They’re a Christmas Markets staple and they’re returning this year to feeds thousands of you.
Porky Pig’s famous Yorkshire pudding wrap stall is back at the Manchester Christmas Markets for the sixth time since debuting back in 2016.
The Markets, which are back after two years out due to the pandemic, will be here from November 12 until December 22, with Porky Pig and a number of regulars set for their own grand return.
BREAKING NEWS…
Manchester Christmas Markets WILL go ahead this year.
However, it’s even more important you give Porky Pig a visit this year as they recently announced the closure of their city centre restaurant in Manchester – blaming the pandemic for its downfall like many other restaurants and businesses over the past 18 months.
Markets will be set up in six locations across the city. Councillor Pat Karney said: “We only decided yesterday, we had to put them through every Public Health test and that’s the whole approach to Christmas this year, making it safe for traders and the public.
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“We have learnt from the experience of markets over the summer – there will be entrances and exits, strong crowd controls.
Porky Pig Street Food
“We’re delighted we can go ahead with this. Tens of thousands of jobs for people depend on Christmas trade.
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“We’ve all been in lockdown mode for so long and we all ache to get together with friends and family so we’re doing everything possible to keep people safe and we’re keeping it under review.
“So it’s green lights for Manchester markets. Christmas is not cancelled, it’s my favourite time of the year and I am the Christmas spokesperson on the council, the only one in the country, so Christmas is definitely going ahead.”
Manchester
Review | We need Neigbourhood Weekender every year – and so does the North West
Danny Jones
Neighbourhood Weekender returned for 2026 this late May bank holiday, and after its second consecutive edition following an admittedly brief hiatus, we’re more confident than ever that we want this music festival on the calendar every single year.
Actually, we’d go so far as to say that lots of people around the North West and beyond NEED it.
We know plenty of people are understandably wary of potential hyperbolic declarations like that, but let us explain ourselves…
For starters, getting an opportunity to see the likes of criminally underappreciated Northern names like Richard Ashcroft playing the big slot on the main stage is a good place to start.
Many of you will have no doubt seen the Wigan legend on solo tours – not to mention serving as the pitch-perfect support act for Oasis’ reunion tour last summer – but topping the bill on Saturday night of NBHD Weekender 2026 served as yet more proof that he is, in fact, a headline act.
Maybe that changed a little for lots of people post-Live ’25, but his set was one of several over the course of the two-day festival in Victoria Park that served as a reminder of just how good lots of these long-standing acts both were and still are.
Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, The Fratellis, Mel C, Shed Seven, and so on: they’re not just nostalgic acts that those of a certain generation get to enjoy as a throwback – they’re all still incredible, seasoned performers in their own right.
They boast a wealth of experience and aptitude for playing to live crowds that you only get by being very good at what you do for a long time. You only have to look at the countless youths who quickly realised they knew more choruses than they realised, and got to sample hearing them in person for the first time.
Strong crowds from 12 noon until curfew. (Credit: Audio North)
And then speaking of the younger, more up-and-coming section of the lineup, the next generation absolutely smashed it as well. Let’s just say there were more than a few rising stars on show.
Westside Cowboy are clearly at the start of something very special and got a healthy dose of shout-outs from punters on the day; Keo were as frenetic as everyone knew they would be, Brooke Combe was on top form as she has been every time we’ve seen her, and Cassia were class.
More Mancs rose to the challenge in the form of The Guest List’s biggest show yet, too – they were also left super humbled when we spoke to them afterwards – and fellow regional band The Royston Club were nothing short of excellent, simple as.
Hearing thousands belt out ’52’ and ‘Cariad’ at the top of their lungs was one of our highlights of the entire weekend, to be honest.
Of course, then you’ve got the likes of the already established DMA’S, who were absolutely box office and made it plain how much affection they have for “their second home” up here in this part of the UK, and Sunday’s headliners, Blossoms, have proven time and time again that they’re the real deal now.
But aside from banger after banger, it was a conversation we overheard near us during the Stopfordians’ set that helped us come to this revelation.
Somewhere between their walk-out on stage and the second/third song, a bloke and his mate behind us shared an intimate moment we felt almost rude for having accidentally eavesdropped on, right up until the point it made us well up ourselves.
Without going into too much detail, this very stereotypical-sounding Northerner dropped all pretence and confessed to his friend that he’d had a tough couple of months, and that he’d been looking forward to this for weeks – not simply because Blossoms are his favourite artist, but because he needed it.
Call it a release, that hour or so of sheer abandon, or just sharing a special music memory with his best mate: whatever it was, this evening was much more than a gig to him. People throw the phrase ‘lifesaver’ around about music a lot, and it never feels like an exaggeration in moments like this.
It was also apparent that he was a working-class Warrington native who was lucky enough for his postcode to help him afford to go to Neighbourhood Weekender and have this embrace with his pal, who was in an ideal setting to have perhaps a long overdue heart-to-heart. THIS is what it means to people.
Music is therapy, and when done in its purest form – i.e. played live to people who live and breathe the stuff – it can do more good than you’ll ever know.
Inside Manchester’s newest fitness haven that’s both state-of-the-art gym AND reformer pilates studio
Daisy Jackson
A state-of-the-art open gym, small group training, and a top reformer pilates studio, all under one roof – welcome to the new home of FORM.
This leading Manchester fitness facility has undergone a pretty major transformation this year, more than doubling in size.
Where the gym once stood, you’ll now find the newest – and most stylish – pilates space in the city centre, with 10 reformer beds for intentionally small classes.
This is where you’ll find the best pilates instructors in the city, who’ll coach you through classic pilates moves to build a stronger, more balanced version of yourself.
If you’ve done any classes at RESET by FORM over in the Bloc building in the city centre (or, indeed, at their sister studio in Leeds), you’ll already know these are the best classes in town.
Then the main FORM gym space has moved upstairs, taking over a huge space in the Riverside building in Manchester.
The boutique fitness brand’s new flagship HQ is packed with free weights, cardio equipment, machines, and a zone specifically for their small group training sessions, all looking out over a leafy courtyard through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro at strength training or are stepping into a gym for the first time, FORM wants the gym to be a supportive, judgement-free zone.
Reformer pilates at FORMReformer pilates at FORMReformer pilates at FORM
And this is one of those fitness spaces where the coaches get just as excited about your progress as you do, whether you’re nailing your first teaser on a reformer bed, or hitting a new squat PB.
Whichever type of fitness journey you’re on, you’ll find a coaching-led approach to help you build confidence and longevity in your wellbeing.
Libby Smith, Co-founder at FORM Riverside, said: “We know people want more from their gym experience now.
“FORM Riverside brings together reformer, strength training and coaching in one place, giving people the flexibility to build a routine that works for them, all within one membership designed to offer real value.”
The small group training zone at FORMHuge windows in the main gymCardio equipmentThe gym at FORM in Manchester
Ben Wood, Co-founder at FORM Riverside, added: “We’re super passionate about making fitness as inclusive and sustainable as possible, with an emphasis on long-term progress rather than quick fixes.
“Our incredible team of coaches and instructors are always on hand to ensure members get the most out of their time with us, whatever their starting point or goals. We’re proud of the community we’ve built and look forward to welcoming both new and familiar faces into the space.”
To mark the launch, FORM is offering one month unlimited introductory offer for £99, giving access to as many reformer pilates, strength training and coaching sessions as members can squeeze into the month.
The Manc -
24th September 2021 
