Another new aparthotel has opened in Manchester city centre, and Wilde promises some incredible views of the north west.
The Wilde Aparthotel is a premium offshoot of operator Staycity, and has taken up residence in a huge tower building just off St Peter’s Square.
There are 256 apartments within the new hotel, all of which are in the top half of the building – meaning views across the city centre and even toward Old Trafford and the Peak District.
The hotel has been inspired by Oscar Wilde, and has plenty of nods to the poet’s native Ireland.
Irish independent businesses, artists, crafters and photographers have been used to decorate Wilde’s rooms and communal spaces – they say each room will act as a showroom for Irish talent.
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Wilde Aparthotels has opened in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Both guests and members of the public can make use of a lounge bar with more views across the city.
Wilde guests can also access an ‘honesty pantry’, using their room key to shop for cooking ingredients and snacks.
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The aparthotel offers both studio apartments (starting from £120 a night) and one-bedroom apartments (£195 per night).
The bedrooms at Wilde are a ‘showroom’ for Irish creatives. Credit: Supplied
It promises to match home comforts, like fully-equipped kitchens, with hotel perks like a 24-hour reception and a gym.
Each room also comes with 43-inch smart TVs, Smeg appliances, Hypnos mattresses and Grohe rainfall showers.
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Wilde is in the heart of Manchester city centre, close to the Town Hall, Central Library and Chinatown.
Marie England, general manager, said: “I am excited to be part of the opening of this new Wilde, particularly being in such an amazing location which is perfect for visitors wanting to explore Manchester on foot, as well as being central for business travellers.
“Wilde offers a unique blend of home and luxury hotel and has such an original feel, with sumptuous furnishings and quirky design details that guests will love.”
Staycity has two other properties in the city – one in Gateway House next to Manchester Piccadilly and another in the Northern Quarter.
Manchester Art Fair returns this autumn with more than 180 exhibitors under one roof
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s largest art fairs is back in Manchester this autumn, bringing more than 180 exhibitors together all under one roof.
Not only is it one of the UK’s largest and one of the most significant art fairs, but it’s by far one of the most celebrated cultural events in Greater Manchester‘s social calendar too.
Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, the event draws in tens of thousands of visitors, and will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists this year – all of whom will be showing new works.
2026’s edition will be its biggest yet too, as the event is returning to Manchester Central for four days this year instead of the usual three.
Returning from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November, the fair will have more than 600 artists there for an exceptional showcase of modern and contemporary art, with thousands of works available to discover and buy from both world-renowned names and some of the most exciting emerging creative talent.
In a significant move, the fair’s highly anticipated Preview Night will move to Thursday evening, opening an expanded programme of art, talks, workshops, and new experiences across the four days that follow.
Leading the lineup of new features are Manchester Art Fair’s Art Masterclasses, which have been created for developing artists looking to advance their creative practice.
These new experiences will sit alongside a rich programme of artist talks, panel discussions, Q&As, live demonstrations, and other hands-on creative workshops.
More than 180 exhibitors will all gather together under one roof / Credit: Supplied
Manchester Art Fair 2026 will first open at Manchester Central with an exclusive preview night on Thursday 19 November, before it then continues on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November – with tockets now on sale.
Tickets are priced at £15 for a day ticket or £25 for a preview night ticket, including access throughout the weekend, all with booking fees applying.
You can get your hands on tickets from the Manchester Art Fair website HERE, and find out more information on this year’s event HERE.
Featured Image – Supplied
City Centre
Scheme approved and date set for work to begin on Piccadilly Gardens transformation
Emily Sergeant
The long-awaited Piccadilly Gardens transformation is a go.
It’s official – planners have given the green light for the scheme to transform Piccadilly Gardens, with Manchester City Council having received no objections to the proposals which meant that officials were able to approve the full planning application without it needing to be considered at next month’s Planning Committee.
The decision means that preparation works can continue at pace, ready for the main works due to get underway this autumn.
In case you aren’t up to date with the Piccadilly Gardens transformation plans, the idea is, in a nutshell, to put the ‘Gardens’ back in Piccadilly Gardens.
But what exactly does this mean?
Well, the approved plans show a vision for more green space – including lawns, trees, planting, seating, and colourful horticultural displays – with the temperamental fountains being removed for good and replaced with a new space called The Pavilion that will host family-friendly events.
Date set for work to begin on Piccadilly Gardens transformation / Credit: Supplied
The low concrete walls and raised planters at the edge of the gardens will be ripped out, improving the setting of the Queen Victoria statue.
An there’ll be a new, larger playground for younger children, created in the same high-quality style as the new parks at Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green.
The plan is to also make the space ‘safer’ overall, through improved sightlines, better lighting, and enhanced CCTV.
The Council and its partners say they are ‘clear’ that delivering a ‘better’ Piccadilly Gardens cannot just be about physical improvements, but it also requires improvements to how the area is managed and maintained.
We're putting the Gardens back into Piccadilly Gardens
The major regeneration plan to transform the square has now been approved by planners.
This means we can start work this autumn to make the Gardens more colourful, vibrant and safer for residents and visitors. pic.twitter.com/5Ayv2k9SRw
This process is said to have already started, primarily with a strengthened police presence, but a new management model is also being developed to ensure that improvements are sustained.
“Securing planning permission means that before this year is out, we can get started properly on work to transform the space and have it finished and ready for the public to use next year,” explained Councillor Garry Bridges, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“Piccadilly Gardens has huge potential to be a real asset to the city and its people. We know it hasn’t been good enough – but that’s about to change.”
Daisy Jackson -
21st March 2022 
