A landmark building in Manchester has been brought back to life this week, as the Edwardian swimming pool at Victoria Baths is refilled for a public swimming weekend.
The Grade II*-listed building hasn’t operated as a public baths since it was closed by the council in 1993, but has been restored to its former glory for a one-off weekend of events.
While many of us will have visited Victoria Baths for local events including pop-up cinemas, raves, and beer festivals, few will have seen it filled with colourful inflatables and happy swimmers.
But The Big Splash event will change all that, and as it’s the first in three years, they’re going all out.
It’s the heritage venue’s biggest fundraising event of the year and all money raised from the swim tickets goes to protecting the building’s future.
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Victoria Baths as the swimming pool was refilled this week. Credit: The Manc Group
This week, work has begun to bring water back to Victoria Baths – the swimming pool of which will take 96 hours (or four days) to fill.
For three days only, visitors will have a chance to see the space as it once was, thanks to United Utilities and a team of volunteers.
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Victoria Baths will whip out the inflatables – including its signature pink flamingos – and throw open the doors to the historic changing cubicles that line the poolside.
Elsewhere in the building there’ll be guided tours, exhibitions, access to the viewing gallery, choir performances, a kids’ art trail, a ‘Make, Do and Disco’ event, and talks.
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Hip Hop Chip Shop will rock up with their food truck too.
The Big Splash will take place on 9, 10 and 11 September. Final tickets are on sale now at www.victoriabaths.org.uk.
Featured image: The Manc Group
What's On
Pretty Woman The Musical will be returning to the stage in Manchester next year
Emily Sergeant
“Big night out. Big. HUGE.”
This is your chance to experience one of Hollywood’s best-loved romcoms of all time, as following a record-breaking run in the West End and a sell-out first UK tour in 2023, Pretty Woman The Musical is heading back out the road again next year, and it’ll be taking to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages.
With direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton, it’s no wonder Pretty Woman The Musical is one of the most popular productions of the 21st century.
Just like the 1990 film of the same name, Pretty Woman The Musical tells the story of Vivian and Edward, two unlikely soulmates who overcome all odds to find each other… and themselves.
Pretty Woman The Musical will be returning to the stage in Manchester next year / Credit: Supplied
The musical – which is described as being a ‘dazzlingly joyous love story for the ages’ – lets you experience all the moments you know and love from the movie, all while getting to know these iconic characters in a whole new way.
Stopping off at Manchester Palace Theatre next spring, the show will be in our city from Tuesday 23 March through to Saturday 3 April 2027, before visiting other northern cities like Leeds, York, Sunderland, Hull, and Liverpool, as well as major locations like Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.
Tickets officially go on sale this week – with the pre-sale for ATG members beginning this Wednesday (13 May), before general sale starts on Friday 15 May at 10am.
A huge vintage fair with retro car displays and vintage bus rides is coming to Stockport
Daisy Jackson
Retro cars, stalls packed with vintage clothes, live music, and dancing like no one’s filming you on a smart phone – that’s all coming to Stockport again this summer with the return of the Vintage Spectacular.
So Retro Events will be back in the town centre this July, drawing thousands of people for shopping, entertainment, and even vintage bus rides.
When it took place last year, The Vintage Spectacular attracted thousands of people to the marketplace for vintage treasure hunting.
And now it’s time for another go, this year popping up at Stockport Market Hall on Sunday 12 July.
There’ll be dozens of stalls selling everything from clothing, accessories and jewellery, to homeware, ceramics and artwork.
You’ll also be able to go digging for vinyl records from across the decades.
Fashion expert Sophie Yesufu will be offering free colour analysis sessions so you can rummage for your perfect new (but old) look.
And The Vintage Beauty Parlour will also be popping up to help you wrestle your hair into a classic victory roll.
So Retro Events is bringing its Vintage Spectacular to Stockport. Credit: Supplied
There’ll be free vintage bus rides around Stockport town centre, thanks to RM Coaches.
You can admire the retro cars that will park up outside the Market Hall for the occasion, along with a retro bike display of classic choppers from the Old School Cranks.
Leeds City Stompers will be performing blues, swing, ragtime and jazz, with a setlist dating back to the 1920s-1950s.
So Retro Events founder Michelle Barratt said: “We had an amazing time at the market hall last year.
“I loved seeing people from all generations enjoying all the vintage stalls and entertainment and the atmosphere was incredible!”
The Vintage Spectacular by So Retro Events will take place on Sunday 12 July from 11am until 4pm.
Tickets will be £3 in advance, or £5 on the door, and you can grab yours HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
7th September 2022 
