Social Care says a new 'action plan ' means all patients will be tested before they are discharged from hospital to care homes .
In homes with a coronavirus outbreak , workers ca n't clock off at the end of their shifts , go home to their families and forget about their day .
Their days - and the pain that defines them - follow them home .
She added : `` For those with COVID-19 it 's a horrible , slow painful death .
We have to lie to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , comfortable and peaceful .
We ca n't tell the truth because it will break their hearts even more .
`` They are short of breath , their lungs fill up and they are basically drowning .
Some of them need suctioning to clear the phlegm and secretions .
`` They have temperatures which create hallucinations , they are extremely agitated .
They see people , animals , they try to grab out .
`` They have abdominal pain .
We try to settle them and comfort them and we just ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel we 've lost people who were n't ready to go .
`` They had underlying health conditions but they were well in themselves .
Then they got COVID-19 and deteriorated rapidly and passed away in a horrible death .
`` I 'm absolutely certain these people were n't ready to die .
They had years left in them . ''
This week , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said they would expand testing to all care home residents and staff , regardless of symptoms .
But Public Health England today told the M.E.N @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are symptomatic .
The nurse 's home has been sent just four swabs by Public health England over the course of the crisis .
All four were used on residents who tested positive and have now sadly died and although they have been promised a 'weekly ' delivery of swabs , none have arrived .
She also claims doctors are withholding medication from residents she believes are not suffering from COVID-19 .
`` We ring GPs when residents clearly just have the chest infections they get all the time .
They get several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But because the symptoms are similar to COVID-19 doctors are refusing to treat them with anything other than end of life drugs .
`` They say 'if they deteriorate , they deteriorate ' .
`` When it 's somebody 's mother or grandmother and they are left in a bed to die with no treatment it 's horrible .
`` I just think this is a forgotten generation .
`` The attitude is 'they 're in a care home , it 's God 's waiting room .
I think this is the view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just really really sad .
I do n't feel valued by society either .
Not at all .
`` And I 'm doubtful society will learn from this , although I hope they will .
`` Only time will tell . ''
The M.E.N also spoke to a care assistant who works at a home where there have been four COVID-19 deaths .
One of those had been transferred from another home at the end of March with symptoms but was only tested days before she passed away .
She was the home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the home have tried to hide the truth from them .
`` Managers are having meetings and not informing staff about what 's going on .
They do n't want us to phone in sick .
`` We only knew about the first case because there was a sign on the door saying not to go in without a mask on . ''
But those masks are hard to come by .
The carer said she arrived on shift to be told there were two masks between six of them .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to use towels .
`` Through no fault of their own dementia patients spit at us .
We need to be protected , we need eyewear . ''
Sadly , the scale of the crisis in care homes does n't surprise her .
`` I said to my family when this first started .
You wait , this will be in the news and care homes will be at the forefront of the deaths and the conversation .
`` We are classed as the lowest of the low .
Nobody sees the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under .
`` Each day I go to work thinking 'what 's today going to bring ? '
`` It 's deaths that could have been avoided , that 's the sad thing about it .
I feel dumbstruck .
We are trying to protect people but there 's no proper leadership .
`` It does n't matter how old you are , you 've got a right to be treated like everybody else .
`` Once it 's over I think it will go back to normal , the lowest paid job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I 've known a lot of really good carers who have put their heart and soul into it , but they have left the care industry and are in packing jobs now , it 's more money and care was just so disheartening .
`` I work with so many good carers but we just do n't know what to do .
We do n't have the right protection , that 's why it 's spreading . ''
The question of why COVID-19 is spreading so rapidly in care homes is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mathematical epidemiologist .
He works at the University of Manchester and is a member of a national mathematical modelling committee advising the government .
He says general policy around care homes needs looking at , adding : `` This highlights the broader picture of how we are looking after people at the end of their lives . ''
But they are also looking at how COVID-19 enters care homes - and what happens when it does .
He said : `` We are trying to work out whether older people are more susceptible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He said the way in which care homes are exposed to the general community is also key , adding : `` We know coronavirus spreads well in these close contact environments .
You ca n't lock them down .
It 's bigger than a usual household , staff do n't live there , people are coming and going .
There 's a vulnerability in how they are set up . ''
This could be why some smaller care homes have so far managed to side-step the pandemic .
Yvonne Timms , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says they have had no reported cases of COVID-19 .
She said : `` I 've touched wood so many times .
`` We 're a small family run business without lots of staff .
We 've had people come in from hospital but we made sure they were tested to make sure they were clear first .
`` We were running drastically low on PPE but we 've had some donations from different companies in the area and from the Red Cross .
`` We 've been one of the lucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we 've no agency staff coming in and out so we 've not got people bringing the infection in from different areas .
`` It 's just the same staff every day and we are strict with infection control . ''
Rachel , Hind , company director for Hind Care Ltd which runs Faverhsam and Brookfield Nursing Home in Urmston , added : `` We have n't got cases , but we 're expecting it , we 're preparing for it .
We feel sadly it 's only a matter of time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can but if it does come in it will be shopping supplies .
We have no visitors , all staff literally go home and come to work , they do n't mix socially , they do n't go shopping , they are shielding .
`` Even if lockdown eases we will be very very cautious about letting families in .
I think that we are smaller has kept it at bay . ''
A Public Health England spokesman said care homes where there are suspected cases of COVID-19 are asked to notify them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing for all symptomatic residents and will advise on what action to take .
They said they give tailored infection control advice so staff can protect themselves and residents .
What the Department for Health and Social Care say : '' Social care is on the frontline of our fight against coronavirus and the safety of staff and residents is our top priority .
`` We are working around the clock to ensure PPE is delivered as quickly as possible to those on the frontline during this global pandemic for as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered over 1 billion items .
`` We are using our increased testing capacity to test all symptomatic care home residents , care staff , and their families . ''
They said there is an action plan to support social care , including ramping up testing , overhauling how PPE is delivered to care homes and minimising the spread of the virus .
On PPE , they said there is a 24-hour NHS-run helpline where workers can report shortages , there is a PPE sourcing unit for teh Government to secure new supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are piloting a new online portal for health and social care workers to order PPE .
Supply of PPE ris prioritised based on clinical need and include highly vulnerable groups and takes account of those who are 70 or over .
On testing , they said the Care Quality Commission uis leading the coordination of regional testing and all registered care providers have been contacted .
They have launched an online portal for essential workers to book tests .
In guidance they added : `` Our social care action plan will ensure all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going into care homes . ''
On residents discharged from hospital , they said all care home residents will be tested before being admitted into their care home .
They said they would ensure residents arriving from hospital would not put those already in the home at risk .
Some coronavirus-positive residents would still be moved to care homes but they would only be housed on sites with effective isolation strategies .
The government has made £1.3bn available to support this .
They said they have enhanced guidance so even asymptomatic residents moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 14 days .
There is £1.6bn to help local authorities deal with COVID-19 , including for adult social care services , as well a further £1.6bn for councils delivering 'front line services ' .
They said their action plan would 'support the care workforce , unpaid carers , local authorities and the NHS for their ongoing hard work to maintain services and continue to provide high quality and safe social care to people throughout the pandemic ' .

