Manchester Group & Travel Trade Guide 2016/17 by Marketing Manchester

MANCHESTER GROUP & TRAVEL TRADE GUIDE 2016/17

As the leading passenger transport company in Manchester, Swans Travel Limited are pleased to offer our ‘manchester connected’ destination management service, specifically focused on the needs of all business, leisure & tourism visitors to the city. With our environmentally friendly fleet of satellite tracked Mercedes Benz Taxi’s, Chauffeur Cars and Coaches, we can guarantee maximum service delivery throughout Greater Manchester, from airport - station transfers to meetings, conferences, hospitality & leisure events. Please contact our dedicated ‘manchester connected’ team, who are available 24/7 to deliver a complete travel solution from one to ten thousand passengers.

0800 799 9423 e: enquiries@swanstravel.com w: www.swanstravel.com

CONTENTS

HOME

CORN EXCHANGE

2 Manchester – A City of Firsts 3 What’s New in Manchester? 4 What’s On 2016/17 5 Theatres & Shows 6 Top 10 Visitor Experiences 8 Shopping Capital of the UK 10 Homes, Gardens & Green Spaces 11 Great Value Manchester 12 Food & Drink 14 Restaurant & Bar Listing 16 Home of International Sport

LISTINGS 5 Royal Exchange Theatre 6 IWM North 7 The Lowry 8 Cheshire Oaks 9 intu Trafford Centre 9 Go Goodwin Coaches 10 Tatton Park 11 Museum of Science & Industry 12 Hard Rock Cafe 13 Corn Exchange 15 Zouk Tea Bar & Grill 15 Don Giovanni 16 Manchester City Football Club 18 The Place Aparthotel 23 East Lancashire Railway 24 The Beatles Story

SPINNINGFIELDS

18 Where to Stay 20 Youth & Education 21 Winter Wonderland 22 Explore Greater Manchester 24 Gateway to the North of England 26 Planning Your Trip: 1 Day Itinerary 27 Planning Your Trip: 3 Day Itinerary 28 Manchester Airport 29 Marketing Manchester Travel Trade Support 30 Coach Parking Map 32 Getting to and around Manchester

LISTINGS KEY Pre-booking required

Toilets

Study area

Meet and greet

Disabled toilets

Worksheets

Driver/guide concessions

Disabled access

Ideal pupil to teacher ratio

Group discounts

Coach Parking on-site

Group Size

Guided tours

Coach Parking nearby

Average length of visit

Gift shop

Coach drop off/pick up point

Private dining available

Restaurant

Education officer on-site

Leisure facilities

Tea room/cafe

Teacher/pupil pack

Conference rooms available

Picnic area

Packed lunches

Marketing Manchester makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in this guide is correct at time of going to print but changes often occur after press. Therefore we cannot accept liability for any loss or damage arising from its use. However, if you do spot any errors or omissions please contact: prakash.chohan@marketingmanchester.com The information within this guide and the design are copyright Marketing Manchester and no part of this document may be reproduced in part or wholly by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission of the publishers in writing.

MANCHESTER – A CITY OF FIRSTS Manchester is the ‘original modern’ city and has earned a reputation as being revolutionary, innovative and a city of firsts. At the heart of England Manchester shines with its fine tradition of culture, music, sport and top class events. More recently its booming food offering and unique neighbourhoods such as the Northern Quarter, Spinningfields and Castlefield have added to the attraction. Its vitality is expressed through its fascinating history, interactive attractions, magnificent architecture and most of all, the spirit of its people. Bring your group to Manchester for an unforgettable experience. visitmanchester.com / Twitter: @visit_mcr

WHY MANCHESTER THE WHITWORTH

Museums and galleries are second to none many of which are free or with great group offers. HOME

Theatre and the arts thrive with new venues such as HOME shaping the city as a cultural hub.

Our music scene rocks, with a history of birthing stars such as Oasis, Joy Division and the Stone Roses.

The countryside is a stone’s throw away - peace and quiet and a scenic view are within easy reach.

Home to some of the best libraries – we have a rich literary legacy from Karl Marx observing nineteenth century working life to the UK’s current Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy.

Flourishing food offering. Our restaurant and bar scene is booming with boundary pushing chefs, cuisine and mixologists.

NATIONAL SPEEDWAY STADIUM

Sporting capital of the UK. From football and cricket to cycling and speedway racing, we have it all.

MANCHESTER CENTRAL LIBRARY

World-class universities with renowned facilities, resources and opportunities. We boast 25 Nobel laureates!

NATIONAL CYCLING CENTRE

Not to mention the nightlife. There’s something for all audiences and budgets so you can be sure to dance the night away. Shopper’s paradise – everything from shopping centres, designer stores and boutique outlets tailored to everyone’s wallets. International visitors can also benefit from tax free shopping! 2

NATIONAL GRAPHENE INSTITUTE

INTU TRAFFORD CENTRE

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

Celebrates Industrial Heritage. Known as ‘Cottonopolis’ Manchester was at the epicentre of the industrial revolution. Now we continue this innovative legacy moving forward as the Northern Powerhouse.

Better connectivity. Manchester is well connected by plane, train, metrolink and motorway making it ideal for national and international visitors.

WHAT’S NEW IN MANCHESTER? 2016 is set to be another amazing year for Manchester. The city is welcoming a host of new hotels, the airport is getting more direct flights to key locations, and new attractions and re-openings are further strengthening the city as a leading visitor destination.

Travel Trade Guides New travel trade guides for the US, China, Germany and the Netherlands will be launched. There will also be a travel trade training kit for reservations staff in airlines and travel agents. Details will follow once announced. The Australia travel trade training tool is ready to use at www.agent-north.com/au

Manchester: European City of Science In 2016 Manchester, the city of Dalton, Rutherford and Turing, will be the European City of Science. A year-long celebration of science and innovation, the focal point will be the prestigious EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF), Europe’s largest multi-disciplinary science meeting (23 – 27 July). Elsewhere the European City of Science will bring the city alive with exhibitions, activities, performances and conversations that will inspire people to explore how science connects with their lives. It will be a chance for Manchester to showcase itself as the original modern city that continues to innovate, evolve and discover. See page 4 for an event schedule. manchestersciencecity.com

Manchester Airport currently has over 200 direct routes, connecting the city to Europe, North America and the Far East. This year Thomas Cook Airlines are launching flights to both Boston and Los Angeles, joining the routes to New York and Miami launched in 2015. These new flights will be the only way of travelling directly to and from these iconic US cities from outside London. Also launching this year is a new direct route between Beijing and Manchester with Hainan Airlines in June 2016. Hainan will fly four times a week to Beijing Capital International Airport and will make Manchester the only UK airport outside of London to offer direct scheduled services to mainland China. manairport.co.uk

King Street Townhouse The intimate King Street Townhouse is housed in a former bank and Grade II-listed building. The hotel offers a luxurious and unique experience with over 40 bedrooms and suites, a gym, spa and treatment rooms. Its most distinguishing feature however is its south-facing rooftop infinity spa pool, with views of Albert Square and Manchester Town Hall. kingstreettownhouse.co.uk

Holiday Inn Manchester City Centre

New Manchester Visitor Information Centre Located at One Piccadilly Gardens the new centre, supported by NOMA, shares its space with Transport for Greater Manchester, providing a common point of contact for tourists to the city. The centre offers the same services as before, but visitors can now easily arrange transport around Greater Manchester at the same time. visitmanchester.com

Corn Exchange Manchester

New Flights

ACCOMMODATION UPDATE

With a proud history of trade and entertainment, beautiful architecture and a central location, the Corn Exchange is all set to be one of the city’s premium dining destinations. Following a major overhaul the building is now home to thirteen restaurants offering a wide selection of global cuisine. cornexchangemanchester.co.uk

Guided Walks and Tours of Manchester From the Victorian-Gothic magnificence of Manchester Town Hall to the rapidly developing Quays, qualified guides provide an in-depth knowledge that will open up a whole new side of Manchester to you. A range of daily tours are delivered across our region by the trusted tour guides at Manchester Guided Tours (MGT), New Manchester Walks (NMW) and Manchester Taxi Tours (MTT). manchesterguidedtours.com newmanchesterwalks.com manchestertaxitours.co.uk

Located in the heart of the city and opposite Piccadilly Station, the 296 elegant air conditioned guest rooms are designed to provide absolute comfort with a complimentary gym for guests. Unwind in the beautifully designed Canal Terrace or dine at the restaurant offering a modern and international menu. ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/gb/en/ manchester/mchas/hoteldetail

Oddfellows On The Park Set to open in summer, the brand new hotel from the Oddfellows group, who already have a successful hotel in Chester, will house 22 bedrooms and six suites within Bruntwood Park in Cheadle. An adjoining building will host the hotel’s beauty salon, The Pigsty. oddfellowschester.com

Roomzzz, Corn Exchange Taking advantage of the location in the Corn Exchange, Roomzzz aparthotel will boast period features and beautiful bare brick walls, cleverly merged with bold bespoke interior designs. The result will be 114 rooms ranging from ultra-sleek 21-square metre apartments to super luxury palatial penthouses. roomzzz.com

Cow Hollow Hotel Set to open later this year the seventeen-room Cow Hollow will offer king-size Hypnos beds, rainfall showers, Apple TVs and ‘properly fluffy slippers’. It will occupy the former Victorian textile warehouse next door to the Police Museum at 57 Newton Street. cowhollow.co.uk

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

WHAT’S ON 2016/17 JUNE

ONGOING EXHIBITIONS IN 2016

2015/16

28 & 29

Lionel Richie Manchester Arena

Manchester Day City centre

Horrible Histories: Blitzed Brits IWM North

Until 17 April

Gift For The Gods: Animal Mummies Revealed Manchester Museum

1 – 31

Greater Manchester Fringe Festival Various venues

Until 23 April

Northern Life Ashton Central Art Gallery

The Color Run Etihad Campus

Until 14 May

The Gallipoli 100 and Six VC’s before breakfast Fusilier Museum, Bury

8 – 10

Sparkle Sackville Gardens, city centre

Until 5 June

The Imitation Game Manchester Art Gallery

16 - 17

Ironkids & IronmanUK Triathlon Bolton town centre

Until 18 June

Ancient Egypt Rediscovered Museum of Wigan Life

20 – 24

Tatton RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

Until 14 August

Grafters: Industrial Society in Image and Word People’s History Museum

22 – 26

Second Investec test match: England vs Pakistan Emirates Old Trafford

Until 18 Sept

Bus de la Lum and Darvaza The Whitworth

22 – 31

Manchester Jazz Festival Various city centre venues

Until 18 Sept

Cravings: Can Your Food Control You? Museum of Science and Industry

23 – 27

EuroScience Open Forum Manchester Central

Until 4 Mar 2017

Women Artists: From 1861 to 2015 Touchstones, Rochdale

23 – 29

Science in the City Festival Various city centre venues

29 & 30

FIM Speedway World Cup National Speedway Stadium

30 & 31

MCM Manchester Comic Con Festival Manchester Central

19 & 20

Rochdale Feel Good Festival Rochdale town centre

26 – 29

Bolton Food and Drink Festival Victoria Square, Bolton

26 – 29

Manchester Pride City centre

16 – 18

Ramsbottom Festival Ramsbottom Cricket Club

Rochdale Half Marathon 10K & Fun Run Rochdale town hall

29 - 10 Oct

Manchester Food & Drink Festival City centre

7 – 23

Manchester Literature Festival Various city centre venues

19 – 24

Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival Various venues in Rochdale town centre

