After climbing into the backseat of a taxi, the type of driver you’ve drawn becomes clear very quickly.
Seconds after the car pulls away, you’ll realise whether the person behind the wheel will dictate the entire journey and choose the roads themselves, or ask you which route you’d prefer to take to your destination.
But one particularly unlucky passenger in a Manchester Uber this weekend found themselves in the company of a very different driver: One that favoured shortcuts over road signs.
Ignoring a closed road warning, this taxi driver proceeded to plough onwards down a Manchester road only to find the sign had been put up for a very good reason.
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Driving below an underpass, the car was soon submerged up to its headlights in floodwater.
Ultimately, the taxi driver was forced to abandon the journey and the vehicle – as everyone inside was forced to climb out through the windows.
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An image of the vehicle bobbing along in murky water was posted to Reddit on Saturday (August 7) and was greeted with bewilderment and hilarity in equal measure.
“Are you going to give him a tip?” one user joked.
“Yeah,” came the reply.
“Don’t drive through floods.”
Manchester
Søstrene Grene announces official opening date for new Manchester Arndale store
Emily Sergeant
Søstrene Grene has now confirmed the official opening date for its brand-new store inside Manchester Arndale.
In case you missed it, the beloved Scandinavian lifestyle and home decor retailer announced back in September that Manchester Arndale was the latest location to get the ‘Grene’ light for a new 4,952 sq ft store – with the shopping centre saying it was ‘delighted’ by the addition.
Known for its contemporary – yet surprisingly affordable – home decor, furniture, and stylish lifestyle products, stepping foot inside a Søstrene Grene is store is arguably unlike any other experience on the high street, thanks to its unique layout and winding aisles making it feel like you’re discovering something new around every corner.
The retailer offers a wide assortment of homeware, kitchen items, craft supplies, soft furnishings, toys, gift ideas, seasonal décor, and everything in between.
Søstrene Grene has just announced the official opening date for its new Manchester Arndale store / Credit: Supplied
The new Søstrene Grene store follows a recent flurry of other openings and announcements at Manchester Arndale, including Sephora, Alo Yoga, PureSeoul, Represent, and more, and also comes after the lifestyle brand announced that it would be opening a new store in Stockport.
And now, it’s been confirmed that the Arndale store will officially open its doors later this month on Thursday 26 March.
“Manchester has always had a special atmosphere and opening a second store here is a reflection of the city’s creativity and enthusiasm for design,” commented Mikkel Grene, who is the Group CEO and co-owner of Søstrene Grene, as the opening date was announced.
“Each new store allows us to bring more of our Scandinavian-inspired vision to communities across the UK, offering spaces that are calm, thoughtful and full of inspiration.
“This launch is another exciting step in our UK journey and we’re proud to continue sharing what makes Søstrene Grene unique.”
The official grand opening of Søstrene Grene at Manchester Arndale will take place on Thursday 26 March at the (very specific) time of 9:59am.
Featured Image – Supplied
Manchester
The 10 maddest moments of the BRIT Awards in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Last night, the BRIT Awards came to Manchester for the first time ever, bringing some of the world’s biggest music names to our city.
And, in true Saturday-night-in-Manchester style, there were more than a few mad moments over at the Co-op Live.
This year’s BRIT Awards saw Olivia Dean go home the most-decorated performer of the night, scooping Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, and Pop Act, among others.
There were also performances from Harry Styles, Mark Ronson, Raye, Olivia Dean and Rosalia – with plenty of surprises along the way.
And on a night that was heavily censored on TV, here are 10 moments you might have missed from the BRIT Awards 2026.
It just wouldn’t be a big Manchester event without Happy Mondays icons Bez and Shaun Ryder picking up a microphone – even if no one knows exactly what will happen next.
With Bez sporting a bright red outfit that was halfway between a tomato and a bell boy, they made it pretty neatly through their presenting section, handing Wolf Alice the Best British Group Award (though Bez did keep interrupting Shaun’s speech to shout ‘MANCHESTER’).
But then host Jack Whitehall made the mistake of sitting at the table with them, and Paddington Bear, with the ensuing chaos breaking Jack’s professional facade for the first time of the night… you can see the rest for yourself above.
