A Christmas-themed ‘Miracle on Cross Street’ bar is coming to Manchester
Think mulled wine, espresso-ho-ho-ho martinis, pigs in blankets and mac and cheese - plus a giant, snow-covered Christmas tree and twinkling fairy lights galore
Liverpool’s beloved grown-up Christmas-themed bar and grotto Miracle on Seal Street is coming to Manchester this month.
Called Miracle on Cross Street, it’ll be located on (you guessed it) Cross Street and adorned with all manner of festive finery, from twinkling fairy lights and a giant Christmas tree to candy canes, stockings and snowflakes.
With a host of Christmas movie nights planned, plus festive cocktail specials such as the espresso-ho-ho-ho martini, this is a must for anyone wanting to fully immerse themselves in the feel-good festive spirit.
The Liverpool bar even has a roaring Christmas fire / Image: MIracle on Seal StreetThe espresso-ho-ho-ho martini at Miracle on Seal Street / Image: MIracle on Seal Street
Think mulled wine, its own brand of Irish Cream, festive nibbles, and all-time Christmas film favourites like Elf, Love Actually and Home Alone – then tell us you’re not excited for this one.
Whilst you can walk in, tickets are very much recommended – this is how it’s done in Liverpool and helps anyone miss out on the experience. Tickets usually seem to come with a goodie bag and drink, too, so are well worth purchasing.
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Priced at £15, the ticket will guarantee your seat – plus a complimentary drinks voucher, Christmas hat, candy cane, Miracle on Cross Street pin, and mince pie (vegan pies are available).
Image: Miracle on Seal Street Image: Miracle on Seal Street
As for nibbles, think mac and cheese, Christmas burgers with pigs in blankets, turkey sandwiches and more – that is, if the Liverpool offering is anything to go by.
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Miracle on Cross Street’s Director, John Ennis, said: “We’re so excited to introduce Miracle to Manchester for the first time this year. It’s the perfect place for couples, groups of friends or private functions in the most festive environment.
“Guests can sit back and soak up the festive fun with a Christmas cocktail and nibbles in hand. We’ll also be hosting movie nights on Wednesdays and Sundays where the best Christmas films will be shown. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests who may be visiting the Christmas markets, doing some Christmas shopping or just want to get involved in the festivities.”
Miracle on Cross Street will open a stone’s throw from the Christmas Markets, launching in Manchester on 17 November.
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It will be open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 pm until late, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday wil open from 4 pm until late.
Major travel warning issued ahead of Manchester Pride this bank holiday weekend
Emily Sergeant
A major travel warning has been issued ahead of the upcoming bank holiday weekend.
Of course, Manchester Village Pride returns to the city centre this weekend from Friday 28 to Monday 31 August – with four days of music, live performances, and entertainment taking place to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and of course, the annual Pride Parade will be taking to the streets from 12pm on Saturday too.
Starting at midday on Liverpool Road, the Pride Parade will travel through the city centre via Deansgate, Peter Street, Oxford Street, Portland Street, and Whitworth Street, all before arriving in the Village and closing out at around 4pm.
Pride may be the biggest event in Manchester this weekend, but given the fact it’s a bank holiday too, it’s by far the only thing happening.
A major travel warning has been issued ahead of this bank holiday weekend / Credit: TfGM
As thousands of visitors gear up to visit the city in the next few days, travel warnings have been issued by Manchester City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), as road closures are in place and major traffic congestion is expected across the city centre.
For the celebrations to all take place as safely and seamlessly as possible, a full list of road closures and parking suspensions have now been published.
Drivers are advised to avoid travelling into the city centre by car if possible, particularly on Saturday, and should use other modes of transport – such as buses, trams, and trains – instead to best avoid all the closures.
But for those who do need to drive, they’re being strongly advised to ‘allow plenty of extra time’ for their journeys and check routes before setting off.
🏳️🌈 On Saturday [29 August], it's the #PrideParade so you'll see plenty of rainbows in the city centre.
To allow the parade to take place: – There will be road closures in place – Some buses may operate on diversion – Trams in the city centre may experience minor delays
Wherever possible, drivers are advised to park on the same side of the city as their route, as travelling across the city to reach a car park could add additional time to the journey.
“Plan ahead if you’re travelling over the bank holiday weekend,” Manchester City Council said in its travel warning.
“A number of other major events are taking place across the city, including live events at Wythenshawe Park and Manchester United’s first home game of the season, which are likely to increase demand on tram services and roads in and around the city centre.”
You can find out everything you need to know about Manchester Village Pride here, and see the full list of road closures here.
Featured Image – TfGM
City Centre
Workers at major Manchester city centre hotel to strike this bank holiday weekend
Emily Sergeant
Workers at one of the most prominent hotels in Manchester city centre are set to strike this bank holiday weekend.
Workers at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and its bar venue The Refuge, who are members of the union Unite, will take 24 hours of strike action on Saturday (29 August) in what is said to be a ‘long-running dispute’ over union busting.
The strike day chosen by the workers is the second day of this year’s Manchester Village Pride, and is historically the most lucrative day of the year for their employer.
This is because Kimpton Clocktower is located very close to the Pride Parade route, and for several years has been a very popular location for people attending the festival, and even runs a number of Pride events itself.
Unite says that for months now, workers at the Kimpton Clocktower – which is owned by InterContinental Hotels Group UK (IHG) – have been asking for formal union recognition to improve conditions after raising several issues with management, but IHG UK has refused this and instead ‘targeted’ the union for its actions.
Workers at a major Manchester city centre hotel are set to strike this bank holiday weekend / Credit: Rebecca Hope Photography (Supplied)
Previous strikes have already taken place this summer, apparently causing ‘financial hits’ to the business in the process – with the bar being forced to close early at several events as there were not enough staff to cover them.
“A strike on Kimpton’s most profitable day is entirely of its own making,” commented Unite regional officer, Alison Treacher. “Throughout this dispute, Kimpton Clocktower management have treated its loyal workforce with contempt and our members have shown they will not stand for it.
“There is still time to avoid this highly disruptive strike action, but that relies on IHG changing tack by listening to its members and giving them the union recognition they have long been calling for.”
This dispute is said to be the first ever hospitality strike in the North West.
Unite is currently running a petition demanding that IHG UK stop targeting union activists, recognise the Kimpton workers rights to have their grievance heard collectively, and support their union recognition campaign.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd November 2021 