20 - 30

Manchester Science Festival Museum of Science & Industry + other venues

JULY

Until 10 April

JUNE

MUSE Manchester Arena

9 & 10

UCI BMX Supercross World Cup National Cycling Centre

ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon Trafford

16 - 17

Dodgeball World Cup Belle Vue, Sports Village

Manchester Netball Live Manchester Arena

28 – 2 May

Great British Bear Bash Various city centre venues

Sounds from the Other City (SFTOC) Various venues, Salford

10 – 4 June

Mamma Mia The Palace Theatre

Great CityGames City centre

Morrisons Great Manchester Run City centre

20, 21 & 23

Justin Bieber Manchester Arena

Dot to Dot Festival Various city centre venues

November

Christmas Lights Switch On Albert Square, city centre

28 – 5 June

Aegon Manchester Trophy Tennis The Northern Lawn Tennis Club, Didsbury

Nov Jan 2017

Winter Festival, Bolton Bolton town centre

28 – 30

1940s Weekend East Lancashire Railway, Bury

Mid-Nov – late Dec

Christmas Markets City centre

29 – 30

Geronimo! Tatton Park

30 & 31

Grillstock Festival Albert Square, city centre

3 – 12

Manchester Histories Festival Various city centre venues

January

Manchester Beer & Cider Festival City centre

7 – 25

World Rugby U20 Championship The Academy Stadium & AJ Bell Stadium

28 January

Chinese New Year Chinatown, city centre

15, 17, 18 & 19

The Stone Roses City of Manchester Stadium

31 March

Russell Howard Manchester Arena

18 & 19

Horwich Festival of Racing Horwich, Bolton

25 & 26

GoFest Etihad Campus

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER

AUGUST

8&9

NOV & DEC

MAY

APRIL

EVENTS IN 2016

EVENTS IN 2017

KEY

Exhibition

Cultural

Music

Food & drink

Sport

Theatre

LGBTQ

THE SHOW MUST GO ON From high-kicking musicals direct from the West End to high-brow theatre, Manchester has something for every culture vulture. So whether you’re into ballet, opera, comedy or drama, enjoy a theatre break here and experience some worldclass live art. The Lowry

The Dancehouse If you like unconventional entertainment then you will find it at the Dancehouse. Shows include stand-up comedy, cabaret and music – all performed in the beautiful Art Deco building.

A spectacular home to entertainment and the arts, The Lowry is an architectural flagship with a unique and dynamic identity. Inside, you will find two stunning theatres alongside galleries showcasing artists of local, national and international renown. This year’s shows include musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and illusionist Derren Brown’s Miracle.

The Palace Theatre & the Opera House

Contact

Royal Exchange

Contact is one of the UK’s leading theatres for young people. It presents and produces a diverse programme including spoken word, hip hop and poetry, as well as independent touring productions. It also hosts a number of festivals including Queer Contact, for LGBT art and Flying Solo, which focuses on one-person shows.

Another beautiful theatre, the Royal Exchange puts on around nine productions a year. Performed ‘in the round’ the programme mixes classics with contemporary writers and there is also a studio for smaller plays. There are great group discounts on offer and an on-site café and restaurant.

The Palace Theatre and its sister theatre the Opera House are two of the North West’s premier venues. Combining amazing interiors with a combined capacity of almost 4,000 seats they host the biggest touring productions in the UK such as Mamma Mia!, Sister Act and Dirty Dancing in 2016.

HOME HOME has two theatre stages which specialise in performing new work. Focusing on the playful and unusual recent productions have included a dance-orientated Macbeth and raucous contemporary dance.

Theatres in Greater Manchester • Hyde Festival Theatre, Tameside • Octagon Theatre, Bolton • Wigan Little Theatre, Wigan • Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Oldham • The Met, Bury • Waterside Arts Centre, Sale • The Plaza Theatre, Stockport • Gracie Fields Theatre, Rochdale

ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7DH +44(0)161 833 0483 | group.bookings@royalexchange.co.uk | royalexchange.co.uk/groups The Royal Exchange Theatre is one of the UK’s most exciting and iconic theatres. Housed in one of the most beautiful buildings in Manchester, you need only step inside to discover everything we have to offer your group - inspiring quality theatre, fascinating behind the scenes tours, afternoon tea and shopping. We offer a great range of group perks to make organising your trip hassle-free! These include great group discounts of up to 50% on seats and FREE seats for parties over 20. Reserve now, pay later with NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED! Opening times: Monday - Saturday: 10am - Curtain Up, Sunday: 11am - 5pm Tickets: From £10

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TOP 10 VISITOR EXPERIENCES 1. Manchester Town Hall Clock Tower Tour These spectacular tours up Manchester’s historic clock tower offer unparalleled 360 degree views of the city and region. Get up close to the bells, including Great Abel, named after former Manchester Lord Mayor, Abel Heywood. Tours run every Thursday Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm until Easter, after which they run daily. manchestertours.co.uk

2. East Lancashire Railway

4. Football stadium and club tour

7. Robinsons Brewery Tour

Manchester United and Manchester City football clubs both offer behind the scene tours and hospitality packages for groups. You can also buy VIP packages where you can meet footballing legends to add extra star power to the experience. Both tours take in the club’s museums, stadiums and changing rooms and there’s also a chance to pick up some great merchandise from the clubs’ on-site shops. manutd.com / mcfc.co.uk

Learn how your favourite tipples are made and sample beers along the way. Robinsons can cater to any group from private parties and evening tours to business events and educational visits with up to 20 people on a single tour. robinsonsbrewery.com

ELR has teamed up with some of the city’s official tour guides to create the now infamous Rail Ale Trail. Go on a journey to discover some of the Irwell Valley’s most beautiful locations and exceptional pubs, all linked together by the railway. Whether you are an ale lover, cider aficionado or cream soda supporter, you will find something to suit your taste buds at every station along the route. eastlancsrailway.org.uk

5. HOME

3. Tatton Park

6. Museum of Science and Industry (MSI)

The magnificent historic estate is home to a neo-classical mansion, award-winning gardens, a rare-breed farm and a deer park. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the Tudor Hall and 1930s working farm as well as local seasonal produce at The Stables and Gardener’s Cottage. There is also the annual RHS Flower Show and special Christmas events. tattonpark.org.uk

HOME is Manchester’s centre for theatre, film and visual art. Its two theatres stage a mix of commissioned work and highly acclaimed touring productions, its five cinemas showcase the best in contemporary and classic films and its gallery hosts contemporary art exhibitions. Gallery tours are available and there are special discounts for groups visiting theatre or cinema. homemcr.org

Discover the ideas that changed the world at MSI. Feed your curiosity with interactive galleries, vibrant exhibitions and live demonstrations at one of Manchester’s most historic sites. Based on the location of the world’s first passenger railway, the museum is a great day out for groups and offers bespoke itinerary planning, group discounts and more. msimanchester.org.uk

8. The Lowry Discover some quirky facts about The Lowry along with a brief history of the Manchester Ship Canal. Have a tour of the galleries and learn more about their namesake LS Lowry with an introduction to the man and his work. Tours are £5 per head, included is a free cup of tea or coffee. thelowry.com

9. BBC Tour at MediaCityUK Walk in the footsteps of your favourite celebrities, take a peek behind the scenes of BBC channels and programmes and take part in your own TV production. The expert guides will entertain and surprise, giving a fascinating insight into how TV and radio work. Tours must be pre-booked. bbc.co.uk/showsandtours

10. IWM North IWM North is about people and their stories, about how lives have been and still are shaped by war and conflict. The award-winning building is a symbol of the world torn apart by conflict and stands proudly at the Quays. iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-north

IWM NORTH (PART OF IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUMS) The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester, M17 1TZ +44(0)161 836 4000 | learningnorth@iwm.org.uk | iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-north/groups Visit the iconic Imperial War Museum North in Manchester for a group day out like no other. Housed in a striking building designed by worldrenowned architect Daniel Libeskind, IWM North tells the stories of people whose lives have been shaken by conflict. Booked groups can enjoy: • Free coach parking • A room for lunch (subject to availability) • Meet and greet on arrival Opening times: Daily, 10am - 5pm. Closed 24, 25 & 26 December Admission: Free

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THE LOWRY Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ +44(0)843 208 6003 | groups@thelowry.com | thelowry.com From admiring some fantastic pieces of art in our galleries on our LS Lowry tour, to enjoying one of our marvellous shows in the theatres, there is something for everyone at The Lowry. We also have a restaurant and bar, Pier Eight, with spectacular views of the waterfront. Group benefits include: • Group discounts on the majority of shows with no booking fees • Book now pay later, no deposits required • Drop off point for coaches and coach parking available • Exclusive tour of LS Lowry’s work only £2 per person Opening times: Galleries:Open Sun - Fri 11am; Sat 10am; Closing times daily 5pm. Building: 10am-6pm daily Admission: Gallery tours £2 / building tours £5

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For gift ideas or souvenirs of your stay call into Manchester Visitor Information Centre for a range of Manchester goods including clothing, bags, postcards, the WM more. North Manchester Bee collection Iand Lowry Outlet

1 Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, M1 North 1RG I WM Mersey Ferries visitmanchester.com Lowry Outlet

GREATER MANCHESTER’S WATERFRONT

In partnership with

GREATER MANCHESTER’S WATERFRONT

GREATER WATERFRONT GREATERMANCHESTER’S MANCHESTER’S WATERFRONT

Copthorne Manchester Hotel Mersey Ferries Supported by Hotel Football Copthorne Manchester Hotel Quays Culture Hotel Football The Lowry Quays Culture City Centre Cruises The Lowry MediaCityUK City Centre Cruises MediaCityUK I WM North I WM North Lowry Lowry Outlet Outlet MerseyMersey Ferries Ferries Copthorne Manchester Hotel Hotel Copthorne Manchester Hotel Football Hotel Football Quays Culture Quays Culture The Lowry The Lowry City Centre Cruises City Centre Cruises MediaCityUK

MediaCityUK

Greater Manchester’s spectacular waterfront, world class entertainment, Greater Manchester’s spectacular leisure and cultural attractions on the waterfront, world class entertainment, banks of the Manchester Ship Canal. leisure and cultural attractions on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal. The Quays is an exciting destination for any group day out or overnight stay. The Quays is an exciting destination for any group day out or overnight stay. Greater Manchester’s spectacular waterfront, world class entertainment, Greater Manchester’s spectacular leisure and cultural attractions on the waterfront, world class entertainment, banks of the Manchester Ship Canal.

leisure and cultural attractions on the banks of theisManchester Ship Canal.for The Quays an exciting destination any group day out or overnight stay.

