A special themed tram celebrating the greatest TV soap of all time has officially hit the Metrolink tracks today.
And it’s “the most Manc tram ever” too, apparently.
It’s pretty well-known at this point that Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) constantly gets contacted by Coronation Street fans asking where the TV show’s dedicated tram stop is – which doesn’t actually exist, by the way – and is not helped by the fact there’s a CGI tram in the programme’s titles and a ‘tram stop’ on the soap’s set too.
In fact, after the infamous tram crash in 2010’s 50th Anniversary episode, TfGM had almost 300 queries asking if the trams were still running in Manchester… genuinely.
Over here in the ‘real world’, fans looking to head to the Coronation Street Experience for a special visit of the show’s set will need to hop off at the nearest stop, which is the IWM North, just a short wander away – but as of today (19 June), all that has now changed.
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A special Coronation Street-themed tram has officially hit the Metrolink tracks / Credit: ITV Studios
That’s because, in true Corrie style,ITV Studios has proudly revealed what it’s calling “the most Manc transport ever” with the launch of the first-ever ‘Coronation Street Experience’ tram.
The unique homage to the show will meander across the Metrolink network for the next 12 months.
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Created using special visuals from Manchester-based agency, Meanwhile, the so-called ‘Insta-trammable’ tram can be seen all dressed-up with gorgeous illustrations from the cobbles to give passengers the change to head to Rochdale through the legendary ‘Rovers doors’, arrive at Kingsway through the Kabin, make their way to the Velopark via Vera and Jack’s infamously-clad ‘No. 9 door’, or rock up at Radcliffe through the entrance to Roys Rolls.
As summer settles on our city, the ITV and TfGM teams also briefly snuck into the ‘real world’ earlier on today to turn the IWM Metrolink stop into ‘Weatherfield North’, especially for the themed tram’s official launch.
It’ll be travelling across Greater Manchester from today for the next 12 months / Credit: TfGM
“We’ve got our very own Weatherfield tram stop, where our characters catch a handy tram ‘into town’, and we’ve even very-occasionally got a virtual tram going past over our bridge, commented John Whiston, who is the MD for Continuing Drama at ITV Studios, as the tram officially hit the region’s tracks today.
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“However, we’ve never actually ventured onto Manchester’s Metrolink other than fictionally, so it’s exciting that an actual tram will sport some fine Coronation Street livery.”
Mr Whiston added that the point of the new themed tram is to show visitors just “how easy it is to journey to the Coronation Street Experience on a real tram.”
Urging Mancs and Greater Manchester visitors to “keep an eye out” for the new Corrie-themed tram across the Metrolink network over the next 12 months, Pete Sommers, who is TfGM’s Interim Metrolink Network Director, added: “Metrolink, like Corrie, is an iconic symbol of Greater Manchester that has gone from strength to strength over the years, so we are delighted to be supporting ITV Studios and the Coronation Street Experience.
“Passengers will also have the chance to board the Corrie-themed tram out on the network over the coming months, so I’d urge people to keep an eye out.”
Featured Image – ITV Studios
Boroughs
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 30 September – 6 October 2024
Emily Sergeant
Goodbye September, hello October.
We’re into a new month and the seasons have well and truly changed now, so as we all start to fully immerse ourselves in everything autumn has to offer, there’s absolutely no shortage of things for the whole family to be getting up to across Greater Manchester – especially as the spookiest time of year is coming up.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? We’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Scare City 2024
Camelot Theme Park
Monday 30 September – onwards
Scare City 2023 / Credit: Supplied
Scare City has returned to the North West for its fifth year running with its “most immersive” horror experience to date.
Taking over the grounds of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park for “another year of terror”, just as it has done for the past three years following the success of its initial 2020 launch as a drive-in cinema, this year’s event features a selection of terrifying zones to weave your way through – some familiar, some brand new.
Tickets are now available to book at £26.95 for standard entry, or £36.95 for the ‘Gold Entry’ (both plus a £2.45 booking free).
Find out more and grab tickets to this year’s event here.
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Oktoberfest 2024
Albert’s Schloss
Monday 30 September – Sunday 6 October
Oktoberfest 2024 / Credit: Supplied
Manchester’s “Bavarian extravaganza” is now underway.
Albert’s Schloss has a jam-packed programme of Oktoberfest-themed events for this year, and there’s plenty of bier-fuelled fun, foodie classics, and round-the-clock revelry that awaits.