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Heartbreaking testimonies from workers on the frontline paint a horrifying picture of life and death during the coronavirus outbreak in some of Greater Manchester's care homes.
There were more than 4,000 coronavirus-related deaths in care homes up to April 24, according to the Care Quality Commission.
But it is the stories from care home workers on the frontline that reveal the awful truth behind the numbers.
Staff tell of feeling powerless as they lose resident after resident to this cruel disease. They say they have seen patients test positive for Covid-19 in hospital before being moved to a care home without disclosure of their condition - risking the lives of staff and the elderly.
They recall nursing patients with chest infections being refused antibiotics under the assumption they have COVID-19.
And they live daily with the problem that's plagued key workers from the start - a dangerous shortage of testing and PPE.
On Tuesday - and confronted by up-to-date numbers on the death toll by the Care Quality Commission - Health Secretary Matt Hancock said they would finally expand testing to all care home residents and staff in England whether or not they showed symptoms.
He also said care home deaths would be included in daily figures from now on.
But the lack of urgency up to now has already taken its toll on workers, who speak with flat resignation of this perfect storm; years of austerity and neglect by central government, compounded by weeks of inaction.
The M.E.N spoke to a senior nurse with nearly 20 years' experience who works in a Greater Manchester care home.
She says there have been 17 deaths from confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
Four of those deaths - at the beginning of the crisis - were patients who had come to them from hospital having tested positive for COVID-19.
Crucially, she claims, the home was not told of their status and it was only when they noticed the symptoms and spoke to a GP that the positive result was found in their medical notes.
(Image: Getty)
She said: "We hadn't been told - probably because they thought the home wouldn't take them.
"I think those patients brought the infection into the home.
"All those patients have died now."
The Department for Health and Social Care says a new 'action plan' means all patients will be tested before they are discharged from hospital to care homes.
In homes with a coronavirus outbreak, workers can't clock off at the end of their shifts, go home to their families and forget about their day. Their days - and the pain that defines them - follow them home.
She added: "For those with COVID-19 it's a horrible, slow painful death. We have to lie to families and tell them they were settled, comfortable and peaceful. We can't tell the truth because it will break their hearts even more.
"They are short of breath, their lungs fill up and they are basically drowning. Some of them need suctioning to clear the phlegm and secretions.
"They have temperatures which create hallucinations, they are extremely agitated. They see people, animals, they try to grab out.
"They have abdominal pain. We try to settle them and comfort them and we just can't."
She added: "I feel we've lost people who weren't ready to go.
"They had underlying health conditions but they were well in themselves. Then they got COVID-19 and deteriorated rapidly and passed away in a horrible death.
"I'm absolutely certain these people weren't ready to die. They had years left in them."
This week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said they would expand testing to all care home residents and staff, regardless of symptoms. But Public Health England today told the M.E.N they are currently only testing where residents are symptomatic.
The nurse's home has been sent just four swabs by Public health England over the course of the crisis. All four were used on residents who tested positive and have now sadly died and although they have been promised a 'weekly' delivery of swabs, none have arrived.
She also claims doctors are withholding medication from residents she believes are not suffering from COVID-19.
"We ring GPs when residents clearly just have the chest infections they get all the time. They get several a year and need antibiotics.
"But because the symptoms are similar to COVID-19 doctors are refusing to treat them with anything other than end of life drugs.
"They say 'if they deteriorate, they deteriorate'.
"When it's somebody's mother or grandmother and they are left in a bed to die with no treatment it's horrible.
"I just think this is a forgotten generation.
"The attitude is 'they're in a care home, it's God's waiting room. I think this is the view of the Government.
"It's just really really sad. I don't feel valued by society either. Not at all.
"And I'm doubtful society will learn from this, although I hope they will.
"Only time will tell."
The M.E.N also spoke to a care assistant who works at a home where there have been four COVID-19 deaths.
One of those had been transferred from another home at the end of March with symptoms but was only tested days before she passed away. She was the home's first case.
She feels bosses at the home have tried to hide the truth from them.
"Managers are having meetings and not informing staff about what's going on. They don't want us to phone in sick.
"We only knew about the first case because there was a sign on the door saying not to go in without a mask on."
(Image: Northcliffe Media Ltd.)
But those masks are hard to come by. The carer said she arrived on shift to be told there were two masks between six of them.
"Four of us were told we'd have to use towels.
"Through no fault of their own dementia patients spit at us. We need to be protected, we need eyewear."
Sadly, the scale of the crisis in care homes doesn't surprise her.
"I said to my family when this first started. You wait, this will be in the news and care homes will be at the forefront of the deaths and the conversation.
"We are classed as the lowest of the low. Nobody sees the other side, the pressure we are under.
"Each day I go to work thinking 'what's today going to bring?'
"It's deaths that could have been avoided, that's the sad thing about it. I feel dumbstruck. We are trying to protect people but there's no proper leadership.
"It doesn't matter how old you are, you've got a right to be treated like everybody else.
"Once it's over I think it will go back to normal, the lowest paid job ever with no support at all.
"I've known a lot of really good carers who have put their heart and soul into it, but they have left the care industry and are in packing jobs now, it's more money and care was just so disheartening.
"I work with so many good carers but we just don't know what to do. We don't have the right protection, that's why it's spreading."
The question of why COVID-19 is spreading so rapidly in care homes is being considered by Dr Thomas House, a mathematical epidemiologist.
He works at the University of Manchester and is a member of a national mathematical modelling committee advising the government.
He says general policy around care homes needs looking at, adding: "This highlights the broader picture of how we are looking after people at the end of their lives."
But they are also looking at how COVID-19 enters care homes - and what happens when it does.
He said: "We are trying to work out whether older people are more susceptible, as well as getting more ill."
He said the way in which care homes are exposed to the general community is also key, adding: "We know coronavirus spreads well in these close contact environments. You can't lock them down. It's bigger than a usual household, staff don't live there, people are coming and going. There's a vulnerability in how they are set up."
This could be why some smaller care homes have so far managed to side-step the pandemic.
(Image: Google Street View)
Yvonne Timms, a nurse at Faversham Nursing Home in Urmston, says they have had no reported cases of COVID-19.
She said: "I've touched wood so many times.
"We're a small family run business without lots of staff. We've had people come in from hospital but we made sure they were tested to make sure they were clear first.
"We were running drastically low on PPE but we've had some donations from different companies in the area and from the Red Cross.
"We've been one of the lucky ones. Being small has definitely helped and we've no agency staff coming in and out so we've not got people bringing the infection in from different areas.
"It's just the same staff every day and we are strict with infection control."
Rachel, Hind, company director for Hind Care Ltd which runs Faverhsam and Brookfield Nursing Home in Urmston, added: "We haven't got cases, but we're expecting it, we're preparing for it. We feel sadly it's only a matter of time.
"We've done everything we can but if it does come in it will be shopping supplies. We have no visitors, all staff literally go home and come to work, they don't mix socially, they don't go shopping, they are shielding.
"Even if lockdown eases we will be very very cautious about letting families in. I think that we are smaller has kept it at bay."
(Image: Getty)
A Public Health England spokesman said care homes where there are suspected cases of COVID-19 are asked to notify them and they will arrange for 'rapid' testing for all symptomatic residents and will advise on what action to take.
They said they give tailored infection control advice so staff can protect themselves and residents.
What the Department for Health and Social Care say:
"Social care is on the frontline of our fight against coronavirus and the safety of staff and residents is our top priority.
"We are working around the clock to ensure PPE is delivered as quickly as possible to those on the frontline during this global pandemic for as long as it is required and have so far delivered over 1 billion items.
"We are using our increased testing capacity to test all symptomatic care home residents, care staff, and their families."
They said there is an action plan to support social care, including ramping up testing, overhauling how PPE is delivered to care homes and minimising the spread of the virus.
On PPE , they said there is a 24-hour NHS-run helpline where workers can report shortages, there is a PPE sourcing unit for teh Government to secure new supply lines from across the world and they are piloting a new online portal for health and social care workers to order PPE.
Supply of PPE ris prioritised based on clinical need and include highly vulnerable groups and takes account of those who are 70 or over.
On testing , they said the Care Quality Commission uis leading the coordination of regional testing and all registered care providers have been contacted. They have launched an online portal for essential workers to book tests.
In guidance they added: "Our social care action plan will ensure all patients discharged from hospital are tested before going into care homes."
On residents discharged from hospital, they said all care home residents will be tested before being admitted into their care home.
They said they would ensure residents arriving from hospital would not put those already in the home at risk.
Some coronavirus-positive residents would still be moved to care homes but they would only be housed on sites with effective isolation strategies.
The government has made £1.3bn available to support this.
They said they have enhanced guidance so even asymptomatic residents moving to a care home must be isolated for 14 days.
There is £1.6bn to help local authorities deal with COVID-19, including for adult social care services, as well a further £1.6bn for councils delivering 'front line services'.
They said their action plan would 'support the care workforce, unpaid carers, local authorities and the NHS for their ongoing hard work to maintain services and continue to provide high quality and safe social care to people throughout the pandemic'.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-29--Beer gardens, garden centres and beaches will still be no-go areas for some time

