Your FREE guide to Manchester www.unlockmanchester.com
SPRING/SUMMER EVENTS 2018
Welcome to Manchester An introduction to our guide and the city of Manchester
The Manchester Arndale Discover what’s new in the shopping centre and Cathedral St
We Explore Ramsbottom Helen Nugent takes us on a tour of this idyllic Lancashire town
What’s on? Spring and summer highlights coming to Greater Manchester
Free Buses and the Trams Get about the city with these great hop-on hop-off services
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Welcome
Summer in the City - it’s going to fun packed! Welcome to our spring/summer guide to unlocking all that Manchester has to offer, whether you are resident or a visitor to our city, there is a lot to do. Hopefully, the sun will continue to shine on our fair city and this will encourage you to get out and sample some of the interesting and exciting events are ready to be explored. This season is jam packed with festivals celebrating food & drink and live music. June sees the Manchester Jazz Festival filling the streets with live stages and some amazing music all centred around Alberts Square. Or get your rubber boots ready for one the summers highlights Parklife, held in Heaton Park. This enormous festival attracts international stars and visitors from across the UK. There are several family focused events to choose from too, such as the Geronimo Festival at Ardley Hall, the Manchester Thai Festival or discover the new Envirolution Festival both of which are held on Platt Fields. Visit the MCM Comic Con at Manchester Central or try the new Harry Potter fan convention at The Printworks. Of course this is great time to simply sit outside and watch the world pass by. Castlefield has several good alfresco restaurants with attractive views of the canal. Try Alberts Shed for fine dining or The Wharf for some smashing pub grub.
Round the corner is the White Lion, on Liverpool Road, renown for good food and almost next door is Cask, a Belgium beer bar, although its not so much outdoors‌ We recently tried the water taxi service WAXI from Castlefield down to the The Bridge in Sale. It was a pleasant trip to get to this pub whose menu offers great roasts and alfresco sunny weather choices. Finally, Canal Street, city centre, gets sun all day and is a very relaxed space to enjoy a cool drink by the canal side. So grab this guide and use it to pack 3 your summer full of exciting dates! Nick Coulthurst - Editor Pocket Guide No.7 May 2018 unlockmanchester.com
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Manchester Arndale
One of Manchester’s major visitor attractions with something for everyone!
The Manchester Arndale sits in the heart of Manchester city centre and is the largest inner-city shopping centre in the 4 UK, attracting a whopping 40 million shoppers each year. You’ll only need to spend five minutes in there to understand why it’s so popular. Featuring over 200 retailers and, with fashion and beauty stores making up over half of it - a fashion lover’s dream! The Manchester Arndale has several flagship stores, including the largest Next in the UK and Ireland, the UK’s second largest Topshop / Topman, and concept stores from JD Sports and Superdry. It’s not all about fashion and beauty though, there’s also a range of big international brands such as Apple, Nespresso, Disney, LEGO and the specialist chocolateries Lindt, all designed to expand your shopping experience. It’s been a busy few months at the shopping centre, with a whole host of new additions for 2018.
There’s something for everyone among the new stores, whether you’re after comfy loungewear from Victoria’s Secret PINK, or fancy taking a pit-stop for pizza and prosecco at Gino D’Acampo’s new bar & restaurant. Next has seen a complete revamp over the last year, creating a brandnew department store with a range of concessions including Paperchase, Sergeant Caesar Barber Shop, and Blossom Flowers. Plus celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo opened Gino D’Acampo - My Pizza & Prosecco Bar inside the refurbished flagship store.
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His huge 200-seater venue is based on the top floor of Next, with floor to ceiling windows looking out over Exchange Square, Cathedral Gardens and the Corn Exchange. A 23-metre island bar takes centre stage in the space, serving more than 30 types of prosecco, franciacorta and other Italian wines, all by the glass, along with Italian cocktails, bottled beers and Neapolitan coffee. The restaurant also features a games area with two pool tables and a selfie mirror, as well as work stations with free wifi as part of its all-day offer.
A new deli ‘My Grocery Store’ is located just by the main entrance, where you can pick up pasta, panettone and other Italian treats for that lunchtime snack or to take home, as well as wide selection of cookbooks.
picture: Hallé Place Artists Impression, Manchester Arndale
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Situated in Next’s lower ground floor, Emily’s Paint a Pot is the ultimate familyfriendly experience. Here you can choose from more than 200 different pot styles, from original seasonal decorations to classic cups and an array of colourful paints to personalise their designs. For those wanting a more classic keepsake, Emily’s also offers 3D lifecasting and clay imprints. Emily decorates every piece to your liking. Visitors can explore their inner Angel in the new Victoria’s Secret and Victoria’s Secret PINK stores on the upper mall - a must-shop destination for pretty bras, pants, swimwear and loungewear. Australian brand ‘Colette’ launched its second UK store in the Arndale and it offers customers wall-to-wall handbags and accessories.
This clever retailer has just introduced its one-of-a-kind ‘Switch and Swap’ handbag, which comes with three ‘skins’, each one in a different print or colour. Perfect for multiple nights out! JD opened its brand-new flagship store last November and it’s huge! The self-proclaimed ‘undisputed king of trainers’, their new store offers hundreds of exclusive styles from all your favourite brands. Swedish fashion brand ‘Monki’ is set to unveil its first store, North of England, in the Manchester Arndale this Spring. This major international brand opened its first store on Carnaby St, London. Manchester is its fifth UK branch following successes in London, Bristol and Glasgow. above: Exchange Court Manchester Arndale, Exchange Square
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Looking for something different? The Manchester Arndale offers shoppers a range of specialist and independent retailers and you’ll find many of them located on the upper mall (close to Argos). If you’re after a standout fancy dress outfit, head to Hidden Corner, Luvyababes or Duty Free. The malls are full of shoppers queuing to get into these stores at Halloween! Kim-Creative and Decent Cut will work wonders on your hair if you fancy a change, and if you’re in need of something sweet to break up the shopping treat head to Mooboo for a Bubble Tea or one of their famous Bubble Waffles! Try the Arndale Market where a wealth of traders and specialists offer everything from clothing alterations to mobile phones and many world cuisines cafés. Hallé Place - A new vision Hallé Place is the Arndale’s latest development, an £11million project, and here they are creating a brand-new all-day casual dining quarter, including a huge 1,300 square foot prosecco bar! It is scheduled to open towards the end of 2018 and will be home to 10 new restaurants. Each will offer ‘al fresco’ style seating in the mall area, encircling a suspended public art centrepiece in the open, doubleheight atrium area. The FIZZ! Bar by Frizzenti, styled on Italian screen siren Sophia Loren and the island of Capri, is the first of three new outlets confirmed to open in Hallé Place. It will be joined by Tapas Revolution, the tapas restaurant group founded by Spanish TV chef Omar Allibhoy, and Barburrito.
