I hate cars. Well, hate is a strong word. I’m very uninterested in cars. As long as they get me from A to B without blowing up, I’m happy.
So when Tesla got in touch to see if I would be interested in trying one out, I was a little apprehensive. Surely it’s just a bit of a gimmick? The tech isn’t quite there yet? It’s just a car, who cares? I was wrong. After about four seconds, I cared.
Arriving at the Tesla showroom on Wellington Road in Stockport was like stepping into the future. Everything was sleek and clean with free coffee from one of those fancy pod machines where they’re all a different colour and you don’t really know what you’re getting but it’s free so who cares?! I did feel slightly out of place with all the fancy cars – how did this lad who grew up in Hazel Grove end up in here?
But the keys (well… a credit card-shaped key, because Tesla LOVES fancy tech) to my shiny blue Tesla Model Y in my hand, I was off to explore the north west and test it out.
The newest Teslas come with so many features, from built-in ‘Camp Mode’ to Netflix, that I thought I may as well just not leave the car for a day – bar bathroom breaks and other essential errands.
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With so many features to try, my first stop was Leeds to visit the team at The Hoot for some car-eoke. The drive there was super smooth and I even let the car’s autopilot do most of the work for me. It was scary to begin but once you’re used to it it makes motorway driving a dream. The car-eoke feature is a great opportunity to blast out some ballads and keep everyone entertained.
Then it was back across the M62 to pick up a couple of Manc mates, heading off to Chaiiwala’s new drive-thru in Bolton.
Let me tell you, there is nothing more entertaining then unexpectedly flooring it and seeing your co-workers’ shocked faces as they’re soaked with colourful iced tea. Fuelled with delicious Indian street food, we sat and played around with the settings, finding it hilarious (because we are overgrown children) that you can set everything from the indicators to the horn to make fart noises. Less hilarious when I forgot to undo the settings and turned up to a client meeting with the car farting everywhere…
The Model Y is big enough to sleep in, with mattresses available from Tescamp on Amazon. My husband and I took it to a field in Rochdale to sleep under the stars – which you can see through the Tesla’s expansive sun roof. The Tesla has camping mode, which keeps the car cool and comfortable throughout the night.
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With all the driving around and camping overnight, the Tesla needed a charge. Handily, the built in Google Maps could direct me to my closest Tesla supercharger, which can be found at the Trafford Centre. The perfect opportunity to get a bit of shopping in and catch an episode of something on Netflix IN THE CAR while it charged, which only took about 40 minutes.
Car charged, it was time to recharge my own batteries, driving on over to Oldham to try out the incredible cakes at Wonderlust Bistro & Bakery – a true hidden gem that everyone should check out.
Surprisingly, we were still hungry after that and luckily for us the Tesla has an ‘I’m hungry’ button (which I would like to have by my side at all times), so we let the car decide. It chose the delectable Lily’s Vegetarian in Ashton, where we could barely make a dent in the huge menu of Indian dishes.
I ended up having the car for around two weeks and I was genuinely heartbroken to give it back. It drives so well, has so many cool features and you feel special driving it. Everyone looks at you with awe when you’re in it too… even if you then startle with them with a very loud fart noise.
About the car
The Model Y is their fully electric, small crossover SUV
It can drive up to 330 miles on a full charge
It can do 0-60 in as little at 3.5 seconds
Has surround HD cameras – perfect for manoeuvring and showing your blind spots when changing lanes
Build in HD screen with access to Netflix, Disney+ and games
Autopilot for self-driving fun
5 star rating for safety
Huge boot capacity with storage in the bonnet too
Individually collapsible seats in the rear
Pet mode to keep your pets cool and comfortable if they have to be left in the car
Camping mode – so you can take the Tesla anywhere and sleep in it
Off Roading capability with superior traction control
Dual motors independently controlling the torque for the front and rear wheels
Superfast charging – charge up to 150 miles in just 15 mins
Tesla vision – detects nearby cars to help prevent collisions
Expansive glass roof
15 inch touchscreen display
Over air software updates
Fully customisable to each driver – it remembers your seat position and everything!
An official and completely FREE Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026
Danny Jones
Yes, last year’s newest and official Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026, promising more positive pre- and post-race vibes than the first time around.
