Manchester’s Grade II-listed Kimpton Clocktower Hotel has been named one of the UK’s top hotels.
The magnificent terracotta hotel was voted as one of the very best in the UK by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, after more than 800,000 submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe.
Asked to provide a full snapshot about the places they can’t wait to return to next, readers delivered – and the votes were in agreement, Kimpton Clocktower is up there with the very best of the best.
Image: Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Opened in October 2020, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is part of the leading global luxury brand IHG® Hotels & Resorts. It was formerly known as The Principal hotel and before that, The Palace.
The acquisition by IHG makes it the brand’s fourth hotel in the UK, following Kimpton Fitzroy London Hotel, Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow and Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel in Edinburgh.
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The building itself dates back to 1890, when it first opened as The Refuge Assurance Company headquarters – and its grandeur has not been diluted by time.
Image: Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Rather, the striking Victorian architecture is still very much a draw today – with the grand clock tower at the centre of its striking Victorian architecture remaining an unmistakable landmark on Manchester’s skyline today.
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Plenty of period features remain today, including glazed bricks, tiles and faience, stained glass, and some impressive carved wooden staircases.
The hotel is also home to award-winning restaurant and bar, The Refuge, operated by the team behind popular neighbourhood bars Volta and Electrik.
Image: Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Speaking on the award, General Manager at the hotel Johan Scheepers said: “It is an honour to be named among the top hotels in the UK by Condé Nast Traveler.
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“Thank you to our guests who have stayed and voted for us. It is a great recognition of our dedicated team at Kimpton Clocktower.
“We will continue to offer a real ‘wow’ factor stay with a warm and heartfelt Mancunian welcome.”
The longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry, the Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards are considered some of the most trustworthy around.
Feature image – Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
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Police appeal after serious crash between car and taxi in Bolton leaves four dead and five others injured
Emily Sergeant
Police are appealing to the public after a fatal crash in Bolton yesterday.
At around 12:45am yesterday morning (Sunday 11 January), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a collision on Wigan Road in Bolton, where a Seat Leon was travelling down the road and collided with a Citroen C4 Picasso – which was a taxi.
The driver of the Seat, and two passengers – who were all aged between 18 and 19 – have tragically died following the collision.
The driver of the Citroen was also sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
According to local funeral notices, as reported on by BBC News, the three teenagers have been named as Muhammad Danyaal Asghar Ali, Farhan Patel, and Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, all from Bolton, while the taxi driver was named as Masrob Ali from Blackburn.
#APPEAL | Our Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for information after a fatal collision between a Seat and Citroen on Wigan Road, #Bolton on 11/01/26
On top of these tragic deaths, police have also confirmed that five other passengers were involved and injured during the incident, and were rushed to hospital where they are currently being treated.
At this time, a scene remains in place as officers continue their investigation, but GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are now appealing for information and witnesses, and are urging anyone that may be able to help to come forward.
This includes anyone who saw the vehicle driving before the collision, witnessed the incident itself, or has dashcam / CCTV footage.
Can you help? Anyone with any information is urged to contact the SCIU directly on 0161 856 4741, quoting log 111 of 11/01/2025.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
Georgina Pellant -
7th October 2021 
