A popular Greater Manchester craft beer and spirit store has launched a new festive gift range that’s perfect for stocking up on Christmas presents.
Beerhunter – which is an online drinks delivery service, based in Bury and founded in 2015 – is made up of a team of experts keen to bring customers a wide range of beers to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes, and now, with the festive season right around the corner, the company has launched a new Christmas range of beer and spirit gifts.
The range features everything from beer advent calendars, to personalised spirit gifts by local and international favourites, and so much more.
“At Beerhunter, we make it our mission to stock the best beers and spirits from the UK and around the world creating bespoke gifts for those who enjoy a tipple of two at Christmas,” said Kieron Ainsworth – local Mancunian, and Beerhunter employee.
“As our motto goes, we want the UK to… Up Their Beer Game.”
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A popular Greater Manchester craft beer and spirit store has launched a new festive gift range / Credit: The Manc Group
As Christmas fast approaches, there are already several craft beer advent calendars available on the market, but Beerhunter is offering a unique range of advent calendars – such as a ‘British’, ‘Gluten Free’, ‘Around the World’, and ‘Brewdog’.
The company’s new limited-edition ‘Boozy’ advent calendar is also made up of a variety of gins, beers, cocktails, and other boozy delights.
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If you’re keen to get a head-start on your Christmas shopping this year, then Beerhunter also has a huge selection of unique and bespoke beer-filled gift sets to take your pick from.
The range features everything from beer advent calendars, to personalised spirit gifts, and more / Credit: The Manc Group
Boasting a fully-tracked delivery process from start to finish, not only is Beerhunter experts in beer gifting, but the company also offers a premium range of spirit gifts too, using a selection of popular local spirits combined with different drinking kit essentials to make the perfect Christmas gift for anyone who loves a tipple.
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To make each gift that extra little bit more special, there’s also the option to make the sets personalised with your choice of name or message.
You can get your hands on Beerhunter’s Christmas gifts online here.
Featured Image – Beerhunter
Bury
Serial robber jailed after targeting and assaulting lone women across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A man has been handed time behind bars after targeting lone women in a series of violent robberies across Greater Manchester.
Jason Cunliffe, from the Crumpsall area of Manchester, appeared at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 5 February 2026) where he was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of robbery, two counts of fraud, and one count each of attempted robbery, burglary, and theft.
The incidents Cunliffe pleaded guilty to were said to have taken place between 17 August and 3 September 2025.
10 incidents were reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in which a man approached women in public spaces and forcibly stole their handbags and other belongings, and in several cases, victims were dragged to the ground and wrestled before the man – later identified as Cunliffe – fled on foot.
All incidents occurred in public areas of Greater Manchester, and police say Cunliffe ‘deliberately targeted’ women who were alone or in a pair.
On 4 September last year, police on proactive patrols in known hotspot areas spotted a man, confirmed to be Cunliffe, acting ‘suspiciously’ in Crumpsall.
Upon seeing the police vehicle, Cunliffe attempted to hide by ducking down next to a car, but officers saw this and subsequently approached, before he then fled prompting a foot chase which eventually ended in him being caught and arrested on the spot.
After a house search, officers found 12 handbags and other items including an iPad, iPhone, Hugo Boss jumper and Samsung tablet that Cunliffe had stolen – all of which were able to be returned to the victims.
Speaking following Cunliffe’s sentencing this week, Detective Inspector Natasha Feerick, of GMP’s City of Manchester Neighbourhood Crime Team, commented: “I would like to thank the victims for reporting these incidents to us and allowing us to fully investigate, as thanks to these reports, neighbourhood officers were able to quickly identify and arrest Cunliffe.
“His offending will have a lasting effect on victims and I hope this result will bring some reassurance to them going forward.
“Cunliffe preyed upon women and on many occasions physically assaulted them to take items from them. He stole handbags and other items totalling thousands of pounds.”
Featured Image – GMP
Bury
Iconic Thomas the Tank Engine replica to make three visits to Greater Manchester in 2026
Emily Sergeant
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making another return to Greater Manchester on several occasions this year.
The Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be ‘a train ride like no other’.
After delighting families throughout the region during countless successful events over the past couple of years, East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that the Thomas the Tank Engine replica train is back by popular demand in 2026, and will be making three special visits to our region.
Families will have the chance to hop onboard the replica of the cult-classic blue train character for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.
The journey begins at Bury Train Station, where you’ll be greeted by The Fat Controller, meet Sir Topham Hatt, say hello to Thomas on the platform, and then climb aboard a carriage, all before Thomas makes a final stop at the beautiful Ramsbottom station.
The doors to Bury Transport Museum will also be open across the weekend and will be hosting loads of fun free activities.
There’ll be Thomas-themed stories, and engaging and interactive activities to make the most of, as well as amusing performances by Sodor’s mischievous station sweepers, Rusty and Dusty, who’ll be entertaining with singing, dancing, and laughter all day long.
Not only that, but you can also expect fun fair rides suitable for toddlers, face painting, balloon art, and so much more throughout the weekend.
Day Out With Thomas is returning to Greater Manchester several times in 2026 / Credit: ELR
Oh, and this year, there’s a theme to enjoy.
Day Out With Thomas will be bringing its ‘Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour’ to the ELR tracks, so get ready to rock out and move to the beat.
Thomas will be stopping at East Lancashire Railway this year on 2-4 May, 18-19 July, and 3-4 October, so there’s plenty of opportunities to see him, and tickets are now on sale – with prices starting at £14.50 for kids, and £24 for adults.
Emily Sergeant -
16th November 2021 
