0:00:02 > 0:00:03It's that magical time of year.
0:00:03 > 0:00:04It's Christmas.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Up and down the UK, in towns and cities,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09families are gearing up for that big special day.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13They're buying presents, eating and drinking and generally making merry.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16But as we know, Christmas is a major undertaking that takes planning,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19organisation and a lot of hard work.
0:00:19 > 0:00:20But for some people,
0:00:20 > 0:00:22it can be a pretty challenging time of the year, too.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Hold it, hold it...
0:00:24 > 0:00:27I hate it when things like this happen, cos you want it to run smoothly.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31We are 7,000 covers short of our target.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33- SHE GASPS - Sorry, I knew that would happen.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36So we're in the heart of Britain's biggest Christmas market,
0:00:36 > 0:00:37in Manchester,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40to show you just what it takes to get that festive season on track.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Just get this lady going.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Yeah.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46I've got a guy just on the right-hand side here, guys.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48You want to just check he's all right?
0:00:48 > 0:00:52If we didn't do our job, the city would come to a standstill.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54We're going to be meeting stallholders, police officers
0:00:54 > 0:00:58and organisers who all work tirelessly behind the scenes
0:00:58 > 0:01:01to make this special time of year safe and joyful for us all.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03We're almost ready.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05I feel a little bit like Father Christmas.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08- BOTH:- Welcome to the Christmas City.
0:01:08 > 0:01:09Christmas has arrived.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25On today's show I'll be meeting up with a team from a mental health
0:01:25 > 0:01:29charity who've come up with a fantastic line of wooden Christmas
0:01:29 > 0:01:31decorations, and I'm going to have a go at making some myself,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34admittedly with mixed results.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37It doesn't look much like a Christmas tree yet, I'll be honest.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41And I'll be joining a team of Trading Standards officers
0:01:41 > 0:01:43as they make sure that the alcohol we get from the shelves
0:01:43 > 0:01:46really does contain what it says on the bottle.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Christmas brings some sparkle and a very welcome financial boost
0:01:53 > 0:01:54to Britain's high streets.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57It's a chance for the towns and cities to look their best
0:01:57 > 0:02:00and draw in the crowds. Shops are booming,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04restaurants are busy and towns are buzzing with activity.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08It's also an opportunity to attract people to the less well-known spots,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11places which might be overlooked at less lively times of the year.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16There are currently over 1,000 important historic buildings at risk
0:02:16 > 0:02:18in the UK.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Here in Manchester, one of its oldest locations has been brought
0:02:21 > 0:02:25back from the brink with a little sprinkling of Christmas magic.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32The old London Road Fire Station is a stunning Grade II listed gem,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36built in 1906 as the headquarters for the police,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40ambulance and fire services until its closure 30 years ago.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42Since 1986,
0:02:42 > 0:02:46this site has been largely closed to the public and left to deteriorate.
0:02:47 > 0:02:48But this Christmas,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52this long-neglected Manchester masterpiece will be transformed into
0:02:52 > 0:02:56a winter wonderland with a stunning ice rink as the centrepiece.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00And the man with the plan is its new owner, Michael Ingall.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07So this room is the garage where the engines, whether they be
0:03:07 > 0:03:12fire engines, ambulances or police cars, were actually serviced.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17I don't think this room has changed for 60, 70 years.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20When we first walked into this particular room,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23we thought it was sort of a dairy but it actually isn't,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26it's the drying room for the firemen.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31You basically stripped naked and you hung all your clothes on here,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34shut the door and it would dry it.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Over the next few years,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41Michael plans to spend millions of pounds renovating this site
0:03:41 > 0:03:44to accommodate a restaurant, a bar, a spa,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47a coffee shop and a boutique hotel.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48But before that happens,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51he's going to show the public what they've been missing
0:03:51 > 0:03:55in this magnificent building for the last three decades.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59Christmas is actually big here in this city so what we want to do is
0:03:59 > 0:04:01be part of a Christmas here.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04What we're going to try and do here is something a little bit different.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08Maybe a little bit more original with sort of a Dickens meets fantasy
0:04:08 > 0:04:10meets sort of cool.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14And he's got just 21 days to make the magic happen.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23In sort of three weeks' time you'll actually walk through the entrance,
0:04:23 > 0:04:27there'll be sort of foliage, maybe sort of fires, maybe flames,
0:04:27 > 0:04:30it'll have that sort of Christmas feel.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33The structure being put up over there is a sort of temporary bar
0:04:33 > 0:04:38and within the middle will be restaurants, pop-up street food.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43Below will be an ice rink. Just a sort of melee of activity,
0:04:43 > 0:04:44basically Christmas.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49Michael has all the ideas, but it'll be down to the site manager,
0:04:49 > 0:04:55Joe Shiels, to pull it all together in time for the Christmas deadline.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58It's all about respecting the fact that it is Grade II listed and also
0:04:58 > 0:05:01just to take into account the fact that we do have supporting
0:05:01 > 0:05:04scaffolding around and there are areas where we shouldn't be going.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15Christmas is a time for rejoicing and having fun but for some people
0:05:15 > 0:05:17it can also be a difficult time.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22I've come to the mental health charity Start Creative in Salford,
0:05:22 > 0:05:26which helps people suffering from mental health problems to overcome
0:05:26 > 0:05:29the stresses in their lives by teaching them to make things.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34The products they make are sold in stores throughout the UK and at this
0:05:34 > 0:05:36year's Manchester Christmas Market,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39and the man behind the charity is Ben Thomas.
