Groups who are hopping on trains across the North this winter can now get themselves a massive 75% discount on tickets.
With all the fun and festivities of Halloween, Christmas, and more coming up over the next few months, autumn and winter arguably couldn’t be a better time to gather your mates together and get out and about to experience all Greater Manchester and northern England has to offer.
And luckily, Northern wants to help you save a few pennies while you’re doing just that.
For a limited time only, groups of 10 people or more will be able to make the most of a whopping 75% off the cost of their train tickets.
Fresh off-the-back of releasing a massive five million tickets from as little as 50p last month, the train operator’s latest sale gives groups the chance to explore all of the region’s biggest towns, cities, seaside resorts, little villages, rural locations, and more in the most cost-effective way at one of the busiest times of the year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Northern launches massive 75%-off ticket sale for groups of 10 or more this winter / Credit: Northern
All bookings made before Monday 6 November, and for travel between then and Thursday 29 February 2024, are eligible as part of the new offer.
Northern is encouraging anyone travelling with friends, family, or colleagues in large groups to “plan ahead” and make use of the discount – but, in return, is asking them to be “mindful” of other customers and “show respect” to train crew and station staff.
ADVERTISEMENT
A warning has been issued to stag and hen parties, in particular – with the train operator asking them to “moderate their alcohol in-take” while on board trains throughout the region.
Mark Powles, who is the Commercial and Customer Director at Northern, said there’s “never been a better time” to book tickets than now.
The rail operator has urged people “show respect” to other passengers and train crew while the sale’s on / Credit: Northern
“Our network connects people to the best nightlife, attractions, activities, and landscapes the North of England has to offer,” he explained as the sale launches today, “and now with our Groups Winter Sale, there’s never been a better time to book.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We want everyone to make the train their number one choice for group travel, and hope that our sale will help convert groups from road to rail.”
Mr Powles said Northern recognises, however, that it has a “responsibility to all customers” to ensure that large groups “show respect” to other passengers, colleagues, and the trains themselves – which is why it is pleading for cooperation while the sale’s on.
Ticketmaster agrees to change ticketing procedures following Oasis dynamic pricing controversy
Emily Sergeant
Ticketmaster has agreed to change its ticketing procedures following the ‘dynamic pricing’ controversy over Oasis reunion tour tickets.
After a lengthy investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has secured formal commitments from Ticketmaster, known as ‘undertakings’, to make sure fans have the information they need when they spend their hard-earned cash to see the artists they love.
The leading ticketing platform will now be required to make it clear to fans what they will get for their money, and give more information about different ticket prices.
These undertakings require Ticketmaster to tell fans 24-hours in advance if a tiered pricing, or dynamic pricing, system is being used, and provide more information about ticket prices during online queues, helping fans anticipate how much they might have to pay.
Ticketmaster will also now have to ensure that tickets are described accurately, and do not give the impression that one ticket is ‘better’ than another when that is not the case.
We’ve secured undertakings from #Ticketmaster to provide customers with more pricing information + make sure ticket descriptions are clear.
And finally, the ticketing platform will have to provide regular reports to the CMA to show how it has implemented the undertakings.
As mentioned, the CMA investigation comes following widespread concerns about the Oasis Live ’25 tickets sale.
Two areas were identified as needing investigating following the sale.
The first being that Ticketmaster did not tell fans waiting in lengthy queues that standing tickets were being sold at two different prices, and that prices would jump as soon as the cheap tickets sold out.
The second being that Ticketmaster sold some ‘platinum’ tickets at almost 2.5 times the price of ‘standard’ tickets, and all without sufficient explanation that these offered no additional benefits over some ‘standard’ tickets in the same areas of the venue.
Ticketmaster has agreed to change its ticketing procedures following the Oasis dynamic pricing controversy / Credit: The Manc Group
“Fans who spend their hard-earned money to see artists they love deserve to see clear, accurate information upfront,” explained Sarah Cardell, who is the Chief Executive of the CMA.
“We can’t ensure every fan gets a ticket for events as popular as the Oasis tour, but we can help ensure that next time an event like this comes along, fans have the information they need, when they need it – and the changes we’ve secured will give fans more information about prices and clear descriptions of exactly what they are getting for their money.
“If Ticketmaster fails to deliver on these changes, we won’t hesitate to take further action.”
Featured Image – Simon Emmett (Press Picture)
News
Soho House Manchester finally has an opening date – and we don’t have long to wait
Daisy Jackson
Soho House Manchester has finally locked in an opening date for its huge members’ club – the first in the North of England.
With a heated rooftop pool, on-site restaurant, late-night bar, and plenty of spaces perfect for networking and working, it’s been one of the biggest openings our city has seen in years.
And we’ve been waiting a while – Soho House had initially locked in 2022 for its launch into Manchester, but unavoidable delays with the building has pushed this back.
Its transformation of the historic Granada Studios building, at the gateway to the new St John’s district, has been ticking over for several years, and the site is finally almost ready to launch.
Soho House Manchester has confirmed Tuesday 25 November as its opening date, with memberships starting from £2,400 per year.
The members-only space will span across three floors of club space, as well as the rooftop and pool, taking over the upper levels of the old Granada Studios.
Members will have access to a specially curated programme of events, all year round.
Soho House at White CitySoho House Manchester. Credit: Supplied
On the eighth floor will be the main club floor, home to The Drawing Room (with a special menu for Soho House Manchester); the House Kitchen, serving classic dishes all day long; and the Pool Lounge, with morning coffees to evening House Tonics.
On the floor above will be the Club Bar, a late-night space with a dedicated bar and live DJs; and the Orange Room, a space for parties and gatherings with a backdrop of the city’s skyline.
Back down on level seven is The Studio, a space for meetings, events and parties.
Also opening later this year will be Mollie’s Motel, a stylish American-style hotel also created by Soho House.
Soho House opens in Manchester on 25 November – you can apply for a membership HERE, with prices from £2,400 per year.
If you want to know more of what Soho House Manchester will offer, head HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
9th October 2023 
