Bar manager

Smash-hit West End musical Trainspotting is coming to Manchester later this year

Emily Sergeant

Trainspotting The Musical is coming to Manchester.

30 years on from the film that changed everything, and following its successful world premiere run in London’s West End, Trainspotting The Musical is heading out on a major UK tour later this year, and will be taking to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages in the autumn.

Written by Irvine Welsh – as adapted from his best-selling debut novel – and directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, Trainspotting The Musical has been described by critics as ‘radical, invigorating and life-affirming’ since its premiere.

It’s said to be an unforgettable production that’ll have even the most sceptical audiences leave on a ‘consciousness-altering high.’

➕ ATG+ PRESALE ➕

CHOOSE LIFE.

Trainspotting: The Musical is coming to the Palace Theatre this November. Written by Irvine Welsh.

Groups presale 👉 Tues 12 May 10am
General sale 👉 Wed 13 May 10am

📅 Mon 2 – Sat 7 Nov 2026
🎟️ https://t.co/WWR2MkKjIo pic.twitter.com/pm3r69d7Md

— Palace & Opera Mcr (@PalaceAndOpera) May 11, 2026

In 1996, the breakthrough British film of the same name was released and became the biggest grossing UK film of the year, winning a slew of awards in the process – including a BAFTA for Best Screenplay, and even being ranked tenth in the BFI’s top 100 greatest British films of the 20th century.

Now, three decades later, the industrial drug crazed working-class heroes of British youth culture are back… but this time, live on stage.

 “I believe the musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film,” creator Irvine Welsh commented as the UK tour was announced this week.

“People need to think about the world we’re living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off. It’s what being human is all about. We’ve put together an incredible Scottish cast and I can’t wait to see them bring the musical to life.”

Read more:

• Pretty Woman The Musical will be returning to the stage in Manchester next year
• Multi award-winning musical Back to the Future is returning to Manchester
• Legendary musical CATS is coming to Manchester on its UK tour

Trainspotting The Musical will taking to the stage at Manchester Palace Theatre later this year from Monday 2 – Saturday 7 November 2026, and tickets officially go on general sale tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May) from 10am.

Get your tickets when they go live here.

Featured Image – Supplied

Stockport pub set to be brought back by local brewery

Danny Jones

A once popular pub in Stockport looks set to be brought back by a big regional brewery, more than two and a half years on from its closure.

The boozer in question is The Golden Hind in Offerton, with the most recent landlords having to bid goodbye to the Lisburne Lane location back in November 2023.

Since then, the sad sight has simply stood derelict on the corner of Marple Road, a main thoroughfare which connects the SK neighbourhood to the neighbouring town of the same name.

However, now it appears as though Manchester-born brewers and pub operators, Joseph Holt, are set to resurrect the local institution as part of a major redevelopment programme estimated to be worth North of £1 million.

Native pub chain and beer-makers ‘Joey Holts’, as they’re sometimes colloquially known, announced their purchase of the building last week.

With Jane and Andrew representing the sixth generation of the Holts to work for the well-established Manc publicans, the family-run business knows all about the importance of maintaining the important community aspect of suburban cornerstones like this.

Over 176 years old themselves, Joseph Holt has plenty of experience reviving venues like this – it was only back in October that they helped reboot the Horse and Jockey in Chorlton – and have stated their intention of helping fight the growing trend of pubs, bars and restaurants closing across the country.

The Golden Hind (which was formerly a Hungry Horse pub before its Greene King era) ceased trading after being open for well over half a century, and was heavily mourned at the time.

With regulars and Offertonians at large campaigning at the time to try and save the site, this will no doubt come as great news and some much-needed relief to many in and around the area, who spent some of their most important time socialising and building connections in their much-loved local hub.

‘It’s not just a pub, it’s our community hub’.👊🍻

Stopfordians aren't letting the @greeneking boozer go without a fight. 👉 https://t.co/lNONhe3JI6 pic.twitter.com/sU1ySMM6FC

— The Manc (@TheMancUK) November 7, 2023

We are yet to be given a clear timeline for the comeback, but you can already tell how motivated the new owners are to make this a success, not just for themselves, but for those who live nearby.

Aforementioned CEO, Richard Kershaw, said in a statement: “Joseph Holt is a brewery committed to putting pubs back into the heart of local communities. It is at the core of our ethos.

“Since we know they play such an important role not just as places to enjoy a drink, but as welcoming spaces to meet others, take part in social groups, and enjoy live events. All of which will be happening once again once we complete our redevelopment of The Golden Hind.

“That’s why we are investing over £1 million in a comprehensive and carefully considered redevelopment, creating a pub in the truest traditional sense — complete with open fireplaces, generous outdoor spaces, and comfortable, characterful furnishings.”

The Joey Holt boss went on to add: “We are a family business, and we really understand how people feel a deep social connection with their local pub. We hope our revival of the Golden Hind will once again make it a local magnet.

“This investment will also bring real benefits to the area – creating jobs and new opportunities, while giving the wider community a meaningful boost. We’re looking forward to getting started on this exciting new chapter for both the pub and the area.”

With another long-standing Stopfordian pub, which was also previously run by the same ownership group, having confirmed its closure late last month, could Joseph Holt be about to do something similar with another well-known watering hole?…

Read more:

• The Vic, Withington named 2026 ‘Pub of the Year’ for South Manc and Stockport
• ‘We were so lucky to have it’ – Has MCR’s hospo scene reached a dangerous tipping point?
• 10 major restaurants and bars that have closed in Manchester already this year

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Joseph Holt Brewery/Supplied