Police are appealing for information following an attempted murder in Ardwick that happened just before Christmas.
The “brazen attack” took place in broad daylight on Stockport Road, in the Manchester residential areal of Ardwick, at approximately 3pm on Thursday 21 December, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), and since then a specialist team of detectives have been working tirelessly to understand the full circumstances.
A firearm was discharged during the distressing incident, and a member of the public had their vehicle hit by the offenders too, police have confirmed.
But thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
In a bid to understand what happened in the events leading up to this incident, a police investigation has subsequently been launched, and investigating officers are now appealing to the Greater Manchester public for any information or footage, and are urging any potential witnesses to come forward.
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Police are appealing for information following an attempted murder in Ardwick just before Christmas / Credit: GMP
Police are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has information about a car that was used during the attack.
An image of the vehicle in question has now been released.
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According to police, the car was a blue Mercedes 4×4-style vehicle, which did not have a registration plate on the front, and was eventually found abandoned on Clee Avenue in Longsight at a later date.
GMP has also confirmed that three people have already been arrested in connection with the incident so far, and one has been charged.
Detective Superintendent Dave Meeney, who is from GMP City of Manchester district, said the team’s investigation is “moving at pace”.
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He continued: “We’re appealing to the public who may have seen this vehicle, or the occupants, on the day of the attempted murder at around 3pm. After the incident took place on Stockport Road in Ardwick, we believe that the suspects drove to Longsight, before abandoning the vehicle on Clee Avenue.
“As is often the case, the answer to establishing the true chain of events that led to this incident and locating those responsible could lie in the community, so I ask that anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area, or saw this vehicle, come forward and know that any information will be treated with the strictest confidence.”
Police would like to hear from anyone who was CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage from the Ardwick and Longsight areas, during 2:30pm to 3:30pm on Thursday 21 December.
Footage can be submitted via the dedicated Major Incident Public Portal here.
Aside from that, any details should be passed on by calling police on 0161 856 4305, or by using the LiveChat function on the GMP website, or alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
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The route for the 2027 Tour de France Femmes revealed ahead of Manchester debut
Danny Jones
The route for next year’s women’s historic Tour de France has been announced, with some of the best riders in the world set to pass through Greater Manchester and more.
Yet another big coup for the region and our sporting scene.
Speaking with the City Council, now that the full route has been revealed, our very own Dame Sarah Storey joined many in celebrating another huge moment for us; the female Tour de France is not just back up and running, but aiming to become bigger than ever.
🚴♀️ The world’s best cyclists are heading to Manchester! 🚴♀️
The routes for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift 2027 have now been revealed, with Manchester set to host the Stage One finish on Friday 30 July and the Stage Two start on Saturday 31 July. pic.twitter.com/OMMlhdorqP
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) April 21, 2026
The Stockport-born swimmer turned Team GB cyclist and multi-Olympic gold medallist knows all about what makes this particular sport special, having swapped a previous and highly successful career for an entirely different discipline.
As has now been fully confirmed, the 2027 Grand Départ will be getting underway with our friends in Leeds, before heading through Yorkshire and into Greater Manchester.
Upon entering our neck of the woods, the course will pass through the likes of Rochdale and Oldham into Manchester city centre, before heading into Stockport and neighbouring North West county, Derbyshire, and finally heading back through the Peaks.
Spread across two incredible days, the race itself will finish in Sheffield, with another UK first happening down in London, as the capital will also host the inaugural team time trial held in this country.
You can see the official event’s breakdown of what locations feature in which stages of ‘The Big Loop’ in more detail below.
Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, went on to add: “Being able to watch the world’s best cyclists in action and in such an iconic event, taking place right here on our doorstep in the heart of Manchester next summer, is going to be epic on so many levels.
“Championing women and girls to participate in and enjoy sports – including cycling – at all levels from entry through to elite, is really important to us and next year’s Tour de France Femmes is set to play a huge part in helping inspire the next generation of sporting talent from our city.
“With millions of spectators expected to line the routes, including here in the city centre, we’ll be going all out to help ensure the event’s success with what is set to be a ‘Tour takeover’ of the city to maximise opportunities for local people and businesses to get involved, to grow their own sporting skills, and to take part in the many community activities being planned.”
Having hosted everything from the BRITs and the MOBO Awards to another Super League Grand Finals in both netball and rugby, not to mention numerous other huge events over the past couple of years, it truly is a great time to be living in Greater Manchester.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Manchester City Council)
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Popular grassroots music festival to return to hidden Manchester street with new fringe events
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s much-loved grassroots music festival is back next month, and this year, there’s some new fringe events too.
Set across a handful of popular venues up on Deansgate Mews – including The Lion’s Den, Low Four Studios and The Mews Bar – Deansgate Mews Festival is returning for its sixth year this late May bank holiday weekend.
More than 40 music artists will be performing on a mix of outdoor and intimate indoor stages.
But that’s not all, as in what’s set to be an exciting new chapter for 2026, the festival is expanding beyond its core programme with the launch of the first-ever Mews Fest Fringe too.
Popular grassroots music festival Mews Fest returns this late May bank holiday / Credit: Supplied
The inaugural Mews Fest Fringe will be hosted in a large unit within Great Northern Warehouse, which will be transformed into a ‘vibrant’ hub celebrating music, art and independent culture.
Designed as a platform for Manchester’s creative community, the festival space will welcome artists, designers, collectors, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their work while connecting with festival-goers.
At the Fringe event, you can expect everything from record sellers and vinyl collectors, to vintage clothes, arts and crafts makers, independent creatives, and even bands selling merchandise.
This year there’s also the addition of the Mews Fest Fringe / Credit: Supplied
Already known for its strong grassroots ethos and growing reputation, Mews Fest continues to champion local talent and independent culture – but now with the addition of the Fringe event, the stage is set for its most ‘ambitious and inclusive’ edition to date.
Oh and the best bit? Both festivals will be free to attend, with no need to book tickets beforehand.
Emily Sergeant -
29th December 2023 