A health chief said it was 'categorically clear ' that outdoor spaces were 'less problematic environments for transmission ' of coronavirus than indoor spaces were .
But questioned over a possible return to public use of beaches and beer gardens , Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said the UK had to be 'extremely sure-footed and extremely painstaking ' over the future relaxation of lockdown guidelines .
England 's deputy chief medical officer said the Government 's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) was keeping evidence 'under very detailed review ' and formulating it into guidance being presented to ministers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ us for quite some time ' and would 'absolutely come back ' should lockdown measures be eased too early and in the wrong manner .
Prof Van-Tam said a lot had been learned from studying influenza .
There was widespread scientific agreement to suggest ventilation was critical in reducing the transmission of any virus , he said .
But beaches , garden centres and beer gardens would all result in 'congregations of individuals ' , the professor added .
`` I accept that the coronavirus is a new virus and it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are getting more and more data on transmission of Covid-19 as the days and weeks roll by , '' said Prof Van-Tam at Wednesday 's Downing Street coronavirus press conference .
`` But nevertheless there is a definite truism across all of the science literature that ventilation is a most critical part of reducing transmission from respiratory virus .
`` And if you think about being outdoors , first of all , by and large , distancing between human beings is greater anyway , but if you just stand still for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air currents around you , you absolutely get a sense that any kind of plumes of anything are going to be very rapidly dispersed .
`` From that perspective it is absolutely , categorically clear that outdoors spaces with higher degrees of ventilation are less problematic environments for transmission than indoor spaces . ''
He was asked , as a result of his comments , about garden centres , Parkruns , sports events , beaches and beer gardens possibly all being available again in the near future .
Prof Van-Tam said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence under very considerably , detailed review .
`` That evidence is being formulated into guidance that we are putting forward to minsters on a periodic basis . ''
But he said the settings mentioned were 'complex ' and at different points , could involve a 'congregation of individuals ' .
Prof Van-Tam said : `` One has to be very painstaking and very careful about thinking through some of these before we make the wrong move to relax measures .
`` I think we have to be extremely sure-footed and extremely painstaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely come back .
`` This is with us for quite some time , potentially for as long as until we get a vaccine .
`` We have to be really careful and really sure-footed and I am not going to suggest for a moment that anything should be rushed . ''
Another 34 lives have been claimed by coronavirus in Greater Manchester 's hospitals , figures revealed today confirmed .
The latest NHS England data showed a total of 1,279 people in our region have died after testing positive for the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have now passed 26,000 .

