A brand-new festive hub has been announced for Manchester city centre, where you’ll be able to visit a new ice rink, drink cocktails in a snow globe-like rooftop dome, and get merry in a yurt.
There’ll be a whole host of new experiences to check out in the new St John’s district, just a stone’s throw from Spinningfields.
A major new attraction here will be Winter Assembly at Courts Club, which will be home to the city’s newest, fully independent ice rink, plus karaoke huts and festive film screenings.
Courts Club is a new social venue that opened this summer, combining basketball, tennis, boules, beer, light bites and a slice of the beach all in one place.
But from 8 November, it’ll be taken over by On Ice, who previously operated the Spinningfields ice rink, offering a premium alternative to the family-friendly ice rink down at Cathedral Gardens. Tickets are currently only £12 and on sale now here.
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Once you’ve finished sliding around on the ice there’ll be food including winter gyros from Lucky Gyros, festive grilled cheeses, boozy hot chocolate, German BBQ specials and more.
If you prefer to keep your feet on non-slippy ground, there’ll be a ‘Chalaoke huts’, where you can cosy up in a log cabin with your own private karaoke machine.
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Courts Club will be home to an independent ice rink in Manchester. Credit: SuppliedChalaoke huts at Winter Assembly at Courts Club. Credit: Supplied
There’ll even be open fires where you can toast marshmallows and a giant Christmas tree to add to the festive atmosphere.
And Winter Assembly at Courts Club will be screening Christmas classics like Love Actually and Home Alone.
Elsewhere in the St John’s creative district, The Dome – previously only accessed by those ‘in the know’ – will be open to the public.
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This rooftop dome space will be transformed into a winter oasis that will feel like stepping inside a giant snow globe, with a programme of weekend events and a full bar (plus the option to book the whole thing out for parties up to 200 guests).
The snow globe-like festive edition of rooftop space The Dome. Credit; Supplied
And The Lawn Club’s festive yurt will be back, filled with sheepskin blankets, an installation made up of Christmas decorations, twinkling lights, and DJs.
There’ll be festive food, boozy hot chocolates and winter warming cocktails.
The party will run into the early hours on Fridays and Saturdays, plus there’ll be a festive bottomless brunch running from 10 November.
All three exciting additions – the ice rink and Chalaoke at Courts Club, the snow globe bar at The Dome, and the festive yurt at The Lawn Club – come from Shiko Group.
Half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner, new survey reveals
Emily Sergeant
Christmas dinner is one of the key parts of any festive celebration.
No matter whether you choose to tuck into a traditional roast with all the trimmings and lashings of gravy, or you prefer to go for something a little different like a curry or a Chinese instead, your Christmas dinner is a chance to gather round with your loved ones and enjoy one of the heartiest meals you’ll likely have all year.
However, some shocking new figures have revealed that half of Manchester residents have no clue how to even cook a Christmas dinner.
Through a major study by the UK’s leading electrical retailer, AO.com, it was revealed that the majority of our city’s residents are “losing confidence” in preparing even the simplest of British dishes – with a traditional roast or Christmas dinner being one of them.
A new survey has revealed that half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner / Credit: Freepik | GoodFon
As part of its new campaign to get Brits back into the kitchen, AO found that just 57% of respondents reckon they would be able to make a roast dinner, 52% could whip up a classic shepherd’s pie, 58% could cook bangers and mash, merely 61% could prepare a full English breakfast, and again, only 57% could tackle fish and chips.
Classic desserts are clearly a struggle for us Mancs too, according to the survey, as only 19% of respondents said they’d feel confident cooking a Christmas pudding.
The survey also found that nationwide, it was Gen Z – those between the age of 16 and 27 – that are the least confident in their ability to cook great British classics, while on the other end of the spectrum, Baby Boomers are the most capable, proving that culinary confidence increases with age.
Our region’s residents are apparently ‘losing confidence’ at cooking simple British classics / Credit: Freepik
Commenting on the results, Jay Lockton, oven expert at AO.com, said: “Kitchens should be a place of creativity and joy, but our data shows that a lot of people in Manchester are losing confidence in preparing even the simplest of British dishes.
“Based on our findings, many younger people may be opting for convenience foods or takeaways due to their busy schedules and the perception that cooking from scratch is time-consuming or difficult.
“But with simple guidance and the right tools, we believe everyone can rediscover the joy and simplicity of homemade meals.”
Featured Image – gpointstudio (via Freepik)
Christmas
You can send messages of hope to a veteran in Greater Manchester this Christmas
Thomas Melia
A Manchester veteran is urging local people to show support by writing messages to other veterans who suffer with physical and mental challenges.
Lamin Manneh, who served in Afghanistan, is fronting this initiative alongside Help For Heroes with the aim to deliver as many uplifting messages as possible to veterans who need a little pick-me-up this Christmastime.
The Manchester-born veteran experienced his own struggles while serving for the Armed Forces losing both legs and an arm whilst on patrol.
There are at least 7,700 veterans in Manchester and there are even more that can be supported by Help For Heroes.
Their latest campaign ‘Send A Christmas Message To A Veteran’ allows anyone to upload their own words and pictures of support that veterans can access virtually.
It’s easy to access and the message is uploaded straight away meaning people can reach it through any digital or desktop device whenever they need.
Last year, Christmas cards with some inspiring messages and words of support were distributed between more than 9,500 veterans and the Armed Forces charity are hoping to reach even more.
These cards are vital to any retired soldier as Help For Heroes knows for some people this may be the only card they receive this year.
Pairing this with the fact that many veterans are affected by both physical and mental challenges which limit socialising, Christmas can be a tricky time for them.
Some of the messages posted to the online wall have images attached to them too, which you can also do, including some of the cutest dogs, that’s sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.
Manneh said: “During military service, service men and women have a strong support network and a close-knit community, but transitioning to civilian life can destroy that.
“Coupled with physical and mental health issues, which can prevent them from socialising, Christmas can become a time filled with dread rather than a celebration.
“Loneliness can lead to unnecessary thoughts coming to you, which can cause so much harm. Therefore, it is paramount for anyone who needs help to reach out.
“I know from last year that receiving messages from Help for Heroes supporters made a massive difference to some people and showed there are people out there who care. It also encouraged veterans to come forward and get support.”
If you want to get involved and show your support with a few words of encouragement and empathy, you can do so via their virtual message wall here.
Daisy Jackson -
16th October 2024 