0:05:39 > 0:05:40Ben, lovely to meet you.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41This place looks amazing.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- Tell me what you do here.- We work with people and encourage them to do
0:05:45 > 0:05:47creative activity that's good for wellbeing,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49raises aspirations and builds confidence.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- What do you make? - We make a variety of things.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55The idea is people come through the charity and they get an experience.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58We do wood turning, we do wood carving, we do joinery,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00it's all about the kind of process and the materials
0:06:00 > 0:06:05geared about creativity, but we also salvage products.
0:06:05 > 0:06:06So we train people how to make things -
0:06:06 > 0:06:08chopping boards, Christmas trees.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12The idea being is that it's really good for people's wellbeing to make
0:06:12 > 0:06:15something and feel that kind of sense of achievement
0:06:15 > 0:06:18from doing that, but equally it's really good for then that thing
0:06:18 > 0:06:22to be valued and sold and then that money given back to the charity
0:06:22 > 0:06:23that's helped those people develop.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27And here's some of the items that would go out for sale.
0:06:27 > 0:06:28Yeah, that's exactly right.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30This has come out of the woods a few weeks back,
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- a piece of oak. - A Christmas tree.- Yeah.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- Fantastic.- I'm going to get you to make one, I think.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37That was going to be my next question. I'm itching to have...
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- Can I really have a go? - Yeah, yeah, brilliant.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Fantastic.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44I'm going to get the chance to try my hand at one of their bestsellers.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47But I'm not sure it will be this year, if I've made it.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Right, let's fire it up.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55The wood's not, like, a complete, smooth cylinder
0:06:55 > 0:06:58so it's, like, dragging on the tool.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01It doesn't look much like a Christmas tree yet, I'll be honest.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Come on, tree. I know you're in there.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10But it's not just their products that impressed me,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12it's Ben's reasons for starting up the charity.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17We're also here to combat prejudices around mental health
0:07:17 > 0:07:19and so it's really great to spread the word in a really positive way.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22We're not out there shaking a tin, saying, "Come and help us,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24"we're a charity." We're out there saying,
0:07:24 > 0:07:26"These are really great things, come and buy them, but by the way,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29"we work with people and it improves people's wellbeing."
0:07:29 > 0:07:31I think I've cracked it.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34I think that looks great. I think you've made a tree.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- Got a tree.- Got a tree.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Well, there is my first effort
0:07:40 > 0:07:42at a Christmas tree.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Not sure how much you're going to raise at a market
0:07:45 > 0:07:46but hopefully we'll get a few quid.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- A couple more hours, you'll be all right.- Yeah!
0:07:55 > 0:07:56At this time of year,
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Christmas counterfeiters are gearing up for the festive period.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04The international trade in counterfeit goods costs the UK
0:08:04 > 0:08:08economy around £1.3 billion a year.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11And as much as 5% of all the goods imported annually
0:08:11 > 0:08:14into the European Union could be fakes.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18Christmas is a pretty busy time of year for Trading Standards officers,
0:08:18 > 0:08:21whose job is to ensure that the products and the services
0:08:21 > 0:08:23that we pay for are safe and legitimate.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26Well, here at Tameside in Greater Manchester,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29the team are gearing up for a big operation today.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33These Trading Standards officers, supported by the police,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36are planning to raid two premises
0:08:36 > 0:08:39they suspect may be selling counterfeit alcohol.
0:08:39 > 0:08:45We've had a complaint about some suspect vodka so we've got reason to
0:08:45 > 0:08:47believe that there's probably something in there
0:08:47 > 0:08:50that we need to have a look at.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53With two visits to two premises planned at the same time,
0:08:53 > 0:08:57the team will need to split up, so it's up to Trading Standards officer
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Nicola Briers to pick the teams.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04You two are with myself and Carl and then we've got Kush, Tracy,
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Bob and Steve, who are going to go up to the second premises.
0:09:08 > 0:09:09Right?
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- So we're happy to go?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15I'm heading out with Trading Standards officer Carl Jones.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- Right, Carl? Are we ready to roll? - We certainly are.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25Carl has been a Trading Standards officer for the last 25 years.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Even with his experience,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30operations like this can uncover something or nothing.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- So you don't really know what you're going to find?- We don't really know what we're going to find.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- Until you essentially break in. - Until we actually get in there, we don't know.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41It could well be we don't find anything, but having said that, it could be.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43We just don't know what we're going to find.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Mounted police have been part of British policing for nearly two
0:09:57 > 0:10:00centuries. They're used for a broad range of tasks,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03from public order to crowd control
0:10:03 > 0:10:07and from high-visibility patrols to ceremonial duties.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12Currently, there are 240 horses employed by the police forces
0:10:12 > 0:10:13across the UK.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17And 18 horses used by the police here in Manchester are in regular
0:10:17 > 0:10:21use at this time of the year to deal with the nine million visits
0:10:21 > 0:10:23to the city over the festive period.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31The officers build up a special relationship with their horses
0:10:31 > 0:10:34and today PC Kerry Dawson and her horse, Maxwell,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37are getting ready for a day patrolling the city centre.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Everybody loves to come and meet them and say hello
0:10:39 > 0:10:43and pat a police horse. They're just so regal and they're so big,
0:10:43 > 0:10:47people just find they're in awe with them, they find them amazing.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50My allocated horse is police horse Maxwell.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53The fact that I have a best friend at work that I get to spend
0:10:53 > 0:10:56every day with, it just assists with the bond.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00You build up that friendship and trust, and they do trust you,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03so you will be able to get the best out of that horse.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06So Maxwell is all ready for his patrol now.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Good boy.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16The horses are all loaded on the horse box, all secure.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18So we're now going to lift the back of the ramp,
0:11:18 > 0:11:20secure everything and then we're ready to go.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Millions of visitors will be coming into the city centre over
0:11:26 > 0:11:29the Christmas period, so keeping the public safe
0:11:29 > 0:11:32is a priority for Greater Manchester Police.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37So today, Kerry is being joined by PC Sarah Fitzpatrick,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40riding her horse, Steel.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41Good lad.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43Clever boy.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48So we've arrived at the Christmas markets in Albert Square,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51and we've just positioned ourselves at the entrance,
0:11:51 > 0:11:52just outside the Town Hall.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55The mounted police ideally use horses
0:11:55 > 0:11:58which are at least 16 hands high.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01It means the officers have a perfect viewpoint to watch out
0:12:01 > 0:12:04for any criminal activity.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08It's more opportunistic-type crimes in the day, I would say.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12Just looking out for anyone that looks suspicious,
0:12:12 > 0:12:16individuals that usually we know are committing crimes,
0:12:16 > 0:12:19so we'll look out for those as well and make sure that we go
0:12:19 > 0:12:22and have a chat with them if we see them knocking about,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25not necessarily because they are doing anything wrong, but we go over
0:12:25 > 0:12:29and have a nice chat with them and ask them how their day's going,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32which usually puts them off.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36The public are six times more likely to engage with officers
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- on the beat...- Hello! You OK?