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A health chief said it was 'categorically clear' that outdoor spaces were 'less problematic environments for transmission' of coronavirus than indoor spaces were.
But questioned over a possible return to public use of beaches and beer gardens, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said the UK had to be 'extremely sure-footed and extremely painstaking' over the future relaxation of lockdown guidelines.
England's deputy chief medical officer said the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) was keeping evidence 'under very detailed review' and formulating it into guidance being presented to ministers.
But he said Covid-19 would be 'with us for quite some time' and would 'absolutely come back' should lockdown measures be eased too early and in the wrong manner.
Prof Van-Tam said a lot had been learned from studying influenza.
(Image: PA)
There was widespread scientific agreement to suggest ventilation was critical in reducing the transmission of any virus, he said.
But beaches, garden centres and beer gardens would all result in 'congregations of individuals', the professor added.
"I accept that the coronavirus is a new virus and it is not entirely the same as influenza, and we are getting more and more data on transmission of Covid-19 as the days and weeks roll by," said Prof Van-Tam at Wednesday's Downing Street coronavirus press conference.
"But nevertheless there is a definite truism across all of the science literature that ventilation is a most critical part of reducing transmission from respiratory virus.
"And if you think about being outdoors, first of all, by and large, distancing between human beings is greater anyway, but if you just stand still for a moment and just experience normal breezes and air currents around you, you absolutely get a sense that any kind of plumes of anything are going to be very rapidly dispersed.
(Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)
"From that perspective it is absolutely, categorically clear that outdoors spaces with higher degrees of ventilation are less problematic environments for transmission than indoor spaces."
He was asked, as a result of his comments, about garden centres, Parkruns, sports events, beaches and beer gardens possibly all being available again in the near future.
Prof Van-Tam said: "SAGE absolutely is keeping all of that evidence under very considerably, detailed review.
"That evidence is being formulated into guidance that we are putting forward to minsters on a periodic basis."
But he said the settings mentioned were 'complex' and at different points, could involve a 'congregation of individuals'.
Prof Van-Tam said: "One has to be very painstaking and very careful about thinking through some of these before we make the wrong move to relax measures.
"I think we have to be extremely sure-footed and extremely painstaking about this.
"This virus will absolutely come back.
"This is with us for quite some time, potentially for as long as until we get a vaccine.
"We have to be really careful and really sure-footed and I am not going to suggest for a moment that anything should be rushed."
Another 34 lives have been claimed by coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals, figures revealed today confirmed.
The latest NHS England data showed a total of 1,279 people in our region have died after testing positive for the virus.
In the UK, coronavirus deaths have now passed 26,000.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-29--Mancs in Mumbai: What shows Ryan, Adam and Scott Thomas have been in before

Ryan , Adam and Scott Thomas have joined together for the first time for a brand new documentary .
Mancs in Mubai , which airs tonight ( April 29 ) , sees the brothers go on a quest to learn about their Indian heritage .
The month-long journey to discover more about their family takes an emotional turn as the trio confront their absent father .
It will air for six weeks , every Wednesday on ITV .
And while Ryan and twins Adam and Scott may not have jointly appeared on TV for a project before , they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So where is it you have seen their faces before ?
Starting with Ryan , he played Coronation Street 's Jason Grimshaw for 16 years but waved goodbye to Weatherfield in 2016 leaving mum Eileen behind .
In 2018 the 34-year-old went on to appear in Neighbours as Rafael Humphreys before winning the final ever series of Celebrity Big Brother in the same year .
Actor Adam followed in his older brother 's footsteps and joined BBC drama Waterloo Road in 2006 where he played Donte Charles .
After quitting the school drama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played Adam Barton for nine years , leaving in 2018 .
In between he jetted off to Australia and came third on I 'm A Celebrity… in 2016 .
He then went on to become one of the co-host of the reality show 's ITV2 spin-off Extra Camp .
Last but by no means least , Scott did n't let his brother 's take all the limelight .
The 31-year-old spend several years as a club promoter before Love Island came calling .
He appeared on the show in 2016 and ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McDermott but sadly , the couple split in 2017 .
Since appearing on the ITV2 dating show , Scott has continued to grow his public relations agency , The Social PR , which he launched four years ago just before appearing on Love Island .
Mancs in Mubai airs Wednesday from 8pm on ITV .

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Ryan, Adam and Scott Thomas have joined together for the first time for a brand new documentary.
Mancs in Mubai, which airs tonight (April 29), sees the brothers go on a quest to learn about their Indian heritage.
The month-long journey to discover more about their family takes an emotional turn as the trio confront their absent father.
It will air for six weeks, every Wednesday on ITV.
And while Ryan and twins Adam and Scott may not have jointly appeared on TV for a project before, they're not strangers to the small screen.
(Image: ITV)
So where is it you have seen their faces before?
Starting with Ryan, he played Coronation Street's Jason Grimshaw for 16 years but waved goodbye to Weatherfield in 2016 leaving mum Eileen behind.
In 2018 the 34-year-old went on to appear in Neighbours as Rafael Humphreys before winning the final ever series of Celebrity Big Brother in the same year.
(Image: ITV)
Actor Adam followed in his older brother's footsteps and joined BBC drama Waterloo Road in 2006 where he played Donte Charles.
After quitting the school drama, the 31-year-old joined Emmerdale where he played Adam Barton for nine years, leaving in 2018.
In between he jetted off to Australia and came third on I'm A Celebrity… in 2016.
(Image: ITV)
He then went on to become one of the co-host of the reality show's ITV2 spin-off Extra Camp.
Last but by no means least, Scott didn't let his brother's take all the limelight.
The 31-year-old spend several years as a club promoter before Love Island came calling.
(Image: PA)
He appeared on the show in 2016 and ended up in second place with then girlfriend Kady McDermott but sadly, the couple split in 2017.
Since appearing on the ITV2 dating show, Scott has continued to grow his public relations agency, The Social PR, which he launched four years ago just before appearing on Love Island.
Mancs in Mubai airs Wednesday from 8pm on ITV.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-29--Man City evening headlines as Blues open financial gap on Liverpool

Here are your Manchester City evening headlines for April 29 .
Spurs overtake Man City as the Premier League ’ s most valuable team City might have won an unprecedented domestic treble last season but they have fallen to second place in the latest rankings of the Premier League ’ s most valuable teams .
Tottenham Hotspur , who knocked Pep Guardiola 's side out of the Champions League on the way to reaching the final , have replaced them in top spot .
The analysis , which was carried out by football finance expert Kieran Maguire , is based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It values Spurs at £2.567bn and City at £2.186bn .
Manchester United are in third , while league leaders Liverpool trail them in fourth despite their impressive performances this season .
The Brazilian midfielder has a year left on his current deal , which was extended earlier this season , but has admitted that he would be happy to stay at the Etihad beyond next summer .
Even at the age of 34 , Fernandinho has underlined his importance to City by successfully filling in at centre-back during an injury crisis .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guardiola ’ s squad and , in an interview with Sky Sports , said that he would be happy to discuss another contract extension .
City could finish third if the Premier League emulates French proposals With confirmation that the rest of the Ligue 1 season has been cancelled , clubs are currently considering three proposals for how to determine the final standings .
One involves taking the table at the halfway point of the season , when teams have played each other once , as the final version .
If this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City would drop down to third , having been a point behind Leicester City after 19 games .
In this scenario , Chelsea would finish fourth , with Manchester United and Sheffield United in fifth and sixth respectively .
The other proposals being considered by French clubs are a points ratio and taking the final standings from after the last completed round of fixtures .