Explore New Cathederal Street When visiting Manchester Arndale, a trip across the road to New Cathedral Street is a definite must. The ultimate luxury shopping experience, New Cathedral Street is packed with style and is the perfect choice for shoppers looking to treat someone special, or themselves! Take time to explore stores such as Harvey Nichols, Reiss, Ted Baker, Burberry, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors and the newly opened Paul Smith. This pedestrian focused street is easily accessible from the Manchester Arndales Exchange Square entrance and it will lead you back into the citys main shopping district on Market Street. Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre Market Street, Manchester M4 1AZ manchesterarndale.com twitter: @manarndale Opening Times Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 8:00pm Saturday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Sunday 11:30 to 5.30pm Bank Holidays 10:00am to 6:00pm
picture: New Cathederal Street Manchester Arndale
If you go down to the Four Heatons this July, you’ll be in for a big surprise because the successful Heatons Arts Trail returns. On the weekend of 7th-8th July the four boroughs of Heaton Chapel, Heaton Mersey, Heaton Moor and Heaton Norris will be transformed into a living, breathing gallery space. Six years ago, a few local artists met in The Elizabeth pub and decided that, instead of having their own open studio events, they would put it all together and the Arts Trail was born. In 2017, the event celebrated its fifth birthday with over 30 artists, a mix of local and further afield, who took over studios, private gardens, cafes, business windows and even living rooms to showcase their talent.
And in 2018 they return ready to surpass last year’s event and the festval venue map soon to be published at heatonartstrail.com There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with workshops, book early, and who knows you could awaken that artistic spirit and be exhibiting in the 2019 festival. Keep up to date with all Heatons Art Trail News on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Heaton Arts Trail 7th - 8th July 2018 heatonartstrail.com twitter: @heatonartstrail
Manchester’s Stoller Hall is located in the heart of the city’s Medieval Quarter, only metres from Victoria Station. The Hall first opened its doors to the public in April 2017, and since then has welcomed thousands of visitors to enjoy a year-round programme of concerts and events in the beautiful setting of its RIBA award-winning auditorium. With cutting-edge acoustic design, the venue is suitable for a wide variety of music, from Scandi-pop and prog rock to recitals and chamber music. Recently, audiences have been treated to performances by acts such as folk legends Martin and Eliza Carthy, BRITAward winning songwriter Beverley Craven, Van der Graaf Generator’s Peter Hammill and rising star of Norwegian electronica Susanne Sundfør.
The Hall regularly showcases some of the region’s leading orchestras, including Manchester Camerata, whose next concert Vivaldi Rocks combines Baroque concertos with arrangements of music by Muse and Metallica (Thu 31 May). Also featured are some of the UK’s leading chamber music ensembles, including the Castalian Quartet who next perform on Tuesday 22 May. For the youngest of music-lovers, the Hall stages fun and accessibly-priced family and school shows designed to introduce children to music.
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After the musical adventures of Wally the Alien in February, future instalments in the series include The Musical Menagerie (Sat 12 May) and Sports Day! (Sat 14 Jul). If you have some spare time on a weekday afternoon, you can visit to hear a free lunchtime concert, Monday to Friday from 1.30pm, performed by the outstanding young musicians of Chetham’s School of Music. These are held in the Carole Nash Hall, a smaller recital room neighbouring The Stoller Hall.
The Stoller Hall Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1DA stollerhall.com twitter: @stollerhall instagram: @stollerhall picture: a Pianist in The Stoller Hall (c) Sara Porter
Ramsbottom
Helen Nugent takes our hand to explore this idyllic Lancashire town It’s probably not good enough to say that Rammy (as the locals would have it) is “dead good”. I mean, it is. It’s proper good. But loads of people think that about the place they live in. Why should you listen to me? Well, there’s the fact that I moved here by mistake. After nearly 15 years, I was desperate to leave London. I’d lost touch with my Northern roots (born in Bury, brought up in Whitefield, educated in Newcastle) but in the intervening years 16 my parents had moved, respectively, to North Bury and Helmshore. When I returned home, I had no idea where I’d be working but I figured I needed to be near the M62. That way I could reach Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds relatively easily. And so, while I sat unhappily in a London newspaper office, my thoughts drifted to Ramsbottom, a small market down perched on the cusp of the makeyuppy metropolitan county of Greater Manchester and the centuries-old Lancashire. I knew nothing about the place, save a vague recollection of a family member’s birthday meal at an Italian restaurant in the town some years previously. It’s now seven years since I moved to this Lancashire idyll. And here’s my recommended Rammy top 12.
Best View – Peel Tower & Holcombe Hill Ah, Holcombe Hill and Peel Tower. Anyone who lives vaguely near Ramsbottom knows this monument – it sits proudly on the edge of the local hill (think mountain if you take the ‘hard’ route towards the peak and are vaguely unfit). The obelisk was built in 1852 to commemorate Bury’s most famous son, Sir Robert Peel, Prime Minister in the mid-19th century and founder of the modern police force (he gave his name to ‘peelers’ and ‘bobbies’). The story goes that after a substantial sum was raised to erect a stature of Sir Robert in Bury town centre (still very much in evidence outside Bury Parish Church although thankfully the men’s toilets have been filled in so Sir Robert no longer points to the entrance), a few hundred pounds was left over. Hence Peel Tower. Every so often local charities take over the tower and charge super-low sums to climb to the top. But if the tower is closed, it’s still worth the hike – the views are magnificent.
