‘I went to Manchester dressed as Andy Burnham to see what folks considered the PM’
As office workers and builders take their lunch breaks in Manchester city centre, many walk past the unassuming building without a second glance.
But four burly police officers standing guard outside Heron House make it obvious. This is now – for the moment, at least – the heart of Government.
The site of the new No10 North, opened by Andy Burnham last week, sits tucked between a Slug & Lettuce and a JW Lees pub – great for the pint-loving new PM. But what do locals think of the attempt to transfer power out of Whitehall and into Albert Square?
Burnham-mania is getting out of hand(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Star)
Couples are still getting married in the building, which also contains a register office. A groom posing for photos outside jokes: “I feel like Andy Burnham.”
And some passers-by seem shocked by the lack of heavy-duty security. It’s a far cry from Downing Street, where metal gates stop the public from walking down it and that famous door doesn’t open from the outside.
Liv, who doesn’t want to give her last name, admits she hadn’t realised the building was so important. “I’m excited it’s here,” she says. “It’s about time we have representation in the north.
Liv said it was “about time” the North had representation(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Star)
“We have MPs in Scotland and everywhere else and they always have to go to London, so why not make it more accessible for everyone?
“I’ve always liked Andy Burnham. I think he’s done a great job as mayor and it’s the first time in my entire life that we’ve had a Prime Minister and I’ve liked the person first.”
Heron House is a 1980s office block built on the site of an old warehouse opposite Manchester Town Hall. It’s only the temporary home of No10 North – a site in nearby Ancoats has been earmarked for new custom-built premises.
Michaela Rogers was also a fan (Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Star)
Academic Michaela Rogers, 53, says it’s “about time” the north got a seat at the top table.
She adds: “We’re sort of the poor cousin in the north, so I think it’s really good to give us that representation.
“I like Andy Burnham. I used to work at Salford University when he first became mayor and he did a bit of work with some colleagues about alleviating poverty and deprivation. He seemed really genuine and committed to improving those areas.”
Aren Pym said it was a good idea in general but needed to be backed by a plan to reindustrialise areas(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Star)
Apprentice stonemason Aren Pym, 23, warns: “There’s been a lot of rhetoric about the north not getting what it should get, but the issue is that since they closed the industry, it won’t be sustainable.
“A lot of places have had shopping centres built and things, but there needs to be a strong local industry to sustain that investment.”
Burnham has faced criticism for his focus on Manchester and the north of England. But Gwenan Toplis, a nurse from Caernarfon in north Wales, thinks the new site will benefit “every region of the country”.
Mr Burnham opened No 10 North last week(Image: Getty Images)
She explains: “It puts the north on the map and gives the working class a chance of getting heard.
“It can only be a good thing to bring regional leaders together. I suppose the thing is how the power is used when it is devolved.”
We scouted out a pub where the pint-loving PM could go for a post-work beer(Image: Andy Stenning)
How the Burnham look came together
Andy Burnham might be the King of the North, but right now I’m the clown prince of the provinces.
I’m here in central Manchester to scope out the area for the new PM – and obviously, I need to look the part. Donning a cheap wig that makes me look more like a Beatle, I soon learn Burnham-mania is a real thing.
Nobody has a bad word to say about the man. Sadly, the locals seem less sure about me. I’m quickly shut down when I ask a newly-married couple to pose for a picture outside the Heron House register office.
We’ve also scouted out a little route for Mr Burnham’s daily jog(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Star)
A few stop and stare when I head off for a run – an important part of Andy’s daily fitness routine. I wonder how the Labour leader copes with all this.
Luckily, there’s three pubs within a Jordan Pickford goal kick of the office, where he might soon be able to enjoy a post-work pint. He’s also a big fan of pub snacks, if his recent social media posts are anything to go by.
And I’m pleased to report that at the Town Hall Tavern, in Tib Lane, there’s a fine selection of crisps, scampi fries, bacon fries and peanuts. I think he’s going to like it here.
