A huge exhibition featuring hundreds of Adidas trainers has opened in Manchester, bringing an overwhelming number of rare kicks to the city just in time for the controversial World Cup kick-off.
Hosted by high-end retail company END, which recently opened its doors here in the city centre, the exhibition pays homage to Adidas with its Spezial F.C exhibition.
Hosted at Circle Square on Oxford Road, the show takes a deep dive into the connection between the sportswear brand, club culture and the beautiful game. It feels particularly special here in Manchester – where Adidas trainers have long been a part of rave attire.
Running from 18-27 November, the mammoth exhibit showcases a selection of iconic Manchester-themed shoes including a dusty green pair of Terrace shoes dedicated to the neighbourhood of Moss Side.
Here, you’ll find a mixture of vintage and reissued styles sitting alongside unreleased samples, some working prototypes and a selection of football boots.
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These include a bright yellow paint-splattered pair painted by British music producer and DJ Goldie, and a ‘Liam Gallagher’ pair specially made for Spezial featuring a tag depicting the notorious Manchester musician’s face.
Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group
Headed up by Adidas Spezial designer and fellow northerner Gary Aspden, the exhibit also features a pair of David Beckham’s champagne Predators (signed by both David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane).
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In support of the exhibition, which celebrates not just football culture but Adidas’s relationship with music and street style subcultures as well, there will also be a number of events held throughout the month of November at neighbouring venue CANVAS MCR.
These are set to include a headline show from Happy Mondays, as well as live performances from Confidence Man, Graham Massey, Liam Fray, DRS, Pastel and Afflecks Palace.
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Admission is free and the exhibit is open daily between 12-8pm at Circle Square, although donations are encouraged in support of local non-profit organisation Manchester Young Community Champions. Just look for the big tent with the Adidas Trefoil logo – you can’t miss it.
Feature image – The Manc Group
Art & Culture
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
Art & Culture
Tickets go live as opening date is announced for Manchester City’s new ‘immersive’ museum experience
Emily Sergeant
Tickets to visit Manchester City’s new ‘immersive’ museum experience have officially gone live ahead of the grand opening.
Set to open in the heart of the £300m Medlock Square entertainment district at Manchester’s Etihad Campus next month, the Manchester City Museum Experience will be spread across 10 distinctive spaces – with visitors invited to take a trip down memory lane with nostalgic environments from throughout the club’s history.
Fans will also be able to take part in interactive media experiences, like posing with all 48 major trophies won by the club’s first teams or trying their hand at football punditry.
The experience will combine the latest immersive technology with physical memorabilia drawn from across the club’s history to do this.
Hidden details and surprising ‘did you know’ facts are set to be embedded across the experience, so that even the most devoted Man City fans will have the chance to discover something new about the club they love.
By combining interactive environments, technology, and authentic artefacts, the experience is aiming to appeal to a wide audience – from lifelong Manchester City supporters, to families and those with a broader interest in football, culture, and the city of Manchester.
“The Museum Experience has been designed as a destination that goes beyond just the pitch,” commented Jeremy Maxton, who is the Director of Visitor Attractions at Manchester City Football Club.
Manchester City releases CGIs and important details of its new ‘immersive’ museum / Credit: Manchester City / Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA)
“Whether you’re a lifelong supporter, visiting Manchester for a weekend, or simply looking for a unique day out, we’ve created an experience that offers something for everyone.
“From the recreated environments and original memorabilia to the interactive elements, there are different ways into the Club’s history throughout the Museum.
“We’ve also built in space for new stories to be added over time, so the experience can continue to evolve. It’s been a huge project to bring together and we’re looking forward to people seeing it for themselves later this year.”
The Manchester City Museum Experience officially opens on 14 December, and you can now book tickets to visit from that date here.
Featured Image – Credit: Manchester City / Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA)
Georgina Pellant -
21st November 2022 
