Velvet Hotel in the Gay Village is reopening this weekend after an expansion and refurbishment.
The landmark hotel on Canal Street has added 17 new suites after expanding into 3 Canal Street – a former office building – next door.
It’s set to relaunch just in time for Manchester Pride this weekend, which will see thousands flock to the Village for four days of protest and partying.
The four-star Velvet Hotel occupies a former velvet factory and still has historic details like exposed brick work and high vaulted ceilings.
The Signature Penthouse Suite spans 40 sq metres across two levels, with a private bar and seating on the first level and an en-suite bed deck on the second.
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The design concept across the entire hotel takes inspiration from the site’s history – a factory warehouse producing velvet in the epicentre of the industrial revolution.
Inside the new-look Velvet Hotel. Credit: Supplied
Eris Koutsoudakis and Maria Kachramanoglou of Meraki Design led the interior design, with a vision that included moody dark hues reference the original commercial heritage of the building.
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You’ll find it in plush velvet furnishings, and black bedside tables shaped like cotton reels.
The new bedrooms and suites feature super king-size beds, smart 65” televisions, air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, black-out blinds and ambient lighting systems, with walk-in rainfall showers and underfloor heating in the large bathrooms.
The hotel’s Village Brasserie remains too, with cocktails and offers like Steak Night Wednesdays and lunch deals.
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To celebrate its relaunch, Velvet Hotel is running a Stay For Free deal, where you receive the full room booking fee back as credit to be used on food and drink at Velvet Bar and Village Brasserie.
Mr Sean Kilheeney, managing director of Tick Interiors, which oversaw the detailing throughout Velvet Hotel, said: “From our labourers to our sub-contractors, we’ve consciously striven to work with teams who reside in and around Greater Manchester. All of our materials have also been sourced within a 20-mile radius of Canal Street.
“It has been a pleasure working with Velvet to upgrade an otherwise derelict building, with the ambition of continuing the development of the Mancunion economy, and creating jobs within the travel and hospitality sectors.
“We’re incredibly proud of the new look and feel of the hotel, and hope that it provides Manchester’s guests with the best accommodation upon their arrival into the city.”
Velvet Hotel has also been welcomed back into the Mr and Mrs Smith Hotels collection, a travel club for luxury hotel lovers.
Rebecca Puttock, Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel & Villa curator said: “We are thrilled to welcome Velvet Hotel into our collection, and we’re really excited about this partnership. A real gem in the heart of Manchester City Centre, we love the style and uniqueness of Velvet and feel it is the perfect fit for our members.”
To celebrate the relaunch, Velvet Hotel is offering a very special ‘Stay For Free’ getaway, where guests are invited to book their stay and receive the full amount of the booking fee as credit to be used on food and drink at both Velvet Bar and Village Brasserie.
Mr Kim Eivind Krohn, owner of KRO Hospitality said: “The success of Velvet demonstrated that we needed more accommodation, with occupancy above 90% yearly.
“When the opportunity arose to purchase the freehold of the neighbouring no3 Canal Street, we knew this would be the perfect way to expand and enhance Velvet Hotel, the guest experience and bring the former office building back to life.”
Featured image: Supplied
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Beloved play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time set to return to the stage in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
One of the most beloved stage plays of the 21st Century is returning to Manchester.
Based on the celebrated 2003 novel of the same name that captivated readers worldwide, and inspired a groundbreaking National Theatre production, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is returning to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages in early 2027 as part of a major UK tour.
The new play is adapted from Mark Haddon’s multi-million-selling novel by acclaimed Playwright Simon Stephens, and will be directed by Ned Bennett.
Taking over the Manchester Opera House stage in March 2027, critics have described the production as ‘inventive, gripping, and moving’.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time combines the intrigue of a whodunnit with a powerful coming-of-age story to create an ‘unforgettable’ theatrical event.
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If you’re not familiar with the plot, the play tells the story of Christopher Boone – a gifted child with a brilliant mind for numbers, but unsettled by the unpredictability of people and everyday life.
When a neighbour’s dog is killed, he finds himself under suspicion, but determined to prove his innocence, Christopher becomes both detective and suspect, drawn into a mystery that grows darker and more complex with every clue he uncovers.
What begins as the search for a culprit soon reveals secrets closer to home, ultimately forcing him to confront truths that will test his courage, his family, and his understanding of trust, independence, and the wider world.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is coming to Manchester / Credit: Supplied
“The journey of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has been an extraordinary adventure,” commented Playwright Simon Stephens, as the new adaptation was announced this week.
“It has taken me all over the world. From church halls to enormous auditoria, and from school drama clubs to Wembley Way.
“I am thrilled that Christopher Boone is about to head out again through the United Kingdom. He is a boy defined by his determination and his bravery. This feels like a time when those characteristics are more urgently needed than ever.”
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is coming to Manchester Opera House as part of its UK tour from Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 March 2027, and tickets go on general sale next Friday (21 November) at 10am.
Lightwaves returns to Salford Quays next month with mesmerising FREE outdoor light trail
Emily Sergeant
One of the North West’s most mesmerising light art festivals is returning to Salford once again this festive season.
After having successfully lit up MediaCity like never before in recent years, and going on to become an undeniable winter season highlight in Greater Manchester, Lightwaves Salford is set to return for another year early next month, and will be joining the growing list of light trails already in place across the region and beyond.
Presented by Quays Culture, the popular festival is returning for its twelfth year, and there’ll be 12 illuminated artworks along a 1.5km fully-accessible trail around MediaCity and Salford Quays.
The mesmerising immersive experience will include installations of different scale, all making use of light, sound, and technology in innovative ways.
The themes of the artworks vary from celebrating the nostalgia of a seaside arcade, to highlighting climate change and our connection to the natural world all set to represented, aiming to offer people a sense of optimism and togetherness.
Organisers are calling this year’s festival their ‘most interactive yet’.
“This year the focus is on artworks that visitors can engage with on a more human scale,” explained Rachel Candler from Quays Culture, “so we’re looking forward to seeing playful moments and even some dancing.
Lightwaves returns to Salford Quays next month with a mesmerising FREE outdoor light trail / Credit: Dave Sloan | Liz West
“Year on year, Lightwaves delights audiences of all ages, and we’re sure that 2025 will be no exception.
“For many of our visitors, Lightwaves Salford marks the start of the festive period, getting together with friends or family for a dazzling evening of light art as we head into the winter months.”
Daisy Jackson -
24th August 2022 