The Quays is an exciting destination for any group day out or overnight stay.

Make your group visit stress free and enjoy a host of benefits including: ›Make Themed tours and handling sessions at IWM North including: your group visitobject stress free and enjoy a host of benefits › Great discounts for 10+ at many Lowry shows › Themed tours and object handling sessions at IWM North Group discounts available for Mersey Ferries › Great discounts for your 10+ at manywith Lowry A private cruise for group Cityshows Centre Cruises › Group discounts available Mersey Ferries Enjoy up to 70% off RRP in for a wide range of branded outlets › A private cruise for your group with City Centre Cruises › Enjoy up to 70% off RRP in a wide range of branded outlets

thequays.org.uk thequays.org.uk

Make your group visit stress free and enjoy a host of benefits including: › › › › ›

Themed tours andvisit object handling sessions Make your group stress free and enjoyataIWM hostNorth of benefits including: Great discounts for 10+ at many Lowry shows

›Group Themed toursavailable and object sessions at IWM North discounts for handling Mersey Ferries ›A Great for 10+ at many Lowry shows privatediscounts cruise for your group with City Centre Cruises up to 70% off RRP in a wide of Ferries branded outlets ›Enjoy Group discounts available for range Mersey › A private cruise for your group with City Centre Cruises › Enjoy up to 70% off RRP in a wide range of branded outlets

thequays.org.uk

thequays.org.uk visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP From the boutiques of King Street and the designer fashion stores of Spinningfields to the high-street heaven of Manchester Arndale and the hipster shops of the Northern Quarter - Manchester has a cure for every strain of retail fever. Market Street is the very definition of the modern British high street and a good starting point for any shopping trip. Alongside Market Street is Manchester Arndale, home to over 240 shops with favourites such as Next, River Island and Topshop. Nearby, St Ann’s Square and Deansgate are home to British brands such as Molton Brown and Fat Face and also Manchester’s oldest department store, House of Fraser.

On New Cathedral Street and Exchange Square you’ll find Zara and Ted Baker and also two of the UK’s biggest premium department stores – Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, which offer high-end fashion, beauty and dining. In nearby Spinningfields, you’ll find The Avenue’s catwalk of luxury stores, bars and restaurants where footballers are often seen shopping, dining and partying. The Northern Quarter is the home of independent shops that embody Manchester’s creative diversity. In this bohemian district you can stumble upon quirky shops, bars, restaurants and independent galleries. One of the most interesting hidden gems is the Manchester Craft & Design Centre in a converted Victorian fish market on Oak Street. Here you can buy jewellery, ceramics, textiles and clothing directly from the designers. Situated on Tib Street is the fabulous Afflecks Palace, a cornucopia of indie commerce, offering everything from top hats to tattoos, film posters to fancy dress. intu Trafford Centre offers an unrivalled experience for group travel. As well as a fabulous selection of stores and 60 restaurants and cafes, the Centre also provides special offers for group visits. From high street favourites to exclusive designer brands, intu Trafford Centre is a shopping experience to rival London’s Oxford Street. With a choice of eateries from around the world and leisure venues such as Laser Quest,

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and SEA LIFE, there’s something to suit groups of all ages. Further afield you can find Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet which is the first, and still largest, UK designer outlet. With more than 145 boutiques there should be a brand here for everyone’s tastes. Labels range from the athletic style of Nike and Adidas, and high street favourites, like Marks & Spencer and Next, to iconic fashion such as Burberry, Polo and Hugo Boss. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes so shoppers can take long leisurely breaks. The best times to visit Manchester for a bargain are during the January and summer sale seasons. But don’t worry, in between you’ll find mid-season sales – when visitors can buy exclusive labels at a fraction of the price. For international visitors the Manchester Tax Free Shopping Guide contains a heap of handy information on Manchester’s fantastic retail offering, as well as how visitors from outside the EU can claim the tax back on their shopping. Whether you are shopping for yourself or someone else you will find information on the best places to shop in the city. visitmanchester.com/articles/ shopping/a-guide-to-tax-freeshopping-in-manchester visitmanchester.com/shopping

CHESHIRE OAKS DESIGNER OUTLET Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, Kinsey Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 9JJ +44(0)151 348 5600 | coaches@cheshireoaksdesigneroutlet.com | cheshireoaksdesigneroutlet.com Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet is the UK’s largest designer outlet and has over 145 stores and restaurants with up to 60% off highstreet and designer brands all year round. There is ample free coach parking and additional benefits for groups who book in advance. Groups booking at least 48 hours in advance will receive a welcome pack including a Fashion Passport* (giving them 10% off selected brands), a food and beverage discount voucher and a meal voucher for the driver or group organiser. *Fashion Passport valid for one day.

Opening times: Larger stores open from 11am - 5pm. Restaurants open until late. 8+ 8

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

INTU TRAFFORD CENTRE Manchester, M17 8AA +44(0)161 747 1717 / 1718 | marketing.traffordcentre@intu.co.uk | intu.co.uk/traffordcentre intu Trafford Centre is as much a theme park as it is a shopping centre. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find a lot of leisure activities, including LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, SEALIFE, Paradise Island adventure golf, Laser Quest & The Rock, Namco Funscape, an ODEON Cinema and Aerial Extreme high ropes adventure course. Plus you can enjoy a host of designer brand and high street favourites along with a choice of eateries from around the world. Opening times: Monday - Friday 10am - 10pm, Saturday 10am - 9pm, Sunday 12noon - 6pm. Bank Holidays, 10am - 8pm, leisure opening times may vary so check the website for details.

Full day

For information on where to shop and Manchesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tax Free Shopping provision: visitmanchester.com

GO GOODWINS COACHES LIMITED Lyntown Trading Estate, Eccles, Manchester, M30 9QG +44(0)161 789 4545 | enquiries@gogoodwins.co.uk | gogoodwins.co.uk Go Goodwins Coaches maintains an impressive coach fleet with clients such as the England & Wales Cricket Board. Being a family fun company we make careful consideration of our customers and their individual needs. We are equipped with a state of the art workshop, maintain our vehicles to the highest standards and have recently opened an MOT station. We pride ourselves on attention to detail and our friendly and helpful drivers ensure that we maintain our high customer service. Our customers also include Sale Sharks Rugby Club, Altrincham Football Club, Australian & England Netball Team, Manchester Storm ice Hockey Team, Phoenix Ice Hockey team, as well as their supporters. We have available team, executive and standard coaches for hire. Opening times: 24 hours for coach hire, 09:00 - 17:00 office

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

HOMES, GARDENS & GREEN SPACES Beyond the hustle and bustle of the city Manchester’s quieter side is waiting to be explored. With an abundance of luscious green parks, picturesque country estates and historic manors, Manchester’s outside spaces are a great place for visitors to discover all year round. Ordsall Hall is Salford’s ‘hidden gem’. Dating back over 600 years, it is one of the region’s finest Elizabethan black and white half-timbered manorhouses. On your visit you can get the low-down on Tudor lifestyles; explore the Victorian kitchen and walk around the beautiful grounds. There is also a full group and exhibitions programme. Heaton Park offers grand buildings set in stunning surroundings. Heaton Hall itself has a beautifully restored 18th century interior, with a furniture collection, musical instruments and the occasional recital in the Music Room. Group activities include guided walks, orienteering, rowing boats, tram rides and beekeeping. You can also take advantage of their packed events programme that includes outdoor concerts and plays. Further south of the city, in the rolling hills of Cheshire, Tatton Park welcomes groups of all ages and interests. Whether you have a full day or a half day to spend at the estate, they can organise an itinerary to make the most of your time there. The RHS Flower Show, Christmas Concerts and Classic Car Shows are just a few events that take place there over the year.

Hidden gems Greater Manchester also has a whole load of fantastic parks and gardens, often in the most unexpected of locations, if you know where to look. Here are 6 of the best of these hidden gems: • Alexandra Park oldham.gov.uk/info/200393/parks_countryside_and_canals • Walkden Gardens, Sale walkdengardens.co.uk • Prestwich Forest Park visitbury.com/things-to-do/prestwich-forest-park-p12281 • Clowes Park, Broughton salford.gov.uk/clowespark.htm • Clayton Vale friendsofclaytonvale.org.uk • Dunham Massey nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

TATTON PARK Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN (Sat Nav WA16 6SG) +44(0)1625 374 416 | tatton@cheshireast.gov.uk | tattonpark.org.uk/groups

Image: Michael Bugg

As a magnificent historic estate situated just 20 minutes from the city centre, Tatton Park is a great option for half day or full day itineraries, with an 18th century mansion, 50 acres of colourful gardens, working historic farm and Tudor old hall to visit. Entertaining and informative tours are available throughout and there is a lively events programme which includes the annual RHS Flower Show and Christmas. Locally sourced ingredients including meat and seasonal vegetables from the estate are featured in the restaurant menus and there are several specialty shops. NEW: Roald Dahl’s Tremendous Adventures at Tatton Park Opening times: High Season Mon - Sun 10am - 7pm, Low Season Tue - Sun 10am - 5pm Admission: Totally Tatton Ticket (3 attractions) Adult £9, Child £5. National Trust members free access to mansion and gardens

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GREAT VALUE MANCHESTER Travelling in a group can be expensive, tickets, transport and food can soon add up. Luckily, Manchester has a lot of free and low cost attractions. From museums and art galleries to libraries, there’s plenty you can get your cultural teeth into without having to put your hand in your pocket. Here’s our guide to Manchester for less.

