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.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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”.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
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.
Featured Image — The Manc Group/Anthony Mooney (supplied)/Manchester Pride
News
‘Once in a lifetime’ package holidays to Iceland from Manchester have returned for winter
Emily Sergeant
Jet2 has relaunched its ‘once in a lifetime’ trips to Iceland direct from Manchester just in time for the winter months.
It’s no secret that Iceland is a common feature on people’s bucket lists, right? Packed with natural wonders and home to culture-filled capital city, Iceland is the ultimate winter getaway.
No matter whether you want to sample fresh seafood, explore everything Reykjavik has to offer, or use it as a base for some unforgettable excursions, Iceland is known for delivering the perfect mix of adventure and city break appeal.
And now, with holidaymakers already flocking in their thousands to book flights to this stunning Nordic destination for next winter, the UK’s largest operator of city breaks has just relaunched its biggest-ever Iceland programme – with dozens of direct flights from Manchester Airport.
People travelling from Manchester can choose from up to six weekly flights, meaning they have even more opportunity during some of the most popular winter travel periods.
Jet2 has relaunched its ‘once in a lifetime’ winter package holidays to Iceland direct from Manchester / Credit: Nicolas J Leclrercq | Tom Podmore (via Unsplash)
As well as providing customers with ‘plenty of flexibility’ when it comes to which month or period they want to travel, Jet2 says the flights are also ‘perfectly timed’ for those who are keen to get a chance at witnessing the spectacular Northern Lights in all their glory.
As it stands, scheduled Monday and Friday services will operate throughout the season from 4 October to 6 December 2027, before resuming from 28 January to 24 April 2028, and this increases to up to six weekly services during school holidays.
There’s both direct flight-only trips to book, or package options with Jet2CityBreaks direct from Manchester – which include flights with Jet2.com, 22kg hold luggage, transfers to and from the airport, and a choice of hotels in central Reykjavik, all for a deposit as little as £60 per person.
Scheme approved and date set for work to begin on Piccadilly Gardens transformation
Emily Sergeant
The long-awaited Piccadilly Gardens transformation is a go.
It’s official – planners have given the green light for the scheme to transform Piccadilly Gardens, with Manchester City Council having received no objections to the proposals which meant that officials were able to approve the full planning application without it needing to be considered at next month’s Planning Committee.
The decision means that preparation works can continue at pace, ready for the main works due to get underway this autumn.
In case you aren’t up to date with the Piccadilly Gardens transformation plans, the idea is, in a nutshell, to put the ‘Gardens’ back in Piccadilly Gardens.
But what exactly does this mean?
Well, the approved plans show a vision for more green space – including lawns, trees, planting, seating, and colourful horticultural displays – with the temperamental fountains being removed for good and replaced with a new space called The Pavilion that will host family-friendly events.
Date set for work to begin on Piccadilly Gardens transformation / Credit: Supplied
The low concrete walls and raised planters at the edge of the gardens will be ripped out, improving the setting of the Queen Victoria statue.
An there’ll be a new, larger playground for younger children, created in the same high-quality style as the new parks at Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green.
The plan is to also make the space ‘safer’ overall, through improved sightlines, better lighting, and enhanced CCTV.
The Council and its partners say they are ‘clear’ that delivering a ‘better’ Piccadilly Gardens cannot just be about physical improvements, but it also requires improvements to how the area is managed and maintained.
We're putting the Gardens back into Piccadilly Gardens
The major regeneration plan to transform the square has now been approved by planners.
This means we can start work this autumn to make the Gardens more colourful, vibrant and safer for residents and visitors. pic.twitter.com/5Ayv2k9SRw
This process is said to have already started, primarily with a strengthened police presence, but a new management model is also being developed to ensure that improvements are sustained.
“Securing planning permission means that before this year is out, we can get started properly on work to transform the space and have it finished and ready for the public to use next year,” explained Councillor Garry Bridges, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“Piccadilly Gardens has huge potential to be a real asset to the city and its people. We know it hasn’t been good enough – but that’s about to change.”
Danny Jones -
13th January 2024 
