A plant paradise will be created at Depot Mayfield in Manchester this month when the inaugural RHS Urban Show takes over.
The huge event – the charity’s first large-scale indoor show – has been created to celebrate the growing urban gardening movement.
Whether you’re cramming a tropical jungle onto your balcony or trying to bring a little plant life into your home, the RHS Urban Show will have exhibits that will educate and inspire you.
You can learn the secrets to growing happy houseplants, see vertical structures for awkward urban spaces, and explore a seven-garden vision for a greener city.
There’ll even be a horticultural exhibit celebrating the heyday of Manchester’s Hacienda days.
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The RHS Urban Show wants to answer the question of ‘what is urban gardening’ through this huge event, which will run between Thursday 18 and Sunday 21 April.
Major exhibits will be filling the gigantic industrial space at Depot Mayfield, like the RHS City Spaces: Cloudscape, by Manchester’s Cloud Gardener Jason Williams, which will challenge local authorities and developers to think and envision greener towns and cities.
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The inaugural RHS Urban Show in Manchester will be a plant-lover’s paradise
It will bring together four balconies, each facing north, south, east and west, plus a north-facing shaded patio, an urban farm, and a communal garden.
Created in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Rise programme and Notcutts Garden Centre, RHS City Spaces: Cloudscape will showcase how to bring plants into your space, regardless of needs, microclimate, or budget.
Williams said: “The concept as a whole is an ambitious blueprint of how we can bring a city together. These are not show gardens, they are learning exhibits designed to teach residents, local authorities, retail and developers how we can all improve to make our towns and cities greener.”
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Four-time RHS Chelsea Flower Show medal-winners GrowTropicals will be explaining which houseplants – including rare and exotic ones – are best suited to which home environment.
Visitors to the RHS Urban Show will be able to learn the secrets to growing happy houseplantsThere’ll be exhibitions, talks, shopping opportunities and more at the RHS Urban Show in Manchester
They’ll group dozens of plants together, from shade-loving plants who’ll be happy in north-facing rooms, to those who love a bit of humidity, to the sun-worshippers begging for a sunny windowsill.
Midlands-based designer Amanda Grimes’ exhibit Pop Culture Planting: Punk Rockery, the New Wave and 24-Hour Party Planting, will be a two-part installation set over three years, showing a design at the time of planting, one year on and two years on.
Her aim is to give new and inexperienced gardeners the confidence and inspiration to ‘just go for it’ by showing visitors what they can expect as a garden develops naturally over time, even with poor soil or rubble.
She said: “Punk Rockery hits Manchester in the same way the Sex Pistols did in June 1976, though possibly with less swearing and a bigger audience.
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“That now-legendary gig was the spark that lit the touch paper of the whole Manchester New Wave music scene which included the Buzzcocks, Joy Division/New Order, The Fall, Magazine, The Smiths and Factory Records, and went on to inspire so many more.
“The installation is named in honour of all that creativity which was, and still is, uniquely Mancunian.
“24-Hour Party Planting is a celebration of Manchester’s thriving nightlife, restaurant and entertainment scene.
Garden designer Tom Wilkes-Rios dusts between leaves of succulents on his balcony garden ‘The Blue Garden’. Credit: RHS / Luke MacGregor
“It references the Happy Mondays’ track of the same name, and with it the hedonistic days of the Hacienda. It traces that legacy through to 2024 and the incredibly diverse, vibrant and endlessly creative energy of the Gay Village, Northern Quarter, Salford and beyond.”
The RHS Urban Show, sponsored by Mad About Land, also debuts ‘content cubes’ for gardeners with small spaces.
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That includes RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2023’s People’s Choice and gold medal-winner Conal McGuire’s Urban Shade, which utilises modular ‘grow frames’ offering a flexible solution for growing in awkward urban spaces.
As well as all the exhibits to explore, there’ll be a programme of talks that will run through everything from cut flowers to juggling plant life with work and family life.
RHS-run workshops where you can make your own terrarium will be taking place, and you can join a free guided tour of the neighbouring Mayfield Park.
And you can browse through a variety of indoor and outdoor plants that you can take home with you, with pots, macrame, and even a new clothing range by Mad About Land for sale too.
Lex Falleyn, show manager for the RHS Urban Show, said: “Urban Gardening is diverse and dynamic and the inaugural RHS Urban Show is an exciting opportunity to explore the important role gardening plays in greening up cities.
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“We’ve chosen to work with a wide range of gardeners, from award-winning designers to community groups to enthusiasts who juggle gardening with day-to-day life. We hope this will bring a balance of relevant yet realistic advice to get people growing.”
The RHS Urban Show will take place at Depot Mayfield between Thursday 18 and Sunday 21 April. You can buy tickets here.
