The world-famous Manchester Christmas Markets have run out of mugs for the second year in a row, despite ordering extras to try and keep up with demand.
Manchester City Council is now resorting to using vintage mugs from previous years after completely running out of 2023’s Nutcracker design.
The festive white and blue mugs have been carrying mulled wines, hot chocolates and other winter warmers all over the Christmas Markets since they opened in November.
Visitors to the world-famous festive event are charged a £3.50 deposit (up 50p from last year’s £3 deposit) for each mug.
It’s then up to you whether you take the mug home as a souvenir of the Manchester Christmas Markets 2023, or whether you get your money back.
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And it seems like this year’s more expensive deposit hasn’t put people off, with mugs running out a week before the markets close for the year.
It means that we’ve got through 170,000 mugs this year, 30,000 more than in 2022 – quite a feat.
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There are apparently still some of the smaller blue gluhwein mugs in circulation, but they’re few and far between.
The 2022 Manchester Christmas Markets mugs. Credit: Manchester City CouncilManchester Christmas Markets 2017 mug design. Credit: Manchester City CouncilVintage and retro mugs are now being used at the Manchester Christmas Markets.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: “The love that is out there for Manchester’s Christmas Markets and for our iconic Christmas mugs is just off the scale right now. 25 years on and people still can’t get enough of them, it’s incredible.
“Whilst this year’s fabulous Nutcracker inspired mugs are now few and far between on the markets, we’ve been bringing out the vintage mugs from Christmases past since last weekend to re-stock the stalls that have run out of this year’s.
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“And what a hit they’re proving to be with shoppers who are just loving the nostalgia of it all!
“So come on down and grab a bit of merry Manchester memorabilia while you still can – when the vintage stock goes it’s going to be jingle bells and recyclable paper cups all the way ’til the markets close.”
Manchester’s Christmas markets close on Thursday 21 December.
They are open daily until then at the following times:
All craft stalls 10 am – 8 pm
All bars and food stalls 11 am – 9 pm
The food and drink stalls in Cathedral Gardens alongside the skate rink will remain open until 31 December.
Government launches £442m drive to get rough sleepers off streets before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas.
Learning from ‘innovative’ approaches put into place during the pandemic, the Government has announced that new accommodation will be rolled out across England this winter, as well as offering practical help with housing, health, and other needs to support people to build a more stable life for themselves in the future.
The new commitment to offer everyone a route off the streets this Christmas, along with boosted funding, reflect Andy Burnham‘s national drive to make ‘real change’ and get everyone playing their part in ending rough sleeping.
Not only will these plans change the lives of rough sleepers, but it’s also said they will have huge benefits for the country as a whole.
Research from homelessness charity Crisis suggests that by preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year, taxpayers could save around £370 million.
The Government has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas / Credit: Number 10 Press Office | Jon Tyson (via Unsplash)
As well provisions to get people off the streets, and the intensive ‘wraparound’ support, the newly allocated funding will also help local areas deliver more than 1,000 ‘settled’ homes over the next three years, it has been confirmed.
Areas facing the greatest pressures will receive the largest share of support.
Working alongside councils, Mayors will play a leading role in driving local action to end rough sleeping, and will be tasked with making decisions that are right for their communities to deliver help where it’s needed most.
The Prime Minister says he ‘won’t accept’ rough sleeping any longer. He commented: “No one should have to bed down in a doorway or outside a station, but we’ve seen it for so long that it feels like Westminster has started to accept it.
“That’s why my first instruction as Prime Minister was to end rough sleeping, and it’s why today we’re getting started with a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas. We did it in the pandemic, we can do it again. But it needs all of us.
“Government will put the money in, but I’m asking leaders in communities and sectors across society to play their part locally too.
“Let’s get people out the cold, and let’s bring back hope.”
Featured Image – Gary Knight (via Flickr)
Christmas
You can ALREADY book tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides are back for more festive fun this Christmas, and tickets are already on sale… genuinely.
Sure, it’s literally the middle of August, and we’ve still got the rest of summer, and the small matter of a bank holiday weekend, Halloween, and Bonfire Night to get through first, but East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is already looking ahead to the most magical time of year.
The iconic heritage railway has announced that its hugely-popular ‘Santa Specials’ steam trains are back once again from late November.
The famous festive steam trains have become an essential part of Christmas for many families in the North West.
Santa Specials are your chance to hop on board an old-school steam train and travel through the magical Irwell Valley to make ‘enchanted memories’ that last a lifetime.
You can ALREADY book tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains this Christmas / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (via ELR)
The truly special Christmas day out starts as you make your way through a winter wonderland at Bury Bolton Street Station, and first get to meet some old favourites and new characters – including the magical talking Christmas tree, Mrs Claus, and ELR’s very own Ice Princess – all before before having a singalong with a chorus of musical polar bears.
The festive fun then continues on the Santa Special steam trains themselves – with an 80-minute ‘enchanting voyage’ through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.
And, of course, you can expect a special visit from Santa while you’re on board.
After you’ve grabbed a selfie or two with the big man himself, the grown-ups can look forward to mince pies and festive tipples, while little Mancs can enjoy a soft drink, some chocolate, and take a festive-themed activity pack home with them.
Daisy Jackson -
18th December 2023 
