In news that should surprise absolutely no one, Manchester has been named one of the friendliest cities in the UK: the second most friendly, to be exact, but we already know we should be first anywayso we’re not going to split hairs.
Yes, that’s right, Manchester city centre and the surrounding area tied second for the friendliest city in Great Britain, according to the annual Condé Nast Traveller‘s Readers’ Choice Awards, dishing out a score of 94.12 when it comes to us Mancs making people feel welcome in the best city in the world.
The figure itself is a percentage representing the “overall average levels of satisfaction” for people who come to the city. I mean, who are we to question their metrics? All we’re saying is that for anyone dubious, at least now you have an excuse as to why weren’t number one this year.
Recognising the jewel of the North as “the world’s first industrial city and home to the UK’s first ever working canal”, they reinforced how Manchester has “come a long way since the 19th century, though it still retains its historical charm and nods to its heritage can be spotted around the city.” Hard agree.
As the entry goes on to state, they describe Manchester as “in and among the modern shopping destinations, an exciting arts and culture scene and [boasting] a foodie scene that is continually reinventing itself”, adding simply, “We defy you to be immune to this Northern city’s charm.
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They even gave a recommendation of the best spot to stay if you’re staying over: Whitworth Locke — a favourite of ours as well, to be honest. All the apartments are situated inside a historic cotton mill, painted in pastels and, as CN Traveler put it, “ready to take over as your own”.
There’s even a Foundation Coffee House site located on the ground floor and a cool little co-working space tucked away in the back as well.
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So, whether you’re just staying over or looking for somewhere to settle down where the people smile, you know where to look. And that’s just the city centre, don’t forget — wait until they hear about what the rest of Greater Manchester boroughs have to offer.
Now, if you were wondering not only what city we tied with but also somehow beat us, we will reluctantly be the bearer of sceptical news.
According to these lot, Liverpool and Belfast join us in second place; two great cities in their own right, no doubt (we’ll cheers to Irish hospitality, especially), but we’re still not having that they’re better than 0161.
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As for the city that took the gold medal, that coveted accolade goes to the Welsh capital of Cardiff. Again, a wonderful place, fair enough, but if this list were reduced simply to the friendliest cities in England you might as well have just crowned Manchester as champion.
We look forward to next year when these guys see the error of their ways and rightly hand us the top spot — then we can sit back and relax. Fortunately, we’ve got plenty of places to do so around here.
Hawksmoor issues statement after ‘kicking out’ Tommy Robinson from one of its restaurants
Daisy Jackson
Hawksmoor has issued a statement after a viral video captured far-right activist Tommy Robinson being asked to leave one of its restaurants.
In the video, staff at the acclaimed British steak house told Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – that he would have to go because members of staff feel uncomfortable serving you’.
The supervisor then politely told the party not to worry about the drinks and that they had been paid for, also handing over a business card for Hawksmoor CEO Will Beckett in case they wanted to discuss the matter further.
Robinson was dining in one of the group’s London restaurants with former prominent EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai who challenged the staff and asked: “Is it because of the colour of my skin?”
The supervisor responded: “No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I’m sure you can understand.”
After the video went viral on X, Hawksmoor went on to share a statement in response, saying that guests and staff ‘felt uncomfortable and complained’.
The statement, signed by CEO Will Beckett, added that the Hawksmoor team has faced ‘a huge amount’ of ‘quite concerning’ fallout from the Tommy Robinson incident.
He added that ‘this was not about politics or beliefs’.
Hawksmoor’s statement reads: “Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible.
“On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. The party left peacefully and politely on request.
“This was not about politics or beliefs. Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.
“We’re not trying to engage in a public debate. The team has had to deal with a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning. We would like to get back to focussing on looking after those people, and our guests. Thank you to them, and the many of you who have been so supportive.”
Police release footage of missing Manchester man Adeo Alston-Ekpei’s last-known movements
Emily Sergeant
Video footage showing the last-known movements of a Manchester man who’s been missing for three weeks now has been released.
Detectives at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are continuing to search for Adeo Alston-Ekpei, who has not been seen since Friday 16 May.
The 25-year-old was seen in Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury at around 3pm, before later being seen walking down Kingsway away from Manchester and close to the River Mersey, at around 5.20pm that same day.
Multiple lines of enquiry being explored by police at present, but anyone who believes they may have seen him from around this time, is asked to get in touch.
Adeo is described as being a mixed-race male, with long curly black hair and a long singular dreadlock, and bleached eyebrows. He has a cupid’s bow piercing and a right eyebrow piercing. He also has an ‘AKA’ tattoo on his right wrist, and a ‘24’ tattoo in the right side of his chest.
He was last seen wearing long blue denim shorts, an undone green short-sleeved button-up shirt, and white Adidas trainers.
Friends have also recently set up a public fundraiser to help with the search for Adeo.
Adeo Alston-Ekpei has been missing for almost three weeks / Credit: GMP
“We are dedicated to finding Adeo and getting much-needed answers for his family,” commented Detective Inspector Kelly, from GMP’s Manchester district, as the footage was released to the public this week.
“I would ask any residents around the Kingsway area, and surrounding housing estates off Kingsway into Gately, and who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from around this time, to please check and get in touch if you have any information.
“Likewise, if anyone believes they have seen Adeo, please get in touch with one of our officers. Any information is appreciated and investigated as we continue our work.”
#MISSING | We are continuing to ask for information relating to missing Adeo, who was last seen on May 16.
We have additionally released CCTV footage showing Adeo’s last known movements on Kingsway, Manchester.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 5, 2025
A spokesperson for Adeo’s family described the missing man as ‘kind, funny, and intelligent’ with a ‘huge heart’, but they say he ‘wasn’t himself when he disappeared’.
“He may have come across as agitated, lost, or confused,” the spokesperson admitted. “In his last call to his mum, he was in a very vulnerable state.”
Anyone with any information regarding Adeo’s whereabouts is urged to contact South Manchester CID directly on 0161 856 6051 or 0161 856 6063, or you can use the LiveChat function on GMP’s website and quote log number 838 of 18/05/25.
Alternatively, you can report information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Danny Jones -
6th October 2023 
