News
Manchester has been named as one of the best places in the world to visit in 2024 by The New York Times
No surprises here. Best place on Earth.
Give yourselves a pat on the back, you lot — we’ve started off the new year in style just like we knew we would, as Manchester has officially been voted one of the best places in the world to visit in 2024, according to the only and only New York Times.
No. 12, to be specific. How’s that for repping the North?
That’s right, we were already comfortably named among the best places in the UK to visit in 2024 but year after year, the rest of the world is slowly but surely starting to realise what we’ve always known to be true: Manchester is mint, be it to live, work or play, sing and dance; eat, drink and everything in between.
Slotting in just outside of the top 10 out of a total of 52 amazing places to visit around the globe, as hand-picked by The New York Times‘ travel section, not only is Manchester on there but it’s also the only place in Britain on that list full stop. Smashed it.
Penned by Andy Haslam and Nora Walsh specifically when it came to our entry, Manchester was picked out on account of its arts scene — music being the standout — as well as its overall “revitalisation” over the past few years.
Defining us as a “music-mad city” with new artists and venues popping up left, right and centre, The NYT picked out just a few highlights in what we know is going to be another massive year for 0161.
It starts off by stating that “music has long been at the core of Manchester’s gritty soul, from Joy Division and the Stone Roses to Oasis and, now, Harry Styles, who is backing Britain’s largest new music arena, Co-op Live, set to open in April.
“Stars like Liam Gallagher, Eric Clapton and Barry Manilow are booked to inaugurate the 23,500-capacity space, which will complement the reopening of concert halls like the post-punk incubator Band on the Wall and New Century, where the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Tina Turner have all graced the stage.”
The column then goes on to shine a light on emerging talent, detailing how “the city will host two major music conferences this year, including Worldwide Music Expo, a behemoth packed with concerts, speakers, films and an awards ceremony, as well as Beyond the Music, which made its debut in 2023.
Following on from its inaugural warm-up event, they describe the festival as a “smorgasbord of performances, parties, workshops and more”.
They also give a shout-out to Aviva Studios, naming Laurie Anderson as one of their top picks, as the American writer, director, visual artist and vocalist is set to headline the Factory International Arts Centre’s 2024 programme with ‘ARK‘ — a multimedia “dark comedy for the end of the world.”
Believe us, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what this city has to offer.
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To be honest, we don’t need some New York Times writer bigging us up; we already know how lucky we are not just to be able to visit and enjoy this city, but to be able to live here and soak up every ounce of the culture that Greater Manchester as a whole is brimming with each and every day.
But it is nice of them — cheers, folks.
And as for the world-famous Manc music scene in 2024, they couldn’t be more right: it’s going to be a massive year and this little corner of the internet is exactly where you need to be if you want to make sure you don’t miss a single second of it.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Image — The Manc Group/Anthony Mooney (supplied)/Manchester Pride
News
Town just outside Greater Manchester named one of UK’s ‘happiest’ places to live
Emily Sergeant
The UK’s happiest places to live for 2026 have been named, and a town just outside Greater Manchester is in the top 10.
Just as it has done for the last 14 years now, Rightmove has published its annual ‘Happy at Home’ index, which explores exactly what it is that makes people feel content about where they live, and highlights the happiest places nationwide ahead of the new year.
This year, thousands of residents across more than 200 locations told the leading property listing platform what they love (or don’t love) about their community – from the friendliness of their neighbours, to job opportunities, access to green spaces, and so much more.
The survey also outlines the differences in happiness in rural, urban, and suburban environments, as well as the way our sense of ‘home happiness’ changes as we age.
So, where do we have in the top 10 then?
Well, Skipton in North Yorkshire – last year’s winner – only ranked seventh in this year’s study, making way for Richmond upon Thames in London to take the coveted stop spot, but looking a little further down the list, you’ll find the Lancashire town of Chorley in sixth place.