ATTRACTIONS The following attractions offer free entry: • Astley Cheetham Art Gallery • Castlefield Gallery • Central Art Gallery • Central Library • Chetham’s Library • Elizabeth Gaskell House • Gallery of Costume • Hall i’ th’ Wood Museum • HOME • IWM North • John Rylands Library • Manchester Art Gallery • Manchester Museum • Museum of Science and Industry • Museum of Manchester Regiment • National Football Museum • People’s History Museum • Portland Basin Museum • Salford Museum and Art Gallery • Stockport Story Museum • The Monastery • The Whitworth • Working Class Movement Library

Manchester Art Gallery Housed in a beautiful building Manchester Art Gallery is a seat of tranquillity in the middle of the city. It contains a superb permanent collection as well as touring temporary exhibits

and, with nearly 13,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures and a large craft and design collection, it has something for every taste. There is a café on site if you need to relax after wandering the galleries. manchesterartgallery.org

John Rylands Library Part of The University of Manchester, the John Rylands Library houses one of the world’s finest collections of rare books and manuscripts. The stunning neo-Gothic Victorian building is worth a trip on its own and groups can book in advance. library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands

FREE AFTERNOON RECITALS Relax and enjoy a free afternoon concert at one of the following locations:

Royal Northern College of Music The Royal Northern College of Music is a world-class music college and performance venue that offers an extensive programme of events, ranging from classical music, jazz, opera and folk to world music. Some events are free, including regular lunchtime concerts that take place at 1.15pm most Mondays and Thursdays. Booking is not required. rncm.ac.uk

Chetham’s School of Music The students at Chetham’s school of Music perform for free at lunchtime concerts at 1.30pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during termtime. While you are there you can also visit the magnificent Chetham’s Library. Founded in 1653 it, is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. chethams.com

St Ann’s Church This city centre church hosts Tuesday organ recitals at 1pm, performed by both the church’s musicians and visiting organists. Entry is free and there is a collection for church funds. stannsmanchester.com Booking is advisable unless stated otherwise, for more information visit the venues’ website.

FREE CITY CENTRE TRANSPORT Running every 10-15 minutes, the Metroshuttle offers a free city centre bus service with three different routes linking the major attractions, hotels and shopping districts with bus and rail stations. For running times please see website. tfgm.com

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4FP +44(0)161 833 0027 | learning@msimanchester.org.uk | msimanchester.org.uk The Museum of Science and Industry tells the stories of the ideas that changed the world. Feed your curiosity with interactive galleries, vibrant exhibitions and live demonstrations at one of Manchester’s most historic sites. Based on the site of the world’s first passenger railway, the museum is a great day out for groups. Please call to discuss itinerary planning. Opening times: Open daily, 10am - 5pm. Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January. Admission: Free

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FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD Manchester’s restaurant and bar offer has significantly grown over the past few years. From high-end restaurants with renowned chefs to good-value eateries; from global cuisine to hearty local grub – Manchester has established itself as a true culinary city. City centre Busaba Eathai in the Printworks is a modern Thai restaurant. In true Thai style the dishes are full of contrasting textures and flavour, each designed with a balance of sweet, spice, sour and salt. Split over two floors Quill on King Street offers both an eight-course tasting menu and an a la carte selection, concentrating on British food with European influences. Also on King Street is El Gato Negro, an award-winning tapas restaurant, where Chef Simon Shaw creates seasonallyinfluenced dishes, combining modern and traditional Spanish flavours and techniques while also taking inspiration closer to home. Over at the Great Northern No1 Watson Street combines lengthy ale and wine lists with a tantalising craft pizza menu making it a beer house with a difference. Manchester has no shortage of fine dining and Manchester House delivers it with plenty of local flair. Inspired by the molecular gastronomy of Blumenthal and El Bulli, chef

Aiden Byrne serves up carefully crafted delicacies that have all of the sophistication but none of the preciousness of haute cuisine. The French by Simon Rogan at The Midland hotel uses only the very best seasonal produce grown on dedicated farms. Simon brings a wealth of knowledge and the latest cooking techniques to extract maximum natural flavours with balance and originality.

Corn Exchange Manchester Housed in a beautiful Grade II-listed building Manchester’s Corn Exchange has been transformed from a shopping centre into a foodie haven. It now houses over a dozen restaurants including Mexican Wahaca; Italian Vapiano; Pho, which offers Vietnamese street food; Cabana, a Brazilian churasscaria; the quintessentially British The Cosy Club, and the Banyan Bar & Kitchen. Celebrity chef Gino D’campo has also launched his first Manchester restaurant, which includes a cicchetti bar and two large outside areas, one of which leads onto the bustling Exchange Square.

MediaCityUK, the Quays The Quays offers a range of culinary options including the recently relaunched Pier Eight at the Lowry Theatre, which serves modern twists on classic dishes. They’ve also brought in a brand new pastry chef to strengthen their desert offer. CAU, the smaller more affordable cousin of the Gaucho steakhouse group,

is another new addition. The menu is predominantly carnivorous with a few well-considered fish dishes and a smattering of vegetarian options too. Damson, one of the North West’s best regarded restaurants, provides the perfect setting for anything from a business lunch to a leisurely dinner. Alongside the established restaurants annual food and drink festivals across the region offer visitors the chance to sample new foods, see celebrity chefs and make their own food in cookery workshops. Check out the Visit Manchester website to see what’s on. visitmanchester.com/food

HARD ROCK CAFE MANCHESTER The Printworks, Manchester, M4 2BS +44(0)161 831 6700 | manchester_salescoord@hardrock.com | hardrock.com/manchester Located in the heart of the city centre, Hard Rock Cafe Manchester is the largest Hard Rock in the UK showcasing an awe inspiring collection of rock memorabilia. We have set menus in place for groups of 20 or more and can accommodate up to 100 people for a meal. We can offer bespoke opening times to fit with your agenda and special memorabilia tours of the cafe to enhance your trip. Our team of dedicated individuals look forward to welcoming your group. Opening times: Restaurant and Bar: Mon - Sun 12pm - 11pm. Please check the website for up to date information. Closed on Christmas Day.

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ENJOY the BEST OF BRITISH

with SAM’S CHOP HOUSE

Established in 1872 by local businessman Samuel Studd, Sam’s Chop House stands proud as one of Manchester’s most celebrated bars and restaurants, serving the best of British cuisine and a fine selection of ales, wines and spirits. Many famous faces have been regulars over the years, including LS Lowry, who you will still find sat at our bar everyday...

TRAVELLING AS A GROUP? We also cater for large parties. To find out more about our large party offers or to book a table call: 0161 834 3210

Back Pool Fold off Cross Street, Manchester, M2 1HN 0161 834 3210 sams@vicchopco.com Twitter: @chophouseSams

CORN EXCHANGE Exchange Square, Manchester, M4 3TR enquiries@cornexchangemanchester.co.uk | cornexchangemanchester.co.uk Showcasing all its original Edwardian beauty with a modern twist, The Corn Exchange is home to a mouthwatering mix of 13 new restaurants in Manchester that offer a fusion of flavours from around the globe. Nestled in the heart of the city centre with the Cathedral, Football Museum, Chetham’s Library, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols as its neighbours, it is the perfect refuelling point for hungry visitors to the city. A wide selection of sizes and styles of restaurant means a range of great options for those travelling in groups. All restaurants cater for different size groups so please contact them direct for information on capacity. Opening times: Please see website for details on opening times for each venue. Closed 25 December. 1-100

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RESTAURANT & BAR LISTING Here are some of the best restaurants and bars that Manchester has to offer. For a full list go to visitmanchester.com/food Many venues offer great opportunities for groups and are interested in tour operator business, offering special deals and a tailored service. Contact Prakash Chohan by email prakash.chohan@marketingmanchester.com for more information.

RESTAURANTS

Chinese

South American

Ocean Treasure oceantreasure235.co.uk

Fazenda fazenda.co.uk/manchester

Dog Bowl blackdogballroom.co.uk

Tattu Restaurant & Bar tattu.co.uk

Handmade Burger Co. handmadeburger.co.uk

Yang Sing yang-sing.com

Gaucho gauchorestaurants.co.uk/restaurants/ manchester

American

Hard Rock Cafe hardrock.com

British The Albert Square Chop House albertsquarechophouse.com Annies anniesmanchester.co.uk Beef and Pudding beefandpudding.co.uk Browns browns-restaurants.co.uk Damson Media City mediacity.damsonrestaurant.co.uk The Grill on New York Street blackhouse.uk.com/grill-on-new-yorkstreet The Grill on the Alley blackhouse.uk.com/grill-on-the-alley Harvey Nichols 2nd Floor Brasserie and Bar harveynichols.com/restaurant/ manchester-dining Hawksmoor thehawksmoor.com/locations/ Manchester James Martin Manchester jamesmartinmanchester.co.uk Manchester House manchesterhouse.uk.com Mr Cooper’s House & Garden by Simon Rogan mrcoopershouseandgarden.co.uk Mr Thomas’s Chop House tomschophouse.com The Northern Quarter Restaurant and Bar tnq.co.uk Richmond Tea Rooms redhousefarm.co.uk/tearooms.htm Red House Farm Shop & Tea Rooms redhousefarm.co.uk

French 63 Degrees 63degrees.co.uk

Indian Scene Indian Street Kitchen scenedining.com Zouk Tea Bar and Grill zoukteabar.co.uk

Italian Avalanche avalancherestaurant.co.uk Croma cromapizza.co.uk Don Giovanni dongiovanni.uk.com Gusto gustorestaurants.uk.com Jamie’s Italian jamieoliver.com/italian/restaurants/ Manchester Prezzo prezzorestaurants.co.uk Rosso rossorestaurants.com Vapiano uk.vapiano.com

Malaysian Ning ningcatering.com

Pan Asia

Thaikhun thaikhun.co.uk Vermilion Cinnabar vermilion.uk.com

Various The Alchemist Piccadilly thealchemist.uk.com/new-york-street The Alchemist Spinningfields thealchemist.uk.com/spinningfields Artisan Kitchen and Bar artisan.uk.com Banyan Bar & Kitchen arcinspirations.com/banyan-manchester The Botanist thebotanist.uk.com/location/deansgatemanchester The French the-french.co.uk

BARS Bijou Club bijouclub.co.uk Blackdog Ballroom blackdogballroom.co.uk Dive Bar divenq.co.uk Lock 91 lock-91.co.uk The Milton Club themiltonclub.co.uk

Tampopo Albert Square tampopo.co.uk/locations/albert-square

The Oast House theoasthouse.uk.com

Tampopo Corn Exchange tampopo.co.uk/locations/exchangesquare

Surburbia suburbiacocktail.com/manchester

Spanish La Tasca latasca.com/venue/manchesterdeansgate

Sam’s Chop House samschophouse.com

La Vina Tapas & Wine lavina.co.uk

Velvet velvetmanchester.com

Lunya lunya.co.uk/manchester

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

Chaophraya chaophraya.co.uk

Australasia australasia.uk.com

The Restaurant Bar & Grill individualrestaurants.com/bar-and-grill

Thai

Taurus taurusbar.co.uk Trof trofnq.co.uk Tariff and Dale tariffanddale.com

ZOUK TEA BAR & GRILL The Quandrangle, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5QS +44(0)161 233 1090 | manchestermanager@zoukteabar.co.uk | zoukteabar.co.uk Visit Manchester’s favourite Indian restaurant Zouk just around the corner from the Palace Theatre. Award winning food awaits with a pre-theatre dining menu, our famous tiffin lunch special and a luxury all weather terrace for food, drinks or shisha. Zouk has a theatre style kitchen which allows you to enjoy watching chefs at work. The menu features classic curries, steaks, seafood and monthly specials from the Indian sub-continent. Set menus and banquets are available for large groups or parties and there are a variety of hireable spaces including the terrace, the mezzanine or the bar. We also run a cookery school for corporate groups or school groups which can run from 2-4 hours. Opening times: Everyday 12 noon - midnight. Open 365 days a year.

