Stockport has officially been crowned Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2023.
It’s no secret now that in recent years, Stockport has been celebrated as an emerging hub of culture and creative activity in Greater Manchester, with the area producing some big-name stars in the arts, entertainment, and sporting spheres, as well as seeing significant new residential and commercial developments popping up, a food, drink, hospitality, and nightlife scene that continues to prove popular, and even being named as one of the best areas to invest in 2022.
But now, the town has got itself a fancy title to prove it – and along with that, a £50,000 grant to support arts and creativity in the wider borough.
Stockport will officially take on the title of Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2023! Take a look at the photos from our fantastic launch event at the Hat Works this afternoon 📸👇 pic.twitter.com/Kt7Zc1VA0f
— Stockport Town Of Culture (@SKTownOfCulture) May 23, 2023
Up against several other Greater Manchester areas all vying for the crown, Stockport’s bid was centred around the ‘One Stockport’ vision, which Stockport Council says sets out to support the local economy, connect communities, and promote health and wellbeing.
According to the Council, ‘One Stockport’ will be underpinned by four elements that “celebrate arts and creativity in the broadest sense”, as well as the town’s diverse cultural heritage.
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These elements are Stockport Makes, Stockport Moves, Stockport Sounds, and Stockport Tastes.
Stockport has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2023 / Credit: Stockport Market | Stockport Foodie Friday
Stockport’s year as Town of Culture also coincides with a number of major public redevelopments and investment in the town.
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These include the Town Centre West regeneration, the refurbishment of the legendary Hat Works museum, “cutting-edge” digital arts opportunities to be opened up through the £2.6m Stockport Creative Campus Cultural Fund, and the development of the £14m Future High Street Stockroom discovery centre.
The town’s new title was announced at a presentation yesterday attended by famous faces such as local indie band Blossoms, and Stockport County defender Macauley Southam-Hales, as well as Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Stockport Council Leader Cllr Mark Hunter, and representatives from across the town’s cultural scene.
It’s third town in the region to claim the coveted crown / Credit: Stockport Council
“It’s a real pleasure to be able to announce Stockport as our third ever Town of Culture for 2023,” Andy Burnham said at the presentation yesterday.
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“The town put forward a strong case for the accolade, backed up by some really exciting plans for events and activities that celebrate Stockport’s identity, its history, but also shine a spotlight on everything that’s happening right now.”
Stockport follows in the footsteps of Stalybridge, which held the title in 2022.
Bury was announced as Greater Manchester’s inaugural Town of Culture for 2020, and held onto it into 2021 after the pandemic put a number of events and activities on hold.
Featured Image – Stockport Foodie Friday (via Facebook)
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Police issue statement after triple stabbing at Manchester high school
Emily Sergeant
A formal update and police statement has now been issued following a stabbing at a high school in Manchester earlier this morning.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers were called to reports of a stabbing at a school on Plant Hill Road in Blackley – confirmed to be Co-op Academy Manchester – earlier this morning (Tuesday 9 June 2026), and when they arrived on the scene, they discovered that two students and a teacher had been injured.
Staff were quick to detain a girl to ensure no further harm came to pupils or staff, before police arrived shortly afterwards.
A 14-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault, and remains in custody for questioning.
At this time, officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and have stated that there is no wider threat to the public.
The police have issued a statement after a triple stabbing at a Manchester high school / Credit: GMP
As mentioned, three people were injured during the incident – a 14-year-old schoolgirl, a 14-year-old schoolboy, and a 27-year-old male member of staff. All were taken to hospital, however thankfully, their injuries are not believed to be serious, and they are stable at this time.
Giving a statement following the shocking incident earlier this morning, Chief Inspector Jon Shilvock said: “We understand that this incident will have cause concern to pupils, staff and the wider school community.
“The incident was swiftly and quickly dealt with by staff before officers attended to arrest the girl. There is believed to be no wider threat at this time, and we thank everyone for their support as emergency services dealt with this.
“We are not looking anyone further in connection this with this incident.
“Officers will remain at the school and within the area to provide a visible presence and community reassurance.”
Featured Image – Google Maps
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The Weeknd at Etihad Stadium, Manchester – setlist, stage times, tickets and more
Daisy Jackson
The Weeknd’s enormous After Hours Til Dawn world tour will touch down in Manchester this week for two huge stadium shows.
The Blinding Lights singer had previously skipped our city in favour of London, but added two gigs at the Etihad Stadium last autumn, along with new dates in Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, Copenhagem, Munich and Lille.
The 2026 After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour has taken the Canadian diamond-certified global star across the globe.
The Weeknd’s seventh concert tour has been going since 2022, but has evolved over the years ahead of its return to Manchester.
Last time he performed in Manchester back in 2023, some fans were upset with his giant view-blocking moon balloon – but thankfully, The Weeknd is leaving that at home this time.
Instead, you can expect more pyrotechnics and lasers than the Etihad Stadium has ever seen, and a setlist packed with hits.
Here’s everything you need to know for The Weeknd at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
What dates is The Weeknd performing in Manchester?
The Weeknd is heading to Manchester this week. Credit: Sebastien Nagy
Thursday 11 June
Friday 12 June
Tickets for The Weeknd at the Etihad Stadium
If you’re hoping to go along to The Weeknd in Manchester, but haven’t sorted tickets yet, worry not.
There’s still really good availability on tickets at the time of writing, especially for Thursday 11 June.
You can see the latest ticket availability for Thursday 11 June HERE and Friday 12 June HERE.
Remaining tickets are priced like so:
Limited view seats – £84.20
Seated tickets – £123.10, £155.75, £204.50
General admission pitch standing – £144.70
East or West pitch standing – £177.50
Expected setlist for The Weeknd
The incredible staging that The Weeknd will bring to Manchester. Credit: Sebastien Nagy
This is the most recent setlist The Weeknd has been using for his South American leg – but it has been changing as the tour has progressed.
This looks like a long setlist, but he does shorten a lot of these right down into one huge mash-up of his hits.
Baptized in Fear
Open Hearts
Wake Me Up
After Hours
Starboy
Heartless
Faith
Cry for Me
São Paulo
Rio
Take My Breath
Sacrifice (Swedish House Mafia remix)
How Do I Make You Love Me?
Can’t Feel My Face
Lost in the Fire (Gesaffelstein cover)
Timeless
Often
I Was Never There
Given Up on Me
The Hills
Creepin’ (Metro Boomin cover)
Niagara Falls
One of the Girls
Stargirl Interlude
Out of Time
I Feel It Coming
Die for You
Is There Someone Else?
Wicked Games
Call Out My Name
The Abyss
Save Your Tears
Less Than Zero
Blinding Lights
Encore
Without a Warning
House of Balloons
Moth to a Flame (Swedish House Mafia cover)
Stage times
VIP Early Access – 4.30pm
Turnstiles open – 5pm
Prince 85 – 6.15pm
Playboi Carti – 7pm
The Weeknd – 8.10pm
Curfew – 10.30pm
Who is supporting The Weeknd in Manchester?
The first support act for The Weeknd in Manchester is Prince 85, a frequent collaborator and mysterious music producer and artist.
Up next will be rap sensation Playboi Carti, another of The Weeknd’s collaborators, who’s known for hits like Magnolia, Sky, and Shoota, as well as his fashion-forward aesthetic and high-energy live shows.
Emily Sergeant -
24th May 2023 