The Liquor Store is putting together the perfect package for Oasis fans heading to Heaton Park
Danny Jones
Manchester bar The Liquor Store is putting together the ultimate pre and post-gig package ahead of the Live ’25 Oasis reunion shows, perfect for anyone heading to Heaton Park for the momentous series of shows.
The brilliant Manc boozer, which borders Blackfriars Street and the edge of Deansgate, has been a popular spot both before and after nearby concerts for years, so it’s no surprise that they’re getting involved with the shows of the century.
With Oasis set to play a whopping five nights at Heaton Park this summer, people are already trying to figure out their plans for the big day(s), with fans flocking from all over the country to see them wherever they could manage to get tickets, especially at this massive outdoor show.
Good job the Liquor lads and ladies have you sorted.
Set to run ‘The Masterplan’ service (very good) for each of Oasis‘ huge hometown shows throughout July, The Liquor Store are making sure gig-goers get to the venue without any trouble and get plenty of time to get in the mood beforehand.
As well as a good old party afterwards, of course.
Offering a comprehensive concert package, complete with coach travel to Heaton Park, not to mention bottomless beer and pizza from 2-3pm when you’re in the bar itself, this music-obsessed bar is set to be the perfect place to fuel and carry on the Britpop party afterwards.
Littered with music memorabilia and images of local bands like the Burnage boys themselves, plus an absolutely unreal playlist of Oasis classics all day and all night, it’s the ideal setting to get you in the mood for the day.
There’ll also be a DJ set from much-loved local Jon Lowe from midday onwards. Oh yeah, and complimentary bucket hats and tambourines for wristband holders should help the good vibes along too.
Better still, even for those not buying ‘The Masterplan’ ticket – which includes the bus to the location and as much suds and scran as you can muster – entry to the venue for the before and after-parties is completely free. After all, it’s still a popular city centre watering hole whether Oasis are in town or not.
As for the coach, the service will depart at 4:30pm and is set to leave Heaton Park around 11:15pm, heading straight back to The Liquor Store, of course.
Ticket holders will be issued with a wristband that will allow them entry onto the coach and access to the bottomless scran and bevs. If you’re not on that bus 10 minutes before they set off, you will be left behind, unfortunately.
With that in mind, tickets are very limited, with less than 50 spots to secure, so if you want to be a part of the ultimate pre-drinks and post-gig party, you’d better act fast.
You can grab yours and find out the full terms and conditions HERE.
The massively underrated rooftop terrace in Manchester with great views and top cocktails
Daisy Jackson
Manchester city centre is generally STARVED of outdoor space, but we’ve found the perfect sun-soaked oasis where you can enjoy a bit of fresh air and a whole lot of great food and drinks.
Tucked up on the sixth floor of the award-winning boutique hotel King Street Townhouse, you’ll find a rooftop terrace with beautiful views of the city’s skyline.
As Manchester buzzes along beneath you, you can tuck in to everything from full charcuterie grazing boards to seasonal snacks and small plates, all served alongside an impressive wine and cocktail list.
This often-overlooked local spot is a firm favourite of those in the know, thanks to its sheltered location that basks in the sun all afternoon.
And although it’s in a prime city centre location, just a stone’s throw from Deansgate, St Peter’s Square and Market Street, it’s a luxurious escape from it all – as is the entire boutique hotel it’s part of.
Whether it’s a post-work social, a relaxed date night, or a cheeky afternoon cocktail, the King Street Townhouse Terrace is open to the public and available for walk-ins or bookings when it isn’t privately hired.
On the menu you can expect locally-sourced dishes like Pollen sourdough served with whipped butter, a meat or cheese grazing board loaded with British produce, and larger plates like a beef and bone marrow burger or a fried fish roll topped with crisps.
British charcuterie grazing boardSpritzes on the King Street Townhouse terrace
Pairing perfectly with a spritz or a beer are snacks like deep-fried Gordal olives, stuffed with fennel sausage, and a brioche garlic bread packed with cream cheese.
The hotel has a cocktail list that celebrates classic drinks and a few of their own signature concoctions, and it doesn’t feel much more luxurious than when you treat yourself to a glass of sky-high champagne with views like this.
The South Terrace can also be hired privately for leisure or corporate events, with tailored catering options including summer BBQs.
And you can ramp up your trip to this oasis by staying overnight in one of the boutique hotels’ rooms, or visiting the King Street Townhouse ESPA spa for a treatment.
Find out more about the terrace at King Street Townhouse HERE.
The terrace at King Street Townhouse hotelThe terrace at King Street Townhouse hotelDeep-fried olivesGarlic bread with creamed cheeseKing Street Townhouse hotel
Daisy Jackson -
5th April 2024 
