Clonezone, an adult store in Manchester’s Gay Village, has been broken in to for a third time in six weeks.
The shocking spate of vandalism against the local business, which has been part of the city for almost 40 years, last night saw its windows smashed with a crowbar.
The vandals reportedly sped off from the scene on a moped.
Canal Street Media shared photos of the shop, which was the UK & EU’s first Gay superstore, on Instagram, writing: “We’re sad to report that for a 3rd time in 6 weeks @czmanchester has had their windows smashed in.
“It’s evident that @gtrmanchesterpolice and @manchestercitycouncil need to act now to protect #lgbt spaces.”
Jeremy Hoad, chair of Friends of Manchester’s Gay Village Committee, posted on Facebook: “Clonezone has been attacked for a third time with both windows smashed with crowbars.
“FOMGV Chair Jeremy Hoad spoke to staff this evening to check they were OK and offer support against this violence.
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“Coincidentally, Jeremy and FOMGV Deputy Chair John Cotterill attended a meeting only hours before this latest attack to discuss policing in the Gay Village alongside others from our community.
Clonezone Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
“GMP are already investigating the first two attacks and providing an additional presence in the Gay Village.
“We stand together against any and all violence targeted at individuals or businesses in the Gay Village.”
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Glitterbeam Radio posted on Twitter: “We are shocked to see that Clonezone Manchester has been vandalised AGAIN. It’s the 3rd time in 6 weeks. @AndyBurnhamGM @gmpolice we hope in your intervention with a matter of emergency.”
Another person said: “Yet again it looks like CloneZone, a queer business that is located right in the heart of the Gay Village of Manchester, has been targeted and vandalised in clearly targeted hate and harassment. This has got to stop.”
Someone else posted: “My thoughts with the team at @czmanchester who are putting up with endless hate at the moment. I hope all the queer community rally behind them and give them support as they have been putting up with endless targeted hate. We must defend our community.”
My thoughts with the team at @czmanchester who are putting up with endless hate at the moment. I hope all the queer community rally behind them and give them support as they have been putting up with endless targeted hate. We must defend our community pic.twitter.com/qA13ZObrD0
Less than two weeks ago, Clonezone reported another incident of targeted vandalism.
They wrote at the time: “It saddens me to, again, be writing this but would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of well wishes and support we have received after the second incident of targeted vandalism against Clonezone Manchester.
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“All the staff are safe and well. And Clonezone Manchester is open for business as usual.
“We are working with the police and other village businesses to try and find the culprits and bring them to justice.
“If anyone does have any information or witnessed two grown male-presenting people on a motorbike driving along Sackville Street on Thursday 13th April, at around 9:40pm, please get in touch. You will be kept anonymous, should you wish.
“Once again a huge thankyou from the team at Clonezone Manchester for all the support and kind words. We will not be beaten by this.”
Council sets out plans to rework busy Manchester junction after ‘serious safety concerns’
Emily Sergeant
Bold new plans to transform one of Manchester’s busiest junctions following ‘serious’ safety concerns have been unveiled.
All the way back in 2022, Manchester City Council identified the junction of Wilmslow Road with Ladybarn Road and Sherwood Street as an area that would ‘greatly benefit’ from upgraded infrastructure.
As a major route into Manchester, and an important route cutting through the city’s southern neighbourhoods, this junction sees a vast amount of road, cyclist, and foot traffic every day… and because of this, there are also said to be ‘serious concerns’ around safety when it comes to this particular stretch of road.
In a five year period between 2018 and 2023 alone, there were 15 collisions at this junction, the Council explained – with two of these classified as ‘serious’.
Under the plans – which have been announced by the Council this week – the junction is to be partially redesigned, creating several new and safer crossing points for cyclists and pedestrians, a more ‘seamless’ route along the current cycling lanes, and overall, just general improvements to the layout.
🚧 Wilmslow Rd Junction Improvements 🚲 Works start 18 May 2026 at Wilmslow Rd / Ladybarn Rd / Sherwood St to make the junction safer for pedestrians & cyclists. ✅ New cycle lanes ✅ Safer crossings ✅ Better links to the Fallowfield Loop 🔗 https://t.co/Y26mH7cc8Epic.twitter.com/IiOih5ehqp
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) May 11, 2026
Some of the safety features set to be included are three dedicated crossing points for pedestrians at the junction, rumble strips for cyclists at pedestrian crossing points, and improved signage and road markings.
Work is due to begin as early as next Monday (18 May), and will run until January 2027.
The work is set to be carried out in four phases, the Council has confirmed – with the first phase of these works comprising of the removal of street furniture, kerbs and tarmac, as well as upgrades to the drainage and road markings.
“This junction in particular sees a high volume of traffic – from cars, cyclists and pedestrians, commented Councillor Tracey Rawlins, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council.
“So it was clear that improvements were required following our engagement with local residents.
“As has been the case with other schemes like this in Manchester, safety remains our number one priority.
“We have long said that we want Manchester to be a city where people can walk and cycle around in safety, and by upgrading this junction and improving its crossing points, we are taking another step towards that goal.”
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Printworks launches UK-wide student art competition for Europe’s largest digital ceiling
Emily Sergeant
Printworks has launched a student art competition offering the winner a chance to have their work displayed on Europe’s largest digital ceiling.
Do you know an aspiring artist? Students aged 16 and over are invited to bring the ocean to life in a brand-new creative arts competition launched by one of the UK’s leading entertainment destinations, Manchester’s Printworks.
The venue has now opened entries for UK students from sixth forms, colleges, universities, and art colleges across the country to take part in an exciting new art competition.
This year, students are asked to create an original artwork inspired by the theme ‘Ocean / Under the Sea’, and then the winning design will be transformed into a spectacular digital display across the impressive ceiling installation.
From colourful coral gardens and tropical fish, to mysterious deep-sea worlds and majestic marine life, students are encouraged to unleash their creativity and dive beneath the waves for inspiration.
“We’re incredibly excited to launch this year’s student art competition and can’t wait to see the imagination and creativity that the UK’s young artists bring to this year’s theme,” commented Dan Davis, who is the General Manager at Printworks Manchester.
Printworks has launched a UK-wide student art competition for Europe’s largest digital ceiling / Credit: Supplied
“Our digital ceiling gives students the opportunity to see their work displayed on a truly massive scale in front of thousands of visitors, and we hope the addition of new prizes will encourage creativity to continue beyond the competition.”
The winning artist will also receive an iPad 11th Generation with an Apple Pencil (USB-C) this year too, as well as the main prize of having their artwork featured, giving budding creatives powerful new tools to continue developing their artistic talents and future projects.
Entrants who come in second and third place will also receive vouchers to be used at different venues inside Printworks.
The competition is now open, and further details on how to enter, submission guidelines, and full terms and conditions can be found on the Printworks website here.
Daisy Jackson -
25th April 2023 
