Manchester will welcome its own Padel club later this year, with four brand new courts for the world’s fastest-growing sport.
Padel is a mash-up of tennis and squash, where players are enclosed by walls and can play the ball off any wall.
Club de Padel will have four brand-new courts when it opens at Deansgate Square – and it’s just revealed its opening date.
The sport was first invented in Mexico in the late 1960s but has exploded in popularity across Europe in recent years, drawing legions of famous fans.
Andy Murray, David Beckham, Pep Guardiola and Serena Williams have all declared themselves fans, and Lionel Messi went so far as to install a Padel court at his home.
ADVERTISEMENT
The fast-paced and fun sport is almost always played in doubles, and is described as ‘hugely sociable’ and ‘addictive’.
A planning application has been submitted to Manchester City Council which, if approved, will see Club de Padel open later this year or early next, seven days a week.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rackets and balls will be provided, with bookings made through an app which will allow you to connect, join matches, and split payments.
Club de Padel hopes to establish an inclusive and thriving Padel community in Manchester, with social matches, coaching, tournaments and corporate events taking place throughout the year.
Co-Founder David Blake said: “Ever since we first encountered Padel in Barcelona several years ago, we have been desperate to bring this amazing sport to Manchester.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s great fun, hugely sociable and easy to pick-up, so we know it’s going to be a smash at Deansgate Square.”
Fellow co-founder Matt McKinlay added: “It’s just so addictive. Everyone who plays Padel loves it right away.
Club de Padel will open at Deansgate Square. Credit: Unsplash, Jonny GiosPadel is coming to Manchester. Credit: Unsplash, Oliver Sjostrom
“The city centre location is ideal for both residents and professionals looking for a new way to socialise and network.
“The community aspect is something that’s very important to us at Club de Padel. We want everyone from school kids to young professionals to older residents to come along and give Padel a go.”
Club de Padel will make up part of Phase 3 of the Great Jackson Street masterplan, occupying the site of what will eventually form a four-tower cluster.
ADVERTISEMENT
Court bookings will open in August – sign up here to be the first to receive the dates.
Vogue’s immersive ‘Inventing the Runway’ show is coming to Manchester
Thomas Melia
A Vogue immersive show titled ‘Inventing the Runway’ is coming to Manchester, and it’s even co-created by Anna Wintour herself.
Ever fancied learning more about the fashion world? Well, now’s your chance to hear everything you need to know from global fashion leaders and lifestyle magazine Vogue.
The Anna Wintour-approved immersive experience comes alongside the announcement of Factory International‘s Winter lineup, which features another new event all about voyaging to the moon.
This Vogue-fronted experience will incorporate interviews, visual media and more to help attendees visualise fashion shows of the past, present and future.
As well as understanding how fashion shows became the pinnacle of a designer’s vision, this runway-themed display also includes looking back at iconic moments of fashion and pop culture.
‘Inventing the Runway’ by Vogue is focusing on outfits worn by models and A-listers alike, with narration from the one and only Cate Blanchett.
You can expect to see curated pieces by significant creative minds in fashion history like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and lots more.
Throughout the Vogue experience, as well as coming visually face to face with fashion, you will also hear a soundscape that perfectly reflects this innovative industry with a fusion of classical and pop music.
This fashion exhibition uses the same Lightroom technology behind the impressive David Hockney experience that opened back in December.
Vogue is using this show to honour anyone who has made an impact in the fashion world.The Met Gala has become a staple in everyone’s calendar year in and year out.First Northern Quarter’s Chanel show, now this… Très chic. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons/GoodFon)
Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer, Condé Nast, and Global Editorial Director, Vogue said: “At Vogue, we’ve been lucky enough over the decades to see many incredible runway shows, which have often told the story of fashion as much as the clothes themselves.”
“This Lightroom experience is a wonderful opportunity for a lot more people to experience first-hand the thrill of watching the history of fashion unfold right in front of them.”
You can experience Vogue’s ‘Inventing the Runway’ immersive show from 18 December to 10 January when it visits Aviva Studios this winter.
Find out more information and grab your tickets HERE.
The Thirsty Korean is thriving in its new location – and now serves brunch
Daisy Jackson
The Thirsty Korean’s closure early last year hit Chorlton (and beyond) pretty hard.
This was a much-loved independent that was popular for its authentic, value-for-money Korean food and found a new level of fame when Sacha Lord offered to pay for everyone’s dinner for a day.
But fret not – The Thirsty Korean is back, it’s bigger, and it’s brunchier, already thriving in a new location in Chorlton.
From this sunny new spot on Wilbraham Road, they’re doing the sort of spicy brunch dishes that’ll kick-start not just your morning, but your entire week.
We’re talking their now-famous Korean fried chicken, either as full battered wings or sticky and spicy bites.
We’re also talking traditional tteokbokki with lashings of melted cheese on top, silky sweet potato noodles, Korean pancakes stuffed with spring onion or kimchi or chicken, kimchi fried rice with runny eggs on top, and egg-coated cod.
The Thirsty Korean’s brunch spreadCheesy Ttekbokki noodlesThe new-look Thirsty Korean
Behind this local gem is Eunji Noh, and with the extra space she can stretch her ambition and her menu further.
You’ll still find all the usual popular Korean dishes but she’s reached out to other parts of Korea to bring lesser-seen plates to her menu too, including seafood and now brunch items.
Whether you order as many small plates as you can to share, or commit to one of their big dishes, you’ll be leaving here very full and very happy.
The Thirsty Korean, Manchester has missed you so much.
The Thirsty Korean is now open at 520 Wilbraham Road in Chorlton – you can make a booking HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
26th July 2023 