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DON GIOVANNI 1-2 Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5AN +44(0)161 228 2482 | manager@dongiovanni.uk.com | dongiovanni.uk.com Don Giovanni was established in 1984 and celebrates over 30 years as Manchester’s oldest and most trusted authentic Italian restaurant. We are located on Oxford Street adjacent to St Peter’s Square in the heart of Manchester city centre. We are based on a very simple principle. We proudly use only the freshest, tastiest ingredients, our food is all cooked fresh to order in our open plan kitchen, and fresh pasta areas, where you can see your food being created. Wherever possible we use locally sourced ingredients, and search the local areas and markets to find the best possible. Opening times: Everyday from 12pm 1-3

Experience new perspectives at the EuroScience Open Forum - Europe’s leading general science conference.

23 – 27 July 2016 esof2016.eu visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

HOME OF INTERNATIONAL SPORT In addition to its annual programme of world-class fixtures, Manchester is packed with enough sportsthemed activities and entertainment to keep even the most ardent fan amused. Boasting state-of-theart facilities, the city offers plenty of opportunity to take part in great group experiences. Whatever sporting event you’re here for, a trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to either Manchester United or Manchester’s City’s museum and stadium tours. The genuine passion of the guides, often lifelong supporters, will ensure you receive a unique glimpse of footballing life. Both venues have won awards for their behind-the-scenes tours, which give you the chance to sit in the directors’ box and see the players’ changing rooms.

snowboarding and climbing. Meanwhile, you can practise your swing or try miniature golf at Playgolf, indoor skydive at Airkix, or pump up your adrenaline at Aerial Extreme and Go Ape! Manchester maybe famous for football, but it is also home to other outstanding sporting events. The new National Speedway Stadium in Belle Vue will be hosting the Speedway World Cup Final in July and the Second Investec Test Match between England and Pakistan at Emirates Old Trafford will take place the same month, ensuring Manchester continues to be a global sporting hub. Check individual venues for events and great group offers.

As well as being the home of Manchester City Football Club, the City of Manchester Stadium is part of the Etihad Campus. It houses an array of spectacular sporting facilities where major cycling, squash, tennis and netball events take place. Why not test the track of the British Cycling Team at Manchester Velodrome? You don’t need to be a first-class athlete or even have your own bike, just hire one (and a helmet) for a taster session. The Trafford Quays Leisure Village also has great-value activities that will keep you energised for hours. Chill Factore, the UK’s largest indoor ski slope offers skiing,

EMIRATES OLD TRAFFORD

MANCHESTER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB STADIUM AND CLUB TOUR Etihad Stadium, Manchester, M11 3FF +44(0)161 444 1894 (option 4, option 2) | tours@mcfc.co.uk | mcfc.co.uk/tours Enjoy a behind the scenes tour of Manchester City Football Club with free coach parking and free driver ticket. Relive the greatest moments and discover what makes MCFC the club it is today. Take your seat in the press room, sit in the hot seat and experience the emotions that the Manager and first team players feel during a press conference. See inside the players’ dressing room where you can sit in your favourite player’s seat. Walk out of the players’ tunnel and experience the roar of 55,000 supporters. Stand pitch side and take in the panoramic view and then sit in the Manager’s seat in the dug-out. Opening times: Mon –Sat - 9:00am – 5:00pm Sun & Bank Holidays – 10:00am – 5:00pm Group admission prices: Adults: £13.60 / Child: £8.80 / Concessions: £9.00

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BOOK YOUR TOUR OF OLD TRAFFORD TODAY

TICKETS FROM £12

GO BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE THEATRE OF DREAMS

BOOK YOUR MUSEUM & STADIUM TOUR TODAY GET TO SEE: - PLAYERS’ DRESSING ROOM - PLAYERS’ TUNNEL - DUGOUTS

CALL: 0161 826 5633 VISIT: MANUTD.COM/MUSEUM OR PAY ON THE DOOR Whether you’re a Man Utd fan or not, your visit will be a day to remember.

#MuseumTour

WHERE TO STAY Manchester offers a wide choice of accommodation, so there should be something for every budget and taste. Whether you want something in the heart of the city or a relaxed countryside retreat it shouldn’t be difficult to find somewhere to lay your head.

KING STREET TOWNHOUSE HATTERS

ODDFELLOWS ON THE PARK

High End Hotels

Countryside Retreats

For pure luxury, the five star The Lowry Hotel or Radisson Blu Edwardian hotels offer an unforgettable experience. There are also a wide range of fantastic four star and boutique hotels including Hotel Gotham, The Midland, King Street Townhouse, Hilton Manchester Deansgate and Macdonald Manchester Hotel & Spa.

One of Manchester’s strengths is the amazing countryside right on its doorstep. You can enjoy the beautiful views while still being able to access the city. Oddfellows On The Park, The Mere Golf Resort and Spa, De Vere Mottram Hall, and Marriot Worsley Park & Country Club all combine comfort with peace and quiet.

Serviced Apartments

Budget Beds

‘Aparthotels’ range from 3 to 5 star and include Atrium by Bridgestreet, The Light Aparthotel, SACO, The Place Aparthotel, Stay City, Stay Deansgate, Premier Apartments and Quay Apartments. All offer spacious, self-catering apartments which are perfect for groups and families.

For the travel trade, the city is home to many of the established national and international chains as well as independents interested in tour operator business. Please get in contact by calling +44(0)161 238 4573 to discuss further. To search and book for a wide choice of accommodation go to visitmanchester.com or telephone +44(0)161 238 4597.

Manchester has a broad budget offer with central hostels like Hatters and Hilton Chambers. A number of hotels and guesthouses offer great value for money deals including the Campanile Hotel, The Pendulum Hotel and Ibis Portland Street as well as chains, Premier Inn and Holiday Inn.

IBIS PORTLAND STREET

THE PLACE APARTHOTEL Ducie Street, Manchester, M1 2TP +44(0)161 778 7500 | reservations@theplaceaparthotel.com | theplaceaparthotel.com The Place Aparthotel is a unique concept in the heart of Manchester city centre, a former Victorian Cotton warehouse transformed into a modern hotel restaurant and event venue. Offering spacious one and two bedroom apartments, complete with kitchens and living space sleeping up to six people. The central location, just metres away from Piccadilly train station lends itself to enjoying all that Manchester has to offer. Whether sightseeing, shopping or business, this modern metropolis is easily explored by foot, car, tram or taxi. Total number of rooms: 107 Rooms breakdown: 26 one bedroom apartments, 53 two bedroom apartments, 20 family apartments and 8 penthouses

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

YOUTH & EDUCATION Whether it is something fun, educational or hopefully both, Manchester has plenty to keep children, young people and students entertained. From great sporting facilities, engaging entertainment and engrossing educational visits, there’s a lot on offer to keep younger groups happy.

FUN Both Manchester United and Manchester City offer stadium tours where young people can follow in the footsteps of their sporting heroes, take a sneak peek behind the scenes of the club and even meet footballing legends. For budding action enthusiasts the Chill Factore features the longest indoor ski slope in the UK or, if they prefer their action outdoors, the dry slope at Ski Rossendale is open all year round. Equally suitable for adrenaline junkies is Salford’s Helly Hansen Watersports Centre. Wakeboarding,

open water swimming, powerboating and windsurfing are just a few of the great aqua-based activities on offer. If they are not afraid of heights Go Ape! and Aerial Extreme both offer a fun day out where the can fly through the trees on a zip wire or tackle obstacle courses suspended off the ground. For something a little tamer but just as much fun Chester Zoo, SEA LIFE Manchester, CBBC Tour and the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre offer an exciting day out, as well as offering bespoke educational visits for various ages. Top attractions for young people: • Jodrell Bank • Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre • Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive • Runway Visitor Park • Museum of Science & Industry (MSI)

EDUCATIONAL Manchester’s museums and galleries provide a host of experiences and activities aimed at younger visitors,

whether it’s learning about Stan the tyrannosaurus rex at Manchester Museum, or delving first hand into the exhibitions at Manchester Art Gallery. Education officers can assist in bespoke visits to tailor to your groups’ needs, as well as arranging special areas for packed lunches and convenient drop-off points. For international visitors there are a number of language schools where you can learn English language in a stimulating and supportive environment while also being offered opportunities for educational, personal and cultural development. Language schools in Manchester: • Manchester Central School of English manchestercse.co.uk • Manchester Language School manchesterlanguageschool.co.uk • Manchester Academy of English experienceenglish.com • Universal Language Centre languagecentre.co.uk • Berlitz English School berlitzmanchester.com

Winners SMALL TOURISM EVENT OF THE YEAR

SERVICED APARTMENTS OF THE YEAR

Gallipoli 100, the Fusilier Museum

The Place Aparthotel

sponsored by Play Factore

From Street to Trench: A War that Shaped a Region, IWM North

HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Polkadot Design & Print

Great John Street Hotel LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2016

The Whitworth

Two special awards were also given out on the night: EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM Coronation Street The Tour HONORARY AWARD FOR SERVICES TO TOURISM Andrew Stokes

WINTER WONDERLAND

Winter Wonderland

Every winter Manchester is transformed into a festive wonderland thanks to its traditional Christmas markets. As well as food, drink and shopping, the season offers magical events such as carol singing, Explore Greater pantomimes and the annual Christmas light switch on. So have a sip of Glühwein and enjoy Manchester Manchester in mid-winter. Christmas Lights Switch On (November 2016)

Music and Theatre

Manchester’s Christmas lights switch-on party in front of the town hall officially opens six weeks of festive celebrations and attractions. As well as the lights there’s music, celebrity appearances and fireworks and, best of all, it’s free!