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Here are your Manchester City evening headlines for April 29.
Spurs overtake Man City as the Premier League’s most valuable team
City might have won an unprecedented domestic treble last season but they have fallen to second place in the latest rankings of the Premier League’s most valuable teams.
Tottenham Hotspur, who knocked Pep Guardiola's side out of the Champions League on the way to reaching the final, have replaced them in top spot.
The analysis, which was carried out by football finance expert Kieran Maguire, is based on last season’s accounts. It values Spurs at £2.567bn and City at £2.186bn.
Manchester United are in third, while league leaders Liverpool trail them in fourth despite their impressive performances this season.
Fernandinho open to contract extension
The Brazilian midfielder has a year left on his current deal, which was extended earlier this season, but has admitted that he would be happy to stay at the Etihad beyond next summer.
Even at the age of 34, Fernandinho has underlined his importance to City by successfully filling in at centre-back during an injury crisis.
(Image: 2019 Manchester City FC)
He continues to be a valuable part of Guardiola’s squad and, in an interview with Sky Sports, said that he would be happy to discuss another contract extension.
City could finish third if the Premier League emulates French proposals
With confirmation that the rest of the Ligue 1 season has been cancelled, clubs are currently considering three proposals for how to determine the final standings.
One involves taking the table at the halfway point of the season, when teams have played each other once, as the final version.
If this was to be emulated in England, Manchester City would drop down to third, having been a point behind Leicester City after 19 games.
In this scenario, Chelsea would finish fourth, with Manchester United and Sheffield United in fifth and sixth respectively.
The other proposals being considered by French clubs are a points ratio and taking the final standings from after the last completed round of fixtures.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-29--The graphs that show UK now has one of world's worst coronavirus death tolls

The coronavirus pandemic had gripped the world , yet some countries are experiencing it worse than others .
In the UK , latest figures published today show that more than 26,000 people have died after contracting the virus .
This includes in all settings - hospitals , care homes and the community - for the first time .
Globally , more than 217,000 deaths have been recorded as a result of the pandemic .
And right now , the UK looks set to have one of top three worst coronavirus death tolls in the world .
Graphs which are used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compiles various data including transport usage , number of new cases , number of new deaths and global comparisons .
These graphs show that currently , the United States has the highest number of recorded deaths , totalling at more than 55,000 .
It is unclear whether these figures include care homes .
Today 's figures issued by the UK government puts the country 's death toll above Spain 's , which has recorded 24,275 deaths .
France has also recorded just over 24,000 deaths .
And although Italy 's death tolls currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 27,682 , projections indicate the UK will soon overtake that tally .
A separate graph , comparing global deaths per million of the population , also shows the UK tracking high .
The country is only behind Spain and Belgium , which currently has the highest number of deaths per million of its population .
China , where the virus started in the city of Wuhan , has been removed from the governments graph on the death toll .
But Wuhan itself has again reported no new cases or deaths and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second straight day .
China as a whole reported six new cases , three of them brought from overseas and three in the north-eastern province of Heilongjiang , which borders Russia .
The country has reported a total of 4,633 deaths among 82,836 cases .
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook here .

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The coronavirus pandemic had gripped the world, yet some countries are experiencing it worse than others.
In the UK, latest figures published today show that more than 26,000 people have died after contracting the virus.
This includes in all settings - hospitals, care homes and the community - for the first time.
Globally, more than 217,000 deaths have been recorded as a result of the pandemic.
And right now, the UK looks set to have one of top three worst coronavirus death tolls in the world.
Graphs which are used during the government's daily press conference compiles various data including transport usage, number of new cases, number of new deaths and global comparisons.
These graphs show that currently, the United States has the highest number of recorded deaths, totalling at more than 55,000. It is unclear whether these figures include care homes.
Today's figures issued by the UK government puts the country's death toll above Spain's, which has recorded 24,275 deaths.
France has also recorded just over 24,000 deaths.
And although Italy's death tolls currently stand slightly higher than the UK's at 27,682, projections indicate the UK will soon overtake that tally.
(Image: Public Health England)
A separate graph, comparing global deaths per million of the population, also shows the UK tracking high. The country is only behind Spain and Belgium, which currently has the highest number of deaths per million of its population.
China, where the virus started in the city of Wuhan, has been removed from the governments graph on the death toll.
But Wuhan itself has again reported no new cases or deaths and its hospitals remained empty of virus patients for a second straight day.
China as a whole reported six new cases, three of them brought from overseas and three in the north-eastern province of Heilongjiang, which borders Russia.
The country has reported a total of 4,633 deaths among 82,836 cases.
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-29--Manchester United's iconic number 9 strikers ranked from best to worst

While the iconic nature of the , the number 9 shirt carries a similar weight and expectation .
The club has always prided itself on its attacking philosophy and has seen many fine goalscorers pass through Old Trafford , many of whom entrusted with the shirt worn famously by Sir Bobby Charlton .
Between 1956 and 1973 Charlton would score 249 times for United - a record that would stand for nearly 44 years .
The likes of Joe Jordan and Frank Stapleton would inherit Charlton ’ s shirt by the advent of fixed squad numbers in the Premier League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number 9 .
Since then , a number of forwards would be assigned the shirt , with some performing better than others .
Sir Alex Ferguson pulled off something of a coup after the £7million deal to snatch Cole away from rivals Newcastle United in the January of 1995 .
The goals would flow immediately - the record-setting five against Ipswich a standout - to help United to two League titles and an FA Cup within his first three years .
It would be the arrival of Dwight Yorke that would really spark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deadly partnership that would yield 53 goals in the historic 1998/99 treble season as the club lifted the Premier League , FA Cup and Champions League .
Cole would win a further two league titles at Old Trafford and upon leaving in 2001 , had scored a total 121 goals in the club ’ s colours , putting him 17th on the all-time United scorers ' list .
His time at the club may have been brief but it was certainly memorable following his 2016 move from PSG .
Making an immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community shield , Ibrahimovic would then score 17 times in the Premier League , five times in the successful Europa League run - including a hat trick against St Etienne - and snare a brace in the League Cup final win over Southampton at Wembley .
His debut season would be ended by a serious knee injury in April and despite a brief return the following season , his United career would be fleeting but incredibly effective .
The former Monaco prospect has twice been assigned the number 9 shirt in his time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon his 2015 arrival and again this season after the departure of Lukaku .
An unforgettable debut saw Martial seal a 3-1 win over Liverpool after coming off the bench , establishing his popularity early on .
Despite injuries in the years to follow and mostly playing in wide positions , Martial has always been one of United ’ s most potent goal threats and now , back playing as the focal point this season , has found the target 16 times in all competitions .
Berbatov ’ s impressive highlights reel at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2010 , sealed with an overhead kick no less , a five-goal haul against Blackburn Rovers , and an incredible piece of skill on the goal line to bamboozle James Collins and set up Ronaldo against West Ham United in 2009 .
The Bulgarian would score 56 times in his four years at the club , sharing the 2011 golden boot with former teammate Carlos Tevez before leaving for Fulham in 2012 .
Signed for a hefty £75million in 2017 , the Belgian would have a blistering start to life at Old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first nine appearances .
Sixteen Premier League goals would help United to a second place finish but the following season would see the player struggle with the club in freefall under Jose Mourinho and difficulties adapting under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer .
The player would leave the club for Inter Milan last summer with 42 goals in 96 appearances .
Joining from Premier League rivals Fulham for £12.4million in January 2004 , Saha would start his United career in similarly impressive form to Lukaku , netting seven times in his first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals in an injury-hit four years at the club , which was a decent return for the French striker but his obvious fitness issues meant he was unable to nail down a regular starting place in a top heavy United squad and his career at Old Trafford didn ’ t quite take off as he or the club might have liked .
‘ El Tigre ’ arrived on loan at Old Trafford from Monaco with a wave of excitement following his exploits at Porto and Atletico Madrid , however , he would struggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious knee injury in France .
Just four goals in 29 appearances saw the Colombian labelled one of the worst signings of the season and bombed out by Louis van Gaal with the club opting not to purchase the striker permanently .

