Visitors to the Manchester Christmas Markets will notice specialist officers – including armed police – patrolling the festivities.
The markets kick off this week and will remain in place across the city centre until just before Christmas.
The seasonal event attracts thousands from around Greater Manchester and across the country, and 2022 is set to be no different.
To ensure the safety of all who attend, GMP has said it will ensure an ‘increased visibility of officers’, with additional neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs on duty.
There’ll also be plain-clothed officers and firearms officers, and drones will be used as ‘eyes across the city centre’.
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GMP said that Project Servator will be in effect, which ‘involves unpredictable, highly visible police deployments, involving a broad range of assets including specially trained officers, supported by community engagement and communications to help disrupt hostile reconnaissance and criminality whilst reassuring and engaging the public’.
Sergeant Lee Keefe, GMP’s Project Servator coordinator said: “We would like to reassure the public that GMP will be closely monitoring Manchester city centre throughout the festive period. Our security plans are in place for the Christmas markets and visitors can expect to see lots of police across the city centre as safety is our main priority.
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“There will be a mixture of highly visible activities such as officers on the streets, including firearms officers, our police dogs and horses, along with more covert operations such as plain-clothes officers and use of drones, CCTV and ANPR cameras to be our eyes across the city centre.
“We will be working alongside our partners and local businesses to ensure we utilise stewards, market staff and the general public to report anything suspicious to an officer.
“The safety and security of all those attending and involved in the markets is a priority for us over the coming weeks and I’d like to reassure the public that Manchester is a safe place to come and enjoy the festivities.”
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Credit: Manchester Christmas Markets ( via Twitter )
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “We want everyone who comes to the Christmas Markets in Manchester to have the very best time possible and to feel safe whilst they’re here with us.
“Our partners at GMP do a great job of helping make sure our world-famous markets are a safe place for everyone to visit and we very much value the measures – both seen and unseen – that they put in place every day, all day, at the markets to make sure they are.”
People are reminded that you can report anything suspicious to GMP via 101, or by using LiveChat, and always dial 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, you can make a report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Stockport’s ‘captivating’ Christmas festival is back with 50 FREE shows and hundreds of performers
Emily Sergeant
Things are getting all festive in Stockport as more than 50 free shows and hundreds of performers prepare to descend the town centre.
Back by popular demand to kick off Christmas in style, especially after the inaugural event resulted in the busiest Sunday for the Greater Manchester town’s centre since 2019, Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday will be returning next month for a one-day festival packed with magical street theatre, banging brass bands, carnival fun, and loads more.
Hundreds of captivating performers will take over Stockport for the day, with another new lineup for 2025 promising something for the whole family.
Stockport’s ‘captivating’ Christmas festival is back with 50 free shows and hundreds of performers / Credit: Supplied
Think a giant carnival bee, stilt-walking Christmas Belles, comedy chefs, bouncing snowmen, cocky robins, roaming bands, and so much more – with more than 50 free shows and activities to enjoy all day long.
Produced by renowned carnival arts organisation, Global Grooves, and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway, and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement from midday right through to 5pm, as performers take over iconic Stockport locations.
Head to Market Place, the Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock, and Suffragette Square to make the most of all the festive fun.
Spectacular Sunday always marks the start of Stockport’s festive season, and 2025 is no different.
“Stockport likes to do Christmas in its own way, and our Spectacular Sunday event is about filling the town with energy, music and performance and giving visitors something unexpected at every turn,” explained Totally Stockport CEO, Mark Ross.
“It’s a celebration of creativity, community and the independent spirit that makes Stockport what it is.
“This event shows how we kick off the festive season in a way that’s truly unique to our town, and we can’t wait to see everyone back this November.”
Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday 2025 is taking over the town centre next month on Sunday 16 November from 12pm onwards.
Featured Image – Supplied
Christmas
Festive pop-up cafe filled with hundreds of dogs in Christmas jumpers is coming to Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Are you a dog person? Love seeing lots of little pups in the same place? Looking for your dog to make some four-legged friends?
Well you’re in luck, as the Pup Up Cafe is heading back out on a tour of the UK next month, and if the concept of the popular event wasn’t already flipping cute enough as it is, this time around, it’s a Christmas-themed edition, and it’s sounding set to be the perfect festive day out in the city with your fur baby.
If you’re looking to get in the Christmas spirit early, then both the ‘Jingle Paws’ all-breeds and dedicated ‘Dashing Dachshund’ pop up cafes – or we should say ‘pup up cafe’ – are returning to Manchester in late November.
The adorable events will be filling a popular city centre venue with loads of dogs to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
A festive pop-up cafe filled with hundreds of dogs in Christmas jumpers is coming to Manchester / Credit: Supplied
Last year, hundreds of different dogs visited the cafe to join in on the festive fun, and this year is expected to be no different, as the event organisers have secured a large city centre space for all the dogs to roam free.
Whether you’re a dog owner yourself, or just a big fan, everyone’s free to attend to mingle with many furry little friends, take part in a range of seasonal activities, and stock up on canine-related goodies as early Christmas presents.
There’ll be ball pits, toys, and tunnels for all the zoomies, while the pups themselves can enjoy unlimited dog treats and free puppuccinos.
With up to 50 dogs allowed per session, and festive fancy dress very much encouraged, each pup will get a Christmas present on arrival at the party, and will even have the chance to win some extra prizes if they’re the best dressed.
A dedicated photographer will be getting snaps of each session and there’ll be loads of Christmas props to use in the pictures.
So, if you fancy joining The Pup Up Cafe when it arrives in Manchester for Christmas on Sunday 23 November, then tickets will set you back £12 if you’re a dog owner, and £15 if you’re just a dog person who’s keen to go along for the fun anyway.
Daisy Jackson -
9th November 2022 
