Manchester Arndale has just revealed that Creams dessert cafe will open a huge new site at the centre later this year – bringing its signature ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, waffles and crepes along with it.
The popular UK dessert chain has just signed a 15-year lease on a massive new 2,325 sq ft store in the centre’s Halle Place, where it will join the likes of Archie’s and newcomer Pizza Luxe.
Here, sweet tooths can get their fix on a range of flamboyant and indulgent desserts. From takeaway ice cream cones to boxes of Biscoff and icing-laden donuts and slices of cake, the cafe will sit in an ideal place for shoppers looking for a mid-afternoon sugar lift.
Inside, interiors will focus on a dark colour palette of blues and blacks alongside pops of purple and pink. Walls will be lined with neon signage, BMX bikes and skateboards.
Image: Creams
Image: Creams
Image: Supplied
The move is part of a large expansion for Creams, which now has over 100 restaurants across the UK.
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It is the second Creams site for Manchester, building on the popularity of its Cheetham Hill cafe which first opened in 2017.
As well as Creams Cafe, Manchester Arndale is due to welcome another leading food and drink brand later to the centre later this year – although the exact details surrounding the offering are being kept firmly under wraps for now.
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The new arrivals add to Manchester Arndale’s recently expanded food and beverage offering, which has recently seen the arrival of fried chicken favourites Slim Chickens, as well as Kokoro, Tim Hortons and Pizza Luxe.
“We hope to announce further new lettings and leasing activity across the centre as we seek to maintain Manchester Arndale’s position as a premier retail and leisure destination in the UK.”
Othman Shoukat, managing director for Creams Café, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening in the iconic Manchester Arndale and we’re confident that Creams Cafe will be a very welcomed addition to the shopping mall’s already impressive line-up of food and beverage outlets.
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Image: Supplied
“With one successful restaurant already operating in Cheetham Hill, we look forward to bringing our delicious desserts to even more of the Manchester community.”
Colin Flinn spokesperson for Manchester Arndale said: “We are delighted that lettings activity remains strong at Manchester Arndale, and we welcome our new arrivals to the centre as we continue to grow our F&B and leisure offering.
“We are also pleased to announce new lease renewals for Pizza Hut, Café Nero, and Dr Martins, as well as the upsizing by Pandora, as it highlights their commitment to – and faith in – the long-term performance of Manchester Arndale, recognising its place as a leading destination which continues to attract millions of visitors from across the North West and beyond.”
An opening date for Creams is yet to be announced. For now, you can visit the site in Cheetham Hill and keep up with them on social media here.
Feature image – Creams
News
Price caps and standardisations to be introduced for vet care in UK following major investigation
Emily Sergeant
Reforms to the veterinary industry to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market are set to be introduced this year.
After an independent inquiry group recently found that the current system is leaving pet owners ‘in the dark’, with a lack of information to help make informed decisions leading to weak competition and high prices, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has this week concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK.
The final report green-lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate, and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.
It outlines the final remedies and recommendations, which together, will transform the market.
Remedies and recommendations in the report range from price caps and standardisations, through to upfront cost transparency.
We’ve set out major reforms to the UK’s veterinary sector now our market investigation is complete.
Our reforms will help pet owners better navigate the vet services market and will start coming into force later this year.
— Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) March 24, 2026
Practices will soon be required to publish a comprehensive price list for standard services – including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, written prescriptions and cremation options – so pet owners know up-front how much certain services are expected to cost.
They’ll also have to make it clear whether they are part of a group or an independent business, and provide a written estimate in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more (including aftercare costs), plus an itemised bill.
Written prescription fees are set to be capped at £21 for the first medicine, and then £12.50 for any additional medicines.
Price caps and standardisations are set to be introduced for vet care in UK / Credit: Pxhere
There’s also set to be changes to the complaints process, as practices will now be required to follow a transparent, accessible, in-house complaints process, and engage in mediation where disputes cannot be resolved.
The CMA says an ‘unprecedented’ response from both the public and the sector has helped to shape the final report.
The next step is for the Government to respond to the report formally – with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, commenting: “We are grateful for all the work of the Competition and Markets Authority, and we will respond to the report and set out next steps for our proposed reforms in due course.
“This Government is focused on helping families save money on vet services by improving transparency and choice around pricing, so the public can make informed decisions about their pets’ care.”
Featured Image – Pxhere
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Police release footage of Manchester burglar who tried to evade arrest by hiding under a bed
Emily Sergeant
Police have released unseen footage of a Manchester burglar who tried to evade arrest and justice by hiding under a bed.
David Dale Thompson, of no fixed abode, appeared at Manchester Crown Court last week (18 March) where he was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of residential burglary at an earlier hearing.
The 43-year-old was caught early last year (15 January 2025) following proactive patrols by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) neighbourhood officers across Rusholme and Moss Side, who were in the area due to a high number of reports of burglaries in the weeks prior.
While on patrol, police spotted Thompson ‘acting suspiciously’ while riding a bike just before 5pm, and once officer subsequently followed him to a property on Boscombe Street, before calling for more officers to attend.
After gaining entry to the address, officers suspected something was wrong when they entered one of the rooms, and after lifting up the bed, they found Thompson hiding in the storage compartment attempting to evade arrest.
GMP has now released footage of the moment Thompson was caught.
Speaking following Thompson’s sentencing last week, Detective Inspector Natalie McDonald, of GMP’s Manchester Central Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “This was a fantastic example of proactive policing, which has resulted in a serial offender now behind bars.
“We know how devastating a burglary in your own home can be and this shows our commitment to tackling them head on.
“If you have any information or concerns about neighbourhood crime in your area, make sure you speak to us. In the meantime, we have officers on regular patrols in areas that need us the most.”
Georgina Pellant -
28th June 2022 