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While the iconic nature of the Manchester United number 7 shirt is often discussed , the number 9 shirt carries a similar weight and expectation.
The club has always prided itself on its attacking philosophy and has seen many fine goalscorers pass through Old Trafford, many of whom entrusted with the shirt worn famously by Sir Bobby Charlton.
Between 1956 and 1973 Charlton would score 249 times for United - a record that would stand for nearly 44 years.
The likes of Joe Jordan and Frank Stapleton would inherit Charlton’s shirt by the advent of fixed squad numbers in the Premier League era, Brian McClair would don the number 9.
Since then, a number of forwards would be assigned the shirt, with some performing better than others.
1. Andrew Cole
Sir Alex Ferguson pulled off something of a coup after the £7million deal to snatch Cole away from rivals Newcastle United in the January of 1995.
The goals would flow immediately - the record-setting five against Ipswich a standout - to help United to two League titles and an FA Cup within his first three years.
It would be the arrival of Dwight Yorke that would really spark Cole into life with the two forming a deadly partnership that would yield 53 goals in the historic 1998/99 treble season as the club lifted the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
Cole would win a further two league titles at Old Trafford and upon leaving in 2001, had scored a total 121 goals in the club’s colours, putting him 17th on the all-time United scorers' list.
2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
His time at the club may have been brief but it was certainly memorable following his 2016 move from PSG.
Making an immediate impression with the winning goal in the community shield, Ibrahimovic would then score 17 times in the Premier League, five times in the successful Europa League run - including a hat trick against St Etienne - and snare a brace in the League Cup final win over Southampton at Wembley.
His debut season would be ended by a serious knee injury in April and despite a brief return the following season, his United career would be fleeting but incredibly effective.
3. Anthony Martial
The former Monaco prospect has twice been assigned the number 9 shirt in his time at the club, first wearing it upon his 2015 arrival and again this season after the departure of Lukaku.
An unforgettable debut saw Martial seal a 3-1 win over Liverpool after coming off the bench, establishing his popularity early on.
Despite injuries in the years to follow and mostly playing in wide positions, Martial has always been one of United’s most potent goal threats and now, back playing as the focal point this season, has found the target 16 times in all competitions.
4. Dimitar Berbatov
Berbatov’s impressive highlights reel at Old Trafford includes a hat-trick against Liverpool in 2010, sealed with an overhead kick no less, a five-goal haul against Blackburn Rovers, and an incredible piece of skill on the goal line to bamboozle James Collins and set up Ronaldo against West Ham United in 2009.
The Bulgarian would score 56 times in his four years at the club, sharing the 2011 golden boot with former teammate Carlos Tevez before leaving for Fulham in 2012.
5. Romelu Lukaku
Signed for a hefty £75million in 2017, the Belgian would have a blistering start to life at Old Trafford scoring a record-shattering 10 times in his first nine appearances.
Sixteen Premier League goals would help United to a second place finish but the following season would see the player struggle with the club in freefall under Jose Mourinho and difficulties adapting under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The player would leave the club for Inter Milan last summer with 42 goals in 96 appearances.
6. Louis Saha
Joining from Premier League rivals Fulham for £12.4million in January 2004, Saha would start his United career in similarly impressive form to Lukaku, netting seven times in his first nine league games.
He netted 42 goals in an injury-hit four years at the club, which was a decent return for the French striker but his obvious fitness issues meant he was unable to nail down a regular starting place in a top heavy United squad and his career at Old Trafford didn’t quite take off as he or the club might have liked.
Sold to Everton in 2008.
7. Radamel Falcao
‘El Tigre’ arrived on loan at Old Trafford from Monaco with a wave of excitement following his exploits at Porto and Atletico Madrid, however, he would struggle to recapture his previous form following a serious knee injury in France.
Just four goals in 29 appearances saw the Colombian labelled one of the worst signings of the season and bombed out by Louis van Gaal with the club opting not to purchase the striker permanently.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-29--Manchester United evening headlines as Reds receive training boost

Here are your Manchester United evening headlines for Wednesday 29 April Players step up fitness ahead of potential return to action A number of United squad members have stepped up their personal fitness regimes , with a view to being ready physically when the Premier League returns .
The M.E.N .
understands many have been working on endurance training following dialogue with strength and conditioning coach Michael Clegg , ensuring players will be prepared for a potential return to the Carrington training complex in May .
United have not played since beating LASK in the Europa League on 12 March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be keen on a three-week ‘ mini pre-season ’ before any return to competitive action .
Their players have continued to train remotely , though other Premier League clubs have reopened their training grounds while continuing to follow social distancing guidelines .
“ The manager sent me a message that just said : 'Stay training and keep working , we do n't know when we 'll be back , so we do n't want any surprises because there are rumours of how many games , so just be healthy , stay fit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuanzebe told the MEN .
Fred has enjoyed a renaissance at Manchester United this season , having gone 143 days without a competitive appearance and having to wait until October for his first Premier League start of the campaign .
The former Shakhtar man has stayed fit all season and United have reaped the rewards , with the Brazilian playing his part in big wins against Chelsea and Manchester City of late .
The MEN spoke to Tulio Horta , the personal trainer who first met Fred in 2017 and has now been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United midfielder Andreas Pereira says he owes former manager Jose Mourinho a great deal for helping him grow at Old Trafford .
The Brazilian was loaned out twice by Mourinho , but returned to play 15 league games last season and even more under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019/20 .
And , in an interview with Esporte Interativo in Brazil , he described Mourinho as “ Special .
Winner .
At any cost .
Fair .
And great .
I ’ ll tell you , he ’ s amazing ” .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League .
When I was with him , I was called up by the national team , so all thanks to him .
But he ’ s great .
”