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picture: Peel Tower, Holcombe Hill (c) Northern Soul
Best Architecture The Fallen Urn / The Tilted Vase Come on now, how many small Northern towns have a magnificent modern art object of loveliness slap-bang in the centre of things? Ramsbottom does, and it’s quite the eye-catcher. Unveiled in Market Place in 1998, the bronze centrepiece was the result of a £250,000 National Lottery grant. Designed by the acclaimed sculptor Edward Allington to symbolise Ramsbottom’s historical association with water (the town sits on the River Irwell) and its industrial heritage, this is an outstanding addition to Rammy. What town other than a totally brilliant one says, I know, let’s commission a huge urn to celebrate our history? As Keats so rightly said, “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.” Corner of: Ramsbottom Lane and Carr Street 18 Best Shop - Memories Antiques Oh my lord but here’s a gem. So good it’s a regular stop-off for the boffins from TV’s Antiques Road Trip, Memories Antiques is a veritable treasure trove. Yes, Alan Titchmarsh’s book Nobbut A Lad regularly graces the window, but don’t let that put you off. If you’re prepared to spend some considerable time wading through two floors’ worth of vintage and antiquey goodness, you’ll be rewarded. Yes, there’s a fair amount of tat but that’s in the minority. My god, but I love this place. I still regret not snapping up that Victorian page turner. 37 Bridge Street Ramsbottom BL0 9AD memories-antiques.co.uk
Best Theatre - Theatre Royal In a world beset with savage cuts to the arts and an unjustifiable chasm between culture funding in the South (for that, read London) and the North, just keeping theatre doors open is an achievement. Thankfully the Summerseat Players manage to do just that from their base at Ramsbottom’s Theatre Royal. Now in their 49th season, they’ve even managed to refurbish their building (a recent £400,000 project comprising fundraising, loans and Arts Council funding). Well done that company. Smithy Street, Ramsbottom BL0 9AT summerseatplayers.co.uk @rammytheatre Best Restaurant – Baratxuri As someone who lived in that there London for 14 years and, as a journalist, lived way beyond her culinary means thanks to inordinate amounts of corporate hospitality (I’ll never forget the time Gordon Ramsay winked at me), discovering that Rammy’s Baratxuri served THE BEST FOOD EVER was a welcome surprise. Holy moly but this Basque Pintxo bar and (new) dining room is at the top of its game. Sister restaurant to Levanter (just round the corner and a favourite of food critic Jay Rayner), I’m lost for words to describe the perfectly-formed dishes, exemplary service and, considering the quality on offer here the very affordable menu. 1 Smithy Street, Ramsbottom BL0 9AT levanterfinefoods.co.uk @levanterfoods
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picture: The Tilted Vase (c) Northern Soul
Best Market Farmers’ Food and Craft Market I’m salivating just thinking about Ramsbottom’s monthly market. Clustered around the town’s Fallen Urn and crammed into the Civic Hall, the commonly-known Farmers’ Market is a Sunday joy. The aroma of bacon butties, sausage sandwiches and veggie wraps drift around the town centre, a culinary come hither for anyone in the vicinity. But there’s a lot more to it than that. Think delectable cheese, organic vegetables, artisan choccies, Italian deli delicacies, French breads, Caribbean cuisine, Indian dishes and so much more.
There’s also a wealth of photography, craft beauties, handmade cards, vintage furniture and, and oh I could go on and on... held on the second sunday of each from 9.30am to 2.30pm ramsbottommarkets.co.uk
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picture: Market Stall (c) Levanter Fine Foods
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Best Café - Room 54 Want to go to a place where everybody knows your name and serves really good value fry-ups? Look no further. From the outside, Room 54 is an unassuming wee cafe, jostling for position with flashier, bigger eateries. But a recent refurb and a long-standing commitment to proper food at proper prices means that it’s my first choice for that hangover brekkie and lunch. There’s nothing fancy here, thank god, but, judging by the owner’s chats with customers, it’s clearly a local favourite. There’s the additional bonus of veggie options, not always a given in the North of England. 54 Bridge Street Ramsbottom BL0 9AQ room54rammy.co.uk
Best Coffee - Grind & Tamp and Drinc 21 Until recently (last year), Ramsbottom was a bit rubbish when it came to proper coffee. While I’ve no desire to see my town become a mini-Northern Quarter enclave, there’s a lot to be said for quaffable coffee. And now there are at least two places dedicated to the wondrousness of the coffee bean. Both Grind & Tamp and DRINC are located in th etown centre on Bridge Street only a stones throw from the Tilted Urn. Grind & Tamp 45 Bridge Street Ramsbottom BL0 9AD grindandtampcoffee.co.uk DRINC 9 Bridge St, Ramsbottom BL0 9AB
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Best Festival - Head for the Hills Festival Northern Soul has been in attendance for the Ramsbottom Festival since year zero. That’s getting on for seven years, and it’s still our favourite time of year. Rammy Fest (as the locals call it) is quite simply the loveliest, bestest festival ever. As a Green Man and Latitude veteran, I know the gorgeousness of well-run, family-friendly events but there’s summat about this festival that gives me a sense of enormous well-being. Whether it’s the stellar line-up of acts across three days, the plethora of enticing food stalls, the affordable ticket prices or the family-friendly activities, Rammy Fest has it all. Previous headliners include Sinéad O’Connor, Julian Cope, The Magic Numbers and Fun Lovin’ Criminals, but it’s often the smaller bands that strike a chord.
That’s the unique appeal of this festival: it’s a smorgasbord of international, national and local talent. 14th - 18th September 2018 headforthehills.org.uk @head4hillsfest Ramsbottom Cricket Ground Acre Bottom Bl0 0BS (Previously The Ramsbottom Festival)
above: Signs at Head for the Hills (c) Head for the Hills
The Bees of Greater Manchester
QUEST By Philip Butler
SCAN ME
Bee Quest contains nearly 200 photographs documenting over 120 different bees throughout Greater Manchester; from bee hives on the Cathedral roof and Coats of Arms on historic buildings through to street art and tattoos. Bee Quest only costs £6.99 and ALL the profits go to the Manchester Memorial Fund founded by The Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Charity Appeal Trust to create a permanent memorial for the Attack on 22 May 2017 at Manchester Arena Where 22 Innocent Victims Lost Their Lives. do your part and buy a copy of Bee quest which is available online at www.beequest.co.uk or from the NQ Gallery (2nd floor of Afflecks Palace) and Waterstones Book Store.
