A team of people dressed as Santa Claus have been out spreading festive cheer to stranded students this week.
They’ve been delivering free presents to people stuck in isolation with Covid-19 over Christmas.
And it’s the sort of present the majority of students appreciate the most – alcohol.
A heart-warming video shows The Manchester Students’ Group out throwing cans of hard seltzer through the windows of university accommodation around the city.
Members were also leaving crates of booze on doorsteps for people who have tested positive for coronavirus.
Students who are having to spend Christmas without their families this year were able to request a drop-off of Mike’s Hard Seltzer.
ADVERTISEMENT
The MSG, which is the UK’s largest online student community made up of 60,000 members, said it just wanted to cheer up those stuck in halls over the festive season.
Farris Ramzy from MSG said: “We know a lot of people are having to isolate at moment, and student halls/shared accommodation isn’t great at the best of times – let alone on Christmas morning, away from the rest of your friends and family.
MSG out delivering booze to students. Credit: Supplied
“We wanted to give back to our MSG community in a fun way, and hope whoever got a crate felt a even a little bit better – we know how difficult this year has been for students!
ADVERTISEMENT
“It was great seeing all the positive messages about it from everyone, and we’ll be looking to do things like this a lot more.”
One of the recipients of the booze drops said: “Wouldn’t have got through my birthday without yas.”
Another said: “Legends. Sorted us out.”
The MSG’s private forum allows students to share stories and get recommendations.
Featured image: Supplied
Manchester
Manchester councillor Bev Craig has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List
Danny Jones
The leader of Manchester City Council and representative for Burnage, Bev Craig, has officially been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours List for 2026.
Councillor Craig, who has held her leadership position since October 2021, received the OBE for her services to local government.
She joins several other regional councillors to be named by King Charles III.
First elected by Burnage residents back in 2011, she has spent more than a decade and a half devoting her professional life to the community, as well as nearly a whole five years of that time at the highest level within the Council.
The University of Manchester graduate has played several key roles throughout her career, including giving back to higher education, helping trade unions, as well as serving as an executive member for adult social care and health during the pandemic, before serving as Deputy and eventually Leader.
Speaking in an official statement, Craig said: “To receive an OBE is a huge privilege, and to get awarded it for what I’ve been able to give back to our city is all the more special.
“Manchester is an incredible city, made special by its people and a place I’m proud to call home.
“Leading our city is a privilege I don’t take for granted, so to get awarded an OBE for what we’ve been doing to make Manchester an even better place to live and improve the lives of Manchester people, while creating a city that is fairer and more inclusive for generations to come, is the real honour.”
With the Council having also confirmed two special NYE events on either side of the Town Hall this year, it feels like a fitting celebration.
Congratulations to Bev Craig on the well-deserved accolade and title; we have no doubt she’ll continue to excel in her post.
You can find the King’s 2026 New Year Honours List HERE.
As for the discussion around knighthoods, many Brits are currently calling for a change in the rules in hopes of making OBE, CBE and MBE, Kevin Sinfield a Sir.
Featured Images — Publicity picture (via Manchester City Council)
Manchester
Things to look forward to in Greater Manchester in 2026
Daisy Jackson
If you’re feeling a little weary as 2025 wraps up (why did that feel like the longest, most topsy-turvy 12 months ever?) allow us to brighten your spirits a little, with a list of things to look forward to in the new year.
Here in Manchester, things change fast, and 2026 is shaping up to be no different.
Over the next 12 months, we’ll see some cultural landmarks reopen for the first time in years (some sell beer…), major global events hosted here in our city, and more than a few major sporting updates too.
There are also some rather lovely food and drink openings on the horizon, plus plenty more.
So here you have it – 12 things to look forward to in Greater Manchester in 2026.
Town Hall reopening
Inside Manchester Town Hall as more scaffolding comes down and reopening date confirmed
It is, comfortably, the most famous and impressive building in the city – and the Manchester Town Hall is finally set to reopen in 2026 (over budget and over deadline…)
It’s been years since any of us have seen the outside of the Grade I-listed building, never mind the inside – but the countdown is finally on.
When it reopens, the Manchester Town Hall will have a free exhibition inside, and in the meantime there are plans for hard hat tours so us Mancs can see inside this world-famous structure for the first time since 2020.
Cat Cafe reopening
The cafe in Manchester where your latte was served with a side of kitten is set for a new lease of life, in a new location within the city centre.
The Cat Cafe teased it would return to Manchester (after shutting down in 2021) last year, but has been hit with more than a few delays.
But addressing fans towards the end of 2025, they’ve announced they’re gunning for a spring 2026 reopening, this time in a huge space within the Barton Arcade on Deansgate.
The BRITs
The BRIT Awards will be hosted at Co-op Live. Credit: Supplied
First came Chanel, then came the MTV EMAs, and now Manchester has landed yet another event that will put us on a global scale – the BRITs.
