Royal Exchange celebrates 100 years by asking Mancs to share their memories
Things have changed a lot in the past century - and the Royal Exchange is asking for residents to share any stories, memories or pictures they may have associated with the building.
One of Manchester’s most iconic buildings is set to celebrate a century in the city in 2021 – and people are being invited to share their greatest memories of the Royal Exchange as it prepares for its 100th birthday celebrations.
Opened by King George V and Queen Mary following a seven-year remodelling in 1921, the Grade II-listed Royal Exchange has undergone numerous transformations over the past ten decades.
Some residents, for example, may remember the basement containing antique style shopping centre and Brannigan’s nightclub – a popular haunt accessed via a door at one end of the Arcade.
In the 1950’s, the Royal Exchange even had an air terminal check-in on its Cross St side (a site now occupied by Danish retailer Sostrene Grene).
Today, the beautiful venue is home to the grand Royal Exchange theatre and a unique collection of independent boutique shops, premium brands and eateries – with a members-only gym soon opening below ground.
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Things have changed a lot in the space of 100 years – and now members of the Royal Exchange are asking for Mancunians to share any stories, memories or pictures they may have associated with the building.
The Royal Exchange is celebrating its 100th birthday in 2021 / Image: Wikiwand
Building Manager Tim White says: “While we’re clearly not expecting any memories from around the time of the official opening, we are hoping to hear tales from people about their memories of our shops and cafes from over the years.
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“We know many people have fond memories of the shopping centre in the basement or partying the night away at Brannigan’s so we’d love to hear about them, as well as any others.”
If anyone has any stories or pictures they’d like to share on social media, tag @royalexchangemanchester (Facebook and Instagram) or @TheRoyalExMcr (Twitter) and use the hashtag #ExchangeMemories.
Alternatively, you can email f[email protected] with #ExchangeMemories in the subject line.
Featured image: Wikipedia
Art & Culture
The 2026 World Breaking Finals of the UK B-Boy Championships are coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
It’s official: the UK B-Boy Championships are returning to Manchester this year for the 2026 World Breaking Finals, in what is a special anniversary for the annual tournament.
Celebrating three decades since the inaugural event this summer, the UK B-Boy Champs will once again remind fans why they still remain among the gold standard for competitive breakdancing.
With elite breakers and dance battlers from more than 20 different countries in attendance – and plenty of contestants from each, at that – it’s going to be a real global showcase of talent.
Returning to Manchester once again, we can’t wait to see breakdancing take over the Factory International concourse and wider campus.
Anyone in the world will know that the city also hosted another big European equivalent back in 2022 on behalf of the 2022 World DanceSport Federation, but the UK B-Boy Championships have a passionate following of their own.
This also happens to be the 30th anniversary of the event, so it’s a momentous occasion on many levels.
With live music from not only classic artists and legendary MCs, but artists for the future too, there’ll be plenty of tunes and impressive moves from start to finish.
Coming to Aviva Studios this summer, they’ve billed it quite short and sweet: “The sickest breakers on the planet will battle in a once-in-a-generation celebration of Hip-Hop culture.”
They’re promising “High-stakes rivalries. Gravity-defying moves”, and “Unforgettable performances”, adding, “This isn’t just another battle – this is the Champs legacy in motion.”
Credit: Supplied
The World Breaking Finals get underway in Manchester on 16 August at Aviva Studios, and it’s all set up to be arguably the biggest yet.
General admission went on sale this past Friday, 13 March, with adult tickets starting from only £20 and kids from just a tenner.
As we mentioned before, this isn’t the only big sporting date coming to Manchester this year, with the likes of the British basketball’s annual Cup Finals concluding at AO Arena and another big Super League set to for a grandstand finish at our other big indoor entertainment venue…
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Get the Affects Communications)
Art & Culture
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 16 – 22 March 2026
Emily Sergeant
We’re right in the middle of March now, and we’ve got another busy week in store.
And what a week it is – we’ve got everything from new art exhibitions making their UK debut, to the return of Manchester Folk Festival for 2026, and of course, St Patrick’s Day too, all happening throughout Greater Manchester.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
Europe’s most popular Banksy exhibition, The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind, has officially made its UK premiere down at Depot Mayfield, and the amazing industrial space has been filled with more than 200 reimagined works by the acclaimed street art superstar.
Fans are able to step inside the mind of one of the world’s most prolific artists in an immersive and interactive exhibition that has already wowed audiences in their millions.
Expect to see recreations of his most iconic works, including Girl With Balloon, the thought provoking Devolved Parliament, a fully ‘Banksified’ London Underground carriage, and a towering seven-foot elephant installation.
Did you also know that The Christie cancer patients’ artwork is also being showcased at this exhibition too?
That’s right, The Christie – which is, at present, the only hospital in the UK that offers a dedicated art service for patient – has been invited to showcase a selection of artwork at the new exhibition, all with the aim of highlighting the role art plays in supporting cancer patients.
Patients will have a chance to prove just how powerful and transformative art can be, all while raising money for a very important cause.
The Irish Festival Village is back in Manchester city centre.