#MCRbeeQuest
@MCRbeeQuest
@MCRbeeQuest
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Best Park – Nuttall Park And relax. Nuttall Park – or as I’ve now come to call it thanks to my five-yearold niece, Nutty Park – is a ‘and breathe’ sojourn out of a busy day. With a top-notch children’s play area (with plans to expand), tennis courts, a bowling green, and a café, not to mention the endeavours of Ramsbottom’s Incredible Edible and multiple events throughout the year, this green space is a much-loved destination. What better thing to say about a park than it’s a place you want to visit again and again? Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9LU
Best Day Out – East Lancashire Railway Heritage railways have become a bit of a thing in recent years. But the East Lancs Railway punches above its weight both in terms of visitor numbers and publicity. Running between Bury and Rawtenstall with an average one-way journey length of 45 minutes, we’re not talking the Trans-Siberian Railway here. But there is charm aplenty and a wealth of activities including themed weekend events, evening dinners and Santa Specials (always a sell-out). I live halfway up a local hill but the ‘choo-choo’ of the steam trains are audible in my back garden – and very welcome too. And the East Lancs Railway was host to the iconic Flying Scotsman back in January 2016, its first journey on the rails in a decade.
Best Historical Story – Charles Dickens and The Grant Brothers The Christmas Markets in Ramsbottom are something to be seen. You’re guaranteed oodles of festive fun throughout December and, in some years, 25 there’s a Dickensian slant. There’s a reason for this: the Grant brothers. Originally from Scotland, the Grant family journeyed south in the 18th century in order to find employment in the cotton mills of Lancashire. Eventually the surviving siblings (William and Daniel) built up a successful textile business. Today their name lives on in the Grant Arms and in other local monuments. The story goes that Dickens used them as the model for the kind-hearted Cheeryble Brothers in Nicholas Nickleby. It’s certainly true that the Grants were regarded as caring and generous employers. picture: The Flying Scotsman (c) East Lancashire Railway eastlancsrailway.org.uk
The Proper Northern Food and Drink festival will launch in the heart of Ramsbottom held on the 29th September 2018. Set to become a regular fixture on the Northern calendar, this ‘Proper Northern’ day will be dedicated to fantastic makers and suppliers of quality, artisan and organic food alongside great beer, liqueurs and sprits hand-crafted in the North. Also on the taste agenda is a fabulous selection of wines including some from biodynamic producers, all of which are available from local independent merchants. The suppliers and exhibitors have been carefully selected to bring you the best food and drink experience possible, alongside exciting masterclasses and the chance to try before you buy, so you can experience the true flavour. We will bring the best of what the region has to offer under one roof in a relaxed and friendly environment. We are ‘Proper Northern’ and proud of it. The Proper Northern Food and Drink Festival is brought to you by Janet Harrison who runs Manchester-based Cracking Wine and Helen Nugent, the woman behind Northern Soul.
Northern Soul is a webzine written in the North of England by Northern writers which celebrates culture, food, drink and enterprise. We are a friendly pair who share a passion for discovering the very best of what the North has to offer and showcasing talent to those who care about their region and what they eat and drink. This will be the inaugural festival in Ramsbottom, a Lancashire market town which celebrates its cultural and food heritage in an understated and brilliant way. Nestled in the foothills of the West Pennines, Ramsbottom is full to the brim of celebrated restaurants, independent shops, great people and there’s even a huge urn. You’ll experience lots of Proper Northern goodness here! Tickets are £20 and will be available in June 2018. Festival Highlights Include • A fabulous range of amazing produce, and a chance to meet those who make it • Ticketed sessions (12-3pm or 4pm-7pm) • Limited admission numbers • masterclasses with local food and drink heroes • Free samples of all food and drink on offer – so a chance to try before you buy • A local delivery service for a modest fee • Free carrier bag – not plastic of course • Exclusive offers and discounts from the lovely producers • Prize draws and competitions • Awards for ‘Best Food’ and ‘Best Drink’ Tickets and more information crackingwine.co.uk/propernorthern The Civic Hall, Market Pl, Ramsbottom BL0 9AJ
“La Viña - passionate about our home-cooked Spanish cuisine, prepared by our team of experienced chefs from across Spain”
Whether you are looking for a quick drink and a bite to eat before you hit the town, want a leisurely drink in the bar, or are celebrating a special occasion and are looking for the perfect place, La Viña is a unique and ideal choice. The carefully selected drinks menu include an extensive range of Spanish Wines, Sherries and Cavas, all to perfectly compliment your meal. Situated in the heart of Deansgate this fantastic restaurant is just 2 minutes’ walk from the city centre, its theatres and bars. 105/107 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BQ tel: 0161 835 3144 | web: lavina.co.uk open daily from 11am until 10.30pm
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SPRING/SUMMER EVENTS 2018
(c) ParkLife Festival
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Ok so lets say that summer is fast approaching, its half way through spring when I’m writing this, and the weather has been, well mehe… That said Manchester has once again pulled out all the stops offering you events, festivals and activities to keep you and your family busy for the whole of the summer and beyond. Reviewing the theatre productions its going to be a summer of Musicial madness! Just look at the listings, Grease, Fame, An Officer and A Gentlemen and even a reprisal of the ever popular Singin’ in the Rain, is your brolly and dance routine ready? There is plenty for the drama enthusiast, such as A Taste of Honey or Agatha Christies, Love From a Stranger and for laughs get tickets for Count Arthur Strong ‘One-man’ show at the Stockport Plaza. There is a huge choice of Festivals 31 to attend and some highlights include Parklife at Heaton Park, Bluedot at Jodrell Bank or hit the Manchester streets for the amazing Manchester Jazz Festival. Get those taste buds ready for the summers foodie events, such as the kid friendly Thai Festival at Platt Fields, Bolton’s Food & Drink festival is worth the trip, just for the cooking demonstrations; whereas the CAMRA Beer Festival is a must to discover new tipples. There’s some really interesting exhibitions happening too, such as the Heaton Arts Trail, in Stockport and Stanley Chow at the Football Museum. The Great City Games returns to Deansgate, join the fund raisers at the race for Life 5K, or maybe learn to climb at the Manchester Climbing Centre. So take our highlight guide with you, it should help you plan your summer.
MANCHESTER FESTIVALS
Manchester Day Parade
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Summer really does herald the return of the outdoor event and there some great kid friendly events on the calendar. We are very lucky that many large parks are within walking distance of the city centre and other major outdoor spaces are easily reachable by public transport, even encumbered with bags of picnics. For the kids we can recommend the Gernimo Festival, The Manchester Thai Festival, Manchester Day or a summer long of events at the East Lancashire Railway, in Bury. They are all an explosion of entrainment, colour and flavour whereas the Harry Potter Indie Con, at The Printworks, should be a real treat. Even if you’re avoiding the sun, fingers crossed it shines, then check out the vast month long Manchester Fringe Festival or the Game of Thrones Convention, at The Printworks.