The festive period means Manchester’s theatres and concert halls are full of pantomimes, carol concerts and big West to will thebe NW End Musicals. InGateway 2016 there Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Lowry, Aladdin at the Opera House and Billy Elliot The Musical at the Palace Theatre. Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, home of the world famous Halle Orchestra, hosts a series of festive concerts, while carol services can be enjoyed at the iconic Manchester Cathedral. Tatton Manchester Airport / Park’s magnificently decorated mansion alsoAirline provides a delightful, festive Direct Info experience for groups of all ages.

European Christmas Markets (mid November – mid December) Manchester’s award-winning Christmas markets bring a bit of magic to the city every winter. With nearly 350 beautifully decorated stalls and chalets spanning the city centre, there is everyone on offer from food and drink to delicately crafted Yuletide gifts. You can soak up the atmosphere and follow the market trail or warm yourself in one of the many on-site bars. A traditional bratwurst washed down with Glühwein is a must. The markets are free and accessible to all.

Manchester Ice Rink Perfect for a group outing or a fun-filled day with friends, the Manchester Ice Rink is another seasonal treat. More than just skating the rink hosts choral performances, DJs, themed sessions and family entertainment. Beginners don’t have to worry as there are always helpful staff to make the experience easy, safe and fun. There is also a viewing terrace, fairground rides and a bar.

Late Night Shopping Manchester’s shopping retailers lend a helping hand by extending their shopping hours during the lead up to VMincluding Travel Trade Support Christmas. Stores Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser, all extend their opening hours until 8pm and sometimes beyond. Further out, intu Trafford Centre is open till even later ensuring visitors don’t miss out on valuable shopping time.

Visit Santa No Christmas would be complete without a visit from Santa. Many shopping centres and retailers host their own grottos including Manchester Arndale, intu Trafford Centre and House of Fraser. Ordsall Hall in Salford and Heaton Park also offer their own Father Christmas experiences. visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

Winter Wonderland

EXPLORE GREATER MANCHESTER Explore Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester comprises of ten distinct districts, each with a range of experiences on offer for visitors. These include canal cruises, unique events, local food and drink, market shopping and the great Gateway to the NW outdoors. Here are the top pick of the nine districts surrounding Manchester: Oldham From Saddleworth’s glorious countryside to Oldham’s Victorian heritage and striking modern features, Oldham retains many features of its proud history, as a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution. In contrast, Saddleworth is a gateway to the Peak District National Park. • Gallery Oldham • Oldham Coliseum Theatre • Saddleworth Villages visitoldham.com

Rochdale

Bolton One of the North West’s friendliest towns! Located right on the edge of the West Pennine Moors there’s loads of things to see and do. From fascinating heritage to great entertainment and fantastic events you’re spoilt for choice in Bolton. With an annual events calendar offering some of the north wests best events including one the UK’s biggest Food and Drink Festivals each August Bank Holiday, the world’s largest IronKids and the Ironman UK triathlon, you’re guaranteed a great day out whatever the weather. • Bolton Market • Octagon Theatre, Bolton • Smithills Hall @visitbolton visitbolton.com

• Rochdale town hall • Hollingworth Lake Country Park • Healey Dell Nature Reserve

Bury is an ideal destination for groups, with so much on offer, planning a group visit will leave you spoilt for choice. From history and culture to shopping and entertainment and with ample coach parking, handy drop off points and meet and greets, it’s easy to see why Bury is such a popular choice. For more information and ideas contact Bury Tourist Information Centre. • Bury Market • The Fusilier Museum • East Lancashire Railway touristinformation@bury.gov.uk visitbury.com visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

Tameside stretches eastward from Manchester Airport Manchester to the/ fringes of the Peak Direct Airline Info Park. Its landscape District National encompasses urban centres, moorland and the spectacular vistas of Werneth Low Country Park.

VM Travel Trade • Museum of Support the Manchester Regiment • Portland Basin Museum • Werneth Low Country Park tameside.gov.uk

Trafford At just 41 Square miles Trafford is easy to get around. A borough of contrasts, where the urban, cultural and waterfront offer in the north meets the fashionable suburbs and picturesque countryside in the south bordering Cheshire. • Imperial War Museum North (IWM North) • Dunham Massey • Depot Climbing Centre: Manchester visittrafford.info

Salford Explore Salford’s fascinating history or discover the ultra-modern MediaCityUK. With world class entertainment, leisure and cultural facilities Salford offers enough arts, culture, sport, shopping, heritage, relaxation and stunning scenery to fill a day or a week. • The Quays • Worsley • Ordsall Hall visitsalford.info

Stockport

Bury

Rochdale is Greater Manchester’s greenest borough, with an abundance of open spaces and award-winning parks. It’s also steeped in history and its magnificent town hall is one of the region’s greatest architectural gems.

Tameside

Stockport is an ideal location to explore; there are fascinating treasures hidden in and around the region. From bustling modern shopping areas to quaint, cobbled streets, Stockport also lies on the edge of the Cheshire Plain and the Peak District. • Hat Works Museum • Staircase House and Stockport Story Museum • Robinsons Brewery Visitor Centre stockport.gov.uk

Wigan Half way between Manchester and Liverpool, Wigan is full of variety, offering fascinating heritage, country parks, charming pubs and a diverse events programme throughout the year. There’s heritage, miles of countryside, sporting glory, shopping, vibrant nightlife, popular festivals, and the best in northern character and hospitality. • Haigh Hall & Country Park • Museum of Wigan Life • The Trencherfield Mill Engine wigan.gov.uk

EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY Bolton Street Station, Bury, BL9 0EY +44(0)161 764 7790 | admin@eastlancsrailway.org.uk | eastlancsrailway.org.uk The East Lancashire Railway is the North-West’s premier heritage railway providing both steam and diesel journeys along a scenic 12-mile route. There are plenty of facilities on hand to get the most out of your visit, including real ale pubs, traditional buffets, a gift shop and museum. The railway has a busy events calendar with something for every interest, from the popular Santa Specials to the award winning 1940s Weekend. For groups looking for something a little different hop on board the railway’s Orient Express style carriages for a luxurious dining experience. Opening times: Trains run every weekend throughout the year and Wed - Fri from Apr to Sept. Open Bank Holidays. Closed Christmas Day.

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For information on what’s on, things to do and where to stay in Manchester visitmanchester.com

BIGGER PARTY

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Manchester

PERFECT GATEWAY TO Gateway to the NW THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Manchester Airport / Direct Airline Info

VM Travel Trade Support

WALKER ART GALLERY, LIVERPOOL

From bustling city centres to scenic countryside, the North West of England has it all. With so much on offer, it can be hard to choose. We have created a handy guide to the region so you can include the North West in your itinerary. Cheshire & Chester (40 minutes)

Merseyside (45 minutes)

Cheshire is bursting with things to see and do from amazing attractions to beautiful gardens, stunning stately homes to fabulous spa hotels. Explore the many quaint market towns and villages with their independent galleries, boutiques and fantastic markets selling delicious produce or feast in one of the many restaurants, country pubs or tea rooms. Chester has the most complete Roman and medieval city walls in the country – the ideal place for a stroll. It also has the oldest racecourse in England and largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain, plus a 1000-year-old cathedral.

Under an hour from Manchester, offering unique attractions, exciting events, world class sport offerings, unrivalled musical heritage and famously warm welcomes, Liverpool is the ideal destination to visit and explore. The city sights can be viewed from the famous Mersey Ferry, one of the oldest in the world. The region is also home to miles of beautiful coastline and award-winning golf courses.

Highlights include: • Tatton Park • Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet • Chester Zoo visitchester.com / visitcheshire.com

Highlights include: • Albert Dock • The Beatles Story • Mersey Ferries visitliverpool.com

Lancashire (60 minutes) If you want a country break, Lancashire offers the unique and wildlife rich Morecombe Bay and the flat and fertile coastal plains around the Ribble Estuary. If you want a bit of seaside fun then head to Blackpool, with its iconic Tower and many amusements. Highlights include: • Blackpool Tower Eye & 4D Experience • Lancashire Witch Trails • The Forest of Bowland visitlancashire.co.uk

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

LOWTHER CASTLE, CUMBRIA

WINDERMERE LAKE CRUISES

PEAK DISTRICT

Derbyshire (70 minutes)

Cumbria (1 hour 40 minutes)

The Peak District and Derbyshire offer a world of contrasting natural beauty. Moors, dales, rivers, springs and caverns can all be found within the Peak District National Park. Visited by millions each year, the park offers breath-taking views, relaxation and adventure and it is also home to many market towns, pretty villages and historic houses.

One of the most beautiful regions of the UK Cumbria includes the whole of the Lake District, the Eden Valley, the North Pennines, the Furness Peninsula and the Yorkshire Dales. There are many attractions to choose from, including the homes of William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.

Highlights include: • Alton Towers • Lyme Park & Gardens • Poole’s Cavern & Buxton Country Park visitpeakdistrict.com

Highlights include: • Windermere Lake Cruises • Muncaster Castle and Gardens • Grasmere Gingerbread Shop golakes.co.uk / visitcumbria.com Find out more about travelling in the north of England northernengland.co.uk

THE BEATLES STORY Britannia Vaults, Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AD +44(0)151 709 1963 Ext 220 | groups@beatlesstory.com | beatlesstory.com/travel-trade The award-winning Beatles Story is the world’s largest permanent exhibition purely devoted to the lives and times of The Beatles. Located in the Fab Four’s hometown of Liverpool, U.K. on the stunning UNESCO World heritage site at the Albert Dock, The Beatles Story takes visitors on an atmospheric journey through the lives, times, culture and music of The Beatles. ‘Living History’ audio guides are available in ten different languages including Mandarin, Brazilian-Portuguese, French and German and is beautifully narrated by John Lennon’s sister, Julia Baird. Special trade rates available. Opening times: Monday - Sunday. Winter / Summer opening hours subject to change. Please see website for full details. Closed 25-26 December. Admission: Adult £14.95, Student/Seniors £11.50, Children £9.00

10:1

10-100 (40 per 20 mins)

1.5

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

PLAN YOUR TRIP: 1 DAY ITINERARY Whether you’re here for one day or three, Manchester has plenty to offer. Our team can help create a bespoke itinerary catered to your needs. Here are some suggestions to help you with your planning.