With St Patrick’s Day arriving this week, and the popular annual Parade taking place on Saturday (14 March), it wouldn’t be a celebration in the city centre without the return of the Irish Festival Village, this year in St Ann’s Square.
Here you can expect back-to-back live music every day, plus Irish-themed food and drink, and unbeatable craic, of course.
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Wondering where the best Irish pubs and bars are in Manchester? Where serves the best pints of Guinness?
It would be St Patrick’s Day without a pint of the Black Stuff.
Manchester is home to an ever-growing collection of Irish pubs and bars of all sizes, so if you’re looking for somewhere to settle in and spend the night sipping on a Guinness or two, then you’re really not spoiled for choice in our city.
We’ve done all the hard work for you, and rounded up a list of the best places Manchester has to offer for you to take your pick from here.
Credit: The Manc Group
Oh, and on top of that, the city’s also recently been named as having one of the best ‘pub cultures’ in the UK, according to some new research… and we can’t disagree.
A new free exhibition by Pablo Picasso is opening in Manchester this week, including works never-before seen on public display.
The new exhibition, titled Picasso: A Legacy, is comprised of more than 35 original works on paper and ceramics, all of which were created by the artist from the mid 1930s up until his death in 1973, and visitors will get to be guided through the last four decades of his life.
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You’ll also get to encounter the artist’s lovers and muses, mythological alter egos, and playful zoomorphic ceramics, as well as feats of frantic artistic output that made up Picasso’s final decade.
Mamma Mia! The Musical / Credit: ATG Tickets | Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Here we go again… one of the most iconic stage musicals of all time, Mamma Mia!, has arrived back in to Manchester, and has taken to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage for an extended stay throughout the month.
There’s absolutely no denying that Mamma Mia! has millions of fans right across the globe, after all, when you take all of ABBA’s greatest hits and put them into one all-singing all-dancing show, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
Going from the West End to becoming a global phenomenon, this irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world for more than two decades.
Find out more and get your last-minute tickets here.
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Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 16 March – onwards
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: Science Museum Group | BBC
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos has made its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum, and is inviting visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition encouraging visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition propels families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Looking to escape the elements and have your mind boggled this spring? Sounds like a trip to Museum of Illusions is on the cards then.
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It’s time to let your competitive side out – get ready to experience the city’s most unique attraction like never before. Race through the vortex, create the best mirror image, and complete the brain gym the fastest to win the dazzling trophy at the end.
Whether you’re team building with your work lot, or taking your mates for a bit of healthy competition, it’s a great one to have a go at.
Manchester Folk Festival is back for 2026 this week.
Hailed as arguably the UK’s leading urban folk festival, this multi-venue event offers a welcoming city-centred alternative to the traditional rural greenfield gatherings.
Discover the best contemporary and traditional folk, roots, and acoustic music across a variety of Manchester’s iconic music venues.
From intimate spaces to festival stages, there’s something for everyone, and as always, you can tailor the festival to your own tastes, as individual tickets are available for all gigs, as well as being able to purchase a festival wristband for the full three days.
Looking for a different and creative way to spend your weekend?
If you fancy unleashing your inner artist, or you simply just want a break from staring at your phone for a bit, then this vinyl painting workshop in Manchester is well worth checking out.
Hosted by INK at Renae over in the Northern Quarter, this unique class lets you transform old, damaged records into your own piece of art.
No experience is needed, you just turn up and get creative – with tickets setting you back £18.50, and each including the record, all the supplies you’ll need, and even a drink too. Not bad for a wholesome afternoon out, right?
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Stuck for somewhere to grab a bite to eat?
Just like we do every month, we’ve rounded up some of the best things we got to eat in February, so if you’re on the hunt for somewhere new to eat in March, then we’ve absolutely got you covered as there’s plenty of places across the city region.
It’s been another jam-packed month of insanely delicious eats, and we’ve been lucky to have loads of new openings too. From golden egg pops, to a pickle lover’s wet dream (… sorry) in pizza form, we’ve been scoffing the lot.
Ski season is officially here, the Winter Olympics have well and truly entertained us, and people are jetting off to the slopes left, right, and centre. But if you’ve never been skiing before, and you’re heading on your first ski holiday, luckily you can learn the ropes here at Manchester’s very-own Snow Centre first.
Over a two-hour beginner lesson here, you can learn everything from how to get your skis on, to snow ploughing… and even getting back up again after falling over.
Our Amy’s currently on her first-ever ski holiday this week, so we took her for her initial lesson👇
Are you a fan of Mini Eggs? Oh boy, do we have a treat for you then.
If you ask us, one of life’s greatest pleasures has to be Mini Eggs, and Grandpa Greene’s and Greene’s Bistro over in Diggle and Uppermill have taken this humble choccy treat to the next level – with a whole menu dedicated to them.
There’s a full Mini Egg afternoon tea, stacked pancakes, waffles, French toast, milkshakes, and gigantic sundaes (plus, their homemade Mini Egg ice cream is up there with the best).
Oh and who can forget the Slattery x Grandpa Greene’s hot chocolate. The special Easter menu is available at both sites, but the question is, how will you have your Mini Eggs?
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Featured Image – The Manc Group | Manchester Folk Festival
The Manc -
19th May 2021 