Throughout the last week of this event, revellers are invited to head on down to Schloss and enjoy an array of activities – with everything from ‘Keg Tapping’, and specially-selected beers, to must-see “eclectic” entertainment, a live Oompah brass band, and best dressed competitions on the lineup.
NEW OPENING – Museum of Illusions / Credit: The Manc Group
The world-famous Museum of Illusions filled with optical illusions and interactive exhibits is now open in Manchester.
Inside the new attraction – which opened last week on Market Street, and is the only location in the UK – visitors are able to dangle upside down on a Metrolink tram, have their minds blown in the Vortex Tunnel, and probably learn a thing or two while they’re at it.
Visitors are promised mind-bending illusions and curious games around every corner.
There’s even somee brand-new, Manchester-exclusive installations too, like The Reversed Room, and The Building Illusion, where you can dangle, Spider-man-style, from a classic city brick terraced building.
Stockport is currently hosting its inaugural Paint Jam, and this huge event covers a 1km walking tour from Merseyway to GRIT Studios on Canal Street, with four different locations showcasing their own taste of culture.
Breakdancers, food and drink options, and DJs will keep you company along the trail as you immerse yourself in everything the Greater Manchester borough has to offer.
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Akse P19, Qubek, Hammo, Liam Bonini, Caroline Daly, and Kelzo are some of the artists involved.
Known and loved for being one of the best musicals the 21st Century – and one of the funniest of all time – having scooped up dozens of coveted awards both in the US and here in the UK in its time, The Book of Mormon is currently out on tour, and the Elders have now arrived in our city for an extended stay.
The hilarious production has taken over the iconic Palace Theatre stage, and there’s still chance to grab yourself some tickets to this last week of performances.
Manc visitors will be able to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore some richly-themed environments, and encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Did you hear that Bada Bing is back with a bada bang?
Yes that’s right, it’s finally happened – this cult sandwich shop has made a triumphant return to Manchester, and planted its carby-heavy goodness in a new site right in the middle of the Northern Quarter.
The Sopranos-inspired deli is slinging out those famous huge subs we all know and love once again, brightening up lunch times all over the city, and we really couldn’t be happier to have that hoagie-shaped hole in our hearts filled once again.
Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine / Credit: Science Museum Group
More than 100 objects and stories collected during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic are now on display as part of a new exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum.
The groundbreaking new exhibition, titled Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed, while uncovering the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators around the globe who collaborated to tackle the worldwide COVID-19 challenge along the way.
Festival season might be winding down, but party season is officially upon us, as The Warehouse Project has finally kicked off for 2024.
Running right until the legendary New Year’s Eve party on 31 December, Depot Mayfield has been transformed into one of the UK’s largest nightclub venues – with acts from all over the world descending upon Manchester to perform innovative sets.
Everything you need to know about WHP24 can be found here.
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Student Discount Event
Cheshire Oaks
Wednesday 2 October
Student Discount Event / Credit: Supplied
Student shoppers can expect an evening filled with giveaways, massive discounts, free drinks, and music at Cheshire Oaks this week.
The Designer Outlet will be hosting its annual student event to celebrate the freshers season this Wednesday from 5pm to 9pm, and the evening has a schedule bursting with plenty of things to do across the 150 outlets and boutiques.
STAB Horror Film Season / Credit: Cultplex | Paramount Pictures
October is here… and so is STAB Horror Film Season.
Now a much-loved staple of Manchester’s spooky season, Cultplex’s annual horror film festival is back for 2024 from this week, and the Red Bank-based ‘mini cini’ will once again be taken over by a whole host of scary movies and more as part of the month-long festival.
This year’s lineup features sci-fi and supernatural classics such as The Exorcist and Alien, as well as full-on movie marathons, special spooky one-offs, and other events.
Student Night 2024 / Credit: Trafford Centre | Vincent Cole (via Supplied)
Students can get themselves up to 50% on food, activities, and loads of big-name brands at the Trafford Centre this week.
With thousands of new and returning students having arrived for the new academic year at Greater Manchester‘s universities, one of the region’s biggest student nights will be making a long-awaited comeback for one night only on Thursday, and there’ll be lots of exclusive offers and free entertainment to make the most of across the evening.
Levi’s, Sephora, D, 20%, River Island, KIKO, and All Saints are just some of the big brands offering big discounts.
Manchester Literature Festival is back for 2024 this Friday.