SUGGESTED ONE DAY TRIP 8am

Arrival in Manchester

9am

Swans Travel

Transfer

If you are arriving as a group at the airport they can arrange bespoke transport direct to your hotel. swanstravel.com

10am

Novotel Manchester Centre hotel

Hotel

Drop off your bags at this four-star hotel located at the heart of the city. Just steps from Chinatown, the Town Hall and main shopping centres. novotel.com/gb/hotel-3145-novotel-manchester-centre/index.shtml

11am

Richmond Tea Rooms

Breakfast Enjoy a late breakfast or brunch at this traditional English tearoom. Choices include Eggs Benedict, Bananas on French toast and the classic British fry up. Coffees, teas and cake are also on the menu. richmondtearooms.com

Noon

Walking Tour of Manchester

Tour

Get an insider’s view of Manchester from an expert guide. There’s a wide-range on offer covering everything from architecture to social history.

RICHMOND TEA ROOMS

12.45pm Metrolink Travel

Jump on a tram for a 15-minute journey to Salford Quays. Return tickets are £3. tfgm.com/journey_planning/Pages/default.aspx

1pm

Damson

Lunch

Indulge in a delicious midday treat at this independent restaurant at Media City before exploring the Quays. Home to the BBC, The Lowry, the Imperial War Museum North and some great shopping there is plenty to see and do. mediacity.damsonrestaurant.co.uk

2pm

BBC Tour

Tour

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the world’s biggest broadcaster and see how shows such as Match of the Day, Mastermind and BBC Breakfast are made. You also get the chance to present your own news or weather bulletin. bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/tours/media_city

4pm

Metrolink

Travel

Travel back to city centre with your return ticket. Time to freshen up at your hotel in time for dinner.

7pm

The Grill on the Alley

Dinner

Enjoy some no-nonsense full-flavour food including juicy steaks, burgers and seafood at this top quality restaurant. Finish off with one (or two) of their crumbles, ice creams or puddings. blackhouse.uk.com/grill-on-the-alley

10pm

Spinningfields

Nightlife options

If you fancy an upmarket evening Spinningfields is home to some of the city’s best bars. Enjoy some cocktails at The Alchemist before heading to Australasia for some celebrity spotting. If you’d like more food Tattu serves up contemporary Chinese cuisine in a restaurant complete with a cherry tree.

BBC TOUR

THE QUAYS

Northern Quarter If you want something more alternative Manchester’s bohemian quarter houses a wide selection of independent bars and clubs. Warm up in Apotheca before heading to Tariff and Dale to sample some of their world-wide draught beers. Nearby, the Pen and Pencil has some great cocktails (try the Cucumber and Sake Martini), then head to the Black Dog Ballroom to dance the night away. 26

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

AUSTRALASIA

3 DAY ITINERARY DAY 1 9am

Manchester City Stadium and Club Tour

Tour

Start your day with a tour of one of the world’s biggest football clubs. Explore behind the scenes at the Etihad Stadium, walk down the players’ tunnel and pretend to get a grilling in a press conference.

11am

National Football Museum

NATIONAL FOOTBALL MUSEUM

Museum Follow up on your visit to Manchester City with more football. Discover more about the sport, test your skills in interactive games and see amazing exhibits, including the replica World Cup trophy made in 1966 when the real one was stolen.

12.30pm Albert Square Chop House Lunch

Manchester’s chop houses offer good hospitality, drinks and the best in British cooking. They also have some of the most attractive traditional architecture to be found in the city.

1.45pm

Metrolink

Travel

Jump on a tram for a 15-minute journey to Salford Quays. Return tickets are £3.

2pm

Imperial War Museum North

EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY

Museum Housed in a distinctive building designed by architect Daniel Libeskind the IWMN explores the subject of conflict, uncovering how war shapes lives

4pm

Lowry Outlet Mall

Shopping Manchester only factory outlet, the Lowry Outlet Mall is open seven days a week and offers top quality high street names at up to 50% discount. Alternatively grab a film at the on-site cinema.

6pm

Pier Eight

Dinner

Enjoy a pre-theatre dinner at this Lowry restaurant that specialises in contemporary British cuisine using seasonal ingredients.

7.30pm

The Lowry

Theatre

Catch a show at one of Greater Manchester’s biggest theatres. With a programme including musicals, plays, dance, opera and comedy there should be something for everyone’s cultural taste.

DAY 2 9am

CHAOPHRAYA

DAY 3 Manchester Museum

Museum Start your day exploring the museums extensive exhibits, from Egyptian mummies to ancient coins. Make sure to visit the vivarium to see the tree frogs.

11am

Manchester Art Gallery

Gallery

Get more culture at one the country’s finest galleries, which combines a historic collection with touring exhibits from contemporary artists.

1pm

Jamie’s Italian

Lunch

Set in the stunning location of a former bank this is a great place to sample some pizza, pasta and a few glasses of wine. If you are a large party see if you can book the private vault!

9am

Manchester United Football Club

Tour

Head to Manchester’s other world-class football club. Re-live the triumphs, tragedies and trophies at the museum, soak up the atmosphere from the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and explore the players’ dressing room.

Noon

Chaophraya

Lunch

When you’re back in town try some Thai at this city centre restaurant. There are staples such as the traditional red and green curry plus fusion food such as the Thai scallops and black pudding.

1.30pm Metrolink Travel

Take the tram to Bury. It takes about 25 minutes.

3pm

2pm

East Lancashire Railway

Railway

Experience the golden age of steam on this twelve-mile heritage railway which runs through the English countryside.

6.30pm

Artisan

4pm Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre Museum Get some more culture at this centre for local and international art.

Dinner

Grab some food at this Spinningfields favourite. Pizza, mains and seafood are all on the menu and you can relax in the bar afterwards with a cocktail.

As you are in the city centre spend some time Shopping browsing the wide array of shops on offer. Head to King Street for distinctive brands, or Exchange Square if you want to look around Selfridges or Harvey Nichols.

7pm

Hard Rock Cafe

Dinner

Located in the centre of Manchester, the UK’s largest Hard Rock will rock your senses serving a hearty selection of authentic American cuisine. visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

Gateway to the NW

MANCHESTER AIRPORT With three terminals handling over 23 million passengers each year, Manchester Airport is the UK’s global gateway for the north. Over 70 airlines ensure Manchester Airport is directly connected to over 210 destinations and no more than one-stop away from anywhere in the world.

Manchester Airport / Direct Airline Info

DIRECT CONNECTIVITY There are direct flights VM Travel Trade Support to over 210 destinations worldwide including: Europe

Whether travelling for business or pleasure, Manchester Airport offers a host of facilities and services to help ensure hassle-free travel for groups:

Airport Shopping and dining

Disabled access

Join the vast number of savvy shoppers already taking advantage of exclusive tax and duty free savings at the airport. Then, make the most of the wide selection of food and drink options available across all three terminals.

A pioneering new access guide has been designed, which provides disabled customers with all the information they need to plan their journey from door to door.

Escape Lounges For those looking to start their holiday in style, or simply some peace and quiet to complete last minute business, the Escape Lounges in Terminal 1, 2 and 3 offer a tranquil environment. Here you can also enjoy a host complimentary refreshments and take advantage of the free Wi-Fi.

For the kids If you need to keep the kids entertained or use up some of their excess energy before a long flight, there are now two free soft play areas. These are located in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Free Wi-Fi Stay connected to the outside world, with free Wi-Fi for up to 60 minutes, across all three terminals.

The Manchester Airport App For the perfect travel companion download the Manchester Airport app, it’s your one-stop guide for flight and airport information. Even better it’s completely free to download on your smartphone.

Aberdeen Amsterdam Athens Atlanta Barcelona Berlin Bilbao Billund Brussels Budapest Cologne Copenhagen Cork Dublin Dusseldorf Frankfurt Gothenburg Glasgow Hamburg Hanover Helsinki Istanbul Isle Of Man Knock Krakow

North America Atlanta Charlotte Chicago Las Vegas Miami New York

Lisbon London Lyon Madrid Marrakech Milan Moscow Munich Murcia Naples Nice Oslo Paris Pisa Prague Rennes Reykjavik Rome Shannon Stockholm Tel Aviv Turin Venice Vienna Warsaw Zurich Philadelphia Toronto Vancouver Washington From May 2016 Boston Los Angeles

Middle East Abu Dhabi Doha

Dubai Jeddah

Airport Parking There is a parking option to suit every need, from great value Long Stay parking to the ultimate convenience of Meet & Greet parking. For the latest information visit manchesterairport.co.uk or follow @manairport on Twitter.

Asia Hong Kong Phuket (starts winter 2016) Singapore Beijing (starts June 2016)

Misc Mauritius (starts winter 2016) For a full list of direct flights please visit manchesterairport.co.uk

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

MARKETING MANCHESTER TRAVEL TRADE SUPPORT Whether you are planning individual or group travel programmes, ensure that Marketing Manchester is your first point of contact for free, professional and practical advice. We have a dedicated team who can provide information and assistance on: • Itinerary planning • Destination information and collateral • Images • Familiarisation visits • Conference and incentive product For new developments, news and up to date information, sign up for our quarterly Manchester travel trade e-newsletter by sending your details to: traveltrade@marketing-manchester.co.uk You can meet the Marketing Manchester team at a number of events throughout the year including: ExploreGB, World Travel Market, Destination Britain North America, Destination Britain APMEA, VisitBritain China Sales Mission, USTOA Annual Conference, IMEX America, IMEX Frankfurt.

Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions (MICE)

Please feel free to contact our travel trade team for any advice or assistance. UK & Groups: Prakash Chohan prakash.chohan@marketingmanchester.com +44(0)161 238 4573 International: Tim Manley Katherine Mclnnes Emma Gordon traveltrade@marketing-manchester.co.uk +44(0)161 238 4502

Useful Websites

Travel Trade E-newsletter

Meet the Team

Groups & Travel trade information: visitmanchester.com/traveltrade Visitor information: visitmanchester.com +44(0)871 222 8223 touristinformation@visitmanchester.com Twitter: @visit_mcr

Ground Handlers Below are some of the largest and longest established wholesale tour operators specialising in bringing visitors to the UK. As well as offering full travel packages, they can provide assistance with ground arrangements such as accommodation booking and transfers, along with other destination management services.

part of MGC

Manchester has a proven track record of hosting world-class events and is firmly established on the worldwide convention and events stage as a leading destination. Marketing Manchester provides a variety of complimentary services to assist you in event planning including: • Venue location service • Accommodation booking service • Production of bid documentation and support • Organisation of site visits • Social and partner programme planning • Advice on civic funding • Conference marketing support • Local expertise and industry knowledge • Team members with European language skills • A dedicated professional to assist you from conception to completion Contact the team on +44(0)161 238 4597, by email conference@visitmanchester.com or go to visitmanchester.com/conference or follow us on Twitter: @mcr_conf to find out how the team can make your event a success.