0:12:39 > 0:12:42..if they're on a horse.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Nice and soft. There you go.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47The horses love people.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49People mean food for the horses.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53They get a lot of Polo mints, a lot of carrots and treats off people,
0:12:53 > 0:12:55so it's nice for them.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57They get a lot of fuss and a lot of attention.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59You can come and say hello if you want. We don't bite!
0:13:01 > 0:13:04But it's not all about selfies.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07The officers and their horses have a serious job to do.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Unfortunately, this time of year crime does increase
0:13:10 > 0:13:14around the festive period. There's a lot of thefts and pickpockets,
0:13:14 > 0:13:19so all those types of things we try and prevent
0:13:19 > 0:13:23by merely being around the city centre on patrol in high visibility.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28It's also the responsibility of Kerry and Sarah
0:13:28 > 0:13:31to tackle the problem of illegal begging on the streets.
0:13:33 > 0:13:34Hey, buddy.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37I can see your cup.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Will you do me a favour, will you keep moving about?
0:13:43 > 0:13:47He concealed his cup under his leg, his begging cup.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51So obviously it's a criminal offence to beg, you shouldn't be doing it.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53He started complaining, saying,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56"I'm just doing it to get a coffee," and stuff. I do feel sorry for him.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59You're kind of stuck because it is an offence.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03We've done some really good jobs on the mounted unit.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07We've caught burglars in the act when they're coming out of windows,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09because they don't expect to see us.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11We've chased people across parks,
0:14:11 > 0:14:16and we do a nice job whereby we visit schools on a regular basis,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19so we teach the children things about the horses.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22So we have a nice part to our job, as well.
0:14:24 > 0:14:25Good boy!
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Just by us standing here now
0:14:27 > 0:14:31and walking the route that we've walked into town, into the markets,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34we could've stopped countless things from happening.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39We could have deterred five, six, seven, ten, 20 crimes. Who knows?
0:14:39 > 0:14:43Us just being here with the horses makes them feel a lot safer.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- We'll go to the left, won't we? - Yeah.- Thanks.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48Good boy.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52It can be a thirsty job, patrolling the streets,
0:14:52 > 0:14:57and sometimes the temptation can prove just too hard to resist.
0:14:57 > 0:14:58Sarah!
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Sorry, I knew that would happen.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- Look at all the mess he's made. - He's not broken anything.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07It's been a nice, positive patrol.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10I'd like to think we've prevented things from happening.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13We've stopped offences from occurring
0:15:13 > 0:15:15probably that we don't even know about,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18and we've made the public feel a little bit safer.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21It might have been a quiet day on the crime-fighting front,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24but it's been a sociable day for Steel and Maxwell.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27And now it's time to hit the hay.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41For the past 30 years,
0:15:41 > 0:15:46this historic city-centre building has been left to rack and ruin.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Now, thanks to its new owners, it's about to get a new lease of life.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Manchester's former crowning glory, the London Road Fire Station,
0:15:55 > 0:15:57once on the English Heritage "at risk" register,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00will be transformed into a Christmas winter wonderland
0:16:00 > 0:16:01in just ten days' time.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06And it'll be up to the site manager, Joe Shiels,
0:16:06 > 0:16:08to put this plan into action.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11So if we come out here,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14we're already a metre further that way than we intended to be on the
0:16:14 > 0:16:18drawing, but we've still got another two-and-a-half metres there.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21Joe's got a lot to squeeze in and not a lot of time to do it.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Just sort of trying to get my head around where everything's
0:16:26 > 0:16:28going to fit...
