Newly-conducted research has revealed that Manchester is the best city for a summer break in the UK in 2021.
With international travel restrictions likely to remain in place by the time summer comes around, many Brits will be looking to explore the sights on our shores instead, and while a holiday in Blighty is usually spent by the coast or in the countryside, it’s also a brilliant time to visit a new city.
If you’re stuck for a bit of staycation inspiration though, Staybridge Suites has ranked 15 cities across the country based on their summer amenities, including rooftop bars, percentage of green spaces, riverside activities and lidos, outdoor pools, open water swimming areas.
Each city was then given a score out of 10.
And Manchester has come out on top, with a score of 7.5 – was there ever any doubt?
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When it comes to Manchester’s standout summer features and activities for tourists, Staybridge Suites has said that as well as being home to the most rooftop bars outside of the capital, the city also has a vast collection of both bars and restaurants lining the River Irwell and the Bridgewater Canal.
There’s also plenty of water-related activities too, with the Helly Hansen Watersports Centre offering canoeing, sailing and windsurfing.
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You can also take part in open water swimming in and around the city centre as well.
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But where should us Mancs be looking to head to for our city breaks instead then? What other UK cities have earned themselves a spot in the new rankings?
Newcastle and Bristol tied for second place, both with a score of 7.
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It may not boast as many rooftop bars as Manchester, but Newcastle still offers a number of spots along the Tyne for visitors to enjoy a drink, and the North East also has some amazing areas of countryside, including ancient forests in Hareshaw Linn and quaint villages like Haydon Bridge – which is home to Hadrian’s Wall and has a National Park on its doorstep.
Bristol is also described as a hub of summer fun, as it has a large selection of outdoor pools to relax by, including the historic Bristol Lido.
On the other end of the spectrum, London and Leeds were at bottom of the summer city rankings, each with a respective score of 3, as while the capital has lots of outdoor space, lidos and rooftop bars, the size of the city means it isn’t the best place to enjoy the heat, and similarly, Leeds may also have a large percentage of green space in the city (21.7%), but the lack of nearby lidos and outdoor swimming opportunities mean it scored low in the overall ranking.
The Best UK Cities To Visit in 2021
Manchester – 7.52
Newcastle & Bristol
Liverpool – 6.5
Nottingham – 5.5
Belfast & Glasgow – 5
Leicester, Edinburgh & Southampton – 4.5
Birmingham, Sheffield & Dundee – 4
Leeds & London – 3
Geograph | Helly Hansen Watersports Centre
Speaking on the new rankings, Lisa Crocker – Regional General Manager from Staybridge Suites – said: “Once restrictions are lifted, it is likely that holidays will be restricted to the UK this summer [and] whilst the coast and countryside are the usual option in the British summer, our research shows that there are lots of amazing activities to enjoy in the UK”.
“Cities like Newcastle have perfect summer settings and breathtaking countryside a short drive away, offering the best of both.
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“Post lockdown, we are anticipating a big increase in people choosing self-catering accommodation options and the flexibility to feel safe in a home away from home”.
You can take a look at the full rankings and find more information here.
News
More than £2 million in compensation received by underpaid workers in the North West
Danny Jones
More than £2 million is said to have been dished out in compensation to workers in the North West alone, as the UK government is continuing to crack down on employers underpaying their staff.
Employees from nearly 500 different companies across the region have received the money they owed following a raft of fines in excess of £2.7 million.
Covering the likes of Greater Manchester and beyond, the companies responsible have been revealed by the government as part of the new Fair Work Agency (FWA), which is tasked with shoring up workers’ rights moving forward.
The FWA is part of Labour’s wider ‘Plan For Change’, and hopes not only to correctly reimburse those short-changed but also, with the clear threat of swift action, deter others from trying to do the same in the future.
Matthew Taylor CBE has been appointed Chair of the Fair Work Agency, a new body that will transform how employment rights are enforced across the UK.
How? By tackling exploitation, supporting businesses doing the right thing, and helping to build a fairer labour market. pic.twitter.com/duEeNlwDHr
— Department for Business and Trade (@biztradegovuk) October 14, 2025
Released publicly last Friday, 17 October, 80 companies that failed to properly pay approximately 19,000 workers in and around the North West have now been repaid by their employers.
Perhaps most concerningly is that the fines sweep across multiple sectors and sizes, from local independents and SME to well-known high street brands.
From April 2026 onwards, the updated Employment Rights Bill (which also includes the FWA) grants more powers to tackle employers underpaying workers and failing to fulfil both holiday and sick pay.
This announcement also comes after the National Minimum Wage rate was increased earlier this year, with millions getting a pay rise and those working full-time on the National Living Wage seeing their families supported by an extra £1,400 per year.
Under the ‘Make Work Pay’ initiative set out by the Labour Party, more than 15 million Brits are expected to benefit from the new measures.
Overall, roughly £6 million has been put back into the pockets of underpaid workers up and down the country following these fines, which are said to have totalled roughly £10.2m. The full list of companies in question can be seen HERE.
Speaking on the news, Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said: “This government is taking direct action to ensure workers get every penny they’ve earned, and to put an end to bad businesses undercutting good ones.
“We’re proud to have delivered a strong minimum wage, and enforcing it thoroughly is crucial in our mission to put pounds back in your pocket. I know this news will be welcomed by brilliant businesses across the country, those who know that happy, well-paid staff are at the heart of building a successful company.
“With our new Fair Work Agency and the coming Employment Rights Bill, this government is keeping our promise to Britain to make work pay again.”
If you fear you might be suffering from underpayment by your employer, you can check that your wages are correct online; alternatively, you can call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 or contact their website for more information right HERE.
342 arrests made in Piccadilly Gardens since start of GMP’s pledge to ‘improve’ public safety
Emily Sergeant
More than 300 people have been arrested in Piccadilly Gardens since the police pledged to ‘improve’ the perception of the area.
A dedicated neighbourhood policing team that was set up by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) back in March to tackle issues and concerns in Piccadilly Gardens, and ultimately improve the public’s sense of safety, has seen a total of 342 arrests since its inception.
The City Centre Piccadilly Gardens neighbourhood policing team – which is led by Chief Inspector Michael Tachauer – works together with partners, including Manchester City Council, to tackle these problems with long-term solutions.
Following the team’s success since it started, GMP will now continue to build on the foundations of its problem-solving approach to address some of the most prevalent issues.
According to police, Piccadilly Gardens has seen ‘real progress’ being made in terms of safeguarding, enforcement, and GMP’s wider understanding of the issues and concerns communities are facing this past year.
342 arrests have been made in Piccadilly Gardens since the start of GMP’s pledge to ‘improve’ public safety / Credit: GMP
Since March, GMP has seen a total of 342 arrests resulting in 279 charges / cautions, 511 stop searches, 37 weapons seized, and large amounts of Class A and Class B drugs seized too.
“We remain committed to improving both the perception of Piccadilly Gardens and the public’s sense of safety in the area,” commented Chief Superintendent David Meeney, who is the City of Manchester District Commander.
“However, this is not something we can achieve alone. We will continue to work closely with our partners and deploy additional police resources whenever intelligence or demand indicates a need for increased presence.
“We also rely heavily on information from our community, from those who work in the area to residents living nearby. Your reports are vital in helping us develop targeted plans that our neighbourhood officers can act on, so please continue to share any concerns or incidents with us.”
Got any concerns about Piccadilly Gardens? You can continue to report those to GMP by calling 101 or online via gmp.uk.com. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Emily Sergeant -
14th April 2021 
