After spending decades crying out for a new park in the city centre, at the end of last year, Manchester finally got its wish.
Mayfield Park, the first new park to open in the heart of town for more than 100 years, has proven a hit since it was first opened to visitors in September 2022.
After a successful introduction to Manchester, bosses yesterday announced that they will implement a new ban on cigarettes, cigars and vaping at the six-acre green space.
The plans were revealed on World No Tobacco Day, with the rules set to come into effect from Monday 26 June.
Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group
From that date, park users caught smoking will be asked to extinguish their cigarettes or cigars. If they refuse to do so, they will be asked to leave the park.
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However, there are not currently any plans to implement fines for smokers at the park, and, as the change is not a law that can be enforced by public officials, it is possible the guidance will be difficult to enforce.
It is understood that staff will approach smokers for a ‘friendly chat’, with an insistence that nothing will be ‘heavy handed’ or ‘in your face’.
A former industrial wasteland sandwiched between the Mancunian Way and the railway, Mayfield Park has been transformed over time to welcome floodable meadows and biodiverse ecological areas alongside its pristine lawns and flower beds.
It is hoped that the move will protect the wildlife habitats at the park as well as fellow park users, said Laura Percy, Development Director, for LandsecU+I: “The park offers a beautiful space in the heart of the city for people to enjoy with many benefits to their health and wellbeing.
“Becoming a smoke-free park is a natural step that will only create a more enjoyable experience for many of our visitors and staff, as well as protect the park’s wildlife, waterways, and biodiversity.
“We will be working closely with Manchester City Council and NHS Greater Manchester to encourage and support people to refrain from smoking within the park when we go smoke-free next month.”
Featured image – The Manc Group
City Centre
A FREE shopping event dedicated to saving students money is returning to Manchester Arndale
Thomas Melia
One of the city centre’s most popular shopping events helping students save money is returning to Manchester Arndale and the city centre.
MCR Student Socialis heading back to the city with its big discounts, freebies, giveaways and plenty of entertainment to keep you busy while you browse.
This interactive shopping event encourages new and current students to wander roundManchester Arndaleand the surrounding streets while snapping up some seriously good deals.
Expect discounts of up to 50% off at 120 stores including big high street retailers like Champion, Søstrene Grene, Selfridges, Sephora, and Berghaus.
This incredible 50% off deal continues into some of Manchester Arndale’s big-name food vendors like Wingstop, Archie’s, Barburrito, Sides, HOP Vietnamese and more.
If you’re after carrying thatZara Larssonenergy into your next academic year, the Arndale’s Rhinestone Rodeo celebration includes a Charm Bar in Exchange Court, where you can turn photos into personalised charms.
No shopping trip is complete without a matcha in-hand and you can bag yourself a free hot or iced drink in Exchange Court at the Cult Beauty Matcha Station.
Look out for our Audio North truck on Market StreetThe Manchester Arndale MCR Student Social is back
There’s even the Arndale’s Party Tuk Tuk which will be roaming around the city-centre shopping complex blasting out hip-hop tunes and some of your song requests.
Just outside Manchester Arndale on Market Street, there’s plenty of activities split across three dedicated zones, like Food & Drink by familiar foodie faces like Franco Manca and Great British Doner.
The Party Zone will be buzzing as Footasylum, Museum of Illusions and Urban Playground all unite, while there’s plenty of giveaways over at the Info Zone with brands like Science + Industry Museum and RSPB.
And, our very ownAudio North x The Manc DJ Truck is soundtracking Market Street with student DJs playing out everything from dance and funk to classic party anthems.
MCR Student Social is taking place on Thursday 24 September at Manchester Arndale from 12pm to 7pm and you can find more information via its official websiteHERE.
Clubgoers can expect £4 double and mixer drinks as well as £2 shots and not one, but three rooms of music setting totally different vibes.
The basement is raver-ready with disco-tech and house to soundtrack your evening, the middle room has R&B and slow jams covered, while the top floor takes care of ‘Everything you pretend not to like’.
Oops! also runs in further Northern cities and receives a great reception, hosting nights every Friday in Newcastle and a previous stint in Liverpool too.
This club night company couldn’t contain their excitement revealing in a social media post: “Joshua Brooks is second to none when it comes to sound, production and its deep rooted history in the scene.
Georgina Pellant -
31st May 2023 
