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Road closures confirmed for Manchester Caribbean Carnival 2023 as police tell criminals to ‘stay away’

This year's event will be commemorating 75 years since the arrival of the Windrush generation.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 10th August 2023

A number of road closures are set to be put in place for 2023’s edition of the Manchester Caribbean Carnival this weekend.

With the community hub of Alexandra Park and the surrounding city streets once again set to welcome the massively-popular cultural event this Saturday and Sunday, just as it has done for close to the last 50 years, Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have now confirmed a number of road closures and safety measures they want the community to be aware of.

Manchester Caribbean Carnival is known and loved for bringing the Greater Manchester community together for a family-friendly celebration of Caribbean culture, heritage, and music.

Kicking off from 12pm and running right through until 8pm on both days of the free two-day event, this year’s Carnival is particularly important and significant as it will be commemorating 75 years since the arrival of the Windrush generation.

And after what was the resounding success of last year’s event – which attracted over 60,000 attendees – organisers say this year’s Carnival will be “even bigger and better”.

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Here’s everything you need to know about road closures and police presence.

Manchester Caribbean Carnival 2023 is taking place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August / Credit: Manchester Caribbean Carnival

Which roads will be closed? And on what days?

Manchester City Council has confirmed that a number of roads will be closed across the two days.

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For J’Ouvert, which is taking place on Saturday 12 August, there will be a number of rolling road closures in place from 7am to 9am at the following:

  • Moss Lane East (Princess Rd to Upper Lloyd Street)
  • Upper Lloyd Street (Moss Lane East to Great Western Street)
  • Great Western Street (Upper Lloyd Street to Quinney Crescent) 
  • Quiney Crescent (Great Western Street to Alexandra Road)
  • Alexandra Road (Quiney Crescent to Claremont Road)

For the Carnival itself, also on Saturday 12 August, a full closure of Claremont Road from Quinney Crescent to Alexandra Road will be in place from 7am to 4pm for the set-up of the event and the dispersal of crowds, while the rest of the day between 11am to 2:30pm will see rolling road closures at the following:

11:30am to 12:50pm

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  • Yarburgh (Alexandra Road to Withington Road)
  • Withington Road (Yarburgh to Moss Lane West)

12:15pm to 1:10pm

  • Moss Lane West (Withington Road to Moss Lane East)
  • Moss Lane East (Moss Lane West to Princess Road)

12:40pm to 1:35pm

  • Moss Lane East (Princess Road to Upper Lloyd Street)
  • Upper Lloyd Street (Moss Lane East to Claremont Rd)
  • Claremont Road (Upper Lloyd to Quinney Crescent) 
Manchester Caribbean Carnival is a family-friendly celebration of Caribbean culture / Credit: Manchester Caribbean Carnival

Will there be increased police presence?

Greater Manchester Police says it will be “significantly increasing” its policing operation surrounding the Manchester Caribbean Carnival this weekend.

It’s been confirmed that additional covert and overt officers will be deployed across a range of policing roles – including neighbourhood policing, spotting and intelligence gathering, licensing, public safety, traffic, mounted, and more to provide the “capacity and capability” to deter, detect, and manage situations in a way that “keeps people safe” and “minimises harm and impact”.

What are the police saying?

Superintendent Arif Nawaz, who is one of the leads for the Manchester Caribbean Carnival policing operation at GMP, has warned criminals to “stay away from the event” this weekend.

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He said in a statement: “The vast majority of people attend Carnival to simply enjoy the festivities and police preparations are in place to enable them to do so safely.

“But the trend of unofficial after-parties, involving gatherings outdoors following Carnival events, has unfortunately witnessed antisocial behaviour, criminal activity, and serious violence, and these large gatherings cause unacceptable issues for our communities and impede emergency vehicles from keeping people safe and well.

“Officers will be supporting licensing officials to prevent illegal street vendors from setting up and enforcing laws around this activity [and] we are working with neighbouring forces… to act on intelligence to search and intercept anyone in the area suspected to have criminal intentions.”