1940s Weekend East Lancashire Railway, Bury 26th - 28th May 2018 Dig out that polka dot dress, wax that moustache and put on your dancing shoes for a weekend of all singing, all dancing, all action fun!
eastlancsrailway.org.uk @eastlancsrly
Geronimo Festival Arley Hall, Northwich CW9 6NA 25th - 28th May 2018 Family orientated fun as the stars of kids TV gather under (fingers crossed) sunny skies to entertain the little ones
geronimofest.comgeronimo-arley @geronimofest_uk
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Envirolution Festival
Manchester Thai Festival
Platt Fields Park, Manchester M14 6LA 2nd June 2018 Envirolution is a community-minded, free, family-friendly festival running in Platt Fields each year, full of sustainability-themed workshops, amazing live music, discussions and games to get stuck into
Platt Fields Park, Manchester M14 6LA
twitter.comenvirolution @envirolution
30th June - 1st July 2018 Treat yourself to a weekend wonder and bring along your families and friends to feel a touch of Thai culture, where you can challenge your taste buds and feast your eyes on world class food and performances. Unwind with a traditional Thai massage and don’t miss the unique eating competition or Muay Thai boxing 1magicofthailand.co.uk
Thronescon
Summer Diesel Spectacular
The Printworks, 27 Whity Grove M4 2BS 3rd June 2018
East Lancashire Railway, Bury 6th - 8th July 2018
Join Game of Thrones fans from around the UK as we gather at The Printworks to celebrate our love for GAME OF THRONES
Featuring an intensive, all diesel timetable running locomotives from the ELR home fleet and special visiting engines from fellow heritage railways. Take a ride on your favourite locomotive, take that perfect photograph, browse stalls chock full of memorabilia
theprintworks.comevents @the_printworks
Manchester Day
eastlancsrailway.org.uk @eastlancsrly
DiagCon - Indie Harry Potter Convention 33
Across Greater Manchester
The Printworks, 27 Whity Grove M4 2BS
17th June 2018 It is a day for families, residents and visitors to get together and celebrate all things Mancunian. With an amazing parade through the heart of the city with city centre squares packed with dazzling array of performances, decorations and mouth watering food and drink manchesterday.co.uk @ManCityCouncil
21st - 22nd July 2018 Join Harry Potter fans from around the UK as we gather here at The Printworks on 21 and 22 July 2018 for a celebration of ‘The Boy Who Lived’
theprintworks.comevents @the_printworks
Gobefest
Greater Manchester Fringe Festival
Albert Square, Manchester
Venues Across Greater Manchester 1st - 31st July 2018
22nd - 24th June 2018 Acts from across the Hungarian diaspora will perform at the free festival, which will also host a bustling Transylvanian Hungarian market. The square will be packed with stalls selling Hungarian and Romanian food, craft beers, local wines, arts and crafts gobefest.com @gobefest
The fringe festival collective brings together the best of Manchesters alternative scene. Art, dance, theatre, new writing, cabaret, comedy, poetry, music, burlesque, workshops and exhibitions. It also celebrates new and emerging talent and encourages anybody to take part, whatever their show or performance may be greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk @gmfringe
Juan Mata - (c) Stanley Chow
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LS Lowry: The Art & The Artist
Curated by Stanley Chow
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ A permanent display of the best of LS Lowry There are over 400 works in the collection, 57 of which are oil paintings. Alongside the works of art is an archive containing thousands of items ranging from photographs to press cuttings and exhibition catalogues. Both the collection and archive were formed by Salford Museum & Art Gallery and transferred to The Lowry in 2000 thelowry.com @The_Lowry
Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens M4 3BG
New North South
Brass Art - that-which-is-not
Venues across manchester until June 2018 A world of art and culture across the city. Watch incredible performances, see extraordinary art and immerse yourself in a programme of art and culture from South Asia and the UK. #NewNorthSouth
Moss Street, Bury BL9 0DR unitl 2nd June 2018 Brass Art site a miniature C16th bone and ivory pagoda at the heart of their exhibition that-which-is-not at Bury Sculpture Centre, as they revisit sites of significance in their collaborative practice
manchesterartgallery.org @mcrartgallery
until 7th June 2018 Renowned Manchester artist and illustrator Stanley Chow will showcase new work in an exhibition celebrating the football moments and players that have inspired and influenced him nationalfootballmuseum.com @footballmuseum
buryartmuseum.co.uk @BuryArtMuseum
unlockmanchester.com | @unlockmcr
South Asian Design
MCM Manchester Comic Con
Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley St M2 3JL
Manchester Central, Manchester M2 3GX
until 10th June 2018
28th - 29th July 2018
Spanning the last three centuries it gives a taste of designs and techniques from this incredibly creative, resourceful and culturally diverse part of the world
There’s plenty of exciting announcements coming your way, but for now we’re teasing you with special guests from The Walking Dead, Overwatch, Disney & more!
manchesterartgallery.org @mcrartgallery
mcmcomicocn.com @mcmexpo
Cozens and Cozens
Strawberry Studios - I Am in Love
The Whitworth, Oxford Rd, M15 6ER until 24th June 2018
Stockport Museum, Market Pl, Stockport SK1 1ES until 30th September 2018
Father and son, Alexander and John Robert Cozens, were influential watercolour painters of the C18th. Alexander, a drawing master, dedicated his career to teaching young men and the aristocracy how to create landscapes without needing to attend the Royal Academy
Manchester’s musical legacy is famous throughout the world. Perhaps less well know is the important part Stockport played. Founded in 1967, Strawberry Studios became one of the finest professional recording studios outside London
whitworth.manchester.ac.uk @whitworthart
stockport.gov.uk @StockportMBC
Heaton Arts Trail
In the Land
Venues across Stockport
The Whitworth, Oxford Rd, M15 6ER until 28th October 2018
7th - 8th July 2018 The event gives the public a unique opportunity to meet artists in their creative spaces as well as finding art in unusual places within the community. Heatons’ Arts Trail also opens up for artists from further afield to take part in the event as guest artists heatonartstrail.com @HeatonsArtTrail
This exhibition looks back at a period of intense experimentation in British painting and sculpture where artists, having suffered the devastation of the war, turned their attention to the natural environment. Exploring artists who captured the sensation of being within the landscape whitworth.manchester.ac.uk @whitworthart
Faye Wei Wei
Fly 360
CFCCA, Market Buildings, Thomas St M4 1EU until 8th July
MSI, Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP Open daily
Graduating from Slade School of Fine Art in 2016, 23 year old Faye Wei Wei is a young painter whose passion and energy has earned her considerable attention in the public eye. Faye’s large-scale figurative artworks draw you into an imaginative, painterly world that brings together symbolism, mystery and mythology
Have you ever wanted to fly your own jet? Then take the controls on Fly 360, our handson flight simulator. Pitch and roll as though you were really flying, get your adrenaline flowing and perform your own aerobatic display
cfcca.org.uk @cfcca_uk
msimanchester.org.uk @msimanchester
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WHEREVER
YO U R TA S T E B U D S TA K E YO U
Fame the Musicial - (c) Selladoor
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Being part of an audience is an exciting feeling and Manchester certainly has a wealth of theatres offering very diverse productions for your enjoyment. Independent theatres such as Hope Mill or the 3 Minute Theatre, in Afflecks, are breaking grounds for new works which regularly head to the big lights of London and onwards. This coming season sees the return of classic theatre drama like ‘At Taste of Honey’ set in Salford in the 1960s. It was a huge controversial play as it dealt with teenage pregnancy and featured an openly gay character, all racy stuff then (Oldham Coliseum). Summer Holiday gets revamp when a group of friends hire a Double-Decker for the summer and head off to Europe for fun and adventure. This new production is being performed at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton.
