One carpet company has compiled a list which ranks all of the Greater Manchester Wetherspoons’ locations based solely on their carpets.
Might they have too much time on their hands? Maybe? Do we care? Not one bit.
If you didn’t know already, this pub chain is famed for its reasonably priced drinks, both cheap small and big plates (usually decorated with some kind of garish pattern), and the ability to convert old cinemas, halls, churches and pretty much anything into a boozer.
But there’s also one key ingredient that makes each ‘Spoons’ special that goes over most people’s heads, or rather right under their fight: it’s the funky, unique and individually-designed carpets.
This attention to detail caught the eye of writer and publisher, Kit Caless, who launched a blog and social media account dedicated entirely to archiving these fascinating floor coverings, quite simply titled ‘Wetherspoons Carpets’.
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Local carpet shop, Urmston Carpets, understands the importance of these fluffy floor patterns too and recently released a list ranking all Manchester’s Wetherspoons locations based on how many likes they received – again, the classification being driven by the carpeting.
There’s 35 pub chain sites throughout the Greater Manchester region, and nine of these can be found in Manchester city centre, although none of these pubs nabbed the top spot or even the top 10.
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In fact, the borough which finds itself having some of the most liked Wetherspoons’ carpets according to the Instagram pages likes is Trafford, with three venues, closely followed by Rochdale with two.
Eccles Cross landed the number 10 spot, a pub which has a carpet full of alternating blue-and-gold-toned intertwining squares, receiving a total of 65 likes.
Next is The Unicorn, with its deep-red floral printed flooring, amassing 70 likes and a post with quietly one of the best hashtags ever invented: “#altrinchtothat”, paying homage to the area where this pub resides, Altrincham. Top notch.
Castle in the Air, attached to indoor slope attraction Chill Factore over in Trafford, has 75 likes, and although the carpet design is very fitting with its mountain-inspired landscape, the comment section isn’t too impressed…
Yes, people take this random passion project just as seriously as its creator.
Right in the heart of Oldham town centre is The Up Steps Inn, which finishes as the seventh most-liked Wetherspoons carpet in all of Greater Manchester, with 82 people giving this beige vine-covered floor a double tap or two.
Just missing out on the top five is Ashton’s local Wetherspoons, aptly named The Ash Tree, with a bonfire-esque design with a variation of bright orange, grey and black tones, which amassed 86 likes.
Off to Chorlton-cum-Hardy next, where the top five kicks off with a combined 87 likes for The Sedge Lynn – famously beloved for its striking tiled exterior – thanks to its peach and red floral artwork adorning a blank black canvas, one fan describes it as “Very strong. Royal even”.
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In fourth place is one of Stretford’s go-to Man United pubs: The Bishop Blaize. It collected 88 likes across two posts, and we can definitely see why with its funky and very swirly carpet, which probably would’ve been a dress pattern in the 60s.
Grabbing the bronze podium position is The Mardi Gras, Trafford’s third contribution to the top 10, with its New Orleans-cum-Trafford Centre Wetherspoons, boasting 92 likes.
Scoring the silver medal is the Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale and its trusty ‘Spoons location, The Regal Moon, which has been liked 99 times; the carpet may be dashing, but it’s the piano man above the bar who steals the show.
Now, are you ready to see who took home the gold?
Reigning victorious with a whopping 104 likes is the mighty Middleton Wetherspoons, The Harbord Harbord, with its wave-inspired warm-toned carpet; a massive pat on the back for this boozer from everyone on the internet – well, at least those in this particular corner, anyway.
The top 10 most liked Wetherspoons carpets in Manchester
The Harbord Harbord – Middleton, 104 likes
The Regal Moon – Rochdale, 99 likes
The Mardi Gras – Trafford Centre, 92 likes
The Bishop Blaize – Stretford, 88 likes
The Sedge Lynn – Chorlton-cum-Hardy, 87 likes
The Ash Tree – Ashton-under-Lyne, 86 likes
The Up Steps Inn – Oldham, 82 likes
Castle in the Air – Trafford, Chill Factore, 75 likes
The Unicorn – Altrincham, 70 likes
Eccles Cross – Eccles, 65 likes
If you’re questioning the accuracy of this ranking, don’t worry, you’re in safe hands as this flooring store is only a one-minute radius away from The Tim Bobbin on Flixton Road, so they definitely know their way around a good ‘Spoons.
Adrian Brown ofUrmston Carpetsprovided the following advice for homeowners looking to recreate: “While Wetherspoons carpets have become something of a design icon, it’s important to remember that pub carpets are made very differently than what you’d typically find in a home.
“Commercial carpets are designed to handle thousands of footsteps a day, resist spills, and stand up to regular deep cleaning. They’re built for durability first.
“If you’re trying to recreate the look at home, choosing a patterned carpet, you’ll need to find a balance between visual impact and practicality.”
