Manchester

Councillor vows to catch culprit who put washing up liquid in Exchange Square fountain

"It's not even funny. It's just letting Manchester down."

The Manc The Manc - 3rd August 2021

A Manchester councillor has warned that the person found responsible for putting washing up liquid in the Exchange Square fountain will be “prosecuted”.

Images surfaced on social media this week showing the water feature overflowing with soap and bubbles in what appeared to be part of a prank.

Photographer Keith Andrew captioned the pictures with “Oh Manchester, never change… Somebody put washing up liquid in the Exchange Square fountain again” – but councillor Pat Karney failed to see the funny side.

The council member said the act was vandalism and that CCTV footage of the area would be reviewed in a bid to catch the culprit.

Pat Karney told the Manchester Evening News the person was “just letting Manchester down”.

“It’s not even funny,” he stated.

“The fountain is a nice attraction. We will prosecute, we’re not messing about.

“The warning is, if you vandalise the fountains and spoil the enjoyment or everybody else in Manchester, particularly in the nice weather, we will hopefully get you up in front of the courts.”

Featured image: Keith Andrew

Manchester

Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 opening date announced – including Albert Square return

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester Christmas Markets are merely months away, and the opening date and important details for 2025’s return have been announced.

It’s official… holidays are coming, and the countdown is on.

Just as we do every year, the Greater Manchester public has been eagerly awaiting news of when the city’s iconic Christmas Markets would be making a comeback for the 2025 festive season.

But now, Manchester City Council has announced that the famous wooden huts will be lining Manchester‘s streets once again from the first week in November, and for the first time in six years, Markets will also be returning to Albert Square.

Where to find the cheapest drinks at the Manchester Christmas Markets, from beer to mulled wine
2022 Manchester Christmas Markets
The Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 return date has officially been confirmed / Credit: The Manc Group | Flickr

Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bring thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on the fantastic festive treats and to soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.

While restoration work has been carried out on the city’s Grade I-listed Town Hall building, markets have been spread all across the city centre in recent years, instead of the central hub being in Albert Square – but this year, some of the festivities will return to where they belong.

More than 200 stalls will also be spread across nine other sites throughout the city centre.

Markets will take over 10 major locations across the city centre / Credit: Manchester City Council

Promising to be plenty on offer for seasonal shoppers of all ages, 2025 will see the iconic wooden ski chalet market stalls take over King Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, and Cathedral Gardens, as well as Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens as usual.

Dominating a twinkling seasonal skyline on Albert Square will be an enormous 50-metre-high ferris wheel, as well as an enchanting vintage carousel for children, and other Christmas fairground-style attractions. 

The new ‘A Taste of Christmas’ event will be open on Albert Square until Sunday 4 January 2026, bringing the space back into the heart of the city’s countdown to Christmas festivities and staying open throughout the festive season for families to enjoy into the new year.  

2022 Manchester Christmas Markets Guide
Councillors are going all out to make Manchester the world’s number one Christmas city / Credit: Manchester City Council

“We’re going all out this year to make sure that Manchester is the number one city for Christmas – not just in the UK, but in the world,” commented Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council.

Cllr Karney also teased that there are a few other ‘Santa surprises’ to come that we can expect to be announced in the coming weeks.

He concluded: “In the meantime, dust off your baubles, un-twirl your tinsel, and get ready – Albert’s back.”

Read more:

Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 will officially open across the city on Friday 7 November and close on Monday 22 December.

That is except for A Taste of Christmas on Albert Square, and the stalls at Cathedral Gardens – which will remain open throughout the Christmas period until 4 January 2026.  

Featured Image – Flickr

Manchester

Inside Great Britain’s first EVER Primark Home store

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Primark Home is opening this weekend at Trafford Palazzo

Primark has opened its first standalone Primark Home store in Great Britain, packed full of interiors and lifestyle bits at bargain prices.

The much-loved affordable retailer will throw open the doors to Primark Home at Trafford Palazzo this Friday, selling everything from bathroom bits and kitchenware, to soft furnishings, bedroom decor and LOADS of pumpkins

Whether you’re building a fun and feminine bedroom with fluffy pillows and slogan cushions, or a sleek living space with a boucle storage bench and hanging plants.

There are plenty of items for gifting and little treats too, like hot water bottles, candles and scented diffusers.

Autumn has hit Primark Home hard – expect pumpkin cushions, pumpkin and maple scented candles, garlands made of pale frosted leaves, burnt orange throw cushions and even ceramic vases with 3D pumpkins. It’s all known as the ‘harvest range’.

The huge new space is broken down by room. In the bedroom section you’ll find throw blankets, full bedding sets, fluffy rugs and wooden coat hangers.

For bathroom, there are pop-up laundry baskets, soft towel sets, gorgeous ceramic soap dispensers and matching toothbrush holders, and even aesthetic toilet brushes.

Primark Home is opening this weekend at Trafford Palazzo
Primark Home is opening this weekend at Trafford Palazzo
Seasonal items like pumpkins are rife
Seasonal items like pumpkins are rife
Slogan cushions in Primark Home
Slogan cushions in Primark Home
Bathroom bits at Primark Home
Bathroom bits at Primark Home

Kitchen bits include serving platters, tea towels, crockery, glassware and storage jars.

You’ll even find a full travel section where you can pick up luggage, packing cubes, travel pillows, eye masks, wireless headphones, and phone cases.

There are themed collections too, like the Hello Kitty and Friends x Primark range, Disney’s Stitch x Primark, and even a Wednesday x Primark range of gothic bedding and accessories.

While everything is typically priced at the lower end, as per Primark’s niche, there is a new Primark Edit range of more high-end, luxury homewares including crockery, bath robes, and fragrances.

From Friday 5 September to Sunday 7 September, Trafford Palazzo will host a series of events designed to inspire your home life and to celebrate the arrival of Primark Home.

The full schedule of events at Trafford Palazzo

  • Adult Evening Workshop at EL&N: Make a Macramé Wall Hanging | Friday 5 September | 7pm-9pm
  • Interior Talks with Bradley Dreha | Saturday 6 September | 12pm – 12:30pm | 2:00pm-2:30pm
  • Small Business Pop-ups | Saturday 6 September and Sunday 7 September |12pm – 4pm

Featured image: The Manc Group

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