In news that should surprise absolutely no one, Manchester has been named one of the friendliest cities in the UK: the second most friendly, to be exact, but we already know we should be first anywayso we’re not going to split hairs.
Yes, that’s right, Manchester city centre and the surrounding area tied second for the friendliest city in Great Britain, according to the annual Condé Nast Traveller‘s Readers’ Choice Awards, dishing out a score of 94.12 when it comes to us Mancs making people feel welcome in the best city in the world.
The figure itself is a percentage representing the “overall average levels of satisfaction” for people who come to the city. I mean, who are we to question their metrics? All we’re saying is that for anyone dubious, at least now you have an excuse as to why weren’t number one this year.
Recognising the jewel of the North as “the world’s first industrial city and home to the UK’s first ever working canal”, they reinforced how Manchester has “come a long way since the 19th century, though it still retains its historical charm and nods to its heritage can be spotted around the city.” Hard agree.
As the entry goes on to state, they describe Manchester as “in and among the modern shopping destinations, an exciting arts and culture scene and [boasting] a foodie scene that is continually reinventing itself”, adding simply, “We defy you to be immune to this Northern city’s charm.
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They even gave a recommendation of the best spot to stay if you’re staying over: Whitworth Locke — a favourite of ours as well, to be honest. All the apartments are situated inside a historic cotton mill, painted in pastels and, as CN Traveler put it, “ready to take over as your own”.
There’s even a Foundation Coffee House site located on the ground floor and a cool little co-working space tucked away in the back as well.
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So, whether you’re just staying over or looking for somewhere to settle down where the people smile, you know where to look. And that’s just the city centre, don’t forget — wait until they hear about what the rest of Greater Manchester boroughs have to offer.
Now, if you were wondering not only what city we tied with but also somehow beat us, we will reluctantly be the bearer of sceptical news.
According to these lot, Liverpool and Belfast join us in second place; two great cities in their own right, no doubt (we’ll cheers to Irish hospitality, especially), but we’re still not having that they’re better than 0161.
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As for the city that took the gold medal, that coveted accolade goes to the Welsh capital of Cardiff. Again, a wonderful place, fair enough, but if this list were reduced simply to the friendliest cities in England you might as well have just crowned Manchester as champion.
We look forward to next year when these guys see the error of their ways and rightly hand us the top spot — then we can sit back and relax. Fortunately, we’ve got plenty of places to do so around here.
Michelin-recommended rooftop restaurant Climat has closed its doors with immediate effect
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s top-rated restaurants has announced its shock and immediate closure.
Climat, which is set way up high in Blackfriars House with staggering views of Manchester city centre, has said that the Michelin-recommended restaurant is now permanently closed.
In a heartbreaking statement, founder Christopher Laidler said that Climat is ‘yet another casualty of the times we’re living in’.
Laying out the brutal reality of running a hospitality business, Chris wrote about ‘rampant food inflation’, an ‘ever-increasing tax burden’, and ‘the persistent cost of living crisis’, describing it as a perfect storm against hospitality.
Then delving deeper into the numbers, he shared that Climat has faced an eye-watering £112,000 electricity bill for its first 13 months in business – that’s 400% more than they’d budgeted.
That was chased by a 33% increase in staff wages, then a jump in business rates from £12,000 a year to £38,000 a year.
Couple that with reduced footfall and it’s ‘spelling disaster for so many’.
Climat has closed its doors with immediate effectClimat has laid their finances bare in their closing statement
He wrote: “Whilst I wanted to highlight these reasons for closure, in the naive hope the Government will start to listen before it’s too late for others, I want to acknowledge the fantastic work of our team over the last 3.5 years.
“The closure does not do justice to their efforts and dedication. I’d also like extend a huge debt of gratitude to our guests for their support, enabling us to build a nationally recognised wine list – our raison d’être.”
Signing off, he said: “I wish everyone the very best of luck in these challenging times. Bye for now, Christopher.”
Climat opened in late 2022, with an impressive wine list and a beautiful restaurant space overlooking Manchester.
It didn’t take long before it was added to the Michelin Guide, which wrote: “An open kitchen is the focus of the room, with its aromas filling the air, and the concise fixed-price menu includes well-executed dishes such as halibut with spinach and sorrel velouté, where the ingredient quality shines through.
“Wine is a feature with one side of the room acting as a bar and the carefully curated list deftly mixing traditional and modern styles.”
Claire’s is closing down stores in the UK and Ireland with more than 1,300 jobs set to be lost
Danny Jones
In another hit to domestic shoppers, Claire’s Accessories is closing down en masse across the UK and Ireland after entering into administration once again.
Falling into an unfortunate financial status for the second time in less than a year, Claire’s will be shutting down all of their standalone stores across Britain, along with their IE branches.
A total of 154 stores will soon disappear, with more than a thousand people set to be put out of work.
Once a mainstay of British high streets up and down the country, the accessory shop known for all things jewellery, piercings and more has ceased trading effective immediately.
Announced at the start of the week and the end of the first full month of Q2, it was confirmed that Claire’s closed their final locations on Monday, 27 April.
With administrators, Kroll, appointed to wrap up business proceedings, an estimated 1,300 English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh workers have now lost their jobs.
Founded way back in 1961 over in the United States, Claire’s has operated across the Atlantic for more than three decades.
However, with various other contemporaries and cheaper online options having appeared over the years, they’ve struggled not just to remain profitable but to compete full stop.
They most recently filed for bankruptcy in the US this past August (2025), with their Belgian, Spanish, and Dutch divisions having already called it quits.
Manchester location(s) have changed a lot over time, but now they’re on the way out (Credit: Arndale)
For many, the outcome isn’t all that surprising, but it will nevertheless be a sad loss for many who have seen multiple generations visit these venues over the years.
Danny Jones -
6th October 2023 