This year’s festival offers unique experiences for audiences to interact with some of the finest writers and thinkers from across the globe in a welcoming place where people come together to share their passion for language, be entertained, learn, and reflect on their connections with place, politics and people.
MLF is all about nurturing the next generation of readers, writers, and creatives, and there’s a jam-packed programme of events.
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is currently hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the summer, East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Red Rose Diners’ are described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience”, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.
The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
Neighbourhood Festival 2024 / Credit: NBHD Festival
Neighbourhood Festival is officially returning to Manchester this weekend.
The city centre spin-off of Warrington’s popular Neighbourhood Weekender has become one of the most popular music festivals in the North, and was sorely missed when they took a break last year, but luckily is back with a bang this Saturday, and will be rocking up to a number of beloved Manchester music venues including the Ritz, Gorilla, and Albert Hall.
The all-day festival is set to be a stormer this year – with headline and big-name acts including Pale Waves, Antony Szmierek, Red Rum Club, Seb Lowe, and so many more.
Cutting Room Square has now got its first Indian restaurant.
After opening its cherished Chorlton branch two years ago now, street food restaurant Indian Affair has now treated Manchester city centre to its very-own modern Indian kitchen too, and has taken over the former Rigatoni’s site in the heart of Ancoats.
The menu on offer at this new Manchester site fuses roadside food stalls and home-style cooking, and it’s absolutely mouthwatering.
Food here ranges from biryanis to burgers, celebrating North Indian cuisine with a modern twist – with loads of options for meat-eaters, veggies, and vegans alike.
The UK’s leading trance festival is coming back to Manchester for an unforgettable clubbing experience this weekend.
Rong Indoor Festival – which started back in 2009, and hosts events nationally all year long – often brings together some of the music genre’s biggest names, alongside lots of other talented performers on the same lineup, and this year’s edition sees the party take to O2 Victoria Warehouse.
Some highly-anticipated debuts are also set to play the decks when the festival returns for one day only on Saturday 5 October.
Inside The Martlet, Rochdale Town Hall’s new restaurant with a northern twist
Thomas Melia
The newest restaurant in Rochdale, The Martlet, is finally here, taking up a corner of the Rochdale Town Hall, and it’s being backed by some well-known names.
The much-anticipated restaurant has a smart menu packed with classic northern dishes, sourced locally, like Jackson’s rag pudding, and bacon chop with Bury Black Pudding and Denshaw egg.
And inside the stunning space, guests aren’t just treated to tasty delights, but visual delights too, with artwork adorning the eatery’s grand walls.
The Martlet is offering everything from seafood and meat and veggie dishes, sure to go down a treat with everyone who pops in to visit.
The leading powerhouses behind this remarkable venture are renowned chef Tristan Welch and award-winning chef Darren Parkinson, who have expertly crafted the menu for the establishment taking careful consideration of its location.
Parkinson has previously worked at restaurants not too far away in Halifax including Shibden Mill and The Fleece Inn, growing up in Heywood less than 15 minutes away from where The Martlet is situated.
Eager-eyed sweet-treat lovers may notice a familiar favourite from Grandpa Greene, a local ice cream parlour based in Delph, whose soft serve delicacy will definitely be a favourite with all dining guests.
Beef wellington (Front) and Cauliflower steak (Back) at The Martlet.Espresso martinis on hand at The Martlet.A lovely trio of Grandpa Greene’s finest ice cream.Inside The Martlet, the new restaurant at Rochdale Town Hall
There are a multitude of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink choices with standouts being the aptly-named ‘Peregrine’ whisky, named after the resident birds that have been nesting in the eye-catching clock tower since 2008.
Rochdale’s newest fine dining restaurant is named after a mythical bird, one which is featured in imagery of the town over the years and even on the borough’s coat of arms.
The Martlet holds a respectable 70 guests with its seating arrangements spread across a range of booths and tables.
A two course meal at this new food spot is £30 and those who are feeling a little more peckish can tempt their tastebuds to three courses for only £35.
The restaurant is a multifunctional space, so from 10am until 4pm on Monday to Fridays, it’s providing guests with a café luxe day-time menu and afternoon teas, which stay true to the dining destination’s northern roots.
Visitors wanting to enjoy The Martlet can come down on Friday and Saturday evenings from 27 September and will be greeted to a luxurious menu utilising local produce in its exquisite recipes.
Emily Sergeant -
19th June 2024 