The Manchester jokes came thick and fast at the BRIT Awards, but a particularly odd moment occurred when Jack Whitehall headed into the pit with the BRIT School students.
He said: “This year, because we’re in Manchester, we wanted to mix it up a bit – by throwing in some proper old-school ravers with the BRIT School kids.
“Yeaaah! There he is, the big man keeping the spirit of the Hacienda alive.
“Don’t look concerned kids, he’s actually the same age as you, he’s just from Preston.”
The ‘stage invasion’ during Sombr’s performance
sombr gets pushed and called a “Homewrecker” during his performance at The BRIT Awards. pic.twitter.com/e4pmki2fay
Halfway through Sombr’s set at the BRIT Awards, there was a moment where chaos broke out – stage invader wrestled off stage by security, set collapsing around him, sparks flying.
And for a brief moment, the audience panicked that the star was in real trouble.
But no. Just a stunt. Not a very good one. Sombr is alive and well.
Angry Ginge and Luke Littler on the same stage as Rosé
In a night that poked non-stop fun at the North, it was refreshing to have an actual Manc have a moment in the spotlight – and our unlikely hero of the night was none other than social media star and King of the Jungle Angry Ginge.
He hopped up on stage with Luke Littler – yes, him off the darts – to present the International Song of the Year award, which went to Blackpink star Rosé and Bruno Mars’ hit APT.
There was just something about seeing one of the world’s biggest pop stars sandwiched between two such utterly British characters that felt a bit crazy.
As well as delivering one of the stand-out performances of the night, BRIT Award-winner Rosalía also delivered one of our favourite moments.
While chatting with Jack Whitehall about her multilingual album Lux, he asked her if she spoke any Manc.
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To which she turned straight to the camera, addressed Liam Gallagher directly, and dropped a ‘Sunsheeeiiiiiine’. Amazing woman.
Surprise Dua Lipa
The moment Dua Lipa made a surprise appearance at the BRIT Awards
During Mark Ronson’s medley of hits, as part of his Outstanding Contribution to Music award, he pulled out plenty of surprises.
There was Ghostface Killa popping up out of a car parked on stage, a beautiful tribute to Amy Winehouse featuring her original vocals with a live band – and then the glitterball started lowering from the ceiling, with Dua Lipa herself perched on top of it.
It was an especially fun moment for those in the audience at the Co-op Live, who saw the star had been hiding up in the rafters since the last ad break for her moment in the spotlight.
The table of politicians, including Andy Burnham
"The only party he's allowed into these days" Political banter as Jack Whitehall passes Andy Burnham at the #BRITspic.twitter.com/8jCoI67pkJ
In amongst all the music heavyweights and pop culture darlings in the Co-op Live, sat in arguably the best seats in the house, was none other than a gaggle of local politicians.
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Andy Burnham, Bev Craig, and Lisa Nandy all sat right beside the stage, with Jack Whitehall joining them for a brief roast.
He said: “Oh my god it’s Andy Burnham! Legend! The only party he’s allowed in to these days.”
Jack added: “And Lisa Nandy! This must be the politician’s table, I wonder who else is here,” before making a joke about Peter Mandelson that was quickly censored on ITV… more on that later.
There was another special guest on stage with this year’s BRIT Award performers, but this one came with remarkably less fanfare than Dua Lipa and Bjork.
Yep, the pianist performing behind Alex Warren was James Blunt, complete with velvet smoking jacket.
The camera barely even zoomed in on him throughout the performance, and in the Co-op Live it was mostly a chorus of people saying ‘… is that James Blunt…?’
The stuff you didn’t hear on TV…
The main difference between being in the room at the BRIT Awards in Manchester and watching it on telly at home is the lack of censoring happening in the venue itself.
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Fans watching at home were baffled at what jokes they were missing out on as ITV slammed the *white noise* button at every swear and political joke. So here are some of the bits you might have missed.
Addressing the table of politicians, Jack Whitehall said: “I wonder who else is here? I think I saw Peter Mandelson on the list – no, sorry, that was another list.”
On stage, Angry Ginge said: “It is an absolute privilege to see the BRITs in Manchester, because it shows people are realising London’s a sh*thole.”
Geese’s Max Bassin’s acceptance speech was also censored, with him opening with: “Free Palestine, f*ck ICE.”
The Manc -
9th August 2021 