The glittering music ceremony will be moving up north, taking over the Co-op Live in February and attracting some of the hottest names in the music industry.
There are plenty of nods to our city in the BRITs already, including the design of this year’s award itself – designed by internationally acclaimed British designer Matthew Williamson, inspired by his Manchester roots and built from an amber toned resin – resembling the golden honey of a worker bee.
Etihad Stadium expansion and The Medlock hotel
The Etihad Stadium has been busy every summer of late while the pitch is quiet, expanding the huge venue and building a brand-new, 401-bedroom, four-star hotel too.
Set to open in late 2026, The Medlock will be connected to the Etihad Stadium and operated by Radisson Hotel Group.
Inside, there’ll be a choice of suites, deluxe and standard rooms, plus a luxury penthouse suite, and access to the food and drink outlets and museum experience that are being added to the expanded stadium area.
Rylands reopening
Manchester’s iconic Rylands building is being reborn
It’s one of Manchester’s finest buildings, an art deco-era landmark right in the heart of town that’s gearing up for a new chapter after the collapse of Debenhams.
Rylands Manchester will begin to reopen in phases in 2026, a new home for retail, leisure and workspaces all under one roof.
The plans also include a four-storey glass extension with panoramic views up on the roof.
ADVERTISEMENT
The MOBO Awards
The MOBO Awards are coming to Manchester. Credit: Nick Flynn
And it’s not just the BRITs heading up north this year – the 2026 MOBO Awards will also take place in Manchester for the very first time for its 30th anniversary celebrations in March.
The MOBO Awards are the biggest celebration of Black music and culture in Europe, and has travelled the length and breadth of the UK since 2009.
But this is the first time Manchester will have the honour of hosting the MOBO Awards, for an unforgettable night at Co-op Live of live entertainment, tributes, recognition and celebration.
Manchester Street Food
Ducie Street Warehouse could be turned into a food hall
Food halls are, apparently, like buses – you wait for ages for one to open then loads come along at once.
Now new plans have been lodged to transform most of the ground floor of Ducie Street Warehouse into a 10-kitchen food hall, complete with arcade machines, pool tables, and an outdoor terrace.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s set to be operated by the same team behind Edinburgh Street Food, so this landmark building should be in safe hands. You can read more about the plans HERE.
PINS Social Club
Earlier this year, the Grade II listed Art Deco building Sunlight House reopened its doors after a £35 million transformation.
There’s a new name set to move into a whopping 25,000 sq ft unit that spans three whole floors in 2026 – Liverpool’s PINS Social Club is finally heading to Manchester.
Manchester’s biggest new hospitality venue will be packed with bowling, tech darts, shuffleboard, karaoke, beer pong, and a dedicated sports bar.
Sister Moon
The Treehouse Hotel has breathed new life into a rather unloved building in Manchester, transforming the old Brutalist Renaissance hotel into a cosy, modern hotel with British restaurant Pip on the ground floor.
ADVERTISEMENT
There’s still more to come though… Sister Moon, a 14th-floor Southeast Asian dining destination by Sam Grainger, is still to open in 2026.
Expect ‘bold, punchy flavours’ and great views of the city.
The Shamrock reopening
The historic Ancoats pub The Shamrock will finally undergo a £1.8m revamp. Credit: Supplied
When Ancoats pub The Shamrock shut down, the neighbourhood looked very different. As new apartment buildings and restaurants have sprung up on all sides, it’s remained firmly bolted shut since 2018.
But now, Joseph Holt’s £1.8m revamp of this historic boozer, which dates back to 1808, has kicked off and it’s set to open up once again in 2026.
There’s a new name on the cards though – Joseph Holt asked the public to vote on what to rename The Shamrock, and it will reopen as The Spinners Rest.
ADVERTISEMENT
Women’s Cricket World Cup
Emirates Old Trafford – the home of Lancashire Cricket – will be an official host venue for next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The stadium already holds the record for hosting more Men’s Cricket World Cup matches than any other ground, and now it’s time for a new significant milestone.
Daniel Gidney, Chief Executive of Lancashire Cricket, said: “We are incredibly excited to welcome next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to Emirates Old Trafford for the very first time. This moment reflects both the growth of the women’s game and our ongoing commitment to hosting world-class cricket events for all.”
Eggslut
The humble egg is the star of the show at this new arrival to Manchester (as she deserves) – viral sensation Eggslut is finally coming to town.
When this breakfast spot opens on Deansgate you’ll find brioche buns filled with soft scrambled eggs, plus sides like truffle hash browns, and French toast sticks to be dipped in a maple custard.
ADVERTISEMENT
Eggslut was founded way back in 2011 and first opened in London a few years later, but this is the first time it’s left the capital to head north. They’re set to crack open the doors early 2026.
Daisy Jackson -
23rd December 2021 