Here’s hoping for some lovely sunshine to go along with the atmosphere on 19 April.
Set to host the city centre’s runners and spectators for just the second time, Circle Square’s Symphony Park will be home to the 2026 Manc Marathon fan park, complete with independent pop-ups, big screens to watch all the action on, plus plenty more.
Best of all, it’s completely free to enter all day long for participants and those of you cheering your loved ones along, as well as being an ideal all-ages spot for families to relax and enjoy.
Located just moments from the finish line, just outside the University of Manchester along Oxford Road Corridor, you simply follow it down towards the tall Vita Group and Bruntwood SciTech buildings.
Circle Square itself hosts many events and activities all throughout the year, and they couldn’t resist getting back in on the raceday party once again, as more legends are set to take part than ever.
For context, 2025 saw more than 35,000 sign-ups, but this April is expected to see a whopping sold-out crowd exceeding 42,000 – a record number for the annual event.
With that in mind, finding a place to fit all of them and the countless fans who come along to cheer them on from the sidelines is paramount, so it’s a good job the Symphony Park x MCR Marathon fan zone will be open from 9am on the day.
Here are some more scenes from the last edition:
Credit: Jody Hartley (supplied)
Although more are set to be revealed nearer the time, visitors can expect “a lively schedule of entertainment, food and drink pop-ups, family-friendly activities and special offers from our community of independent businesses and brands.”
Set to close around 5pm as the hordes of runners will doubt either head home for a long bath, leg rub or straight to the pub for their victory pints, we can assure you lots of time will be spent on the square.
Featured Images — Jody Hartley (supplied via SH Comms)
Travel & Tourism
What to expect from Sticks’n’Sushi, the giant new restaurant that will have Manchester talking
Daisy Jackson
One of the largest restaurant sites in Spinningfields is finally getting the tenant it deserves – Sticks’n’Sushi is heading to Manchester.
In recent months, we’ve seen giant fish being plastered into the windows of the massive two-storey building, which has been largely vacant since Iberica closed way back in 2020 (apart for those weird moments it became a Christmas bar, and then the Oasis merch store).
Work is moving at pace to breathe some life and love back into this building, ready for the official launch of Sticks’n’Sushi at the end of this month.
And the giant fish in the windows give you a good hint of what’s to come, with fresh, quality seafood at the heart of the menus, alongside grilled skewers of meat.
Sticks’n’Sushi is, contrary to what the menu might suggest, a Danish brand – and one of Denmark’s most successful restaurant names, with a dozen locations across its native country plus restaurants in London, Berlin, Oxford and Cambridge.
As well as Manchester, Sticks’n’Sushi has revealed plans to open in Leeds, too. It’s a really impressive operation.
The restaurant started life back in 1994, founded by brothers Kim and Jens Rahbek, and Thor Anderson. The brothers called on their half-Japanese, half-Danish roots to combine culinary traditions from both backgrounds to create their menus.
Beef tataki at Sticks’n’SushiShake tatakiEbi bitesMaki, and nagiri Sticks’n’Sushi also makes excellent cocktailsSashimi Deluxe
It’s still a family affair too, with their nephew working in their rooftop Copenhagen restaurant that overlooks the famous Tivoli Gardens.
When Sticks’n’Sushi lands in Manchester, they want to bring that sleek Scandinavian atmosphere to Spinningfields, along with the precise craftsmanship of Japanese cooking.
They’re perhaps best-known for their sharing menus, which show off a mix of both sticks and indeed sushi.
Highlights will include slithers of beef tataki, topped with artichoke chips and miso aioli (the trick to eating this one is to try and fold the beef around the chips).
The miso-marinated black cod skewers are another popular choice, along with melt-in-the-mouth Wagyu yaki sticks and Shoyu Tebasaki chicken wings.
House roll highlights include shrimp, gochujang and avocado maki, soft shell crab rolls, and lobster abokado.
Sticks’n’Sushi Manchester will transform the two-storey corner unit in Spinningfields with glass and timber, with Berlin architects Diener and Diener working on the project.
It’ll also have a sizeable outdoor pergola terrace and bar.
Bookings are open now HERE ahead of its 30 March launch.
Kristen MacGregor-Houlston -
4th June 2023 