Fancy a fix of Laurel & Hardy? Then Stockport Plaza are holding a celebration of the comedic duo, screening a selection of their greatest performances. Keeping with the comedy Steve Delany is bringing Count Arthur Strong’s ‘One man Show’ to the Stockport Plaza. The somewhat delusional out-of-work variety star will enthral you with his career stories and keep you laughing. The summer is also a great time for children’s theatre with productions such as Awful Auntie, What the Ladybird Heard and Madagascar – The Musical Adventure as spin off of the popular DreamWorks film. Musicals have been a stalwart of the theatre for several years and it seems 2018 is going to be no different, with revivals of Fame, An Officer and a Gentle and the wet weather inspired classic Singin’ in the Rain, at the Lowry.
unlockmanchester.com | @unlockmcr
Singin’ the Rain
Happy Days
The Lowry, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Royal Exchange, St Ann’s Square M2 7DH 25th May - 23rd June 2018
6th - 9th June 2018 Adapted from the 1952 movie of the same name and set in Hollywood in the waning days of theusilent screenuera, it focuses on romantic lead Don Lockwood, his sidekick Cosmo Brown, aspiring actress Kathy Selden, and Lockwood’s leading lady Lina Lamont
Winnie is stuck. Buried in a wilderness of scorched earth she survives the everyday with fragments of babbling optimism. But she has her armoury, the lipstick, the mirror and the bag
thelowry.com @The_Lowry
royalexchange.co.uk @rxtheatre
A Taste of Honey
Count Arthur Strong
Oldham Coliseum, Oldham OL1 3SW 25th May - 9th June 2018 Set in Salford and recognised as the precursor to Coronation Street, A Taste of Honey was one of the most controversial plays of all time
Stockport Plaza, Mersey Square SK1 1SP 23rd June 2018 Alone, solo and by himself, with no one with him, the show business Colossasus (check that) takes us back on a journey through his early career. If you only buy one ticket for something this year make sure itus this and bring someone with you stockportplaza.co.uk
coliseum.org.uk @OldhamColiseum
@stockportplaza1
This is Elvis
Awful Auntie
97 Oxford St, Manchester M1 6FT 11th - 16th June 2018 Internationally renowned, award winning Steve Michaels stars as Elvis. His masterful renditions of The King and his music have garnered him worldwide fame
3 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HP 20th - 24th June 2018
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When Stella sets off to visit London with her parents, Lord and LadyuSaxby, she has no idea her life is in danger! Waking up three months later, only her Aunt Alberta can tell Stella what has happened
atgtickets.com @atgtickets
atgtickets.com @atgtickets
Summer Holiday
War Horse
Octagon Theatre,Bolton BL1 1SB 31st May - 21st June 2018
The Lowry, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ 12th - 30th June 2018
During a miserable wet British summer, Don arrives with a borrowed double-decker bus ready to take his friends on a journey to sunny Athens. Join us as we tell the story of their summer adventure beginning in Bolton’s new interchange on a trip to Europe
At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the Cavalry and shipped to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no manus land
octagonbolton.co.uk @octagontheatre
thelowry.com @The_Lowry
Agatha Christie’s Love From A Stranger
An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical
The Lowry, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ 10th - 14th July 2018 A whirlwind romance with a handsome and charming stranger sweeps Cecily Harrington off her feet. Little does she know the ghastly truth about her new beautiful boyfriend...
3 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HP 13th - 18th August 2018 The world premiere of a new musical that will simply sweep you off your feet! Based on true events, An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical follows the Oscar-winning film starring Richard Gere
thelowry.com @The_Lowry
atgtickets.com @atgtickets
Sherlock Holmes - The Final Curtain
Madagascar - A Musical Adventure
3 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HP 23rd - 28th July 2018 Sherlock Holmes lives in retirement on the South Coast. He keeps bees, occasionally casts his fly fishing rod, even plays his Stradivarius when the rheumatism allows
97 Oxford St, Manchester M1 6FT 14th - 18th August 2018 Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra,uMelman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto your stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime
atgtickets.com @atgtickets
Fame the Musicial
97 Oxford St, Manchester M1 6FT 40 20th - 28th July 2018 Following the lives of students at New York’s High School For The Performing Arts as they navigate their way through the highs and lows, the romances and the heartbreaks and the ultimate elation of life atgtickets.com @atgtickets
atgtickets.com @atgtickets
What The Ladybird Heard
The Lowry, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ 1st - 28th August 2018 Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. But they reckon without the tiniest, quietest creature of all: The Ladybird has a plan of her own! thelowry.com @The_Lowry
Queens of the Coal Age
Another Fine Mess - Laurel & Hardy
Royal Exchange, St Ann’s Square M2 7DH 28th June - 28th July 2018
Stockport Plaza, Mersey Square SK1 1SP 8th September 2018
Anne, Elaine, Dot and Lesley. Four ordinary women, facing the closure of their community. Itus 1993 and the Parkside Colliery pit may be winding down, but they’re not giving up
Featuring a mix of Laurel & Hardy features, a few surprises along the way and a FREE Interval Gift for everyone who dresses to impress as either Stan, Ollie or any of their hilarious co-stars!
royalexchange.co.uk
stockportplaza.co.uk
@rxtheatre
@stockportplaza1
Agbeko - Manchester Jazz Festival
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It’s difficult to avoid Manchester’s musical connection. Everyday there are new bands being formed, musicians trained and songwriters slaving over hot laptops in the city’s coffee bars. Take a stroll into the Northern Quarter and you walk in the footsteps of, and experience spaces where, many world famous musicians have been and performed. Oldham Street alone has The Night and Day Café, The Castle and Gullivers all part of Manchester’s long musical history. Around the corner is Matt & Phreds, a performance space dedicated to Jazz, a central hub for touring bands; we can also recommend La Gitane on Bridge Street. Band on the Wall, Swan Street, is a venue of renown. In its intimate space you can see all manner of solo artists, bands and even the now almost legendary Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club.
