Snappy Runners

AJ Handley-Rowe - 16th June 2022

City Centre

Plans to build ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly officially proposed

Emily Sergeant Manchester Piccadilly underground train station CGI

Plans have officially been proposed to build a ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly.

The Government has announced a ‘major growth plan’ for the north, and as part of that, has firmed up its commitment to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).

NPR is said to be ‘at the heart’ of plans to deliver faster commutes, better jobs, more homes, increased investment, and ultimately, stronger connections between Manchester and several other major northern cities, even as far as North Wales.

£1.1 billion has been committed over this Spending Review period to support delivery of NPR, the Treasury has confirmed.

One of the most crucial proposals from the commitment to the NPR is an entirely new line between Liverpool and Manchester – via Warrington and Manchester Airport – will be delivered as part of the second phase in the 2030s, and work is set to begin ‘immediately’ to develop the project plans and business case in more detail.

Underground Piccadilly — Plans have officially been proposed to build a ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly / Credit: TfGM

As part of this, Greater Manchester and the Government will be working together to explore an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly.

It’s hoped that a new underground station at Manchester’s main train train travel hub would be a ‘catalyst’ and ‘enabler’ for major regeneration and economic growth in the region and across the North as a whole.

The underground option is said to be ‘preferred’ by local leaders.

This option would see trains run through the station, providing more reliable and quicker connections to and from West Yorkshire and beyond.

It’s also hoped that it would ‘future-proof’ the station to accommodate growing passenger numbers for decades to come, as well as ensure that the region remains the ‘growth capital’ of the UK.

Big news for the North.

Work is set to begin immediately on detailed plans for the new Liverpool–Manchester Northern Powerhouse Rail line.

A major catalyst for growth and jobs across the North. 🚆

Find out more: https://t.co/R6zOdF9cb3 pic.twitter.com/gZ6eA8fCLU
— Bee Network (@BeeNetwork) January 14, 2026

“Finally, we have a Government with an ambitious vision for the North, firm commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail, and an openness to an underground station in Manchester city centre,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham as the proposals were announced this week.

“A modernised Manchester Piccadilly could become the Kings Cross of the North, acting as a catalyst for major growth in our city region and beyond.

“Over the past decade, we’ve become the UK’s fastest growing city region, but underinvestment in rail infrastructure has long acted as a brake on further growth.

“Today marks a significant step forward for Greater Manchester. We’ll now work at pace to prove the case for an underground station and work up detailed designs for the route between Liverpool and Manchester.”

Featured Image – TfGM

City Centre

Manchester’s popular Winter Beer Festival is back this month and tickets are only £5

Emily Sergeant

Fancy sipping on a pint in cosy place? Hard to say no.

Once the hustle and bustle of the festive season dies down, there’s often not a great deal to look forward to in January. But luckily, Manchester has got you covered, as the now-legendary Winter Beer Festival is back by popular demand for 2026, moving from its original home at GRUB to its sister site of Fairfield Social Club.

Tickets are already on sale, if you’re keen to kick off your new year with a pint or two.

The social hub is known for hosting a wide range of cultural events and rotating food and drink vendor pop-ups all year round, but this month is perfect excuse to pay a visit, as this year’s Winter Beer Festival will take place across three days.

The Winter Beer Festival gives beer lovers the chance can sip creations from some of the best local breweries.

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A post shared by Fairfield Social Club (@fairfieldsocialclubmcr)

Running from Thursday 22 – Sunday 24 January 2026, you can expect there to be plenty of local brews to taste test over the course of the four-day festival – with loads of pop-up brewery bars and more than 30 guest taps too.

Abyss, Brew York, GlassHouse, Pastore, and Vault City are just some of the breweries you can sample tipples from.

If you’re not the biggest beer fan, you can also expect a street food, mulled cider and other winter warmers, and lots of other events over the extended weekend.

Fancy it then? Tickets for the GRUB Winter Beer Festival 2026 are now on sale, setting you back just £5 plus a small booking fee across all three days – with a limited number of tickets available on the door too.

Tickets include entry to the festival, access to the full range of beers – including all the brewery bars and guest taps – a branded WBF glass to take home with you afterwards, and FREE optional entry to any of the entertainment events taking place during your session too.

Grab tickets on the Fairfield Social Club website here.

Featured Image – FSC