New research has recently revealed where in the UK has the most luxurious shops, restaurants, and hotels.
And Manchester has bagged a place in the top spots.
The study – which has been conducted by price comparison website Money.co.uk – has rounded up the top 10 cities across the country that offer the most luxury, which includes everything from designer label stores, to five-star hotels, and Michelin restaurants.
The company analysed the number of lavish venues in a city to find out where those with the cash to splash can spend it with ease.
While it probably comes as no surprise that the country’s capital of London tops the list as the most luxurious city in the UK, Manchester has taken the runner up spot as it offers 12 Michelin restaurants, six five-star hotels, and 11 stores that sell luxe brands.
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Manchester has 12 Michelin restaurants, six five-star hotels, and 11 stores selling luxe brands / Credit: Hermes UK | The Lowry Hotel
This is a pretty impressive achievement when you consider that Manchester city centre is just 115 sq kilometres, compared to the giant 1,572 sq kilometres of London.
As mentioned, Money.co.uk’s ranking lists were calculated by counting the number of five-star hotels, Michelin-awarded restaurants, and designer stores of the top 10 most luxury brands – Cartier, Rolex, Tiffany & Co, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry, Valentino, Versace and Hermes – found each city, and then those with the highest total number across all three categories were ranked the most luxurious city in the world.
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Manchester city centre is known for being a top shopping spot for luxury lovers thanks to the glass-fronted designer stores and stockists around Exchange Square and on New Cathedral Street.
Manchester city centre is known for being a top shopping spot for lovers of luxury brands / Credit: Castle Wharf
The price comparison company also noted Manchester’s first Michelin-star restaurant Mana in Ancoats as a reason for its top two placing.
Manchester is also home to six five-star hotels, with Money.co.uk highlighting the award-winning The Lowry Hotel as a top pick – which currently has a treasure hunt to win 20 luxury prizes worth over £5,000 – and the historic Midland Hotel, which has recently had an impressive £14 million revamp.
Featured Image – Flickr
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Award-winning Manchester restaurant Another Hand announces closure with ‘immediate effect’
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most popular intimate restaurants has sadly announced that it’ll be closing its doors with ‘immediate effect’.
Another Hand – which can be found tucked away up on Deansgate Mews – opened back in 2022 to acclaim from critics and customers, as well as scooping up several awards along the way like Best Newcomer at the 2022 Manchester Food and Drink Awards, and places in the Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide along the way.
Not only that, but the 24-seater intimate casual dining restaurant was also named as one of the best restaurants in Manchester merely three weeks ago by respected publication, Time Out.
Launched by the team behind 3 Hands Deli – which operated from a site two units down – Another Hand was known and loved for focusing on sharing plates made with produce from local ethical growers.
And it seemed to be going from strength to strength, but sadly, the restaurant took to social media yesterday to announce its decision to close ‘with immediate effect’.
Another Hand said in its statement on Instagram: “With heavy hearts we are sad to announce that after five years Another Hand will be closing its doors with immediate effect.
“Unfortunately, as most of us know, the current economic climate for the hospitality sector is facing steep challenges, sadly a familiar story. And after five years of operating within this increasingly challenging environment, we feel it’s time for us to step away.
“This isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly, but it feels like the right time to bring this chapter to an end.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built here. From the people who have worked alongside us, to the producers and suppliers who have supported us; and most importantly, everyone who has come through the door and eaten with us…. thank you.
How will the Government’s new digital ID alternative for alcohol sales work?
Emily Sergeant
All licensed venues across England and Wales now have the choice to introduce digital proof of age for alcohol sales alongside physical.
Instead of having to hand over physical ID that contains personal information, such as names and home addresses, customers now have the choice to simply provide confirmation that they are 18 or over on their phone – helping to better protect privacy and personal safety in the process.
This means that, no matter whether you’re buying a drink at your favourite pub, heading to a festival, or enjoying a night out at a concert, you won’t need to worry if you’ve left your ID at home.
According to the Government, this new change will benefit businesses greatly too, as certified digital services are able to check that an ID is genuine and belongs to the person presenting it much easier than the alternative can, which therefore helps to reduce the risk of any fake or borrowed IDs going undetected.
Well, according to the Government, it could be as simple as a customer showing a QR code for staff to scan, or tapping their phone against a compatible reader, where staff will then receive a clear confirmation on their device that the customer has passed the age check.
This change follows a 2024 Government consultation where it was reported that 72% of respondents supported the use of digital identities for age verification when buying alcohol.
Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock reiterated that ‘it will remain an individual or business’ choice whether to use or adopt [digital ID]’ and that physical ID will ‘still remain a valid way’ for customers to prove their age.
“This groundbreaking change in the law will mean you do not need to carry a physical ID, nor hand over sensitive personal information such as your name or address just to prove your age, allowing everyone to feel safer on a night out,” she concluded.
Emily Sergeant -
20th September 2021 