0:16:29 > 0:16:32..checking that the measurements that I have on the drawing tally
0:16:32 > 0:16:34with what we've got in reality.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39The centrepiece of this Christmas spectacular is a 300-metre-square
0:16:39 > 0:16:43ice rink, which will sit in the middle of the courtyard.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45It's the first thing that needs to go in.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Today's the first day on site for the installation of the ice rink
0:16:49 > 0:16:51and what you can see behind us is the temporary deck
0:16:51 > 0:16:56that goes in first of all, which will have the ice on top of it.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Building the ice rink is a two-day, eight-man job,
0:17:01 > 0:17:03starting with the aluminium bars being placed down.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07These bars will be filled with 2,000 litres of glycol
0:17:07 > 0:17:10chilled to around minus ten Celsius,
0:17:10 > 0:17:12cold enough to freeze water.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Fingers crossed, I think it's going to be really, really special.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17It's such an iconic building
0:17:17 > 0:17:20and you don't get the opportunity to get a Christmas feeling,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23a Victorian redbrick building in the centre of Manchester, very often.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27It's a massive undertaking to get everything ready
0:17:27 > 0:17:29in time for the grand opening,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32from the ice rink to the food stalls to the bars.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34It's pretty tight.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36We're looking at nine to ten days from today
0:17:36 > 0:17:38to get it completely up and running.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42With advance tickets already sold,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44and just days to go until the doors open to the public,
0:17:44 > 0:17:50for operations manager Gabriel the pressure is on.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51It's a massive project
0:17:51 > 0:17:55sat in the most architecturally significant building in Manchester.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00It's right in front of the main train station into Manchester
0:18:00 > 0:18:04and we can only fit 800 people in at one time.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06That is what keeps me up at night.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13The Manchester markets are the biggest in Britain,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16with over 300 stalls selling everything
0:18:16 > 0:18:20from German sausages to Welsh blankets.
0:18:20 > 0:18:21It can be a real money-spinner,
0:18:21 > 0:18:26with some stalls turning over more than £3,000 a day.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29But for some of the businesses, it's about more than just the cash.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37This charity in Salford runs a workshop all year round
0:18:37 > 0:18:41producing wooden items that are sold across the UK.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46At this time of the year,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49they're making a Christmas product line to sell on the market.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51You and Josh are kind of working on the market,
0:18:51 > 0:18:52getting things ready, aren't you?
0:18:52 > 0:18:56The aim of the charity is to help people overcome mental health issues
0:18:56 > 0:18:58by being creative.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02And Dennis has been one of their regulars for the last 18 months.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05It started to go wrong for me a long time ago.
0:19:05 > 0:19:06I was, as well as...
0:19:07 > 0:19:11..being her son, I was a carer for my mum.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14And with various other things happening in my life,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16I think it...
0:19:17 > 0:19:19..just got too much.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Dennis's confidence has been given a boost
0:19:23 > 0:19:26thanks to the work of the charity.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31Today he's mastering one of their bestselling Christmas decorations from last year -
0:19:31 > 0:19:33a wooden Christmas tree.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Tim is his instructor.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37So you're working handle down.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42Handle down, tool at roughly the angle of that bevel.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46You can do it like that, you can do it like that,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49and that should almost be a cylinder already.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53The workshop will produce over 1,000 Christmas presents and ornaments
0:19:53 > 0:19:55over the coming weeks.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59It's not too difficult, as long as you're focused and concentrate.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01But for Ben, who runs the charity,
0:20:01 > 0:20:05the most important function of the centre is to give support
0:20:05 > 0:20:07and confidence to the people who use it.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10We have a range of people come through the door
0:20:10 > 0:20:13who have experienced trauma in their life in some way.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16And everyone experiences trauma and sometimes that affects
0:20:16 > 0:20:19their wellbeing long term, sometimes quite short term.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24We help people by improving their wellbeing and we generate income for our charity,
0:20:24 > 0:20:28but we also try to break down stigmas around mental health.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32So that's his first tree.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37There you go. Look at that. Well done, that man.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Now he's mastered last year's festive bestseller,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42it's time for Dennis to move on to the new product.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44The longer the piece on the lathe,
0:20:44 > 0:20:47the more flex you'll get in the middle.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49He's working with Ben on the prototype.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52So I've got an idea in my head that we have, like, a string of bells
0:20:52 > 0:20:55that are maybe going to be hung up on a door or a window.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00The bells will be made from tree branches sourced locally...
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- Maybe something like that?- Yeah, I mean, that could work, couldn't it?
0:21:03 > 0:21:07..and involves precision movements at the lathe.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Hope I don't make a clanger!
0:21:09 > 0:21:10No!
0:21:10 > 0:21:12I want you to just have a little play with it,
0:21:12 > 0:21:14sort of feel the shape.
0:21:14 > 0:21:15We've got our drawing over there.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18I'll bring it over, and you can just have a try. We'll just prototype it.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21I really want you to be involved in that design process.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25It would be easy for me just to say, "That's what I want made,"
0:21:25 > 0:21:27but that's not the point here.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30What we're doing is it's about the experience that Dennis is getting.
0:21:30 > 0:21:31I think that lends itself to the product.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34I think Dennis's experience comes through in that product.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39And when someone buys that, they're not just buying a bell made out of wood that's been made locally,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42they're buying a little piece of Dennis's journey.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45I think that's really nice, the idea of having a small one,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48and tapering down, or tapering up and getting bigger as you go down.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50It wasn't intentional, but...!
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Well, that's all right, it's a happy accident.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57But Dennis's work won't end here.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01That's great, Dennis, isn't it? Look at that.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03I think, as a prototype, that is absolutely fantastic, Dennis.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05You've done a brilliant job, I'm really chuffed.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Markets are looming, we need to get making.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11With the prototype complete,
0:22:11 > 0:22:15Dennis, Ben and the rest of the team now need to head out to collect wood
0:22:15 > 0:22:19to make enough bells to sell at this year's Christmas market.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25That stack there I'm almost certain is ready for our Christmas trees,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28but there's a load of stuff here that hasn't been graded and sorted out.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Ash, hazel, beech,
0:22:30 > 0:22:34sycamore, oak, cherry, elm.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Ben has a fresh approach to helping people
0:22:36 > 0:22:38who suffer with mental health issues.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43I find that this kind of work and the work in the workshop is great
0:22:43 > 0:22:46because you get in a flow of doing, making.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49There's been jokes about me being a taskmaster, but I find that actually
0:22:49 > 0:22:52that process of getting involved in the task and doing it allows people
0:22:52 > 0:22:53to relax a little bit,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57which means they might talk and, actually, talking's really good.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00We've not been drying it but it'll still turn nicely.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03You can go a bit bigger, as well.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05Oh, you want bigger?
