The Manchester craft beer festival will return to Mayfield Depot this summer, bringing with it hundreds of different brews from across the globe.
Following a successful debut last summer, the festival will take residence in the former warehouse this summer – taking place across Friday 22 and Saturday 23 July.
Bringing together great music, beer and street food under one roof, the festival will take place across three sessions: 6pm-11pm on Friday, 11:30-4:30pm Saturday and 6pm-11pm Saturday.
With a line-up of world-class breweries, beer fans will be able to sample everything from sours to IPA’s, lagers to imperial stouts at this year’s event.
Image: Manchester Union Lager
Run by the team behind Bigfoot Festival, music will come from the likes of UK jungle legend Goldie, soundsystem and radio DJ Norman Jay MBE, and electronic musician and composer David Holmes.
For £55 a ticket, guests will have access to unlimited beer throughout their chosen five-hour session. On top of that, they’ll also be given a special festival beer glass to take home and access to the festival’s pop-up street food kitchens.
Manchester breweries Manchester Union Lager, Black Jack, Track, Marble, Pomona Island and Beatnikz will all be in attendance, as well a host of top-tier breweries from further afield.
Further breweries confirmed to attend so far include Mondo, Timothy Taylors, North Brew Co., Brixton, Brew York, Vocation, Pastore, Alpha Delta, The Kernel and Burnt Mill.
Image: Pomona Island
And for those who are after something other than beer, there’ll also be stalls from Tappd Cocktails, Jim & Tonic and Ascension Cider.
The festival will also play host to the North West’s finest chefs, restaurants and popups taking stalls for the weekend – including a brand-new fire-pit cooking concept, which will see guest chefs take turns to serve up their own BBQ takes.
Speaking on the festival’s return, co-founder of We Are Beer, Greg Wells said: “After such a warm welcome last year, it was no question whether we’d return to Manchester.
“The city is home to many incredible breweries so it’s great to be able to bring everyone together to celebrate their contribution to the craft beer community!
“As well as local legends and newcomers, we’re excited to showcase international favourites and breweries from all over the UK.
“There’s really going to be something for everyone – beer lovers and even non-beer lovers, foodies, music heads, for those wanting a learning experience or simply a memorable night out! We’re very excited to be back.”
Major Co-op Live concert cancelled with fans already inside venue
Daisy Jackson
Major Co-op Live gig Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled this evening – after fans had already entered the venue.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO were set to perform the second of two nights at the huge Manchester venue tonight, as part of their final UK tour.
The Over and Out Tour should have been taking place on both the 9 and 10 July before heading to London’s BST Hyde Park Festival on Sunday.
But the show has been cancelled minutes before the legendary band were due to take to the stage.
Fans had already taken their seats inside the massive Co-op Live Arena when the news broke that the gig would not be able to take place ‘due to illness’.
77-year-old Jeff Lynne himself, who recently broke his hand in an accident, is said to be ‘devastated’ that he is unable to perform.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled at Co-op Live
A statement from the band said: “Unfortunately due to illness tonight’s (Thursday 10th July 2025) scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead.
“Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening.
“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase.”
According to fans, audiences inside Co-op Live were told the show was cancelled with just 45 minutes to go.
One person wrote: “The concert that never was. Cancelled with 45mins to go. Get well soon Jeff Lynne.”
Literally mins after this picture was taken Jeff Lynn cancelled 😞 @JeffLynnesELO Broke his hand a few days ago and has played the best he can and well done to you ! But then decides to cancel 2nd night n Manchester very last minute ! But it’s ok just ask for a refund !!! 😡 pic.twitter.com/wv1JfWPwk5
Andy Burnham reveals plans to build underground tram and train line in Manchester by 2050
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has announced some ambitious long-term plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester.
As Greater Manchester sets its sights on a new era of economic growth, on the way to becoming a ‘second city’ to rival any other on the planet by 2050, Mayor Andy Burnham shared the city region’s blueprint for a ‘greener, fairer future’ this week – with underground transport plans being right the heart of it.
Mr Burnham says his vision for the next decade is to create a ‘thriving’ city region where everyone can ‘live a good life’.
Andy Burnham reveals plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester / Credit: TfGM
But it’s public transport where it seems some of the most significant changes are set to be made before 2050 arrives.
The Mayor revealed plans for new bus routes, tramlines, and train stations to connect ‘thriving communities’ across the city region with an integrated lower-cost transport system that’ll help more people get out and access new opportunities.
Construction of a tram stop to service new homes at Victoria North will also start by 2028, it has been confirmed, while work to bring Metrolink to Stockport – which has already been announced to huge support – will begin by 2030.
Two commuter rail lines will join the Bee Network next December as well, with another six joining by 2028.
GM is growing fast.
We will expand @BeeNetwork over the next decade to meet the needs of our bigger economy.
BUT
There’s a limit to what we can do on a congested surface.
It’s why I am asking TfGM to start planning for an underground for GM around a remodelled Piccadilly. pic.twitter.com/k2ozNWw6Wj
The headline-grabbing announcement, though, has to be that Mr Burnham has also announced plans to unlock ‘transformative’ investment in transport infrastructure, so that by 2050, Manchester Piccadilly has an underground tram and train station with a high-speed rail link to Liverpool.
He’s also looking to boost regeneration of the surrounding area, effectively making it ‘the Kings Cross of the North’.
“We’re the UK’s fastest growing economy and stand on the cusp of what I believe could be our best decade since the Victorian era,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham, “and our task for the next decade is to build a platform for success for all our residents.
“Our vision is ambitious, but in my eight years as Mayor, I’ve learned that, when we pull together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.
“There’s a long and proud tradition of collaboration in Greater Manchester. Devolution has turbocharged that and now we’re ready to deliver a new model of growth where no one is left behind.”
Georgina Pellant -
3rd March 2022 
