Manchester is set to host the first-ever international Brewing & Cider Festival, it has been revealed.
Set to take place in March next year, the two-day ticketed event will showcase the best beers and ciders from around the world.
It is being organised by the world’s most historic international beer and cider competition, The International Brewing & Cider Awards – a 137-year-old organisation known as the ‘Oscars’ of the brewing and cider world.
For the past decade, the event has been held at The National Brewery Centre in Burton-Upon-Trent, but as of 2024, it will relocate to Depot Mayfield – offering. a rare opportunity to taste a vast range of award-winning local, national, and international beers and ciders.
For the first time in its 137-year history, the Awards will be accompanied by a public festival – something that represents a significant milestone in the Awards’ commitment to promoting and supporting the brewing and cider industries.
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Founded in 1886, The International Brewing & Cider Awards takes place every two years and has been the gold standard in rewarding the passion and craftsmanship of breweries and cidermakers across the world.
The Awards are judged by a panel of worldwide judges, who are all practicing brewers and cider-makers considered experts in their field.
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This one-of-a-kind Festival aims to bring together beer and cider enthusiasts, industry professionals and the general public for a weekend filled with great beer and cider, live music, and mouthwatering street food.
Speaking on the event Ruth Evans MBE, Director of the International Brewing & Cider Awards and organiser of the Festival, said: “We are thrilled that, 137 years into our history, we are hosting our first ever International Brewing & Cider Festival and bringing our world-renowned Awards to Manchester.
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“The International Brewing & Cider Awards is the most historic international competition of its kind, and it is important that we innovate and expand, and our move to Manchester and the introduction of our Festival is part of that evolution.
“The city has a rich history in brewing and an up-and-coming cider scene making it a fitting location for our expansion. Our ethos has always been to support the brewing and cidermaking industry on a not-for-profit basis and celebrate the best beers and ciders from around the world, providing the recognition they truly deserve.
“The Festival provides a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the incredible talent of brewers and cidermakers and to share their passion with the public. The move to Manchester also allows us to forge valuable new partnerships with local organisations and community stakeholders, as well as extend the knowledge and appreciation of a win at the competition.
“We hope this festival becomes a tradition, opening to the public once our Awards concludes on the Friday – this is a hugely exciting time for us and we are very excited to be descending on Manchester in March.”
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Tickets to the International Brewing & Cider Festival will be available for purchase from November on the official festival website here.
GMP officer sentenced after hitting pedestrian during police chase in Rochdale
Emily Sergeant
A police officer has been sentenced this week after he struck and ‘seriously injured’ a pedestrian following a pursuit of a suspected drink driver in Rochdale.
35-year-old Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer PC Sam Lockley pleaded guilty back in January 2026 following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
The IOPC investigation established that, in the early hours of the morning on 19 November 2023, PC Lockley was driving a marked police vehicle with the lights and sirens activated, and attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver on Drake Street in Rochdale.
A short pursuit that commenced but stopped merely a minute later after the police vehicle collided with a pedestrian on the footpath of Rochdale Road at approximately 3:30am.
The evidence gathered indicated that PC Lockley failed to slow down as he approached and drove through the red traffic lights at the Kingsway junction, and was travelling at a speed of 96mph in a 30mph zone.
The pedestrian suffered ‘serious injuries’ as a result of the collision, and received extensive medical treatment following.
At a hearing back in February of this year, PC Lockley received a two-year suspended sentence and was ordered to carry out 15 days community service, while also receiving two-year driving disqualification.
Also following the investigation, the IOPC decided that Lockley should face a gross misconduct hearing to face allegations that his manner of driving breached the police standards of professional behaviour.
“We continue to liaise with the force about disciplinary proceedings,” the IOPC concluded.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe added: “My sympathies remain with the man, who sustained serious injuries, and all those affected by the incident.
“This was a complex investigation which relied on extensive amounts of data and expert analysis and the evidence showed PC Lockley drove at excessive speeds at night-time and although he was responding to a report of a suspected drink driver, it does not excuse his manner of driving.
“PC Lockley admitted he drove in a dangerous manner when he didn’t address hazards or warnings during the pursuit and ultimately by the time he saw the pedestrian, he was travelling too fast to avoid a collision.
“His actions that day have had long-lasting consequences and he has now been held accountable.”
Featured Image – Rawpixel
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Manchester Town Hall is FINALLY taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018
Emily Sergeant
A new era is on the horizon, as Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’ll be finally taking bookings for weddings and events once again.
That’s right… for the first time since it closed its doors to the public for what is the UK’s biggest restoration project to date back in 2018, one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks is soon set to welcome its first weddings and events in a decade – with bookings for the city’s most romantic address now open once again.
Manchester Town Hall has stood at the centre of civic life in the city since 1877, and for generations, couples have exchanged their vows within its walls.
Now, as it enters the home stretch of its restoration, the Grade I-listed building is gearing up to kickstart weddings and corporate events from January 2028.
Set reopen to the public next year, first up will be a series of celebratory reopening events – which are yet to be announced – before a phased approach will then allow the building and teams to be fully prepared to host commercial events again from 2028.
Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’s finally taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018 / Credit: Supplied
From its grand architecture and soaring stained glass windows, to sweeping staircases that offer the perfect ‘just married’ photo opportunities, this one-of-a-kind venue gives couples the opportunity to combine the romance and grandeur of a historic setting with the energy of a city centre celebration.
Inside the restored building, you’ll find The Great Hall, which is a magnificent setting with striking architectural character, as well as The Conference Hall, The Banqueting Hall, and The Reception Room, all of which offer equally characterful spaces that are perfect for private dinners, ceremonies, or corporate events.
The Lord Mayor’s Parlour is one of many settings overlooking the newly reopened Albert Square, while various elegant reception areas provide the perfect location for drinks and arrival moments.
“Our Town Hall is a real Victorian masterpiece and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the public once again,” explained Cllr Garry Bridges, who is Leader of Manchester City Council, as bookings finally open up this week.
“It’s a special building which belongs to the people and it’s great that they will be able to celebrate important landmarks in their lives, such as marriage, in its spectacular setting.
“The Town Hall is full of history. Here’s to many more stories being written within its walls.”
Want to be one of the first people who gets married or hosts an event at Manchester Town Hall once it reopens in 2028? You can enquire about booking here.
Georgina Pellant -
4th September 2023 