This year’s Carnival will mark 75 years since the arrival of the Windrush generation / Credit: Manchester Caribbean Carnival

Superintendent Nawaz urged Carnival-goers to “please follow the direction of officers who are committed to keeping people safe”.

He continued: “If you see anything suspicious, feel unsafe, or have any concerns which require police assistance or support, speak with one of our officers, or you can also dial 101 or report something you’ve seen or heard online via www.gmp.police.uk. 

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Read more:

“In an emergency, always dial 999.”

Featured Image – Manchester Caribbean Carnival

News

Elbow teams up with Co-op Live to donate equipment to Manchester grassroots venues

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Bury band Elbow have joined forces with Manchester’s biggest indoor arena, Co-op Live, in aid of supporting local grassroots venues.

Last year saw Elbow become the first act to play the arena, and now they’re teaming up with Co-op Live to offer equipment to glorious city centre venues.

The funds will help improve the already incredible music scene in Manchester, benefitting staples likes Night and Day Café, Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, SOUP and more.

All of the donations will be distributed across six independent music venues and will be used for various instruments, PA equipment, backline technology and other necessities depending on the requirements of each site.

Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.
Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.
Credit: Supplied

This initiative has been keeping Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to live music as well as the impressive Co-op Live.

Alongside providing vital resources for these local institutions, Elbow teaming up with Co-op Live also helps cement the North West as one of the main powerhouses in relation to live music.

The latest efforts from the largest indoor arena in Manchester fall in line with celebrating one year of bringing some of the best live music to the city, being officially open for 12 months in May.

Co-op Live have made a commitment to the people and the planet, promising to donate £1 million annually to the Co-op Foundation.

The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester's largest indoor arena.
The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester’s largest indoor arena.
Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.
Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.
Credit: Audio North/Supplied

Manchester’s latest live music venue also contributed significantly to selected charities, including Happy Doggo – chosen by Liam Gallagher and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.

As Elbow teams up with Co-op Live, even more money is making its way to necessary resources, this time in the likes of crucial live music establishments.

Elbow front-person Guy Garvey says: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded.”

“When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”

Read more:

Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live, adds: “In the past year, I have been proud to see Co-op Live become an integral part of such an incredible city.”

“Teaming up with Elbow to directly support the venues that first put Manchester on the map, and to share something so intrinsic to us as venues – proper sound – is something truly special.”

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Featured Image — Supplied (via Publicity Picture)

News

Police launch investigation after a 19-year-old is stabbed in broad daylight at an Oldham retail park

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A police investigation has been launched after a stabbing in a ‘very public place’ in Oldham yesterday afternoon.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to Alexandra Retail Park in Oldham yesterday afternoon ( Sunday 30 March 2025) at 3:25pm, and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a 19-year-old man had been stabbed.

The victim was taken to hospital with ‘serious injuries’, and GMP assures that he and his family are being supported at this time.

A scene remains in place at the retail park and some of the surrounding areas while the investigation is ongoing, and a large police presence can also been seen too as officers continue to collect evidence and piece together the events of what happened.

No arrests have been made as of yet.

Police also believe the attack to be an ‘isolated incident’ with those involved known to each other, indicating no threat to the wider public.

“We understand this incident is shocking and took place in a very public space,” commented Inspector Andrew Clayton.

“There have been no arrests so far, but enquiries are ongoing to determine who is responsible. At this stage, we do believe the attack to be an isolated incident involving those known to one another.”

Alexandra Retail Park, where the incident occurred yesterday afternoon / Credit: Google Maps

In a bid to gather as much information as possible, a public police appeal has been made.

Inspector Clayton continues: “We have spoken to a number of witnesses so far, but would encourage anyone who believes they have any information or dash cam footage which could assist our investigation, particularly that which may help us identify the perpetrators, to come forward.”

Read more:

Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 1757 of 30/03/25, or by getting in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

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