The Manchester Christmas Markets have moved to a new location at Piccadilly Gardens this year, but what to Mancs really think about the festivities being centred in this troubled part of the city centre?
When the news was announced that the Christmas Markets’ main hub would have to relocate this year – ongoing renovation works on the Town Hall have meant that Albert Square is off-limits – the reaction was pretty predictable.
But that was before the markets were actually open, totally transforming the infamous part of the city centre into the ‘Winter Gardens’ and a hub of hive of live music, street food and market stalls.
The ‘Winter Gardens’, the new main hub of the Manchester Christmas Markets / Credit: The Manc Group
Two huge wooden platforms have been built at Piccadilly Gardens, each surrounded by huts selling food and drink.
There’s a live music stage for the first time, furniture made from repurposed wooden pallets, and walls filled with plants.
A large part of the new site is under cover too, making it far more weather-proof than previous Christmas Markets.
The Off-Piste Bar at Piccadilly Gardens / Credit: The Manc Group
The festive light trail has even parked up here, including a giant glowing ‘MCR’ sign and an arch of shooting stars you can walk through.
For the most part, local people seem to be pleasantly surprised, with thousands flooding to the comments of The Manc‘s live tour.
John Paul wrote: “Massive improvement on the area. It’s been Manchester City centres let down for decades. Can they stay until Easter.”
Nancy Morris said: “That’s the best that Piccadilly Gardens has looked since the actual Gardens were concreted over. Well done”
Sue Taylor posted: “I like the idea of using all recycled materials, well done, looks good”
The Winter Gardens the night before they officially opened / Credit: The Manc Group
One person couldn’t believe their eyes, commenting: “Oh my god is that Piccadilly gardens????”
However, many were disappointed at the lack of Christmas spirit, with one person saying it’s “Just a food and drink market.”
Most of the traders at Piccadilly Gardens are serving only food or drink, though there are a few gift stalls too.
The bulk of the shopping markets have been moved to the other sites along Market Street, Exchange Square and St Ann’s Square.
One person wrote: “Weres all the gift stalls , and weres the Christmas decor just looks like a giant pallet yard p*ss up ,”
Ali Humphries posted: “Awful. Nothing like the original markets, just a food and drink market”
Featured Image: The Manc Group
City Centre
Manchester Fashion Week is returning for 2025 this autumn after a decade-long hiatus
Emily Sergeant
It’s been a long time coming… but this autumn, Manchester Fashion Week is back.
Returning with a ‘bold blueprint’ for the future of fashion after what has been a decade-long absence, it has been announced this week that Manchester Fashion Week will be back this September at what is a pivotal moment for the city’s £12 billion fashion industry.
Due to the unprecedented challenges the industry faces around sustainability, technology, and cultural relevance, Manchester Fashion Week 2025 will be rooted in the textile heritage of the city but rebooted by technological advancements and innovation to make fashion future-proof.
Running from 9-11 September, and taking over the vibrant St. John’s area of the city, with its official hub set in the newly-refurbished Campfield – one of Manchester’s most exciting new cultural venues – organisers say the event will unite emerging designers and established brands on a platform that bridges Manchester‘s industrial heritage with cutting-edge innovation.
Manchester Fashion Week is returning for 2025 after a decade-long hiatus / Credit: Yogendra Singh (via Unsplash)
The event is aiming to trace a path from historic Mancunian mills to contemporary catwalks, honouring textile traditions along the way, all while accelerating toward fashion’s future.
Manchester Fashion Week’s 2025 return is seen to be yet another factor in the city fast becoming the culture capital of Britain, and comes not long after it was announced that The BRIT Awards would be hosted here next year – which is the first time outside of London in its 48-year history.
The three-day event will serve as a platform for ‘honest dialogue, visionary thinking, and radical collaboration’ by activating spaces across the city and inviting brands, creators, and communities to participate.
“Manchester has always led,” said Gemma Gratton, who is the Executive Producer of Manchester Fashion Week, ahead of the event’s return this autumn. “In music, in manufacturing, in movements. And now, it’s time to lead again by future-proofing fashion from the ground up.
“Manchester Fashion Week is not just a celebration of style, but a cultural catalyst for people, purpose, and progress.
“This isn’t just Manchester’s moment. It’s Manchester fashion’s reset.”
Manchester Fashion Week returns for 2025 from 9-11 September, and you can find out more information and event updates online here.
Featured Image – Raden Prasetya (via Unsplash)
City Centre
You can win tickets to sold-out Lewis Capaldi gigs at Greggs
Thomas Melia
Nationwide bakery chain Greggs has partnered with singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi for a chance to win tickets for his sold-out UK tour.
Now, if there’s one thing we love more than sausage rolls, it’s watching Glasgow solo star Lewis Capaldi perform his smash hit singles to crowds of roaring fans –and Glastonbury proved that.
The ‘Hold Me While You Wait’ singer recently announced his latest UK tour, and to no one’s surprise, it sold out within minutes, with extra dates added in each city.
Leave it to Greggs, one of the UK’s favourite savoury pick-me-up companies, and its new campaign with Capaldi, which offers lucky fans the chance to win tickets to one of these sold-out UK tour dates – How ‘Grace'(ful).
This new campaign, titled ‘Someone you look like?’ – inspired by the chart-topping anthem ‘Someone You Loved’ – encourages fans of the Scottish Beyoncé to dress up in an outrageous outfit inspired by one of Lewis’ many stylish looks.
Greggs and Lewis Capaldi are offering fans the chance to win tickets to his sellout tour across five of the bakery chain’s sites, including London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow and right here in Manchester.
The bond between Greggs and Capaldi isn’t new either, as the ‘Bruises’ penman worked a shift for the savoury suppliers back in 2019, having a blue plaque erected at this very Middlesbrough site professing his love for a tuna crunch butty.
This isn’t the only competition that UK bakery chain Greggs is currently running; it’s also teamed up with package holiday brand Jet2 to give away a holiday at the same price as their iconic sausage rolls.
Whilst you’re at it…
Greggs and Lewis Capaldi have 25 pairs of tickets to win per restaurant location and the nearest bakery spot running this promotion is theSalford site located at Media City, M50 2HF on Tuesday, 22 July 2025. All information can be found HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
12th November 2021 
