The people's voice of Greater Manchester
  • The Latest
  • What’s On
    • Things To Do
    • Christmas
    • Gigs & Nightlife
    • Theatre
    • Kids & Family
    • Art & Culture
    • TV & Showbiz
    • The Guides
  • Eats
  • Audio
  • Sport
  • More
    • Places
      • Manchester City Centre
      • Salford
      • Trafford
      • Stockport
      • Cheshire
      • Bolton
      • Bury
      • Oldham
      • Rochdale
      • Tameside
      • Wigan
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Feature
    • Business
    • Property
    • Shopping
Weather Icon
The people's voice of Greater Manchester
X
Search for...
Weather Icon

Sandwich Technician

AJ Handley-Rowe AJ Handley-Rowe - 10th November 2021

Huge contemporary craft fair with 200+ makers is coming to Manchester later this year

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

One of the UK’s largest craft fairs will be taking over a historic Manchester building later this year.

More than 200 of the UK’s finest contemporary makers and artists will gather in Manchester this autumn, as the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF) returns to the magnificent Victoria Baths in October, creating a shopping experience like no other.

Set within the spectacular Grade II-listed venue, the fair will transform the building’s iconic empty Gala pools into one of the UK’s most distinctive settings for contemporary craft.

Since launching in Manchester all the way back in 2008, the GNCCF has showcased the work of more than 4,500 makers, welcomed over 90,000 visitors and generated more than £4 million in sales for independent creative businesses.

A huge contemporary craft fair with 200+ makers is coming to Manchester later this year / Credit: GNCCF (via Facebook)

Now in its nineteenth year and expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the UK, the GNCCF has become one of the highlights of Manchester’s cultural calendar, having showcased the work of more than 4,500 makers and generated more than £4 million in sales for independent businesses.

ADVERTISEMENT

The fair will bring together designer-makers from the fields of ceramics, jewellery, textiles, furniture, glass, wood, metal, printmaking, sculpture, and fine art.

Every exhibitor is selected by an independent panel of craft experts – with 2026 set to welcome 70 exhibitors making their GNCCF debut, alongside many of the UK’s most respected makers. 

ADVERTISEMENT
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Great Northern Contemporary Craft & Art Fair (@great_northern_events)

Prices will range from affordable handmade gifts to collector-quality pieces, meaning the fair will offer something to suit every budget, every taste, and every stage of collecting.

“Victoria Baths is one of Manchester’s most remarkable heritage buildings and provides an extraordinary backdrop for the fair,” explained Victoria Scholes, who is the Development Director of GNCCF.

Read more:

  • The old mill in Stockport that’s home to the largest vintage lifestyle centre in the North West
  • Victoria Baths to turn into a dancefloor for a new phones-free daytime rave series
  • Look inside the incredible Victoria Baths as it’s turned into a swimming pool for the first time in years

“The contrast between its beautiful Edwardian architecture and the very best in contemporary craft makes visiting GNCCF a truly memorable experience. People often tell us they love exploring the building as much as the craft.”

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2026 will be taking over Victoria Baths from 15-18 October, and you can get tickets here.

Featured Image – GNCCF (via Facebook)

Chinatown restaurant issues CCTV appeal after customer literally RUNS away without paying

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Noodle Alley in Chinatown has issued a CCTV appeal on a dine-and-dash customer

Noodle Alley, a cosy restaurant in Chinatown, has shared CCTV footage of a customer literally running away with an unpaid bill.

The noodle bar is famed for its spicy dishes, hailing from co-owner Wendy Ren’s native Sichuan province.

It’s become a firm favourite in Manchester’s Chinatown since launching in 2023 – but the team have been left stung by a customer dine-and-dash this week.

And it’s the most literal case of a dine-and-dash we’ve ever seen, with CCTV footage shared by Noodle Alley showing the moment the customer sprints out the door, with impressive speed for a man in sliders.

The video also shows the staff chasing the runaway customer, to no avail.

In a heartfelt statement shared online, Noodle Alley said that ‘every meal matters’ when small businesses like theirs are struggling with rising costs.

They also said that the CCTV has been sent to the police in the hopes of catching the man.

In their full statement, Noodle Alley wrote: “Today, someone ran away from our restaurant without paying.

“This isn’t just about the money. Small independent businesses are already struggling with rising costs, and dealing with people who deliberately run away without paying makes it even harder.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Noodle Alley Manchester (@noodle_alleymcr)

“Every meal, every member of staff, and every genuine customer matters.

“Our team reacted immediately and tried to catch him, but he disappeared within seconds.

“We have a very clear CCTV image of the individual, and all the evidence has been passed to the relevant authorities.

“To everyone who chooses to support small independent businesses like ours, thank you. Your kindness and support help keep businesses like ours going.”

Read more

  • Massive rock, paper, scissors tournament with BIG pizza prizes takes over Trafford Centre this week
  • An award-winning vegan restaurant in Manchester has closed – and will become an Irish pub
  • The fantastic pub near Manchester Airport that’s a perfect plane-spotting site

Featured image: The Manc Group

More

New Man United fan zone at Old Trafford stadium

Manchester

Manchester United announce plans for first permanent fan zone at Old Trafford

Boroughs

Two unique North West homes named among most-viewed on Rightmove so far in 2026

GB Basketball guard Luke Nelson joins Manchester

Sport

A ‘power’ GB national team player has joined Manchester Basketball for the new season

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

New Tebay service station Altrincham Tatton Greater Manchester

Boroughs

Work on Greater Manchester’s very own ‘Tebay-style’ motorway service station is finally underway

Wildfire on the moors

Boroughs

Major incident declared in response to Greater Manchester wildfires ‘stood down’

Man United and City monitoring transfer deal for young Irish striker Michael Noonan

Sport

Why so many are excited by the Irish teenager being monitored by Man City, United and more

Eats Logo
Noodle Alley in Chinatown has issued a CCTV appeal on a dine-and-dash customer

Chinatown restaurant issues CCTV appeal after customer literally RUNS away without paying

Forbici is opening at the Trafford Centre

Massive rock, paper, scissors tournament with BIG pizza prizes takes over Trafford Centre this week

The Allotment vegan restaurant in Manchester has closed

An award-winning vegan restaurant in Manchester has closed – and will become an Irish pub

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches

The people's voice of Greater Manchester

The people's voice of Greater Manchester.
Our aim? To make sure you’re in the know, entertained and educated on what’s happened, or what’s happening, in our great city.

39 Princess Street, M2 4FN
[email protected]

  • About The Manc
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Subscribe to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2026 The Manc