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Here are your Manchester United evening headlines for Wednesday 29 April
Players step up fitness ahead of potential return to action
A number of United squad members have stepped up their personal fitness regimes, with a view to being ready physically when the Premier League returns.
The M.E.N. understands many have been working on endurance training following dialogue with strength and conditioning coach Michael Clegg, ensuring players will be prepared for a potential return to the Carrington training complex in May.
United have not played since beating LASK in the Europa League on 12 March, and Premier League clubs are understood to be keen on a three-week ‘mini pre-season’ before any return to competitive action.
Their players have continued to train remotely, though other Premier League clubs have reopened their training grounds while continuing to follow social distancing guidelines.
“The manager sent me a message that just said: 'Stay training and keep working, we don't know when we'll be back, so we don't want any surprises because there are rumours of how many games, so just be healthy, stay fit and maintain good hygiene,” Axel Tuanzebe told the MEN.
The man behind Fred’s Manchester United transformation
Fred has enjoyed a renaissance at Manchester United this season, having gone 143 days without a competitive appearance and having to wait until October for his first Premier League start of the campaign.
The former Shakhtar man has stayed fit all season and United have reaped the rewards, with the Brazilian playing his part in big wins against Chelsea and Manchester City of late.
The MEN spoke to Tulio Horta, the personal trainer who first met Fred in 2017 and has now been reunited with him in Manchester.
Andreas Pereira reflects on “amazing” relationship with Jose Mourinho
Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira says he owes former manager Jose Mourinho a great deal for helping him grow at Old Trafford.
The Brazilian was loaned out twice by Mourinho, but returned to play 15 league games last season and even more under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019/20.
And, in an interview with Esporte Interativo in Brazil, he described Mourinho as “Special. Winner. At any cost. Fair. And great. I’ll tell you, he’s amazing”.
“He helped me a lot,” Pereira continued.
“He gave me my first game in the Premier League. When I was with him, I was called up by the national team, so all thanks to him. But he’s great.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-29--Market owners left stunned as they're told to pay up £181,000 every year

The owners of Altrincham Market have had their business rates increased during lockdown by almost 500 per cent to more than £180,000 per year .
Nick Johnson and his wife Jenny Thompson run the food hall and market based in Trafford , alongside Mackie Mayor in central Manchester and The Picturedome in Macclesfield .
The couple were shocked to see their new business rate has also been backdated to the day the UK went into lockdown .
On Monday March 23 , the business owners were forced to close Altrincham Market due to the government restrictions and are furious about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have no money coming in .
They say their business rates bill has risen from £31,500 to £181,000 per year - an increase of 474 per cent .
The couple stated that their business model has not changed since they opened the market in 2014 and are worried what impact the rise will have on the independent traders in the market .
Mr Johnson said : `` No reason has been given [ for the increase ] , we were simply issued with a bill .
It would appear that our use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food Hall and Market but we have been operating the same way since we opened in 2014 .
`` We have been doing the same thing [ for ] the last six years , nothing has changed other than the fact that we ’ ve continued to get busier .
`` The impact of the rates increase will have to be passed through occupiers otherwise we will not be able to continue to operate profitably .
`` The effect will be to put up the rates to all traders which in turn will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will not therefore book or for ‘ permanent ’ traders .
`` It will make their marginal existence unsustainable .
Exactly what the impact will be is difficult to say but with such a large increase it is fair to say it will be catastrophic . ''
The business owner has criticised Trafford Council over the situation and said any attempts to blame central Government for the increase are `` disingenuous '' and `` incorrect '' , but the authority has explained it does not calculate business rates .
Trafford Council stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , using the Valuation Office Agency .
A spokesperson for the VOA confirmed that the department calculates a non-domestic property ’ s rateable value , which is then used to calculate a business ’ s business rates .
Trafford Council added that it has also queried the large increase in the market 's business rates with the VOA , but is yet to hear back .
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said : `` The regeneration of our town centres in Trafford has been one of our priorities over recent years and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the market to transform Altrincham into the successful visitor destination it is today .
“ Contrary to some false reports in the media and on social media , Trafford Council does not set the rates , this is done by the Government ’ s Valuation Office Agency .
We collect them on the Government ’ s behalf which is our statutory duty .
“ The reassessment comes as a result of the Valuation Office Agency carrying out a revaluation of the premises based on the current usage .
Again this is a decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office Agency and is something that does not involve Trafford Council .
`` However , while we do not have any influence over this process we queried the increase charge with the Valuation Office Agency over a week ago but have had no response as yet . ''
The authority advised that , like all businesses , Altrincham Market can appeal the rateable value with the VOA , but only the rate payer can appeal and the council can not appeal on the business 's behalf .
Nick Johnson is worried that even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd have to continue paying the increased rates until an overturning decision is eventually made - he is concerned this could take months , perhaps years .
While Trafford Council does earn money from the collection of business rates , other bodies also get their share .
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority gets some of the income , as does central Government itself - which receives half of all business rates collected by a local council .
Much like council tax , business rates is a key income for local authorities , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A VOA spokesperson said : “ We can not comment on individual cases .
We use a wide range of property information , including rental information , location , trade and physical attributes , to compare values across similar types of properties in order to set the rateable value .
This is then used by the ratepayer ’ s local council to calculate their business rates bill .
“ If a ratepayer thinks the details we hold about their property are incorrect , they can see how their valuation has been calculated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our online service.
” Ratepayers can check their business rates valuation here .
For more information about business rates are calculated visit here .
The government has announced a package of support for businesses during COVID-19 , including a 12-month business rates holiday for the 2020 to 2021 tax year for certain sectors , plus loans and grants .
For more information visit here .