0:23:05 > 0:23:07You can go slightly wider, yeah. We can get more wood out.
0:23:07 > 0:23:08That's quite a nice piece.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13But for Dennis, finding the right lengths of wood
0:23:13 > 0:23:17isn't the toughest challenge he's faced in recent years.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21I've been suffering anxiety and depression
0:23:21 > 0:23:25from various things that had happened in my life
0:23:25 > 0:23:28and that's basically why I started coming here.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32I would advise other people if they can possibly do something like this,
0:23:32 > 0:23:34it is a...
0:23:34 > 0:23:36it is a great help.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41It's good to get out and meet people
0:23:41 > 0:23:44and also to make the various things in wood.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47I was always interested in DIY and wood, really.
0:23:49 > 0:23:55Start's helped me basically having somewhere to go, having a purpose.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00It makes you get up in the morning to come somewhere.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03And, as I say, meeting other people.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06That's been good.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10For Dennis and other volunteers,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13helping out at the centre is an important part of their journey
0:24:13 > 0:24:17to recovery, and makes a huge difference to improving their wellbeing,
0:24:17 > 0:24:21raising their confidence and building their self-esteem.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23That's an ash pole there.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28With a section like that, when it gets turned on the lathe,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31- we'll get pieces out of it like that.- It wants to be as straight as possible.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Straight as possible, cos it's going to go on the lathe in one length.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Rule of the woods is keep it as long as possible for as long as possible.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- Just put that to one side. - I'll put that to one side.
0:24:39 > 0:24:40Okey doke.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45Dennis's job isn't limited to the woods and the workshop.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Our Christmas markets are a peak in our calendar, they're the kind of highlight,
0:24:48 > 0:24:52not just in that that's our biggest time to meet the public,
0:24:52 > 0:24:54face-to-face,
0:24:54 > 0:24:55but actually in...
0:24:56 > 0:24:58..the excitement of it all, the drive.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01It's something to aim for for everybody.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05So for Dennis, his next step will be selling to the great British public.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Some of our guys have no self-belief, no self-worth,
0:25:08 > 0:25:12and that's what great about markets, because it's that barrier,
0:25:12 > 0:25:14it challenges that barrier,
0:25:14 > 0:25:19and forces people to engage with the general public.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23And that really raises confidence
0:25:23 > 0:25:26and that's what our members feel when they sell their work.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Dennis has put in a tremendous amount of effort,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32but will his hard work pay off at the Christmas market?
0:25:39 > 0:25:42I'm on the road with Trading Standards officer Carl Jones.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43We're on the way to a shop
0:25:43 > 0:25:46that could be selling counterfeit alcohol.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Do you want to serve your customer, sir?
0:25:49 > 0:25:53And then maybe close the shop, if that's all right?
0:25:53 > 0:25:55While the cashier shuts up shop,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Carl grabs the opportunity to have a quick look around.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06'This shop looks no different to many thousands of others.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10'It's hard to believe that they could be selling anything more dodgy
0:26:10 > 0:26:12'than an out-of-date pasty.'
0:26:12 > 0:26:15It's the sort of shop that I'd stop at as I was driving past
0:26:15 > 0:26:18and get something, and I wouldn't think anything of it at all.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20A lot of them are like that, to be honest with you.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22I mean, you have to look at the size of it.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Obviously they are turning over a massive amount of alcohol
0:26:24 > 0:26:28and there's lots of money to be made if that stock is smuggled or counterfeit.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31'But the burgeoning trade in knock-off booze could leave consumers
0:26:31 > 0:26:35'with more than just a hangover.'
0:26:35 > 0:26:38The danger is that somebody, a business that will deal in smuggled goods,
0:26:38 > 0:26:39will deal in dangerous alcohol.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42If the alcohol has chemicals in, it can be quite serious.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44The organs can start to fail, the vision's affected.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47All sorts of different symptoms depending on what's in it.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51'The shop floor has been thoroughly checked
0:26:51 > 0:26:53'and given a clean bill of health.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55'Now we're heading upstairs.'
0:26:55 > 0:26:57So Carl's not sure what he's going to find up here.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59So we're just going slowly.
0:27:00 > 0:27:05'A call comes through from one of Carl's fellow Trading Standards officers,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07'currently at a second suspect location.'
0:27:08 > 0:27:12So the other team are showing Carl what they found in the other premises.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14That was under the counter, right?
0:27:14 > 0:27:17She's found a bottle that looks like genuine stock on the shelves,
0:27:17 > 0:27:19but under the counter is old stock.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Some of the old stock can be counterfeited.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23- That rings alarm bells with you? - It does, absolutely.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27'A look around the upstairs rooms hasn't turned up anything of interest.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30'Back downstairs, Carl wants to question the shop owner
0:27:30 > 0:27:32'about some boxes of wine in his stockroom.'
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Do you have paperwork for this?
0:27:34 > 0:27:37- Er... I can check.- There's a suspicion it might be illicit.
0:27:37 > 0:27:38That's the only thing.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Still I have it upstairs, the stocktaking.
0:27:41 > 0:27:42You've got the paperwork here?
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Oh, right, smashing.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49The owner has produced receipts for the wine.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Carl is satisfied that the booze in the stockroom isn't counterfeit,
0:27:54 > 0:27:59but the lack of detail on the paperwork is a concern.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02I mean, the thing is that doesn't tie it down, does it - "beers, wine and spirits"?
