Manchester Arndale has just revealed that Creams dessert cafe will open a huge new site at the centre later this year – bringing its signature ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, waffles and crepes along with it.
The popular UK dessert chain has just signed a 15-year lease on a massive new 2,325 sq ft store in the centre’s Halle Place, where it will join the likes of Archie’s and newcomer Pizza Luxe.
Here, sweet tooths can get their fix on a range of flamboyant and indulgent desserts. From takeaway ice cream cones to boxes of Biscoff and icing-laden donuts and slices of cake, the cafe will sit in an ideal place for shoppers looking for a mid-afternoon sugar lift.
Inside, interiors will focus on a dark colour palette of blues and blacks alongside pops of purple and pink. Walls will be lined with neon signage, BMX bikes and skateboards.
Image: Creams
Image: Creams
Image: Supplied
The move is part of a large expansion for Creams, which now has over 100 restaurants across the UK.
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It is the second Creams site for Manchester, building on the popularity of its Cheetham Hill cafe which first opened in 2017.
As well as Creams Cafe, Manchester Arndale is due to welcome another leading food and drink brand later to the centre later this year – although the exact details surrounding the offering are being kept firmly under wraps for now.
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The new arrivals add to Manchester Arndale’s recently expanded food and beverage offering, which has recently seen the arrival of fried chicken favourites Slim Chickens, as well as Kokoro, Tim Hortons and Pizza Luxe.
“We hope to announce further new lettings and leasing activity across the centre as we seek to maintain Manchester Arndale’s position as a premier retail and leisure destination in the UK.”
Othman Shoukat, managing director for Creams Café, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening in the iconic Manchester Arndale and we’re confident that Creams Cafe will be a very welcomed addition to the shopping mall’s already impressive line-up of food and beverage outlets.
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Image: Supplied
“With one successful restaurant already operating in Cheetham Hill, we look forward to bringing our delicious desserts to even more of the Manchester community.”
Colin Flinn spokesperson for Manchester Arndale said: “We are delighted that lettings activity remains strong at Manchester Arndale, and we welcome our new arrivals to the centre as we continue to grow our F&B and leisure offering.
“We are also pleased to announce new lease renewals for Pizza Hut, Café Nero, and Dr Martins, as well as the upsizing by Pandora, as it highlights their commitment to – and faith in – the long-term performance of Manchester Arndale, recognising its place as a leading destination which continues to attract millions of visitors from across the North West and beyond.”
An opening date for Creams is yet to be announced. For now, you can visit the site in Cheetham Hill and keep up with them on social media here.
Feature image – Creams
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Three million UK workers will be getting a ‘significant’ pay rise in April
Emily Sergeant
More than three million workers across the UK are set to receive a ‘significant pay boost’ from April, the Government has announced.
Announced as part of last year’s Budget, and in a bid to “put thousands of pounds back in the pockets of working people every year”, the Government has now laid legislation this week that confirms a new National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour, and a new National Minimum Wage of £10 per hour from April onwards.
Ministers say the 6.7% increase to the National Living Wage – which will be worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker – is a “significant step” towards delivering the manifesto commitment to deliver a “genuine” living wage.
On top of this, the National Minimum Wage for 18-20-year-olds is also set to go up by a record increase of £1.40 an hour, which means full-time younger workers eligible for the rate will see their pay boosted by £2,500 a year.
This is the first time the National Living Wage has taken into account the cost of living and inflation.
We are putting more money in your pocket.
From April, millions of working people will get a pay rise.
With the Government’s end goal being to create a single adult wage rate, this increase to both the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage will put an end to age-based wage discrimination, meaning employers can no longer be justified in paying younger workers less for doing the same job as their older colleagues.
The minimum hourly wage for an apprentice is also set to be boosted this year, with an 18-year-old apprentice seeing their minimum hourly pay increase by 18% to £7.55 an hour.
As a result of all of these changes, a further four million workers also could benefit from the positive spill-over impacts of the rate increases.
Three million UK workers will be getting a ‘significant’ pay rise in April / Credit: Pexels
An impact assessment published earlier this week shows that these changes will put around £1.8 billion into the pockets of workers over the next six years, according to the Government.
“The increased income is set to boost financial stability for millions of families and improve spending power which will drive economic growth,” the Government claims.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves commented: “This Government promised a genuine living wage for working people that will support people with the cost of living, creating a workforce that is fit and ready to help us deliver number one mission to growth the economy.
“This pay boost for millions of workers is a significant step towards delivering on that promise.”
Featured Image – Pexels
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BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is returning to Greater Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is coming back to Manchester once again, and they’re bringing yet another phenomenal lineup with them.
National radio station and overall upcoming music connoisseurs, BBC Radio 6, are back with their music festival, and just like years previous, it’s taking place across Manchester.
Over the years, the festival has brought some of music’s biggest names to lots of local venues, putting on an array of brilliant live performances.
Last spring saw the arrival of rock band Gossip and Irish singer CMAT, both taking up residency in O2 Victoria Warehouse, Lily Fontaine of English Teacher at Band On The Wall, while DJ Seinfeld went B2B with Salute in Depot Mayfield.
Leading this glowing roster of performers is Ezra Collective, a Mercury award -winning band known for their brilliant jazz productions, and then from one Mercury-winning band to another, Lily Fontaine won’t be riding solo this year, instead she’s bringing all the crew with her, as English Teacher are set to perform at this huge festival.
Fat Dog, whose debut album is titled ‘Woof’, are joining in on the fun with Scottish band Mogwai also making a feature too.
There’s even a chance for an exclusive first listen too, as Kae Tempest will be debuting new material right here in Manchester.
Ezra Collective are performing at BBC Radio 6 Music Festival.English Teacher make a return to Manchester for this special event.Fat Dog are also playing the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival.
All performances will be taking place at a multitude of venues, like the previously mentioned O2 Victoria Warehouse, Depot Mayfield, and Band On The Wall, as well as loads of other events at entertainment bar, Yes.
Every highlight, alongside live and recorded live performances, will be taking place at MediaCityUK in Salford, in order to keep everything Manchester central.
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is happening from 26 – 29 March 2025, with tickets going on sale from 6 February at 10am here.
Georgina Pellant -
28th June 2022 
