Manchester City Council confirmed the return of the iconic event – which spreads festive cheer right across the city centre, and draws in visitors from all across the globe each year – exclusively to Hits Radio Manchester this evening.
According to Hits Radio Manchester, the full plans are still being finalised, but it has been revealed that the markets will open to the public from Friday 12 November – Wednesday 22 December 2021.
Markets will be set up on nine different sites across the city.
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The ice rink will be back on Cathedral Gardens in late October, and a new Winter Wonderland is being created in Piccadilly Gardens too, with the being fountain covered over especially.
Manchester City Council confirmed the return of the iconic event this evening / Credit: Flickr (Barry Leach)
Speaking on the return of the markets this year, Councillor Pat Karney – Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesperson – said: “I’m really really excited. It’s incredibly important that Manchester’s Christmas economy has this boost because tens of thousands of jobs are dependent on Manchester having a great Christmas.
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“People will just want to get together in a safe way. We’ll make sure that it’s safe – and just enjoy being human again and enjoying Christmas.
“It’s very important for all the young people in the city that they have a Christmas to remember.
“The pictures that we’ve had of Albert Square over the years where people have been standing on top of each other – that’s a million miles from what we’ll be doing this year.
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“Each site will have very very clear entry and exit arrangements so that we don’t take any public health issues with crowds.”
Manchester Christmas Markets will be set up on nine different sites across the city / Credit: Geograph (David Dixon)
Councillor Karney also teased what the plans are for the Christmas Lights Switch On.
He told Hits Radio Manchester that plans are still under review as council teams check with government advice on crowd numbers and COVID passes.
“The government keeps changing it’s mind on COVID passports and crowds, and we haven’t come to a separate decision on a big switch-on and a New Year celebration – but we’ll come back to that in a couple of weeks.”
Featured Image – Geograph (David Dixon)
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Murder investigation launched as man dies two years after ‘life-changing’ Oldham attack
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a man who was attacked two years ago in Oldham.
Ramon Logan was left seriously injured following the assault, which took place in Oldham back in July 2024, resulting in life-changing injuries, and a man was even jailed following the attack while Ramon continued to fight for his life.
Sadly, Ramon died on 30 June at the age of 42.
A Home Office post-mortem has taken place and further reviews are being conducted to determine the cause of death.
Following this and further enquiries that have been carried out, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed that officers have now launched a murder investigation, but no arrests have been made as of yet.
Speaking as the murder investigation has been launched, Detective Inspector Andy Day, from GMP’s Oldham district, said: “We know how difficult and painful the last two years have been for Ramon’s family, and we are continuing to support them following his death last week.
“We have now launched a murder investigation, and are keeping his family updated as we progress our enquiries. We are assessing all available material and will be making further reviews in due course.”
Ramon’s wife, Charlotte, has also paid tribute to him: “It is with a broken heart I announce the passing of my beautiful husband, Ray Logan, on 30th June. Ray was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend to many, and will be missed immensely by everyone who knew him.
“Ray was a part of so many people’s lives, and as much as we all have our existing memories to remember him by, it is heart-breaking that we won’t get to make any new ones.
“Ray never stopped fighting to get better for the last two years, all we can wish for now is that he gets the justice he deserves.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Yet another major Deansgate Locks nightlife spot has closed in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Deansgate Locks is set to lose yet another of its nightlife spots, with Ark confirming it will be shutting its doors ‘within weeks’.
The multi-room, multi-storey, multi-genre nightclub has been part of the canalside development for more than a decade, having first opened back in 2014.
At that time, Deansgate Locks was arguably Manchester’s leading nightlife destination, drawing hundreds of students and party-goers to its mix of venues.
The railway arches have been home to iconic clubs and bars including Baa Bar, Lola Lo, Revolution, and Sugar Buddha, as well as The Comedy Store.
But with news that Ark Manchester is closing too, it leaves only Popworld left at what was previously one of the city’s hottest destinations.
In a statement shared with the Manchester Evening News, a spokesperson for Stonegate said: “The hospitality sector continues to face significant challenges.
Ark Manchester will be closing for goodIt leaves Deansgate Locks with just one venue
“After careful consideration, and despite our best efforts, Ark Manchester is no longer commercially viable and we have taken the difficult decision to close the venue.
“Our priority is to support our hard‑working team during this time, and we would like to thank them for their commitment and dedication. We would also like to thank our guests and the local community for their support over the years.”
It’s believed that Ark Manchester will close on Deansgate Locks in the next few weeks.
The Manc -
16th September 2021 
