https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-63546235?at_medium=RSS&at_campaignDozens of "warm spaces" have opened to help people with the "difficult" winter ahead, a council leader has said.
Stockport Council leader Mark Hunter said the 122 spaces would offer "a casual drop-in" where people can "be warm" and "enjoy the company and socialise" for the next five months.
He said it was a response to rising costs and "challenging" energy bills.
The venues, which include libraries, coffee shops and community centres, will offer the spaces free of charge.
The [size=inherit]
Local Democracy Reporting Service[/size] said Mr Hunter told a launch event that the authority wanted to help residents through the winter.
"What we share at the council is a determination to do what we can to try and assist people through what are very definitely going to be challenging and difficult times," he said.
"We know there are going to be very many challenges over the next few months and people are genuinely struggling to make ends meet."
