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Best dressed at Parklife 2024 as heavens open for day two

It'll take more than a bit of drizzle to stop the fashion parade.

Daisy Jackson - 9th June 2024

The weather has well and truly turned on Parklife, but that’s not stopped the best-dressed in the city pulling out all the stops.

As the festival enters its second day and the sunshine is replaced by classic Mancunian drizzle, the most common accessory is the classic plastic poncho.

But beneath that you’ll spot trends like crochet two-pieces, hot pink skirts, football shirts, paisley-print mini skirts, fishnets, and plenty of cowboy hats.

Outfits seem to get brighter, bolder and more creative every year and this year is no different.

Brands that dominate include the affordable fast fashion retailers like Shein, BooHoo and PrettyLittleThing, among a few vintage finds.

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Parklife is now entering its Sunday line-up, with headliners like Doja Cat, Kaytranada and TSHA performing today.

Let’s just hope the rain clears up enough for all of these gorgeous festival-goers to be able to whip their coats off again.

The best-dressed at Parklife 2024 – day two

Love these neon tassles — Love these neon tassels, shaggy jacket and cowboy hat

A sheer camo two-piece and cute butterfly crop top

Crochet sets and cowboy hats

This pink-and-oraThis pink-and-orange combo with the blue hair is divinenge combo is divine — This pink-and-orange combo with the blue hair is divine

The best-dressed couple at Parklife 2024

These gorgeous girls nailed the Parklife brief

Obsessed with the holographic pink pants — Obsessed with the holographic pink pants and sports jersey with mini skirt

These tiny ruffle skirts with chunky leather boots and jackets were a 10/10 look

Here come the ponchos... — Here come the ponchos…

Now THIS is how you do uninhibited festival fashion

Top-to-toe paisley paired with some very sensible walking shoes

Easy guy to spot in the crowd here

All-over denim made our list of the best-dressed at Parklife

Hot pink fits at Parklife 2024

A small shout-out for our new The Manc Group hoodies... — A small shout-out for our new The Manc Group hoodies…

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Plans to build ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly officially proposed

Emily Sergeant Manchester Piccadilly underground train station CGI

Manchester Piccadilly underground train station CGI

Plans have officially been proposed to build a ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly.

The Government has announced a ‘major growth plan’ for the north, and as part of that, has firmed up its commitment to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).

NPR is said to be ‘at the heart’ of plans to deliver faster commutes, better jobs, more homes, increased investment, and ultimately, stronger connections between Manchester and several other major northern cities, even as far as North Wales.

£1.1 billion has been committed over this Spending Review period to support delivery of NPR, the Treasury has confirmed.

One of the most crucial proposals from the commitment to the NPR is an entirely new line between Liverpool and Manchester – via Warrington and Manchester Airport – will be delivered as part of the second phase in the 2030s, and work is set to begin ‘immediately’ to develop the project plans and business case in more detail.

Underground Piccadilly — Plans have officially been proposed to build a ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly / Credit: TfGM

As part of this, Greater Manchester and the Government will be working together to explore an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly.

It’s hoped that a new underground station at Manchester’s main train train travel hub would be a ‘catalyst’ and ‘enabler’ for major regeneration and economic growth in the region and across the North as a whole.

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The underground option is said to be ‘preferred’ by local leaders.

This option would see trains run through the station, providing more reliable and quicker connections to and from West Yorkshire and beyond.

It’s also hoped that it would ‘future-proof’ the station to accommodate growing passenger numbers for decades to come, as well as ensure that the region remains the ‘growth capital’ of the UK.

Big news for the North.

Work is set to begin immediately on detailed plans for the new Liverpool–Manchester Northern Powerhouse Rail line.

A major catalyst for growth and jobs across the North. 🚆

Find out more: https://t.co/R6zOdF9cb3 pic.twitter.com/gZ6eA8fCLU
— Bee Network (@BeeNetwork) January 14, 2026

“Finally, we have a Government with an ambitious vision for the North, firm commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail, and an openness to an underground station in Manchester city centre,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham as the proposals were announced this week.

“A modernised Manchester Piccadilly could become the Kings Cross of the North, acting as a catalyst for major growth in our city region and beyond.

“Over the past decade, we’ve become the UK’s fastest growing city region, but underinvestment in rail infrastructure has long acted as a brake on further growth.

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“Today marks a significant step forward for Greater Manchester. We’ll now work at pace to prove the case for an underground station and work up detailed designs for the route between Liverpool and Manchester.”

Featured Image – TfGM

News

TGI Fridays to close even more UK locations as franchise falls further into administration

Danny Jones TGI Fridays shutting Ashton restaurant with 16 locations closing across the UK

TGI Fridays shutting Ashton restaurant with 16 locations closing across the UK

Yes, American export and multinational TGI Fridays is closing even more locations across the UK following the previous batch of restaurant shutdowns.

This comes after Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, the parent company which oversees the global TGI Fridays franchise, filed a third notice to appoint administrators this week.

Founded way back in 1965 and opening in the UK by the 80s – 1990 here in Manchester, to be specific – the New York-born diner brand continues to struggle all over Great Britain.

The only city centre TGIs was hit by the first raft of closures in October 2024, and now another Greater Manchester branch is on the chopping block.

is tgi fridays in prestwich still open? — TGIs Preswitch and Royal Exchange have both been shut for some time (Credit: David Dixon/The Manc)

tgis royal exchnage cross st shut — TGIs Preswitch and Royal Exchange have both been shut for some time (Credit: David Dixon/The Manc)

Announced on Wednesday, 14 January, a further 16 TGI Fridays restaurants are shutting down imminently amid administration.

Totalling just 33 transatlantic venues left, this also means the loss of around 450 jobs, though the company insists they believe it to be the best decision to help “reinvigorate” the brand.

In a statement, Global President of TGI Fridays, Phil Broad, said: “We’ve been working closely to explore all available options for securing the long-term future of TGI Fridays in the UK, and believe that this is the best outcome for the business, preserves jobs, and offers a strong platform for success and growth.

As per an official press release shared on Monday, TGI bosses are hoping to reassert their presence in the American bar and grill scene as well as casual dining culture with a “bold new 1-2-3 strategic vision.”

Meanwhile, you can see the full list of TGI Fridays sites closing in Great Britain down below:

Aberdeen Beach
Ashton-under-Lyne
Bournemouth
Braintree
Coventry
Crawley
Doncaster
Edinburgh
Nottingham
Reading
Sheffield
Staines
Stevenage

It seems that the entities within the hospitality sector, no matter how big or small, are still being struck by rising business rates, inflation and the general cost of living crisis.

I suggest you speak to your team @RachelReevesMP … an emergency cut in VAT is the ONLY lever you have to save thousands of Hospitality businesses folding.
Much of Europe has VAT rates 10-13% to support their Hospitality industry.

A cut in VAT has been used and worked before. https://t.co/MQjgmcmzyQ
— Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 (@EssexPR) January 14, 2026

For now, at least, the now only remaining regional TGI Fridays in the Trafford Centre (which has been there since 1998) is set to stay open.

In the case of the site in Tameside, the 36-year-old spot has unfortunately closed with immediate effect.

As for those sadly now without a job, it’s absolutely gutting – sending love and support from everyone here at The Manc Group, and we hope other parties at Ashton Leisure Park will step in to help when and where they can.

This is far from the only recognisable name closing down local venues, either…

Glitzy Spinningfields bar famed for its bottomless deals shuts down

It continues to be a tough time for anyone in food and drink.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group