A busy section of Manchester city centre has been heralded as one of the ‘Coolest Street in the World right now’.
Cutting Room Square in Ancoats has made it on to Time Out’s list, praised for its ‘seamless mix of culture, exquisite dining and rich sense of history’.
Time Out also said it was the ‘coolest street in the UK’s coolest city’ – although ranked it behind Great Western Road in Glasgow (which placed third) and Deptford High Street in London (17th).
Cutting Room Square snuck on to the list of the 33 coolest streets in 21st place, the first time that anywhere in Manchester has been listed.
More than 20,000 global city residents were surveyed, before Time Out’s local editors factored in food, drink, art, fun, culture, nightlife and community vibes.
The top spot this year went to Rue Wellington in Montreal.
Cutting Room Square in Ancoats. Credit: Manchester City Council
Last year’s winner, Melbourne, made it into second spot with a different street, with the Australian city’s Gertrude Street named the second-coolest street in the world.
Time Out said of Cutting Room Square: “If there’s one place that brings together Manchester’s proud industrial heritage with all of the advantages of a forward-looking city, it’s Cutting Room Square, right in the middle of Ancoats.
“Sit in the open air, take in the five giant copper monoliths that look out over the square, and gaze out over the foreground of the converted warehouses and St Peter’s church.
“On the other side are some of the finest, award-winning places to dine – in Manchester or anywhere. Cutting Room Square’s seamless mix of culture, exquisite dining and rich sense of history makes it the coolest street in the UK’s coolest city (there, we’ve said it).”
They went on to recommend eating at Rudy’s, drinking at the Edinburgh Castle, and attending a concert at Halle St Peter’s.
James Manning, Travel Editor at Time Out, said: “In most of the world, pre-pandemic life has returned with a bang.
Cutting Room Square in Ancoats. Credit: Twitter – @_MaxInAMillion_
“With people excitedly making plans and going out in their own cities and on city breaks again, our list of the Coolest Streets in the World takes in the key thoroughfares which clued-up locals — including our expert editors and contributors — recommend strolling down right now.”
Rob Martin, Time Out’s local correspondent in Manchester, added: “There are many wonderful streets to enjoy in Manchester but one place has, well, the cutting edge.
“Its mix of traditional and modern, of culture and cuisine, of art and architecture, history and forward momentum, epitomises what the city is all about, making it a worthy entry.”
Featured image: Rudy’s Pizza
Manchester
Manchester has been crowned the most dog-friendly city in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Manchester has earned itself a very special new title
Our city can often be found featured on coveted lists across a wide range of categories. In recent months, Manchester has been named one of the world’s best cities for music lovers, even beating out New York along the way, and has also claimed places on lists such as the world’s most beautiful skylines, best UK cities to visit, and countless more.
But arguably no title is cuter than this one – that’s right, Manchester has been crowned the most dog-friendly city in the UK.
Recent research has shown that around 36% of British households are dog owners, and apparently, the pet care industry is projected to reach £16.5 billion by 2033, so credit company, Capital on Tap, has carried out a study to reveal which are the best UK cities for dog owners.
Manchester has been crowned the most dog-friendly city in the UK (Credit: Mylo Kaye (via Unsplash/The Pup Up Cafe)
Just how dog-friendly is central Manchester?
The company analysed 30 major UK cities – comparing things like green spaces, dog-friendly venues, the number of pet shops, and more in the process.
Manchester secured the top spot as the UK’s most dog-friendly city, thanks to the city being made up of an impressive 34.7% of green space, along with there being 128 pet shops and 243 pet groomers.
The city also boasts 25 dog-friendly job listings within a 10-mile radius, at the time of the study being carried out, making it easy for residents to balance work and time with their four-legged companions.
So whether it’s weekend park adventures or weekday convenience, Manchester ‘truly leads the pack’ when it comes to dog lovers.
The UK’s Top 10 Dog-Friendly Cities
Manchester
London
Brighton and Hove
Bradford
Swansea
Leeds
Stoke-on-Trent
Edinburgh
Plymouth
Aberdeen
Other northern cities on the list include Bradford at number four and Leeds at number six.
On top of that, other major cities and areas making up the top 10 include Brighton and Hove, Swansea, Edinburgh, and of course, London.
Better still, Manchester’s title as the UK’s most dog-friendly city comes after another pet-centric accolade.
Manchester chosen for first-ever Pro:Direct Soccer ‘FC’ concept store
Danny Jones
Manchester city centre has been chosen for the first-ever Pro:Direct Soccer concept store, which is set to be unveiled very soon.
While a specific opening date is yet to be announced, we now have a confirmed venue, which will be none other than the Arndale.
The world-famous online retailer first began experimenting with brick-and-mortar stores over a decade ago, with their LDN19 shop in the capital opening back in 2014, but now they’ve signed a new 10-year lease in the busy Manc shopping centre.
Set to open early in 2026, the flagship ‘PD:FC’ site promises to be “more than a store” and is purpose-built to celebrate all things football culture.
The hoardings are already up. (Credit: Supplied)
Due to take over a 9,180 sq ft unit spanning two floors, the new ‘Football Performance and Culture store’ is tipped as the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
Choosing Manchester due to its rich music, fashion, sporting and football heritage, most specifically, our home was seen as a natural destination for the new concept.
The debut PD:FC store is not only looking to offer a unique retail experience to our footy-obsessed city, but also deliver a site for innovation and cultural crossover.
As per an official press release, the brand says PD:FC “ensures every player finds the right fit, feel, and edge to allow them to ‘Play Better’”, adding that it will “curates the evolving world of football culture, harnessing the energy of the streets, the glory of stadiums, and the influences within game and beyond.”
‘PRO:DIRECT Sport PD:FC’ will be come just the latest in a recent trend of high-profile openings in the Arndale and neighbouring New Cathedral Street, with the likes of Sephora and Represent attracting huge opening day queues, not to mention fellow sport and activity brands, Arc’teryx, Alo Yoga and Trailberg.
Speaking on the announcement, PRO:DIRECT Sport‘s Chief of Brand, Sam Baldock, said: “Manchester is the beating heart of football culture – a city where the game’s history, passion, and future collide.
“Launching our new PD:FC concept here is about more than opening a store; it’s about creating a space that lives and breathes football and its culture.
“A place where players and fans can connect with the very best the sport has to offer. This is our home for the football-inspired community in the Manchester area – from the streets to the stadiums – and we can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors.”
Daisy Jackson -
25th August 2022 
