This will include several double trams operating between Altrincham-Etihad Campus, Bury-Piccadilly, and to East Didsbury.
The confirmation of the continuation of the well-received services comes as TfGM has also announced this week that more frequent and extended Metrolink services are being introduced in the new year too, in a bid to cater for and meet increased public demand – with the number of passengers travelling by tram across Greater Manchester continuing to grow, and some now even reaching the same levels as pre-pandemic.
Good news! In the New Year there will be changes to the tram service including a new six-minute service between Etihad Campus and Manchester City centre from 7am.
The late-night trams will also keep running along with more trams on the Altrincham and Bury lines.
This means that, from Tuesday 2 January 2024, a revamped timetable will see a new six-minute service between Etihad Campus and Manchester city centre from 7am until the end of service, which will be made possible by extending Altrincham-Piccadilly services to the Etihad Campus at the following times:
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After the termination of MediaCityUK-Etihad Campus peak service (after 8pm Monday to Friday, and after 6:30pm on Saturdays) until the end of service
All-day on Sundays
There will also be an uplift in the number of trams operating on the Altrincham and Bury lines too, after TfGM says it has seen “encouraging signs of passenger growth”, with double trams set to operate between the newly-extended Altrincham-Etihad Campus service, as well as Bury-Piccadilly services, once 2024 arrives.
Manchester’s late-night trams will continue into the new year / Credit: Matthew Waring (via Unsplash)
Between Monday and Saturday, double trams will operate from the start of service on the Bury-Piccadilly and Altrincham-Piccadilly lines, with doubles introduced on Altrincham-Etihad Campus services after 6:30pm too.
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And then on Sundays, there’ll be a mixture of single and double trams – with the majority being doubles – between Altrincham-Etihad Campus, and Bury-Piccadilly.
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, says he’s “delighted” that more Metrolink services are being added in the new year, as the public transport system “provides a vital connection” for people travelling between the north and south of the region.
“These changes, combined with the late-night trams, will provide a real boost to regular passengers,” he concluded.
Featured Image – Jakob Cotton (via Unsplash)
Boroughs
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 29 April – 5 May 2024
Emily Sergeant
We’ve only got a couple more days left of April before May graces us with its presence as this week goes on.
And there’s so much to look forward to this month.
Foodie festivals, cultural celebrations, wholesome spring-themed events, and so much more has been happening all throughout April – but thankfully, there’s even more where that came from in May, as there’s loads more in the Greater Manchester social calendar for everyone of all ages to be getting involved with.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do this week though, we’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘What’s on‘ guide.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Tales of Manchester 2.0
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Monday 29 April – onwards
Tales of Manchester 2.0 / Credit: Supplied
A brand-new art exhibition curated by visual artist Emma Evans in partnership with six other creators is now open in Manchester, and it’s completely free to visit.
Tales of Manchester 2.0 down at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is a collection of multi-platform art celebrating our brilliant city, and it’s showcasing six spoken word pieces by established Manchester based poets – Griot Gabriel, Ilaria Passeri, Lisa O’Hare, Mark Jackson aka Keith’s Brother, Matt Concannon aka The Thirsty Poet, and Sarah Attwell.
The spoken word is paired with visual pieces painted by self-taught artist Emma Evans, where the words have served as inspiration for the art.
Did you see that Manchester’s newest live entertainment venue is finally almost ready to open?
The biggest indoor arena in the entire UK is (we think) ready to rock and roll.
It’s been a very long time coming, but Co-op Live will finally throw open its doors this week, with the massive space having room for 23,500 music fans and a clever ‘smart bowl’ that’s been designed to make the best possible gig experience.
There’s also a huge bill of artists lined up to perform here in the coming months, including The Black Keys (rescheduled), Olivia Rodrigo, and Take That in the next few weeks alone.
You can take a closer look at the inside of Co-op Live here, and read a round-up of all the events happening across the brand-new venue’s opening season here.