Classical music is extremely well served with superb venues such as the Bridgewater Hall, the Stoller Hall and the RNCM each offering world-class experiences; they even have some pop bands too! The summer hails the return of the huge outdoor festivals celebrating music and offering great opportunities to party with your friends. We can recommend The Blackthorne Music festival, Bluedot, at Jodrell Bank and of the true highlight of the season Parklife at Heaton Park, mind sometimes rubber boots are a good idea… For those who like something a bit different try the Caribbean Carnival at Platt Fields, the Whit Friday Band Contest in Saddleworth or the amazing Manchester International Jazz Festival, which is difficult to miss in and around the city.
unlockmanchester.com | @unlockmcr
Dot to Dot Festival
Sounds Of The City
Various venues in Manchester
Castlefield Bowl, Liverpool Road
25th May 2018
27th June - 6th July 2018
Dot To Dot Festival is established as the UK’s Premier Festival for unearthing the hottest new talent around, alongside established acts from across the globe. Check the website for full details.
Manchester’s season of live music Sounds Of The City is back in 2018 with headline shows fromNiule Rodgers & Chic, ShedSeven, Rag N Bone Man, Elvis Costello and Paul Heaton with Jacqui Abbott
dottodotfestival.co.uk @D2DFest
gigsandtours.com @gigsandtours
Whit Friday Band Contest 2016
Wigan International Jazz Festival
Saddleworth and local villages 25th May 2018 From the earliest recorded contest in 1884, the event has grown in popularity. In 2017 well over a hundred brass bands participated in some twenty different contests at venues scattered around the moorland villages and towns on the western edge of the Pennines
Robin Park Centre, Loire Drive WN5 0UL 12th - 15th July 2018 The four days are packed with world-class artists, featuring an eclectic range of jazz genres and styles
wiganjazzfest.co.uk @JazzWigan
whitfriday.brassbands.saddleworth.org
Irlam Live
Blackthorne Music Festival
Princes Park, Liverpool Rd, Manchester 1st - 2nd June 2018
Etherow Country Park, Stockport SK6 5JD 20th - 22nd July 2018
A three-day feast of festival fun in a pretty suburban park, Irlam Live was a cracking community shindig in 2016 and now it’s back with an action packed trio of line up
This is a music festival for everyone regardless of age, situated through Etherow Country Park in the beautiful setting of Whitebottom farm. Indulge your three senses with great music, mouth-watering food and stunning surroundings
irlamlive.co.uk
blackthornmusicfestival.co.uk
@irlamlive
@BlackthornFest
Parklife Festival
Bluedot
Heaton Park, Higher Blackley M25 2SW 9th - 10th June 2018
Jodrell Bank, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 9DL 20th - 22nd July 2018
Parklife Festival is an eclectic music festival weekender in Manchester. Having carved out a prominent reputation in the UK’s North West music scene, plus a huge student following, the Parklife gone from strength to strength
Bluedot is a festival of discovery at Jodrell Bank, the iconic observatory and heart of our quest for knowledge of the cosmos. Bluedot invites you to camp out under the stars, and to explore a stellar programme of music, science, arts, technology, culture, food and film
parklife.uk.com @Parklifefest
discoverthebluedot.com @bluedotfestival
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Manchester Jazz Festival
Wigan Live Festival
Albert Square and across the City 20th - 28th July 2018 MJF is the UK’s leading showcase for contemporary jazz. It is a Signature Event in Manchesterus cultural programme animating the city centre and reinforcing its image as a great place to live and work
Multiple venues in Wigan Town Centre 18th - 19th August 2108 A free 2 day live music festival across multiple venues in Wigan Town Centre and it is a real celebration of local live music. Showcasing some of the best unsigned bands and soloists from the local area and further afield
manchesterjazz.com @ManJazzFest
wiganlivefestival.co.uk @wiganlivefest
Festwich
Oldham Live
St Mary’s Park, Prestwich, Manchester 28th - 29th July 2018 The UK’s Biggest Free Rock Tribute Festival, itus the tribute act festival that brings you blistering sets from the best rock and indie bands in the universe. Some of the biggest tribute acts in Europe on two stages! And it’s all family friendly
Parliament Square, Oldham 25th August 2018 Oldham’s biggest free live music festival is back and this time it’s going to be even louder. Family entertainment begins at noon and this will be followed by a line-up of established acts.
