News

A magical Christmas grotto is coming to Manchester’s Northern Quarter

As well as meeting the main man himself, there'll be appearances from the Ice Princess, Mrs Claus, the Snow Queen, and brother and sister elves Holly and Ivy

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 29th October 2021

A fairy tale grotto experience is coming to Manchester’s Northern Quarter this Christmas, bringing dancing ice princesses and the Snow Queen herself into the heart of the city.

Taking place across four dates in December, Native Manchester and Ducie Street Warehouse will transform into the fantasy land known as ‘Mancunia’ as it presents its popular NQ Grotto experience for the second year.

Featuring an immersive Christmas performance from Santa and his elves, alongside some of their closest friends, the magical grotto experience will take over the towering heights of the Atrium at Native Manchester for four special days.

Image: Jack Kirwin -JK Photography-
Photo by Jack Kirwin -JK Photography-

Guests can expect to enjoy a beautiful Grotto theatre performance, with a magical journey unlike no other awaiting families this Christmas at the NQ venues.

The 60-minute experience will be completely family-friendly and feature dances with the Ice Princess, a singalong with Mrs Claus, storytime with the Snow Queen, and silly time with the brother and sister elves Holly and Ivy.

ADVERTISEMENT

Children will also get to meet the big man, Santa Claus himself, and tell him all the things that are on their Christmas list this year. Who knows, he might even have a little surprise in store for them.

Image: Jack Kirwin -JK Photography-

Alongside the Grotto experience, there will also be food stalls in the atrium available with festive food and drink offerings from Ducie Street Warehouse.

ADVERTISEMENT

Perfect for little and big kids alike, the family-friendly event is set within the trendy, warehouse-chic surroundings of the Grade II listed Ducie Street building, where guests can grab comfortable floor cushions and sit together to immerse themselves in an exciting Christmas wonderland.

Photo by Jack Kirwin -JK Photography-
Image: Jack Kirwin -JK Photography-

The NQ Grotto will return to the Northern Quarter at Native Manchester across four dates in December – 4, 11, 18, and 19.

Tickets are available to book now, with each day offering a 60-minute session each at 10 am, 11.45 am, 1.30 pm, 3.14 pm and 5 pm.

ADVERTISEMENT

Priced at £12 for adults and £10 for children, entry is free for children under 2. Tickets can be purchased here.

Feature image – supplied

News

Peter Kay’s statement in full as his Co-op Live gigs are postponed for SECOND time

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Peter Kay statement after Co-op Live gigs cancelled for the second time

Peter Kay has issued a statement after his two gigs at Co-op Live were rescheduled – again.

The Bolton-born comedian was supposed to officially open the huge new Manchester venue last week, but ‘power supply issues’ forced it to be rescheduled.

He was then supposed to perform on Monday and Tuesday of next week instead, but these two shows have been pushed back even further.

Co-op Live has also postponed The Black Keys, who were set to perform on Saturday.

Peter Kay has now issued a statement addressing the postponement, saying it’s ‘very disappointing’.

He also said: “I know, I can’t believe it either.”

He’s even amended his own tour poster to add the disclaimer: “(If they actually open the place).”

The star joked that he was now the ‘ninth artist in the world’ to play there.

Can always count on a comic to make the joke everyone else is thinking.

The legendary comic wrote: “To everybody with tickets, my apologies once again but unfortunately the Co-op Live still isn’t ready and so, as yet, remains untested for a large-scale audience.

“Consequently, they are having to reschedule my two shows yet again (I know I can’t believe it either).

“The first available dates the shows can reschedule to are as follows: Mon 29th April to Thurs 23rd May, Tues 30th April to Frid 24th May.

“Tickets will be transferred, or refunds given if the new dates aren’t suitable.

“It’s very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won’t compromise that.”

Co-op Live said in a statement: “Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co-op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans.”

They’ve also made the rather bold decision to once again assure fans that the next raft of shows now set to be their opening gigs – big dates from Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo – are still set to go ahead as scheduled.

Touch wood.

“To ensure that we can run all shows safely, regretfully we have now had to take the decision to reschedule the planned The Black Keys and Peter Kay shows.

“Both The Black Keys and Peter Kay have graciously agreed to reschedule their shows. The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May 2024, and Peter Kay will now perform on 23 and 24 May 2024.

“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend.

“We deeply appreciate the impact this will have on excited fans, and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause. Rescheduling Peter Kay and The Black Keys will give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.”

Read more

Featured Images — Press Images/The Manc Group

News

Manchester’s Co-op Live arena postpones The Black Keys and Peter Kay (again)

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Co-op Live postpone The Black Keys and Peter Kay gigs again

The Co-op Live has announced it is postponing both The Black Keys gig and Peter Kay’s performance.

Both shows were set to take place this week as the huge arena finally opens in Manchester.

This is the second time Peter Kay has been rescheduled – the show was meant to officially open the venue earlier this week.

Co-op Live went ahead with a test event with Rick Astley last Saturday, albeit with a capacity that was reduced at the eleventh hour.

But the huge venue was hit with ‘power supply issues’ and took the ‘difficult decision’ to postpone Peter Kay.

It’s now gone one step further and pushed back The Black Keys – meant to be their first proper live music event – as well as Peter Kay AGAIN.

In a statement shared today, the Co-op Live said it has been ‘undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans’.

It said that the shows are being rescheduled to ensure they can ‘run safely’.

The 23,500-capacity arena said this will give them ‘the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly’.

The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May, and Peter Kay on 23 and 24 May.

As for the Bolton-born comedian, he sounds somewhat in disbelief himself:

Co-op Live’s statement reads: “Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co-op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans.

“To ensure that we can run all shows safely, regretfully we have now had to take the decision to reschedule the planned The Black Keys and Peter Kay shows.

“Both The Black Keys and Peter Kay have graciously agreed to reschedule their shows. The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May 2024, and Peter Kay will now perform on 23 and 24 May 2024.

“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend.

“We deeply appreciate the impact this will have on excited fans, and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause.

“Rescheduling Peter Kay and The Black Keys will give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.

“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.”

Featured Images — Press Images/The Manc Group

More News

Gary is outta here.

Audio

Co-op Live boss resigns just days before venue’s official opening

News

Tailgaters and middle lane hoggers warned to change their ‘dangerous’ driving style

Co-op Live Manchester guide important info

Audio

A guide to the brand-new Co-op Live Arena: drinks prices, how to get there, capacity and more

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches