Town hall bosses at Manchester City Council have confirmed they are looking for a new home for the 2023 Christmas Markets after last year’s event left Piccadilly Gardens looking like a ‘mud bath.’
After one Twitter user scathingly compared the public grounds to the WW1 trenches of The Somme at the start of the year, city centre spokesperson Councillor Pat Karney has confirmed officials are having a ‘good rethink’ on where to host this winter’s event.
In recent years, the often-bemoaned Piccadilly Gardens space has been used as the home of the sprawling Manchester Christmas Markets whilst the city’s town hall undergoes an extensive refurbishment.
However, it now appears that councillors have decided this is no longer a workable solution with Pat Karney telling the Manchester Evening News: “I can see it looks horrible and a mess, I can see what everyone else can see”.
Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group
Adding that it was ‘still a headache’ with Albert Square not being available, he confirmed that the market hub will ‘go somewhere else next year’.
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This winter, according to the Councillor Piccadilly Gardens hosted the Christmas markets for six weeks with foot traffic of about 100,000 people.
After that, the council then also used the space to host a free New Year’s party with DJ sets and a countdown to midnight displayed on a big screen.
In previous years, the Council has arranged a huge fireworks display, previously at the Town Hall but in more recent years at the Cathedral. However, this year’s party did not include fireworks as they were deemed too expensive on an already-stretched budget.
Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group
Speaking on the plans for the 2023 Christmas markets Karney hinted that the council ‘might look at St Peter’s Square’, before touching on Mancunians ongoing frustrations with the area after numerous promises to revamp it have been left unfulfilled.
He said: “We’re determined to get it right,” said Coun Karney. “We’re determined to make sure that Mancunians see the radical changes that we’re going to make and that they will be pleased and proud of Piccadilly Gardens.”
Feature image – The Manc Group
News
Popular grassroots music festival to return to hidden Manchester street with new fringe events
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s much-loved grassroots music festival is back next month, and this year, there’s some new fringe events too.
Set across a handful of popular venues up on Deansgate Mews – including The Lion’s Den, Low Four Studios and The Mews Bar – Deansgate Mews Festival is returning for its sixth year this late May bank holiday weekend.
More than 40 music artists will be performing on a mix of outdoor and intimate indoor stages.
But that’s not all, as in what’s set to be an exciting new chapter for 2026, the festival is expanding beyond its core programme with the launch of the first-ever Mews Fest Fringe too.
Popular grassroots music festival Mews Fest returns this late May bank holiday / Credit: Supplied
The inaugural Mews Fest Fringe will be hosted in a large unit within Great Northern Warehouse, which will be transformed into a ‘vibrant’ hub celebrating music, art and independent culture.
Designed as a platform for Manchester’s creative community, the festival space will welcome artists, designers, collectors, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their work while connecting with festival-goers.
At the Fringe event, you can expect everything from record sellers and vinyl collectors, to vintage clothes, arts and crafts makers, independent creatives, and even bands selling merchandise.
This year there’s also the addition of the Mews Fest Fringe / Credit: Supplied
Already known for its strong grassroots ethos and growing reputation, Mews Fest continues to champion local talent and independent culture – but now with the addition of the Fringe event, the stage is set for its most ‘ambitious and inclusive’ edition to date.
Oh and the best bit? Both festivals will be free to attend, with no need to book tickets beforehand.
Mews Fest and Mews Fest Fringe will take over Deansgate Mews next month on late May bank holiday weekend from Friday 22 – Monday 26 May.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Georgina Pellant -
10th January 2023 
