Manchester

GMP issue urgent appeal to find missing 14 year old from South Manchester

Harvey was last seen at Piccadilly Gardens on 11 June.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 14th June 2023

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has issued an urgent appeal in the hunt for a missing teenage boy last seen at Piccadilly Gardens.

Harvey, 14, is from Whalley Range in South Manchester and has been missing for nearly 48 hours at the time of writing.

The teenager was last seen on 11 June 2023 around 2pm at Picadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre wearing a dark grey tracksuit and sliders.

According to Greater Manchester Police, there are ‘three letters on the logo’ of his tracksuit.

The 14-year-old is described by officers as being 5 ft 6 ins tall, going on to report him as being of ‘slim build’ and a ‘mixed race male’.

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The teenager also has long curly brown hair, which in a picture shared by Greater Manchester officers is shown to be hanging down around his face.

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The appeal from Greater Manchester Police, reads: “#MISSING | Help police find Harvey from Whalley Range Harvey (14) was last seen in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester at around 2pm on 11 June 2023 Officers want to make sure he is safe and well. Call 0161 856 6033 with more information”

Read more: Father of murdered GMP officer PC Nicola Hughes collects MBE for charity work

Featured image – Greater Manchester Police

Manchester

Manchester Town Hall is FINALLY taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A new era is on the horizon, as Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’ll be finally taking bookings for weddings and events once again.

That’s right… for the first time since it closed its doors to the public for what is the UK’s biggest restoration project to date back in 2018, one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks is soon set to welcome its first weddings and events in a decade – with bookings for the city’s most romantic address now open once again.

Manchester Town Hall has stood at the centre of civic life in the city since 1877, and for generations, couples have exchanged their vows within its walls.

Now, as it enters the home stretch of its restoration, the Grade I-listed building is gearing up to kickstart weddings and corporate events from January 2028.

Set reopen to the public next year, first up will be a series of celebratory reopening events – which are yet to be announced – before a phased approach will then allow the building and teams to be fully prepared to host commercial events again from 2028.

Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’s finally taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018 / Credit: Supplied

From its grand architecture and soaring stained glass windows, to sweeping staircases that offer the perfect ‘just married’ photo opportunities, this one-of-a-kind venue gives couples the opportunity to combine the romance and grandeur of a historic setting with the energy of a city centre celebration.

Inside the restored building, you’ll find The Great Hall, which is a magnificent setting with striking architectural character, as well as The Conference Hall, The Banqueting Hall, and The Reception Room, all of which offer equally characterful spaces that are perfect for private dinners, ceremonies, or corporate events.

The Lord Mayor’s Parlour is one of many settings overlooking the newly reopened Albert Square, while various elegant reception areas provide the perfect location for drinks and arrival moments.

“Our Town Hall is a real Victorian masterpiece and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the public once again,” explained Cllr Garry Bridges, who is Leader of Manchester City Council, as bookings finally open up this week.

“It’s a special building which belongs to the people and it’s great that they will be able to celebrate important landmarks in their lives, such as marriage, in its spectacular setting.

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“The Town Hall is full of history. Here’s to many more stories being written within its walls.”

Want to be one of the first people who gets married or hosts an event at Manchester Town Hall once it reopens in 2028? You can enquire about booking here.

Featured Image – Supplied

Manchester

Manchester has been named one of the most ‘affordable’ cities in the UK – this is why

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A list of the top 10 most affordable cities in the UK has been revealed, and Manchester has made the cut for one very specific reason.

On a bit of a budget? Aren’t we all.

The cost of living crisis has been raging on for quite a few years now, and unfortunately, despite how much we all wish for it to, it doesn’t appear to be slowing down – with prices for everyday items, especially typical fridge and cupboard stables, shooting up by the day, even though supermarkets are showing efforts to prevent it.

And it’s the noticeable price increases in groceries that led delivery insurance provider, Street Cover, to uncover which UK cities don’t strain your food shopping budgets too much just yet.

As it was found that food and non-alcoholic drinks inflation reached 1.3% this past summer, a new study has revealed that Sheffield is officially the most affordable city in the UK, with several other northern locations on the list.

Manchester has been named one of the most ‘affordable’ cities in the UK / Credit: MCC | Aldi

The study compared the 2026 Grocery Index for the largest UK cities with the UK average, as well as available 2025 Grocery Indices, to track the changes in food affordability.

The cities are ranked by the index difference from the national average – which is 67.3 – but the report also uses direct monetary values for a grocery basket to provide some additional context too.

Manchester took sixth place on the list, with an average grocery basket price of £23.08, while some of the other northern cities in the top 10, besides Sheffield at number one, include Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle.

Top 10 Most Affordable UK Cities For Groceries

  1. Sheffield
  2. Milton Keynes
  3. Liverpool
  4. Reading
  5. Newcastle
  6. Manchester
  7. Leeds
  8. Bristol
  9. Cardiff
  10. Southampton

As the only other North West city in the top 10, Liverpool may have come in third place overall, but the study found that the grocery bill here is the smallest in terms of actual monetary numbers – with it setting shoppers back £22.08 for a regular supermarket basket, which is a whole £1 cheaper than in Manchester.

“Data shows households in the North East of England have the lowest average food spend in the country, around 11% below the UK average, while Yorkshire sits 6.6% below,” Al Taylor, who is the Head of Street Cover, commented on the study’s findings.

“Sheffield’s position at the top reflects lower property costs for retailers, less competition from premium chains, and a supermarket landscape dominated by value-led options.

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“The practical implication for household budgets is significant – the difference between budget and premium shopping can easily be £1,000 or more per year for a family, which can be spent on other things or saved for future plans.”

Featured Image – Aldi

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