0:28:02 > 0:28:05It's no good having three words: "beers, wines and spirits, 40 grand."
0:28:05 > 0:28:08You need a breakdown of the stock you're buying.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Say we come in six months and there's items here,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13you don't have paperwork, then we'll review your alcohol licence, simple as that.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16'The owner of this shop has done nothing wrong
0:28:16 > 0:28:19'and everything is above board and legitimate.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21'So the shop can open for business.'
0:28:21 > 0:28:24So everything me and you have seen today you think is above board?
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Yes, basically.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29We've not found any illicit goods, the alcohol was OK,
0:28:29 > 0:28:31all our suspicions have been explained, if you like.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34However, we've got Team B that went to another premises.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36Now, they think they've found something, don't they?
0:28:36 > 0:28:39They've got what they think is suspicious items that they need to check,
0:28:39 > 0:28:42which is why we are heading back to the office now for debrief.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- Right, let's check out what they got.- Absolutely.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54- RAV:- It's estimated that over 500,000 people have used a food bank
0:28:54 > 0:28:56in the UK over the last year.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59And a charity based here in Manchester
0:28:59 > 0:29:03believes that an extra 40% of families used their services
0:29:03 > 0:29:04over the Christmas period.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10The Trussell Trust operates food banks
0:29:10 > 0:29:14from 51 different locations across Greater Manchester.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18This branch, in Withington, has fed almost 2,000 people
0:29:18 > 0:29:20in the last 12 months.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26The food they give out comes from donations.
0:29:26 > 0:29:31Today, food-bank manager Colin is out on his regular collection run.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33It usually begins at Greggs, the bakers.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37So if we could have 35 of the white...?
0:29:40 > 0:29:44The charity also collects from churches and supermarkets
0:29:44 > 0:29:47but they still rely heavily on public donations.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Washing liquid tablets, sanitary towels.
0:29:50 > 0:29:51Lovely.
0:29:51 > 0:29:52Washing-up liquid.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55When I found out there was a food bank here, I just thought,
0:29:55 > 0:29:58you know what, I can give extra, I can give something.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02This food bank has been operating for over two years,
0:30:02 > 0:30:04and as well as providing essentials,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07it also supports and helps people through tough times.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10And then this is the food that needs to replace
0:30:10 > 0:30:12what we've taken out of the cupboard.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14As the charity manager,
0:30:14 > 0:30:18Colin knows all too well about the difficult circumstances some people
0:30:18 > 0:30:23face, and how the service they provide can be a lifeline for so many people.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27Families are living in difficult circumstances.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29I think the use of bed and breakfasts,
0:30:29 > 0:30:33where people are actually holed up in one room
0:30:33 > 0:30:36with no real proper cooking facilities,
0:30:36 > 0:30:39is really, really difficult,
0:30:39 > 0:30:41and I can't see an end to food banks at the moment.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44When we first started, we thought 12 months.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48Here we are two-and-a-half years down the line, numbers increasing.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51I can't see an end, but the hope is always there.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56A whole range of people come through the doors of the food banks.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59But one of the growing groups are people in work,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02but still struggling to make ends meet.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06One of them is 31-year-old Martine.
0:31:06 > 0:31:07Hello.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10- Good morning.- Come and sit down.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13How are you today?
0:31:13 > 0:31:17Even though Martine holds down two part-time jobs,
0:31:17 > 0:31:20she still needs to rely on the food bank to feed her family.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22I've got one of these.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25I'm on a minimum wage, so it isn't a lot.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28And by the time you've paid your rent, and your water,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31and your TV licence and put gas and electric...
0:31:31 > 0:31:33It's a never-ending list.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39Martine was getting by on her wages and top-up benefits
0:31:39 > 0:31:41until they were suspended.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Thank you very much.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48One of my children was poorly and I couldn't make it to certain
0:31:48 > 0:31:51appointments, like these work programmes.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54They just decide that they're going to stop your money for three months.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57- Have you got cooking facilities? - I have, yeah.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01And if we've got any of these items here, you can have them.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04- Do you want washing powder? - Yeah, please.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08The first time I came to the food bank I had all those mixed emotions.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11I felt embarrassed, I felt ashamed,
0:32:11 > 0:32:16I felt like I wasn't doing right by my children,
0:32:16 > 0:32:20that I wasn't being a proper mum and whatnot, because I couldn't cope.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24Christmas can be stressful for most parents, but for Martine,
0:32:24 > 0:32:26with four daughters to care for,
0:32:26 > 0:32:29this time of year can be especially difficult.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31You just have to carry on, really,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34because you don't want to let the children see
0:32:34 > 0:32:37that you're stressed out or that you're hurting,
0:32:37 > 0:32:41or make them feel that they're going to have, like, a bad Christmas
0:32:41 > 0:32:43because they haven't got the same.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46I have to just try to paint a smile on
0:32:46 > 0:32:48and just hope for the best, really.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Oh, not today, I've not got the girls with me.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06Christmas is going to be a really, really difficult time for families.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11So if we are able to give a child a selection box,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14I've actually seen the joy on their child's face.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16It's not a big deal to some people.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21OK, thank you. Bye, take care.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25I'm hoping that in the future I will be able to change my role
0:33:25 > 0:33:29with the food bank and rather than having to receive the help,
0:33:29 > 0:33:31I'll be able to be somebody
0:33:31 > 0:33:34that can start giving the help to other people.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44HAYLEY: We're back at Tameside Borough Council HQ.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47There was no counterfeit alcohol for sale at the shop
0:33:47 > 0:33:51that Trading Standards officer Carl Jones and I have just visited,
0:33:51 > 0:33:54but some suspect bottles have been seized
0:33:54 > 0:33:57from the other premises targeted by Trading Standards today.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03At the back of the counter we did find a few bottles of vodka,
0:34:03 > 0:34:05which were not on the shelf.