Closest to the Bolton and Wigan boroughs, Chorley is about a 40-minute drive outside of Manchester, and sits on a direct train route into the city centre.
The UK’s top 10 happiest places to live 2026
- Richmond upon Thames
- Harrogate
- Cirencester
- Monmouth
- Hove
- Chorley
- Skipton
- Llandrindod Wells
- Horsham
- Hexham
With a deep legacy rooted in the Industrial Revolution, Chorley is now a popular place to live full of amenities, good local schooling options, and convenient transport links – with an average property price of £234,387, and average rent costing £1,011 per month.
When it comes to the wider rankings, and the North West ranking as a whole, two Greater Manchester towns made it into the region’s top five, Stockport at number two and Altrincham following right behind at number three.
Other of the region’s inclusions like Bury, Bolton, Wigan, and the Manchester borough itself all ranked towards the bottom.
Speaking on this year’s list, Colleen Babcock – a property expert at Rightmove – explained: “The balance between greenery and everyday convenience runs through the wider findings. Even among people who would ideally choose a rural setting, access to amenities, parks and public transport remains important.
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“This year’s results suggest that the places people rate most highly aren’t simply urban or rural, but often bring together some of the best elements of both.”
Featured Image – Matt Baker (via Unsplash)
News
Manchester rapist jailed for 22 years after attacking two vulnerable victims
Daisy Jackson
A Manchester man has been jailed for 22 years after raping two vulnerable victims, targeting people in the Gay Village and Sackville Gardens.
Frank Scott, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court after pleading guilty to three counts of rape.
The offences took place in two separate incidents in 2025, with Scott targeting victims in Manchester’s Gay Village and Sackville Gardens.
The first attack happened in June 2025, when Scott approached a woman who was alone and separated from a friend in the Gay Village.
After offering her drugs and leading her to a secluded area, Scott subjected her to a prolonged and violent sexual assault. He also threatened the woman and prevented her from leaving as she attempted to seek help.
The victim eventually managed to escape, with members of the public coming to her assistance. Scott was subsequently arrested.
In a statement read to the court following sentencing, the woman described the lasting emotional impact of the attack.
She said: “Whenever I think back to what happened on that night I go through different emotions. I go from feeling confused as to how someone could do what he did, to feeling completely numb, to being in tears on the sofa unable to move.
“I’ve struggled so much with trying to understand my emotions and coming to terms with what’s happened to me.
“How am I meant to carry on like everything is normal when he’s done what he has to me?”
Scott committed a further rape in November 2025 in Sackville Gardens.
The male victim reported that Scott gave him an unknown substance, impairing his awareness, and raped him.
The second survivor also shared a statement in court, saying: “Since he has done this to me I have developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I sometimes feel like I can smell Frank and it takes me back to that moment in the park and I feel sick and I have been physically sick on a number of occasions.
“I am constantly on edge now, if I hear a door slam or any loud noise it makes me jump in way that I would never have done before.
“Frank Scott is a dangerous person, he is dangerous to society and society’s most vulnerable people.
“I will now have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of my life and other victims will as well.”
Scott denied both offences in police interview, claiming any sexual activity was consensual. However, the strength of the evidence led to him pleading guilty at court to two counts of rape relating to the female survivor and one count relating to the male survivor.
DC Coles from GMP’s Central Challenger Team said: “These offences demonstrate a pattern of predatory behaviour, with Scott targeting vulnerable individuals and exploiting situations where victims were isolated or under the influence.
“I’d like to thank both victims for their bravery in coming forward and supporting this investigation all the way through. I know how hard it will have been throughout the proceedings, but their continued strength has allowed us to keep Scott behind bars.
“Their evidence was crucial to securing these convictions and ensuring a dangerous offender has been brought to justice”
Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via 101 or through the Live Chat function on the website, www.gmp.police.uk. Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.
- Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
- Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]
- Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.
Featured image: GMP
Danny Jones -
13th January 2024 
