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A McDonald’s x Friends festival took over Bolton yesterday, with episodes screening at Cineworld and exclusive merch available

The one where McDonald’s brought Friends to the big screen

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 12th February 2026

Friends fans, gather round – a huge event dedicated to the hit sitcom took over Bolton yesterday, with exclusive screenings and limited-edition merch – and even if you missed the Friends festival, you can still get in on the action. 

The Cineworld Bolton was turned into an ultimate immersive Friends experience, all thanks to McDonald’s and its collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP) and DCM.

The event was created to coincide with the release of the brand-new, limited-edition Friends Meal at McDonald’s, which features a different character collectible in each meal – a miniature Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Phoebe Buffay, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing or Ross Geller.

McDonald’s will be taking its Friends festival to 12 locations right across the UK, bringing the beloved show to the big screen. 

As well as episodes being screened in the cinema, there’ll be merch, fun photo moments, and unmissable experiences. 

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It took place in Bolton for one day only, with fans able to hop in a free AI photobooth that turns you into a Friends-style collectible (which you could then print onto a t-shirt and take home for free). 

Then at all stops on the tour you can kick back with a free Maccies in hand to watch classic episodes on the big screen. 

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The limited-time Friends Meal from McDonald’s, which launched last week, features one-offs like Monica’s Marinara Sauce (Italian tomato sauce with garlic, onion and herbs), plus those adorable character collectibles.  

There’s Ross with his pet monkey, Rachel serving coffee, Monica in full chef mode, Phoebe with her guitar, and Chandler and Joey with their chick and duck duo. 

You can choose from a Big Mac®, 9 McNuggets®, or a McPlant® meal to gain one of the six collectibles from your local participating McDonald’s. 

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There’s also a chance to win one of four exclusive Friends-inspired mugs through the McDonald’s App if you’re an MMR customer. 

Tickets for the Friends and McDonald’s event have gone faster than Ross can say “We were on a break”, but you can check the latest availability HERE. 

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Featured image: Supplied

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JD Sports, Nike and MADE Running just hosted a historic 5k race INSIDE the Trafford Centre 

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Native run club and growing viral fitness phenomenon MADE Running made a bit of local history this past weekend by teaming up with JD Sports and Nike to host the first-ever 5k race inside The Trafford Centre.

Yes, you read that right – and this is just the start…

Many of us have wondered what it would be like to see what the iconic Greater Manchester shopping destination is like after it closes, but in our case, these lot genuinely realised a childhood dream of ours: opening up the place for just you and your mates and running full tilt through its stunning, shiny halls.

In the case of MADE, they’re no strangers to shutting down major Manc thoroughfares with the hundreds that flock to their regular running meets throughout the week.

As for the landmark 5k run in and around The Trafford Centre, a huge turn-out of runners started outside the JD megastore on Sunday 8 February, before looping around the interior, through the food court, out into the car park and back inside – even more came out, and from all over.

The event was put on thanks to JD, in celebration of their new ‘We Run This City’ campaign, showcasing Nike Performance products.

The new range includes ‘running basics, just better’, three head-turning running shoes – the Vomero Plus, the Vomero 18, and the Pegasus Premium – and athleisure pieces that slip seamlessly into your daily wardrobe. 

This latest JD and Nike campaign has been created to keep the motivation and momentum of the new year going well into 2026, with ‘the looks to run this city’. 

And as part of the campaign, JD teamed up with MADE Running for the Trafford Centre run event over the weekend, which had people gathering from all over – elsewhere in the North West, the Midlands, Scotland, London and even as far as Dubai.

It’s an emotional event that perfectly captured the spirit of the Nike collection and of Manchester, with founder Hermen Dange telling the assembled runners that he was in prison just a few years ago, and now the balance of good fortune, humility and the drive to be better has transformed their lives, and continues to do the same for so many.

Fast forward to today, and he’s met with the Nike CEO and his ever-growing crew are decked out in one of the hottest running shoes around right now, the ‘Vomero’, with more height and (most importantly) more comfort.

JD Sports, Nike and MADE Running just hosted a historic 5k race INSIDE the Trafford Centre 
JD Sports, Nike and MADE Running just hosted a historic 5k race INSIDE the Trafford Centre 
JD Sports, Nike and MADE Running just hosted a historic 5k race INSIDE the Trafford Centre 

Following plenty of pre-event festivities, including a live DJ, shoe try-ons and impromptu dance-offs, the elite runners got underway, followed by hordes of others who aren’t just putting their work ethic through its paces but had an incredibly fresh start time, with people arriving from as early as 6:30am.

Not only is this way earlier than most parkruns up and down the country, but seeing such commitment from Mancs and many other attendees en masse was genuinely inspiring.

That pretty much sums up everything you need to know about what Hermen and co. have created, to be honest. You only had to see how people looked and listened to his emotional speeches before and after the run.

The run’s warm-up was quickly followed by another motivational speech to cheer runners on, with plenty of hugs and even tears shared. 

MADE Running’s journey is a mad one, not least because of the countless people who’ve helped make it happen, and with Hermen informing those who travelled all manner of distances that the hope is for this to be just the first of several similar events, the inaugural MADE Running UK tour was officially teased.

Watch this space and keep your eyes peeled for dates coming soon.

And you can browse the full Nike ‘We Run This City’ with JD HERE.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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Manchester’s very own Central Park-style lakeside cafe reveals major refurb

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Manchester’s very own Central Park-style lakeside cafe reveals major refurb

Heaton Park’s beloved Lakeside Cafe has just unveiled a major transformation.

The waterside cafe overlooks the park’s iconic boating lake, where swan boat pedalos and row boats float on the water.

It’s always been a popular spot to stop on a day out for coffees, cakes, and classic full breakfasts – but now it’s got a brand-new look too.

The Lakeside Cafe has just reopened its doors, showing off a retro, lakehouse-style interior, complete with a mural by local artist Myro Doodles.

There’s a brand-new vintage-style photobooth outside, which adds to the charm and nostalgia of the boating lake – and it’s arrived just in time for Valentine’s Day too.

You’ll still find the grab-and-go hatch outside, where you can pick up takeaway coffees, milkshakes and ice creams to walk around the lake with.

Back inside, there are loads of unique touches like items sourced from vintage shops and other pieces from independent local businesses, plus cosy and accessible seating.

Staff at The Lakeside Cafe
Staff at The Lakeside Cafe
The takeaway coffee and ice cream hatch
The takeaway coffee and ice cream hatch
Inside the refurbished cafe
Inside the refurbished cafe
A new retro photobooth
A new retro photobooth
Coffee and cake at the Lakeside Cafe
Coffee and cake at the Lakeside Cafe
A new retro photobooth
A new retro photobooth
Stacked sandwiches
Stacked sandwiches
The Myro Doodles mural
The Myro Doodles mural
Milkshakes
Milkshakes

The cafe has invested into brand-new equipment like a state-of-the-art coffee machine to speed up proceedings for customers too.

The Lakeside Cafe, and its sister site up the hill The Stables Cafe, are both popular places to refuel post-Parkrun, mid-dog walk, or on a full date day.

The menu remains as before, with huge stacked sandwiches like a classic BLT, a beef brisket with dipping gravy, and a maple and bourbon BBQ chicken stack.

Those are alongside cafe classics like full English breakfasts, jacket potatoes, and toasties.

The Lakeside Cafe has now reopened at Heaton Park – you can find it beside the boating lake.

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