0:34:05 > 0:34:06In my opinion there isn't...
0:34:06 > 0:34:09There's something not quite right with them.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13Under the counter is more than just shorthand for something dodgy.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16It's also the first place Trading Standards
0:34:16 > 0:34:19will look for counterfeit booze.
0:34:19 > 0:34:24It's easy to get hold of, sell it to a customer and it's gone.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26But a normal stock would be on a shelf.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29But some bottles that were out on the shelves
0:34:29 > 0:34:31are also a cause for concern.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35- If you run your hands across the label, it's quite smooth.- Right.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39And the other bottles next to it were very, very embossed.
0:34:39 > 0:34:40Oh, right.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43- So even the bottles next to each other were different?- Yes.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47The seized bottles will now be sent off to the manufacturers
0:34:47 > 0:34:50for testing, to see if they are the real deal.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52So if it comes back as a no,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54that's when we get them in for an interview
0:34:54 > 0:34:57and we either prosecute or do a licence review on the premises.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00- This one, it says "spirit drink".- Yes.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02- Is that unusual, then?- Yes.
0:35:02 > 0:35:09It's about 7% less in proof than a normal bottle of vodka.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13It's not claiming to be a vodka but they're using similar...
0:35:13 > 0:35:15you know, the same colour cap, everything.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18- At first glance, you'd presume it would be vodka.- Yeah.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21But my suspicions were that it's not actually a brand.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25I wouldn't be happy people drinking it if I'd left that on the shelf.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27So at Christmas time, we're obviously all out shopping,
0:35:27 > 0:35:28all looking for a bargain maybe.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31What kind of tips can you give us as the general public
0:35:31 > 0:35:34so that we could tell if something is a fake?
0:35:34 > 0:35:36Always buy from a reputable retailer.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37I think that's the big one.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40And we always say if a deal's too good to be true, it probably is.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45Well, what a real eye-opener today has been.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48I've gained a proper insight into the battle that the Trading Standards officers
0:35:48 > 0:35:51actually have with keeping counterfeit goods off our shelves
0:35:51 > 0:35:54and keeping us safe at Christmas.
0:35:54 > 0:35:55A few weeks later,
0:35:55 > 0:36:00and the investigation into the suspicious bottles of vodka closed.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03The shop owner produced invoices to prove that the alcohol
0:36:03 > 0:36:07had been purchased from a legitimate wholesaler.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19Dennis has left the workshop
0:36:19 > 0:36:22and has taken his place on the Start Creative market stall.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25This one went a bit wrong so it ended up very small,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28but it's not too bad, is it?
0:36:28 > 0:36:30But I'm about to join him
0:36:30 > 0:36:33and find out which of their festive favourites is going down best
0:36:33 > 0:36:35with the Christmas shoppers.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37- How is it all going? - It's going well, yeah.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39We've done a few sales today.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Have you had a lot of interest in the bells so far?
0:36:41 > 0:36:43Do you know what, they've been out literally half an hour
0:36:43 > 0:36:46and we've had a few people coming up, stroking them and touching them.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49- Well, they certainly look the part. - We've got your tree, Rav.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52- You've actually got it?!- Yeah, it's in the back there.- Let's have a look at my tree.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55- We've even put one of our logos on it.- Is this mine?
0:36:55 > 0:36:56There's your tree, there you go.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00I'll be honest, it doesn't look quite as good as your ones over there, Dennis.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02But that's amazing.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05But the proof of the pudding is in the eating,
0:37:05 > 0:37:07and Ben has set us both a challenge.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10It's Dennis's bells versus my tree.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12And who can get the tills ringing first?
0:37:12 > 0:37:14So is that the challenge, then?
0:37:14 > 0:37:18You want me to try to sell this tree which I actually made
0:37:18 > 0:37:22against Dennis's bells that you just put out in the last few minutes.
0:37:22 > 0:37:23Yeah, that's the challenge.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27I'm going to go backstage, then. I'll take the money when you've done it.
0:37:27 > 0:37:28OK, then!
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Within minutes, Dennis has reeled in a customer.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36- Can I buy some? - Yeah, that'll be fine, yeah.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39Which would you prefer? They're all the same price.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42- These ones.- You prefer these?- Yeah.
0:37:42 > 0:37:43The big ones.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45- Dennis actually made those. - Did you?
0:37:45 > 0:37:48This was a prototype we started off with.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50- Yeah.- Erm...
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Various sizes.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55Some of our guys are so skilled, so talented,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58yet they have no self-belief, no self-worth.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01And that's what's great about the markets, because it breaks that
0:38:01 > 0:38:05barrier and forces people to engage with the general public.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08It's really rewarding when you see that little snippet of self-value
0:38:08 > 0:38:13and someone sees that product being bought by someone in Manchester city centre.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16Thanks a lot. Bye-bye.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Does it make you feel quite proud, Dennis,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22- when you've made it yourself, to sell it to the public?- Definitely.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26When it's something you've not done before, they've not turned out too bad, really.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28Yeah, I'm really pleased with that.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30- You beat me, though, didn't you? - Sorry about that.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32I'm in for a long night, Dennis.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35- I think I'll be standing here all night.- We can have a replay!
0:38:35 > 0:38:38'Dennis was a bit quick off the blocks bagging a sale.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42'I think I'm going to have to offer extras to shift my Christmas tree.'
