Mancs have been baffled this morning by the sight of a gigantic mobile phone running around town.
Someone dressed as a phone was clocked moving at pace through Manchester city centre.
The long-legged device travelled from St Peter’s Square down to Piccadilly Gardens before disappearing into the Northern Quarter.
One eye witness said: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I thought they might be filming a new series of Trigger Happy TV but with an even bigger phone.”
Another person said: “It was quite unnerving because I’m used to seeing my phones normal-sized.”
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When The Manc caught up with the giant phone and asked what they were dressed up for, they refused to answer and just said we’d have to ‘call back at 3pm’.
They also mumbled something about an exciting opportunity before they vanished.
We caught something about Mobile Phones Direct too, which is a brand owned by AO that sells ‘as-new’ mobile phones for a fraction of the price.
AO is the first online retailer to stock these ‘as-new’ phones, with handsets including iPhones from the official Apple factory with 12-month warranties.
Manchester has a bit of a habit for producing giant versions of everyday objects – who could forget the huge pigeon casually strolling past normal-sized ones a few years back.
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And now we’re all sitting waiting for the giant phone to reappear at 3pm today to see what all the fuss is about.
You might want to keep an eye on The Manc’s Instagram and TikTok pages…
Update – 10 August
The mystery of the giant phone was solved on Wednesday afternoon, when it turned out the giant phone was giving away a free, brand-new, iPhone 14 Pro.
The big device went live on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram and began to run all over Manchester city centre again, prize in hand.
The first person to track him down – and he was fast – sing a ring tone, and shout Mobile Phones Direct, was declared the winner.
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And Jake Whitehead was the lucky soul who scooped himself a brand new phone after sprinting all the way from the Northern Quarter to catch The Manc on Cooper Street.
Perfect timing, too – Jake had smashed his own phone the day before…
There’s a new summer terrace in town with a weekend spritz happy hour
Daisy Jackson
There’s a new summer terrace in Greater Manchester that’s the ideal spot to soak in some rays – and enjoy a few discounted spritzes while you’re there.
Over on Chapel Street – just across the river from Manchester Cathedral – you’ll find Embankment Kitchen, which has opened up its terrace for the season.
This stylish spot is part of the CitySuites aparthotel, and has a menu rooted in the warm spirit of Northern hospitality.
It’s worth a visit all year round for their seasonally-focused, local-as-possible menus, but the summer terrace at Embankment Kitchen is a real added bonus in spring and summer.
And following that spell of absolutely glorious weather, they’re opening up two hours earlier every day too for maximum sun-soaking from 2pm.
At Embankment Kitchen you can tuck into a drinks and nibbles menu from 2pm until 5pm, and Happy Hour drinks deals from 4pm until 7pm.
That means two-for-one cocktails, plus discounted wines, prosecco and beers – an ideal post-work haunt.
Cocktails at Embankment Kitchen in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSmall plates on the Embankment Kitchen terrace. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s usually almost impossible to find a happy hour in Manchester at weekends, but these guys are doing two-for-£12 spritzes every Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 4pm, with flavours including Aperol, Hugo, and limoncello.
Drinks on the menu include signature cocktails that are inspired by the city’s industrial roots, like The Emmeline, Manchester Exchange (a take on an old fashioned), and the Atomic Zombie, as well as classic cocktails such as an espresso martini, limoncello negroni, amaretto sour, and strawberry daiquiri.
As for nibbles, tuck into treats like garlic bread, edamame beans with smoked salt, garlic and parmesan fries, salt and pepper tater tots, and halloumi fries.
Surrounded by lush plants and gigantic parasols, it’s hard to believe you’re just across the river in Salford when you’re soaking up the sun at Embankment Kitchen. To find out more, head HERE.
A huge Irish festival with iconic music stars, markets, food and more is coming to Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A massive Irish music festival with masses of food, drink, crafts, workshops and surprises is returning to Greater Manchester this summer.
Craic by the Creek 2025 will bring together all the best bits of the Emerald Isle for a weekend-long knees-up in a gorgeous countryside location on our doorstep in July.
There’s a huge music line-up (with plenty more still to be announced) featuring Boyzlife, made up of Keith Duffy from Boyzone and Brian McFadden from Westlife.
And this fun-filled Irish Music Festival is the only one of its kind offering full weekend camping, at the beautiful village of Compstall in Stockport.
The countdown is now officially on for this unmissable celebration of Irish music, culture, and community spirit, which will take place between 18 and 20 July.
Craic by the Creek has been hailed as the greatest Irish music festival in the UK and is back for 2025 bigger than ever.
Already announced to perform live along with Boyzlife are The Tumbling Paddies, Derek Ryan, All Folk’d Up, Johnny Brady, The Kilkennys and loads more.
There are still more acts to be revealed in this stacked line-up.
And it’s not just about the music at Craic by the Creek – there’s also a bustling Irish-themed craft market with handmade goods, Irish-inspired food and drink, social dance workshops, and plenty of surprises.
Expect a weekend of tunes, traditions, community vibes and campfire craic.
Craic by the Creek will take place between 18 and 20 July, 2025 – tickets are on sale now via Skiddle, and they’re already flying.
Daisy Jackson -
9th August 2023 
