A6110 and A643 Elland Road public consultation launched

St Paul's Youth Forum bike partnership with HMP Barlinnie

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GLASGOW. Hogganfield Loch.<br /><br />HMP Barlinnie cargo bike built and designed by prisoners at HMP Barlinnie.<br /><br />On Bikes - Launch of grassroots social enterprise in Hogganfield Glasgow<br />Beyond Bars Cargo. In a ground-breaking collaboration with HMP Barlinnie, donated bikes are being repurposed into high-quality cargo bikes. Prison residents help dismantle and rebuild the bikes, gaining valuable skills in the process. Once sold, 100% of the profits go straight back into the community. These locally-made cargo bikes represent a full-circle model: built in Scotland, by the community, for the community.<br />Neil Young, CEO of St Pauls Youth Forum said: At SPYF we are passionate about supporting communities to flourish and the launch of SPYF On Bikes and Beyond Bars Cargo is a really exciting point in furthering our mission to alleviate transport poverty in Blackhill and make it easy for everyone to choose to cycle.<br />The opening of SPYF On Bikes marks a major milestone in the journey of St Paul’s Youth Forum from grassroots beginnings to a driving force for social innovation in Glasgow’s north east.<br /><br />With funding for charities shrinking and community needs rising, many organisations are searching for new, sustainable ways to stay afloat and make a greater impact. <br />St Pauls Youth Forum is leading that change by opening a new social enterprise called SPYF On Bikes, in the North East of Glasgow.<br />Situated at Hogganfield Loch, between the affluent suburb of Stepps and one of Glasgow’s most disadvantaged communities, Blackhill, SPYF On Bikes isn’t your typical bike shop.<br />Every penny of its profit is reinvested into the local community through the work of St Pauls Youth Forum, a local charity empowering people through cycling, education, food, and friendship.<br />The work of St Pauls Youth Forum includes distributing free bikes across Glasgow, offering bike repairs, teaching cycle safety, and promoting inclusive cycling with adaptive bikes. They also run youth programs that provide a safe and fun environment for young people to learn,<br />grow, and explore new opportunities. Beyond bikes, the organisation addresses food insecurity by supporting community growing and cooking, and creating spaces for people to meet, move, and eat together with dignity.<br />To generate income, SPYF On Bikes focuses on two unique areas of the cycling market. <br />Firstly, they specialise in adaptive bikes cycles designed for people who may not be able to use a standard bicycle. Their Hogganfield Loch showroom features a full range of Van Raam adaptive cycles, which customers can try out onsite. Staff are trained to provide one-on-one<br />consultations to customise bikes to individual needs. And their commitment doesn’t stop at the sale: SPYF On Bikes offers full aftercare

Will the disposable vape ban actually stop vaping? We ask Birmingham

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With disposable vapes now banned, we ask people in Birmingham whether they think this will reduce vaping—or if people will just turn to reusable or illegal alternatives.

Birmingham bin strike continues amid stalled negotiations

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Birmingham's bin strike has entered its third month, with negotiations between Unite and the city council at an impasse. The dispute centres on job role eliminations and potential pay cuts, leading to significant waste accumulation and public health concerns. A High Court injunction has limited picketing activities, and the union is calling for further negotiations involving key decision-makers.

The Bag Factory: Manchester BEST new underground venue?

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We went along to the pre-launch party at the Bag Factory, a new bar next to the infamous White Hotel which is aiming to bring forth some of Manchester’s best unknown DJs and performers into the light.

Plans for Washington Metro Loop

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Plans to bring the Tyne and Wear Metro to Washington have taken a major step forward, as engineering designs for the long-awaited expansion are officially underway.<br />

Your guide to Summer 2025 in Liverpool

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Free events, pop ups, festivals, annual events and hidden gems to explore across the summer in Liverpool.

Greater Manchester’s Transport Update

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Here is all you need to know about delays, cancellations and safety changes for Transport in Greater Manchester this week.

The North East: Worst Region for Opportunities

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Young people in the North East are being left behind when it comes to jobs, education, and long-term life chances, according to two major new reports that have sparked concern among local leaders and campaigners.<br />

“I see them in school uniforms” - Liverpool’s opinion on the ban on disposable vapes

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Now that disposable vapes are banned, do you think that will actually stop people vaping — or will they just turn to something else?

We try Black Sheep’s new food and drinks range on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street

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We visit Black Sheep on Sauchiehall Street to try their new range of food and drinks including matcha lemonade, Norwegian waffles and açai bowls.