0:38:42 > 0:38:44- If you buy it, I'll sign it. - I'm going to buy it.
0:38:44 > 0:38:45All right, thank you very much.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49- £5.- £6, cos he's signing it for charity.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51And it'll go pride of place at Christmas.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Would you buy my bells if I signed them?
0:38:55 > 0:38:58- "To Jenny, merry Xmas! Love Rav."- Ah, thank you.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01No, thank you for buying it and supporting the charity.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04- No problem. Thank you very much. - See you later.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Well, it took a while.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Dennis was a lot quicker at selling than I was, but I sold it in the end
0:39:08 > 0:39:11and it's great to bring some money back into the charity.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Thank you, Rav, thanks so much.
0:39:14 > 0:39:15- Thank you very much.- Brilliant.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19Thank you, Dennis. We better get away and make some more bells.
0:39:19 > 0:39:20Well, that was great.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22Something I actually made with my hands
0:39:22 > 0:39:24sold on that stall for six quid.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28And Dennis as well, selling those bells that he made himself,
0:39:28 > 0:39:30so it was a brilliant day and a great experience.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Bringing an historic building back into use
0:39:38 > 0:39:40is always cause for celebration.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43In Manchester, one of its most iconic landmarks,
0:39:43 > 0:39:46the once derelict London Road Fire Station,
0:39:46 > 0:39:49is about to be reopened to the public.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52It's all very last minute, it's the nature of the beast.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56The day of the opening we've still got deliveries coming in.
0:39:56 > 0:39:57Over the last ten days,
0:39:57 > 0:40:00it's been a round-the-clock operation
0:40:00 > 0:40:04to transform this period property into a winter wonderland,
0:40:04 > 0:40:06complete with an ice rink.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08James...
0:40:08 > 0:40:10We need to get rid of this.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12But there's still a lot to do.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17We have to lay an entire floor in the long bar and dress it.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21We need to finish putting up all the emergency lighting,
0:40:21 > 0:40:22fire exit signs.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30I need a fence going right round the back there.
0:40:30 > 0:40:31- Yeah, going down there now.- Yeah.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34This camper van's going to have to come back here.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37Yeah. Fire exit.
0:40:37 > 0:40:38So it's sat lying here.
0:40:40 > 0:40:41And if that's not enough,
0:40:41 > 0:40:43a winter wonderland wouldn't be complete
0:40:43 > 0:40:45without its Christmas trees.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50The only problem is most of the trees still haven't arrived.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52They're stuck in traffic about ten minutes away.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55What time is it now? It's...
0:40:55 > 0:40:57ten minutes past three.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Half past three, I think we'll all be sorted.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04But to be on the safe side, Gabriel has come up with a plan.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06We were going to open at three.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09I pushed it back till four o'clock, just so it's absolutely right.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12However, people are really keen to come in and I think there's been a
0:41:12 > 0:41:14slight confusion with people being able to book tickets
0:41:14 > 0:41:17for three o'clock sessions, so that's what we're
0:41:17 > 0:41:18trying to sort out now.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22We've still got Christmas trees to be delivered yet!
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Yeah?
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Finally, there's some good news.
0:41:26 > 0:41:27Trees have arrived!
0:41:31 > 0:41:34We're almost ready. I think it's five minutes to.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36All the Christmas trees have arrived,
0:41:36 > 0:41:40I feel a little bit like Father Christmas on Christmas Eve.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42After 30 years of being closed to the public,
0:41:42 > 0:41:44its doors have been opened
0:41:44 > 0:41:47and everyone is welcome to step inside and see
0:41:47 > 0:41:50the incredible transformation for themselves.
0:41:52 > 0:41:57They can soak up the Christmas cheer in this iconic historic building
0:41:57 > 0:42:00that Gabriel and his team of elves have brought back to life
0:42:00 > 0:42:02for visitors to enjoy over the festive season.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08I've always wanted to come inside this fire station,
0:42:08 > 0:42:10every time I go past it on the bus or in the car,
0:42:10 > 0:42:12so I was happy to just pay my £15.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17It's really cool that they're taking something that's been shut for so long
0:42:17 > 0:42:19and making it something that people want to go to again.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22So, yeah, I'm a big fan of it, yeah. It's great fun.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27When you're looking outside of the place and then you come in,
0:42:27 > 0:42:28and it's like, wow.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31Yeah, it hits you, and it's very magical.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33It's nice to be using the old building,
0:42:33 > 0:42:36because obviously if it's not being used for other things,
0:42:36 > 0:42:40it's good that it's not necessarily in the newer part of Manchester.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43It just makes it a really lovely story that it's an old building
0:42:43 > 0:42:47they've reused and, yeah, now people can come and skate.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49From both angles, it's good.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52It's definitely bringing a little bit of Christmas spirit here.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55You can already hear sleigh bells ringing, so it's great.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03Another packed show, Hayley. That must have been really interesting
0:43:03 > 0:43:07- out with Trading Standards, though. - Yeah, it was great to be on the ground with them, actually,
0:43:07 > 0:43:10and just see the types of people that are out there, making us safe at Christmas.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14Well, talking about keeping us safe, on tomorrow's show I'm going to be out with the Street Angels.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17They're a group of volunteers who actually walk the streets of Manchester on a Friday night
0:43:17 > 0:43:20to make sure that our Christmas celebrations end up with
0:43:20 > 0:43:22nothing more than a sore head in the morning.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24And I'll be heading up north to follow the journey
0:43:24 > 0:43:26of a Christmas tree from the Scottish Borders
0:43:26 > 0:43:29to the Christmas markets and all the way to our front rooms.