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The Wizard of Oz
Palace Theatre Manchester
Monday 29 April – Sunday 5 May
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The Wizard of Oz / Credit: ATG Tickets
A sensational new take on of one of the world’s most beloved musicals, The Wizard of Oz, is now on stage here in Manchester.
Having taken to the iconic Palace Theatre stage, starring award-winning comedian and musical theatre star Jason Manford as The Cowardly Lion, JLS sensation Aston Merrygold as The Tin Man, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing On Ice star The Vivienne as The Wicked Witch of the West, this new production is a truly magical for all the family.
Yes, Manchester’s biggest free music festival is back for this upcoming early May bank holiday.
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Hosted at the ever-reliable Oast House in Spinningfields – one the best suntraps in the city when the sun finally decides to peek out (and it’s coming) – you can expect live music all day long, dancing well into the night, not to mention as much food and refreshing cocktails as you can stuff your face with.
We went along to the last one during Easter and even on a cloudy day it didn’t disappoint.
Find out more about the full season they’ve got lineup and sort your place here.
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Bloomtown Blossom Trail
Manchester City Centre
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Monday 29 April – onwards
Bloomtown Blossom Trail / Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester never looks better than it does when all the blossom trees burst back to life, right? Well now there’s a walking trail through town that shows off the best bits.
From the iconic purple blooms outside the Central Library to the surprising sprays that pop up in the middle of Ancoats, there are pretty colours appearing all over, so the National Trust is once again shining a spotlight on Manchester and bringing back its new-and-improved Bloomtown.
There are 39 spots all over the city centre (and slightly beyond) included along the route, each one showcasing one of the city’s most picturesque locations.
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition
Manchester Central Library
Monday 29 April – onwards
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition / Credit: Supplied
Photography students from The Manchester College will be showcasing their ‘Greater Mancunians’ project as part of a landmark exhibition at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall from this week.
150 students have participated in the groundbreaking photography project, and it features images of some of Manchester’s most famous and influential people shot at numerous locations across the city.
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More than 100 contributors are featured in the project, including musicians Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr, athletes Diane Modahl and Ricky Hatton, local politicians Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, and Bev Craig, actors Maxine Peake and Bill Roache, artists Stan Chow and AKSE P-19, and other local figures like Jonathan Warburton, Simon Martin, and Professor Erinma Bell MBE.
Don’t forget there’s a world-first exhibition still running down at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, and it’s giving families the chance to “dive headfirst into the digestive system” and “travel like a poo”.
The new blockbuster exhibition, Operation Ouch!, is based on and will see the award-winning CBBC children’s TV series brought to life.
Visitors can expect interactive experiences, amazing objects from the Science Museum Group’s collection, and appearances from world-renowned doctors who will be on hand to guide audiences through this “lively, interactive, and playful adventure to better understand our brilliant bodies”.
Fancy heading out a walk somewhere in Greater Manchester and beyond this week?
The weather is FINALLY warming up a little, and it’s beginning to feel like we might finally have made it through winter.
So that means it’s time for a walk, right?
Some of the green spaces that wrap around Greater Manchester are in their prime right now with blossoms, bluebells, and more – and that’s saying something, as they’re pretty spectacular all year round – so it couldn’t be a more perfect time to go for a walk to appreciate their beauty.
Read our round-up of stunning spots for a spring walk here.
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‘Trust’ – Six by Nico
Manchester
Tuesday 30 April
‘Trust’ – Six by Nico / Credit: Six by Nico
Are you ready to put your trust in Six by Nico?
Previously a hit in London, but having now arrived here in Manchester at the Spring Gardens and Deansgate restaurants for the first time ever, ‘Trust’ is the latest dining experience from Six by Nico where guests are invited to put their trust in the popular restaurant’s chefs with a completely blind tasting menu that “puts culinary senses to the test”.
The three-hour tasting experience has 10-courses, and diners are given a blank menu with space write down what they think they’re eating.
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Ingredients of each dish are then revealed by your server following each course.
Find out more and book your place on one of the ‘Trust’ dining experiences on the Six by Nico website here.
