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Major ‘plan ahead’ warning issued before Manchester’s busiest day of the year so far

Here's everything you need to know.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 14th April 2026

A major ‘plan ahead’ warning for the weekend has been issued ahead of what is set to be Manchester’s busiest day of the year so far.

Heading into the city centre this weekend? Yeah… you and everyone else by the sounds of it, as Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is encouraging people to plan their journeys ahead of a ‘Super Sunday’ that sees the return of the Manchester Marathon, while Manchester City also take on rivals Arsenal at the Etihad.

More than 40,000 runners and countless supporters will arrive in Greater Manchester for the marathon on Sunday 19 April.

Runners will set off from the Trafford Arch, near Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium from 8:55am until 11:30am, with the 26.2 mile route covering areas such as Deansgate, Stretford, Sale, Chorlton, and Altrincham, before finishing outside the University of Manchester (UoM) on Oxford Road.

As has already been announced, there will be several road closures, traffic and parking suspensions in Manchester and Trafford to enable the marathon to take place.

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A Metrolink tram in Manchester city centre
Manchester Marathon
A major ‘plan ahead’ warning has been issued ahead of Manchester’s busiest day of the year so far / Credit: Janus Boye | Supplied

These are likely to cause congestion and delays in the affected areas, TfGM has confirmed, and there will be ‘widespread’ bus diversions.

Elsewhere in the city, Manchester City’s Premier League clash with fellow title-chasers Arsenal kicks off at 4:30pm – with 55,000 fans set to be making their way to the match.

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Due to both of these major events taking place on the same day, Bee Network trams and dedicated matchday buses are being touted as the best ways to get around.

It’s predicted that the Altrincham and East Didsbury lines will be ‘very busy’ on the day, and people may have to wait to board a tram so should allow at least 30-minutes extra time for travel, with the quickest way to pay being the contactless ‘tap and go’ payments, where fares are, of course, capped and automatically calculated based on the number of zones you travel through.

Those travelling by bus over the weekend should do so at quieter times where possible, and are advised to check the Bee Network travel alerts hub for any diversions on their route.

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Match day buses will still run, but fans should expect some route changes due to the marathon road closures.

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People are being ‘strongly advised’ by TfGM not to drive – but for those that need to, using a park and ride site and continuing the journey by tram is a ‘quick and easy’ way to travel into the city centre, and is also free with a valid Metrolink ticket.

Further information for runners, spectators, and match-goers, as well as those making other journeys on Sunday, can be found on the dedicated Bee Network webpage here.

Featured Image – Manchester Marathon

News

Man charged after ‘serious assault’ of police officers in Manchester city centre

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man has been charged after several police officers were seriously assaulted in Manchester city centre earlier this week.

At around 4:55pm on Tuesday 12 May, officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) city centre policing team were patrolling in the Denmark Road area of central Manchester when a man spat at a marked police vehicle as it drove past.

Officers stopped to speak with the man, but he then produced a knife and proceeded to attack them.

During the distressing incident, one officer was slashed in the face and neck and sustained serious injuries in the process, while two other officers were also assaulted and suffered minor injuries.

The offender – who GMP has now formally named as 40-year-old Dwayne Roxbrough – was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, possession of a bladed article, and possession of Class B drugs, and at this time, he remains in custody for questioning.

GMP police car
A man has been charged after police officers were ‘seriously assaulted’ in Manchester city centre/ Credit: GMP

It has now been confirmed that Roxbrough has been charged with Section 18 wounding, two counts of possession of a knife in a public place, possession of a controlled Class B drug, Section 47 assault, and the assault of an emergency worker.

He is due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today (Thursday 14 May).

“Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the public and this was a violent and potentially life-threatening attack,” commented Detective Superintendent Ian McNabb, from GMP’s City of Manchester district.

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“No one should go to work fearing violence and our officers are no exception.

“We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and will work tirelessly to ensure the offender is brought to justice.”

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

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Traders to move out of Manchester food hall as it pivots to ‘new chapter’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Major food hall announces closure of kitchens as it pivots to 'new chapter'

Manchester food hall New Century will be closing its existing kitchens, it has announced, making way for a ‘new chapter’.

The New Century Kitchens are home to some top local food traders, including Parmogeddon’s Fricken concept, Wholesome Junkies, and Ply Pizza.

The food hall opened in 2022 as part of the iconic music venue’s rebirth, creating a modern mid-century space with six kitchens.

In the years since, it’s welcomed a rotation of amazing food offerings, including Hip Hop Chip Shop, Banh Vi, and Zumuku Sushi.

Now, New Century Kitchens has announced it will be ‘evolving’ to make live events part of the offering across the venue – not just upstairs in the main gig space.

That means that the traders currently based here will be moving out later this year, though the venue has assured people that they have been supported as they take their next steps.

Fans will still be able to visit New Century Kitchens in its current guise this summer, before its new chapter begins in autumn (but still some form of food and drink).

New Century said that music is in the building’s ‘DNA’ and this chapter will reflect that.

New Century Kitchens will close, with traders moving out
Current traders will be moving out of New Century Kitchens
New Century is entering a 'new chapter'
New Century is entering a ‘new chapter’

In a statement shared with The Manc, they said: “The ground floor at New Century is evolving. We are currently finalising plans for live events to become an even bigger part of our offering across the whole of the venue.

“As part of this evolution the current community of independent traders are moving onto exciting new chapters, and we have been working very closely with them to support all of these brilliant businesses in their next steps.

“Music is in the DNA of our iconic building and this new chapter will reflect that.

“New Century is a place for people to come together through entertainment and good hospitality and we’re looking forward to sharing more details soon.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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