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The owners of Altrincham Market have had their business rates increased during lockdown by almost 600 per cent to more than £92,000 per year.
Nick Johnson and his wife Jenny Thompson run the food hall and market based in Trafford, alongside Mackie Mayor in central Manchester and The Picturedome in Macclesfield.
The couple were shocked to see their new business rate has also been backdated to the day the UK went into lockdown.
On Monday March 23, the business owners were forced to close Altrincham Market due to the government restrictions and are furious about their new bill at a time when they have no money coming in.
They say their business's value estimate has risen from £31,500 to £181,000 per year - an increase of 474 per cent.
This has led to a 600 per cent increase in their business rates bill from around £16,000 per year to £92,600.
The couple stated that their business model has not changed since they opened the market in 2014 and are worried what impact the rise will have on the independent traders in the market.
Mr Johnson said: "No reason has been given [for the increase], we were simply issued with a bill. It would appear that our use has been revised from Market, to Food Hall and Market but we have been operating the same way since we opened in 2014.
"We have been doing the same thing [for] the last six years, nothing has changed other than the fact that we’ve continued to get busier.
"The impact of the rates increase will have to be passed through occupiers otherwise we will not be able to continue to operate profitably.
"The effect will be to put up the rates to all traders which in turn will mean they cannot afford to stand and will not therefore book or for ‘permanent’ traders.
"It will make their marginal existence unsustainable. Exactly what the impact will be is difficult to say but with such a large increase it is fair to say it will be catastrophic."
The business owner has criticised Trafford Council, but the authority says it does not calculate business rates.
The town hall stated that they are calculated by central Government, using the Valuation Office Agency.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A spokesperson for the VOA confirmed that the department calculates a non-domestic property’s rateable value, which is then used to calculate a business’s business rates.
Trafford Council added that it has also queried the large increase in the market's business rates with the VOA, but is yet to hear back.
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: "The regeneration of our town centres in Trafford has been one of our priorities over recent years and we have worked closely with many partners including the market to transform Altrincham into the successful visitor destination it is today.
“Contrary to some false reports in the media and on social media, Trafford Council does not set the rates, this is done by the Government’s Valuation Office Agency. We collect them on the Government’s behalf which is our statutory duty.
“The reassessment comes as a result of the Valuation Office Agency carrying out a revaluation of the premises based on the current usage. Again this is a decision that has been made by the Valuation Office Agency and is something that does not involve Trafford Council.
"However, while we do not have any influence over this process we queried the increase charge with the Valuation Office Agency over a week ago but have had no response as yet."
The authority advised that, like all businesses, Altrincham Market can appeal the rateable value with the VOA, but only the rate payer can appeal and the council cannot appeal on the business's behalf.
Nick Johnson is worried that even if he were to appeal, he'd have to continue paying the increased rates until an overturning decision is eventually made - he is concerned this could take months, perhaps years.
While Trafford Council does earn money from the collection of business rates, other bodies also get their share.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority gets some of the income, as does central Government itself - which receives half of all business rates collected by a local council.
Trafford news We have a dedicated Facebook page bringing you all the latest news, events and community news in Trafford. To keep up to date with all that is happening in Trafford - and to join in the discussion - follow the page here. And you can also follow us on Twitter.
Much like council tax, business rates is a key income for local authorities, which enables them to fund other key services.
A VOA spokesperson said: “We cannot comment on individual cases. We use a wide range of property information, including rental information, location, trade and physical attributes, to compare values across similar types of properties in order to set the rateable value. This is then used by the ratepayer’s local council to calculate their business rates bill.
“If a ratepayer thinks the details we hold about their property are incorrect, they can see how their valuation has been calculated and propose changes to the valuation using our online service.”
Ratepayers can check their business rates valuation here.
For more information about business rates are calculated visit here.
The government has announced a package of support for businesses during COVID-19, including a 12-month business rates holiday for the 2020 to 2021 tax year for certain sectors, plus loans and grants. For more information visit here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-29--Bayern manager calls Leroy Sane and more transfer rumours

Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick called Manchester City star Leroy Sane in a bid to convince him to join the club , according to reports .
Bayern have n't kept their desire of signing Sane secret over the last year , when they began their pursuit in the summer as they looked to replace departed legends Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery .
The Bundesliga champions went on a public charm offensive with several star players , such as Robert Lewandowski , Manuel Neuer and Serge Gnabry , as well as high-ranking club officials , all discussing the potential transfer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to the point that then-manager Nico Kovac had to apologise after he claimed he was 'confident ' the deal would be completed and Bayern had to take to Twitter to deny reports in the German press that personal terms had been agreed .
Sane would go on to suffer a serious knee ligament injury before the season began and Bayern signed Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Perisic instead .
In recent months Bayern chiefs , such as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge , have once again began discussing Sane , varying reports suggested that the Bavarians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 24-year-old due to a perceived lack of commitment to making the switch .
However , according to recent reports from SportBild , via SportWitness , Flick has changed his stance and would welcome Sane to the Allianz Arena .
It 's claimed that there was a phone call between the pair a few weeks ago which lasted for 30 minutes , with Flick now on board with making the signing after initially being sceptical .
M.E.N .
Sport understands that City 's stance remains unchanged : while they want Sane to sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2021 , they are prepared to sell if necessary rather than lose the German for nothing .
Meanwhile , Fortuna Dusseldorf reportedly want to extend Zack Steffen 's loan deal from City .
Steffen this week suffered a knee ligament injury blow after returning to training in Germany , which could keep him out of action for months .
M.E.N .
Sport understands that City had earmarked Steffen with a return to the Etihad next season to challenge Ederson for the No.1 spot .
Now , according to SportBild , Fortuna are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's loan - although it is not clear if that would be to cover an extended end to the current season , or a new season-long deal for 2020/21 .

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Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick called Manchester City star Leroy Sane in a bid to convince him to join the club, according to reports.
Bayern haven't kept their desire of signing Sane secret over the last year, when they began their pursuit in the summer as they looked to replace departed legends Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.
The Bundesliga champions went on a public charm offensive with several star players, such as Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer and Serge Gnabry, as well as high-ranking club officials, all discussing the potential transfer, drawing the ire from City.
It got to the point that then-manager Nico Kovac had to apologise after he claimed he was 'confident' the deal would be completed and Bayern had to take to Twitter to deny reports in the German press that personal terms had been agreed.
Sane would go on to suffer a serious knee ligament injury before the season began and Bayern signed Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Perisic instead.
In recent months Bayern chiefs, such as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, have once again began discussing Sane, varying reports suggested that the Bavarians were going off the idea of signing the 24-year-old due to a perceived lack of commitment to making the switch.
However, according to recent reports from SportBild, via SportWitness, Flick has changed his stance and would welcome Sane to the Allianz Arena.
It's claimed that there was a phone call between the pair a few weeks ago which lasted for 30 minutes, with Flick now on board with making the signing after initially being sceptical.
M.E.N. Sport understands that City's stance remains unchanged: while they want Sane to sign an extension to his contract which expires in 2021, they are prepared to sell if necessary rather than lose the German for nothing.
Meanwhile, Fortuna Dusseldorf reportedly want to extend Zack Steffen's loan deal from City.
Steffen this week suffered a knee ligament injury blow after returning to training in Germany, which could keep him out of action for months.
M.E.N. Sport understands that City had earmarked Steffen with a return to the Etihad next season to challenge Ederson for the No.1 spot.
Now, according to SportBild, Fortuna are said to be looking at extending Steffen's loan - although it is not clear if that would be to cover an extended end to the current season, or a new season-long deal for 2020/21.