Beyond The Music moves to MediaCity for the first-time ever
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester arts festival and conference Beyond The Music is back for 2026, but this time it will be heading to MediaCity for a Salford debut.
The long weekender is still a relative newcomer when it comes to the Manc events calendar, but it’s quickly gathered plenty of repute not just in the North West but within the industry as a whole.
Holding just its third edition later this year, Beyond The Music ’26 is set to be the most ambitious yet, spread across the three days and promising an impressive lineup both in terms of live performers, but also speakers, industry experts and wider activities.
With MediaCity and dock10 hosting their inaugural Beyond The Music, it’s another big win for the second city, with Sports Personality of the Year sticking over Salford way for the foreseeable future, along with other events like the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards moving to the Quayside.
Much of the BBC’s World Cup coverage is also being hosted at their Salfordian studios and main Northern base this summer, too.
Given that so many big annual dates have now made the switch to central Manchester – the BRITs and the MOBOs, just to name two recent examples – you could say it only makes sense to spread things out across the surrounding boroughs and their equally rich heritage.
Not that you should need reminding, but Salford isn’t just part of the region: it’s a city all of its own right that boasts an immense amount of pride over what is nothing short of a sterling musical history.
As for the 2026 Beyond The Music programme, besides both the local artists and more international creatives than ever, there’ll be keynote conversations, industry showcases, and wider networking opportunities for anyone looking to immerse themselves deeper in this world.
You’ll have to wait a little while longer for a full live music lineup, but watch this space…
Mayor Andy Burnham and friends help launch Beyond the Music at MediaCityUK (Credit: Mark Waugh)
Sarah Pearson, Co-founder of Beyond The Music, said in an official statement: “Beyond The Music’s mission is to seize this moment, to come together and drive meaningful and lasting change in the music and content industry.
“It’s undeniable that the impact and importance of music and content are stronger than ever, but this is not reflected in their perceived value.
“The ethical and economic infrastructure of the music and content industries demands urgent attention and bold reform… It is our responsibility to protect creativity in order to ensure it doesn’t just survive but thrives. Things may feel difficult, but they are still possible.”
Mayor Burnham added: “Greater Manchester has always been at the forefront of cultural innovation, and Beyond The Music is a vital opportunity for the sector to come together and address the challenges and opportunities facing music and content creation…
“With its move to MediaCity and a bigger-than-ever programme, Beyond The Music is helping to cement our city region’s place at the centre of the creative economy.”
Taking place between 7-9 October 2026, you can register for early bird tickets right HERE. Roll on an even more extensive festival season than ever.
Fairfield Social Club has been voted the Best Comedy Venue in the North
Danny Jones
Let’s toast another feather in Greater Manchester’s cultural cap as local arts venue, bar and hangout, Fairfield Social Club (FSC), has been named the Best Comedy Venue in the North.
That’s according to the much-revered annual Chortle Awards, the 2026 edition of which has named Fairfield not just one of the best in our specific city or region, but currently the benchmark for any live comedy spot located in the top half of the country.
And that’s not all: they actually took home another award this year, because why just win one when you can take home two?
For starters, congratulations are in order, and we couldn’t be prouder of our grassroots Manc venues continuing to set the bar; now let’s get into exactly what they won and why…
In addition to taking home the accolade for leading their field when it comes to hosting live comics and more, having quickly built up a strong reputation in the industry beyond just the North West, FSC also claimed a second gong, thanks to ‘CroppaChoppa’s Slumber Party‘.
The resident stand-up and sleepover games format show, which has been based over at the Green Quarter complex for some time now, just won Best New Comedy Format for the second year running.
Reacting to the consecutive awards, founder Charlotte Cropper said: “We are so thrilled to have won Best Comedy Format two years in a row! Lying our sleepover bag down at Fairfield Social Club is our favourite thing to do every month.
“Who knew a sleepover show with a misogynistic teddy bear mascot would become the best night of our lives?”
This, of course, is just one of many regular comedy-centric events happening throughout the FSC calendar – and you really should going along if you haven’t before.
Speaking on an incredible year all-round, Fairfield Social Club’s GM and live bookings manager, Jessie Perillo, added: “We’ve spent the last year building a comedy programme we’re really proud of; it’s one that supports emerging talent while also attracting some of the biggest names touring right now.
“To have both the venue and the shows recognised nationally is a dream and as a comedy lover myself, I couldn’t be happier!
“We’ve got some incredible new shows lined up over the next few months that we can’t wait to announce, and launching ‘A Lovely Weekend’ is just the beginning of what’s to come.”
Congrats again and well done to all those involved in helping keep Manchester-based humour and live arts on the comedy map; we can’t wait to see what else in store for 2026. Speaking of…
Thomas Melia -
16th August 2025 