Inbound Operator

Telephone

Website

Inbound Operator

AC Tours

+44 (0)20 7737 3414

actours.co.uk

Angela Shanley Associates

+44 (0)20 7387 8812

asalondon.co.uk

Great Days +44 (0)161 928 3432 (Manchester based) GTA/Kuoni

+44 (0)20 7716 2400

gta-travel.com

Asia Europe TCI

+44 (0)20 3006 5309

asiaeuropetci.com

Hospitality Line

+44 (0)20 8289 9595

hospitalityline.co.uk

China Europe Travel Ltd

+44 (0)18 9587 6178

ecconnect.co.uk

JAC Travel

+44 (0)20 8563 7878

jactravel.co.uk

MIKI Travel

+44 (0)20 7507 5000

miki.co.uk

China Holidays

+44 (0)20 7487 2999

chinaholidays.co.uk

Miramar Travel

+44 (0)20 7851 1599

miramartravel.hk

CHR Travel

+44 (0)12 7987 4272

chrtravel.com

Omega Tours Ltd

+44 (0)16 1228 7366

uk.omegatravel.net

Cox and Kings

+44 (0)20 3773 7856

coxandkings.co.uk

Premium Tours

+44 (0)20 7713 1311

premiumtours.co.uk

Europe Incoming

+44 (0)20 8994 5001

europeincoming.com

Saltours

+44 (0)20 7724 7711

saltours.com

European Travel Service

+44 (0)20 7730 7182

etsuk.com

Scancoming

+44 (0)20 7935 0101

scancoming.com

Evan Evans Tours

+44 (0)20 7950 1777

evanevanstours.co.uk

Select Travel

+44 (0)14 8045 5850

selecttravel.com

Glamorous Travel +44 (0)33 3011 2676 (Manchester based)

glamorous-travel.com

Golden Tours

+44 (0)20 7630 2028

goldentours.com

Telephone

Sovereign Tourism +44 (0)20 7491 2323

Website greatdays.co.uk

sovereigntourism.com

Trafalgar

+44 (0)800 533 5619

trafalgar.com/uk

Travco

+44 (0)20 7739 3333

travco.co.uk

Travel Agenda

+44 (0)20 7607 8282

travel-agenda.com

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

COACH PARKING Manchester provides on-street short stay parking for coaches wanting to drop off or pick up visitors close to a number of city centre attractions and venues. (Sept 2015)

There are also some medium coach stands where coaches can park for longer periods, as well as designated coach parks that offer longer, overnight and weekend coach parking to visitors who pre-book in advance of their arrival.

This list was correct at the time of going to print and can be subject to change. Please contact Manchester Visitor Information Centre Supported by by calling +44 (0) 871 222 8223 (calls charged at 10p per minute) for advice on coach parking.

Short stay drop-off bays (max. 20 minutes) 1

Chorlton Street

2 bays

Liverpool Road

2 bays

Oxford Street

2 bays

Byrom Street

2 bays

Charles Street

2 bays*

Cheetham Hill Road

9 bays

Great Bridgewater Street

1 bay

Great Ducie Street

3 bays**

Miller Street

9 bays

10 Store Street

4 bays

Medium stay coach stands (max. 4 hours)

Long Stay & Overnight (Pre-booking essential) 11 Etihad Stadium (Sportcity) Pre-book by calling +44 (0)161 227 3151 (£40 per 24 hours) 12 Owen Street Euro Tel: +44 (0)161 832 9777 13 IWM North (The Quays) ANPR System in place Enquiries – please call +44 (0)161 836 4000 (£10 per 8 - 10 hours / £15 per 24 hours)

Old Granada a Studios

Albert Hall

* Dual use coach bays may be used by buses and goods delivery vehicles ** Only between 7pm & midnight

approx. 25-40 minutes by bus from Piccadilly Gardens

Mersey Ferry docking point

Emirates Old Trafford

To The Quays, Chorlton, MediaCityUK, Altrincham, Eccles, East Didsbury & Manchester Airport approx. 15, 16, 20, 28, 30, 32 & 50 minutes by Metrolink from Manchester city centre.

HOME

To MMU Birley, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care (Princess Road, A5103)

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

To Heaton Park, Bury, Oldham & Rochdale approx. 10, 23, 24 & 48 minutes by Metrolink from Victoria

Etihad Campus

6 Etihad Stadium

MANCHESTER’S DISTRICTS

ANGEL SQUARE

Central Retail District Featuring the biggest names in fashion including high street favourites.

Piccadilly The main gateway into Manchester with Piccadilly train station and Piccadilly Gardens.

Centre for o Chinese p Contemporary Art

Manchester Craft & Design Centre

Exchange Square

Corridor Manchester Home to the city’s two universities, a host of cultural attractions and nightlife.

E h Exchange SSq. tto St St P Peter’s t ’ Sq. S opening 2017

Northern Quarter Manchester’s creative urban heart with independent fashion stores, record shops and cafés. Spinningfields A district of offices and high-end shopping and some of the city’s best restaurants and bars.

Urban Exchange

First Street Manchester’s cultural and office district featuring the new multi arts centre HOME and the UK’s first Melia INNSIDE hotel.

10 To Etihad Campus (approx 1/2 mile), Droylsden & Ashton approx. 8 & 20 minutes by Metrolink from Piccadilly Station

h,,

1 Angel n u Square

(trams a running through but not stopping until Summer 2016) to

7 3

Castlefield The place to escape from the hustle of city life. A residential neighbourhood with waterside restaurants, pubs and bars. Chinatown Made up of oriental businesses including Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Korean restaurants. NOMA A neighbourhood of offices, homes, public spaces, shops and restaurants. Petersfield Manchester Central Convention Complex, The Bridgewater Hall and Great Northern. The Gay Village Unique atmosphere with restaurants, bars and clubs around vibrant Canal Street.

Civic Quarter Home to iconic listed buildings such as the Town Hall and Central Library. Medieval Quarter An area rich in culture and history. It is the home of some of the city’s oldest buildings.

All All Saints Saints Business Business School School && Student Student Hub Hub

The Deaf Institute

St. John’s A new unique residential neighbourhood, a community of creativity and innovation. 48

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

GETTING TO AND AROUND MANCHESTER Manchester is one of the most accessible cities in the UK thanks to its location and level of connectivity with national transport infrastructure. Once your group has arrived in the city, getting around couldn’t be easier thanks to a fleet of buses, trains and trams.

TRAVELLING TO MANCHESTER

GETTING AROUND MANCHESTER

By Air

By Metrolink

There are flights to Manchester Airport from over 210 destinations worldwide where on arrival you can choose the train, Metrolink or taxi to transport you to the city centre. Visit manchesterairport.co.uk / @manairport

By Train Manchester is well connected by train with direct services running between London and Manchester every 20 minutes, and frequent services from many other major UK towns and cities. Visit nationalrail.co.uk / @nationalrailcom or phone +44(0)8457 48 49 50 to find train times. There are four main stations in the city centre: Piccadilly, Oxford Road, Victoria and Deansgate. Piccadilly welcomes the majority of visitors and is the main arrival point for those flying into Manchester Airport or travelling up from London.

By Coach National Express provides services from all over the country into Chorlton Street Coach Station in the heart of the city. nationalexpress.co.uk / @nationalexpress

By Road Manchester is well connected to the rest of the UK via excellent motorway links. The M60 ring road connects the city to motorways north, south, east and west. In the city, NCP has over 13,000 car parking spaces across 43 sites, including a number of exclusive parent and child bays and green bays for vehicles with low emissions. Parking with NCP in the city centre starts from just £1.60 an hour. ncp.co.uk / @ncpcarparks

Metrolink is Greater Manchester’s tram system offering easy travel into the city centre. Trams run frequently and so you don’t need a timetable, just turn up and travel anytime from early morning until late in the evening. With services every six to twelve minutes, it is great mode of transport to get you right across the city. Tickets should be purchased from the machines on the platform before boarding. metrolink.co.uk / @MCRMetrolink The Metrolink network is developing and expanding, and a new line through the centre of Manchester is currently under construction and due to open in 2017. For information on network changes visit transformationinformation.co.uk

By Bus Manchester is at the heart of the region’s bus services providing an effective means of getting to the heart of the city. For bus service and timetable information visit tfgm.com / @OfficialTfGM

By Metroshuttle Metroshuttle is a free bus service linking the main transport hubs to the shops, restaurants and businesses in the city centre. There are three routes to choose from making it an ideal way to get about. There’s no need to purchase a ticket, simply hop on and off as convenient. For the latest route information check before you travel by visiting tfgm.com/metroshuttle to find out more.

By Bike If you have a bike, cycling is a low cost and healthy way to travel. Transport for Greater Manchester can help you plan your route, including options using cycle lanes and quieter roads. Visit tfgm.com/cycling to start planning your route.

By Foot Manchester city centre is easy to get around on foot – you can cross from one side to the other in 20 minutes

MORE INFORMATION Transport for Greater Manchester can help you plan your journey online but also provide you with up-to-date travel information about local public transport and ticketing. Visit tfgm.com / @OfficialTfGM or phone Traveline +44 (0)871 200 22 33

visitmanchester.com/traveltrade

Book in advance and SAVE

30%

Relax and let us take care of your group visit! We’re the UK’s NUMBER ONE zoo with more than 12,000 AMAZING animals and 125 acres of award winning gardens to explore. We’re only 40 minutes away from Manchester city centre with free all day coach parking on site. Group booking is EASY and bursting with benefits – you just need 15 or more people! We’re open all year round - don’t miss out on a great day out! Telephone 0870 720 1507 or email

groups@chesterzoo.org

www.chesterzoo.org/groups Registered charity no. 306077

Group time? Great time Our UK-based Group Gurus give that personal touch to make your trip just right. Whether you want the fastest route, the best deal, a carriage or even a train of your very own, they know how. Let our team take care of it. Ride on. Call 03331 030 909 or visit virgintrains.co.uk/grouptravel