1festwich.com @festwichfest
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oldham.gov.ukoldhamlive @OldhamLIVE
Caribbean Carnival of Manchester
Creamfields
Alexandra Park, Manchester M16 7JL 11th - 12th August 2018 Manchester carnival has brought Caribbean culture to the forefront annually for over 40 years and is the north-west’s largest celebration of Caribbean music and carnival arts. The carnival is a vibrant celebration of Caribbean music, dance, theatre and costume
Daresbury, Warrington 23rd - 26th August 2018 Creamfields is the world’s leading dance music festival. The original 1998 dance festival set out to provide a bespoke large scale outdoor event and has gone on to become the most popular and renowned open air electronic music festival in the world
themanchestercarnival.com @CCoManchester
creamfields.com @creamfields
Cotton Clouds Festival
The Manchester Soul Festival
Saddleworth Cricket Club, Oldham 18th August 2018
The Printworks, 27 Whity Grove M4 2BS 26th August 2018
Featuring a stratospheric line up and set amidst the heavenly vista of the stunning Peak District National Park, Cotton Clouds is a wonderful new addition to the UK festival calendar
Following three successful years raising over £65,000 for The Christie we can’t wait to bring you more Soul and Motown bands, artists and DJs from across the region to perform in several of The Printworks venues
cottoncloudsfestival.com @cottoncfest
theprintworks.comevents @the_printworks
Current Exhibition Breathe: digitally crafted glass by Jahday Ford and Joseph Hillary Until 12 May FREE
(c) northernletters.co.uk
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Altrincham Market
Bury Market
Greenwood Street, WA14 1SA Tuesday - Sunday Weekly Altringham Market features traditional favourites. Quality food traders from fresh fish to fruit & veg, from regional cheese to prime meat cuts, from crafters to jewellers. Weekend markets showcase the talent, skill, passion and creativity of the finest traders in the North West altrinchammarket.co.uk @altrinchammkt
1, The Fish Market, Murray Rd, Bury BL9 0BJ Monday - Saturday Bury’s World Famous Market is a multi award winning market and was voted Best Market Attraction in 2015. It’s one of the most popular shopping destinations in the north of England attracting thousands of visitors each week with over 370 stalls drawing in the crowds
Bolton Artisan Market
Castlefield Artisan Market
Heaton Fold Garden Ctr, Overdale Dr BL1 5BU 3rd Sunday Monthly (February-December) Visitors will find an exciting range of high quality and locally sourced food, drink and crafts from specialist producers and suppliers. There is free parking on site as well as a gift shop and self-service cafe. The market is held under cover in bad weather
Royal Mills, Redhill Street M4 6JG First Saturday of the Month Castlefield Events creates a variety of local events including a monthly artisan food, craft & art market in the heart of Manchester. We are committed to bringing together some of the region’s highly acclaimed artisan food producers, as well as creating interesting antique, craft and vintage markets
heatonfold.co.uk @BoltonArtisan
burymarket.com @BuryMarket
castlefieldmarket.org.uk @CastlefieldEvnt
Heaton Moor Producers & Art Market
The Makers Market
Shaw Road, Heaton Moor, SK4 4NZ 1st & 2nd Saturdays each Month The Heaton Moor Market returns in 2016 with an addition of a new Art Market. It focuses on bringing local, independent producers’ and artists together offering a wide range of products, including fresh produce, gift items and crafts
Check the website for full details
heatonmoormarket.com @HMoorMarket
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The monthly Makers Market brings together the finest and often award-winning food, drink, art & crafts producers in the area. The market is well known for presenting the very best of seasonal local farm produce, produced and sourced by people who are passionate about what they do themakersmarket.co.uk @_makersmarket
Levenshulme Market
The Treacle Market
Stockport Rd, Levenshulme Every Saturday (March-December)
Old Butter Market, Macclesfield Last Sunday of the Month (March-Aug)
Since its March 2013 launch Levenshumle Markets delivers a diverse range of high quality traders and at every market you can expect an ever changing roster of 50 artisan traders selling produce, street food, plants, gifts, vintage clothing and homeware. Check website for full details levymarket.com @levymarket
The market started in 2010 and each month sees the handsome cobbled Marketplace, Old Butter Market, St Michael’s churchyard and surrounding streets throng with visitors and over 150 stalls of unique crafts, exceptional lovingly produced food, drink and several vintage finds treaclemarket.co.uk @treaclemarket
Piccadilly Gardens Street Food & Crafts
The Wilmslow Artisan Market
Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester City Centre Thurs, Fri and Sat The Street Food Market features over 15 stall selling delicious food from around the globe. With dishes ranging from Middle Eastern wraps, dim sum and to chow mien noodles to Italian pasta. The Craft Market sells a variety of beautifully crafted items, from jewellery to homewares manchester.gov.uk @ManCityCouncil
Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1PB 3rd Saturday Monthly (10am-4pm) The market consists of over 120 of the very finest artisan market traders and is the flagship of The Market Cous events. In its alleyways you will find high-quality range of authentic goods with an emphasis on all that is local, ethical and original from traders who are all super-talented themarketco.co.uk @_TheMarketCo
The Clog Market
Vintage Village Market, Stockport
Town Square, Rawtenstall 1st Sunday (April-Oct)
Stockport Covered Market Hall SK1 1EU 2nd Sunday Monthly (March-December)
Featuring vintage, vintage industrial, collectables, curios, clothing, vinyls and homewares plus boutique clothing and accessories, gifts speciality food stalls, patisserie, vegan skincare, artisan jewellery and tasty streetfood
Held in Stockports’ ‘Glass Umbrella’ and aims to deliver things might be rare or unique, beautiful, special, amusing, useful, bizarre or remarkable in some way. They are all intensely covetable - in the Markets considered opinion - and most of them are cracking bargains too
theclogmarket.co.uk @ClogMarket
thevintagevillage.co.uk @Vintage_Village
G R E AT BRITISH FOOD
From Manchester Rarebit to delicate Curried Mussels, Ben Mounsey’s innovative British Tapas offers dishes that celebrate the chef’s imaginative interpretation of fine British food.
Bringing the best local and British ingredients to the plate. Presentation, elegantly simple and relaxed. The taste, divine.
Welcome glass of Prosecco with any meal booked with a copy of Unlock www.grafene.co.uk info@grafene.co.uk 0161 696 9700
55 King Street, Manchester City Centre, M2 4LQ.
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The Metroshuttle bus is a free service and makes travelling around the city easy and quick; just find a stop, stick out your arm and hail one of these modern buses. With its three routes, the shuttle buses cover most of the city and have good interconnections with each another. The routes are circular so even if you miss your stop just stay on and it will come round again. You could even use them as way to sightsee the city, although be warned that they can get very busy, especially at peak times. The buses are clearly marked and you can use the map to find the stops and route information. The Manchester Metrolink trams, in their fun bright yellow livery, trundle across the city transporting commuters and visitors alike. They connect the main stations of Piccadilly and Victoria to the wider region and Manchester Airport.
The new second city crossing completes the public transport jigsaw, with a direct line running right through to Rochdale. The semi-organised chaos caused by the St Peter’s Square stop development is over. The new state of the art station fits right in with its imposing neighbours, the Central Library, The Town Hall and Manchester Art Gallery. If you are off to The Lowry Theatre or the Outlet Mall, in Salford Quays, the tram will whisk you there in about 10 minutes from Piccadilly Gardens. Bury, with its attractions such as the East Lancashire Railway, its award wining Market and The Met theatre are only 30 minutes away. These services, coupled with the commercial buses routes and the national railway connections, make reaching and getting about the city very simple - Just remember to buy a ticket!
unlockmanchester.com | @unlockmcr
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THE PHENOMENON RETURNS
13 - 30 June thelowry.com