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KinderFest 2024
Haigh Woodland Park
Friday 4 & Saturday 5 May
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KinderFest 2024 / Credit: Haigh Woodland Park
Haigh Woodland Park is hosting a festival filled with fun activities for the whole family this bank holiday weekend.
KinderFest 2024 will bring together some of Greater Manchester’s best children’s entertainment to the walled gardens of Haigh – with themed activity zones, bubble parties, an inflatable playground, puppet shows, and live music all on the exciting lineup, as well as there being a wide range of food and drink vendors serving up tasty grub to took into.
Have you seen that a new ‘hobby house’ has opened up in the heart of Manchester city centre?
It’s called ‘Altogether Otherwise’.
Having recently opened down at Manchester’s growing neighbourhood, NOMA, the innovative new concept is is setting out to provide the Greater Manchester public with a welcome relief from all the demands and fast-paced culture of city centre life that we’ve, sadly, all become so used to.
It’s been dubbed a “place to pursue creativity” and a chance to explore and get stuck into some new activities, all while bumping into like-minded people in an ever-changing gathering space.
There’s an exciting lineup of workshops and events that are free to attend.
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is once again making a long-awaited return to Greater Manchester this Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
The beloved Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be “a train ride like no other”.
Families will have the chance to hop onboard the East Lancashire Railway’s replica of the cult-classic blue train character when he returns in a couple of weeks time for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.
Paddy McGuinness admits he thinks Bolton is ‘still in Lancashire’ not Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Paddy McGuinness has admitted that he believes “Bolton still falls under Lancashire” and not Greater Manchester.
The famous comedian and TV presenter – who was born and raised in Farnworth in 1973, back when it genuinely was still categorised as Lancashire – made the somewhat controversial declaration to his millions of followers on Instagram this week as he shared some pictures of himself that are currently featuring as part of a photography exhibition.
McGuinness is one of dozens of local famous faces forming part of the ‘Greater Mancunians’ project by The Manchester College.
150 students have participated in the landmark photography project – which is currently on display down at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall – and it features images of some of Manchester’s most famous and influential people shot at numerous locations across the city.
Noel Gallagher, Johnny Marr, Ricky Hatton, Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, Maxine Peake, Jonathan Warburton, and Professor Erinma Bell MBE are among the 100 contributors featured in the project, alongside McGuinness.
The 50-year-old, who is most well-known for his acting and presenting roles in Phoenix Nights, Max and Paddy’s Road To Nowhere, Take Me Out, and Top Gear, says it was “a real honour” to be featured in the exhibition.
McGuinness wrote on Instagram: “It was a real honour to take part in the Greater Mancunians project with the students at The Manchester College. The exhibition is full of people from music, comedy, politics, poetry, television, medicine and beyond.”
He then said it’s “well worth popping in if you’re in town”, before dropping the final Bolton-related bombshell: “PS, I’m still saying Bolton falls under Lancashire.”
In case you’re unfamiliar with the borough’s history, Bolton was considered to be a part of Lancashire until Greater Manchester was formally established all the way back on 1 April 1974 – but still to this day, the town is located within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire.
Paddy McGuinness admits he thinks Bolton is ‘still in Lancashire’, not Greater Manchester (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
After making the bold claim about Bolton’s geographical location, McGuinness has been met with praise and has received hundreds of comments from other Bolton and wider Greater Manchester residents agreeing with him and sharing their similar opinions under the post.
“I think they should redefine Lancashire back to its old borders, it would bring unity to the area and create a northern powerhouse,” one person commented.
Another fan wrote: “Bolton will always be in Lancashire for me”, while a third commented: “ALWAYS Lancashire. Can’t move land boundaries, they’re not pieces of paper,” a fourth shared a similar sentiment: “They can tell us we’re Greater Manchester, but I know Im a Lancashire lass,” and a fifth added: “Lancashire all the way lad.”
“BOLTON WILL ALWAYS BE LANCASHIRE,” another clearly strong-viewed comment reads.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd December 2023 
