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A free open-air cinema is opening in the heart of Manchester’s skyscraper district

Including live sports screenings

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 16th June 2025

A free open-air cinema is opening in Manchester city centre this summer, screening everything from film to sporting and cultural events. 

Audiences will be able to recline in deck chairs surrounded by one of the city’s best views – the glittering towers of New Jackson.

With a backdrop of the modern Manchester skyline and food delivered to your seat from the acclaimed Medlock Canteen, Screen on The Square will be a go-to hangout for Mancs this summer. 

This new opening at New Jackson will also have its own licensed outdoor bar. 

It’s all launching at New Jackson this weekend, Renaker’s world-class skyscraper district and thriving new neighbourhood that’s taken shape at the southern side of Manchester city centre.

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Films on the schedule will include family favourites like Big Hero 6, Frozen, and Finding Nemo; cult classics such as Cool Runnings, Grand Budapest Hotel, and Back to the Future; and major musical blockbusters such as Mamma Mia and La La Land. 

As well as a packed programme of film screenings, Screen on the Square will be showing major summer events like Glastonbury, Wimbledon and the UEFA Women’s EURO competition. 

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There’ll be family-friendly matinees and morning screenings, as well as later evening movie nights. 

Screen on the Square will take place on The Square at the base of Deansgate Square towers
Screen on the Square will take place on The Square at the base of Deansgate Square towers

Screen on The Square will run from Saturday 21 June until Sunday 14 September, at The Square at Deansgate Square in New Jackson. 

It’s the latest cultural and community offering from the new neighbourhood, which has transformed Manchester’s skyline with world-class skyscrapers. 

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The New Jackson district includes Deansgate Square, The Blade, Three60, Crown Street, and Contour, and (once fully complete) will bring 6,400 homes. The neighbourhood already includes public spaces, a primary school, play area, NHS medical centre, health and wellness clinic, hair salon, cookery school, padel courts and loads of independent restaurants and bars. 

Full listings for Screen on the Square are below, and HERE. 

Screen on The Square programme*

  • Saturday 21 June, 3pm – Wall-E
  • Saturday 21 June, 7pm – Back to the Future
  • Sunday 22 June, 10am – Big Hero 6
  • Sunday 22 June, 7pm – Tron: Legacy
  • Friday 27 June, 12pm-11pm – Glastonbury
  • Saturday 28 June, 12pm-11pm – Glastonbury
  • Sunday 29 June, 12pm-11pm – Glastonbury
  • Wednesday 2 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Iceland v Finland
  • Wednesday 2 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Switzerland v Norway
  • Thursday 3 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Belgium v Italy
  • Thursday 3 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Spain v Portugal
  • Friday 4 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Denmark v Sweden
  • Friday 4 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Germany v Poland
  • Saturday 5 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Wales v Netherlands
  • Saturday 5 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: England v France
  • Sunday 6 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Norway v Finland
  • Sunday 6 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Switzerland v Iceland
  • Monday 7 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Spain v Belgium
  • Monday 7 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Portugal v Italy
  • Tuesday 8 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Germany v Denmark
  • Tuesday 8 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Poland v Sweden
  • Wednesday 9 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: England v Netherlands 
  • Wednesday 9 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: France v Wales
  • Thursday 10 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Finland v Switzerland or Norway v Iceland
  • Friday 11 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Italy v Spain or Portugal v Belgium
  • Saturday 12 July, 12pm – 7pm – Wimbledon
  • Saturday 12 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Sweden v Germany or Poland v  Denmark
  • Sunday 13 July, 12pm – 7pm – Wimbledon
  • Sunday 13 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: England v Wales or Netherlands v France
  • Wednesday 16 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter Finals
  • Thursday 17 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter Finals
  • Friday 18 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter Finals
  • Saturday 19 July, 3pm – Sing
  • Saturday 19 July, 5.30pm – Mamma Mia
  • Saturday 19 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter Finals
  • Sunday 20 July, 10am – Kids’ Morning: School of Rock
  • Sunday 20 July, 7pm – La La Land
  • Tuesday 22 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Semi Finals
  • Wednesday 23rd July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Semi Finals
  • Sunday 27 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Final
  • Saturday 2 August, 3pm – Kids’ Matinee: Frozen
  • Saturday 2 August, 7pm – Cool Runnings
  • Sunday 3 August, 10am – Kids’ Morning: Happy Feet
  • Sunday 3 August, 7pm – Grand Budapest Hotel
  • Saturday 30 August, 3pm – Kids’ Matinee: Finding Nemo
  • Saturday 30 August, 7pm – Chicken Run
  • Sunday 31 August, 10am – Kids’ Morning: My Neighbor Totoro
  • Sunday 31 August, 7pm – Persepolis
  • Saturday 6 September, 3pm – Kids’ Matinee: Shrek
  • Saturday 6 September, 7pm – Despicable Me
  • Sunday 7 September, 10am – Kids’ Morning: Mrs Doubtfire
  • Sunday 7 September, 7pm – Napoleon Dynamite
  • Saturday 13 September, 3pm – Kids’ Matinee: Fantastic Mr Fox
  • Saturday 13 September, 7pm – Goonies
  • Sunday 14 September, 10am – Kids’ Morning: The Princess Bride
  • Sunday 14 September, 7pm – Labyrinth

*Screenings are weather dependent and programme is subject to change

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Featured image: Supplied

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JD to open largest-ever flagship store in Manchester this weekend

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson JD to open largest-ever flagship store in Manchester this weekendJD to open largest-ever flagship store in Manchester this weekend

The countdown is on to the grand opening of JD’s brand-new flagship store, with the sports fashion brand preparing to open in the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday 7 June.

The new store will be JD’s biggest ever, delivering world-class shopping experiences that will ‘serve the community and redefine what’s possible’. 

JD was born right here in Greater Manchester, first opening in Bury in 1981, and has gone on to be a leader in sports fashion and lifestyle retail. 

With this new flagship store, shoppers will be able to discover the hottest drops from global sportswear giants like Nike, adidas, On Running and PUMA, plus JD exclusives like Unlike Humans. 

The landmark new opening will be celebrated in a big way this weekend at the Trafford Centre, with none other than eight-time Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Usain Bolt attending the grand unveiling.

Then there’ll be the chance to win prizes, shop rare and sought-after sneakers, and get items customised. 

The new JD store officially opens its doors tomorrow – Saturday 7 June – from 10am, with loads of exciting experiences planned. 

JD to open largest-ever flagship store in Manchester this weekend
JD to open largest-ever flagship store at The Trafford Centre in Manchester this weekend

Usain Bolt will be in store, with select fans having the opportunity to show off their running skills in front of the fastest man on the planet. 

Lucky shoppers will be put into teams to race for prizes, and will have the chance to try and beat Bolt’s record on the Puma Nitro 100 metre spring challenge. 

YouTube giants Beta Squad will also be there throughout the opening morning, bringing their energy and humour live and direct.

Meanwhile, Nike is bringing the ‘Nike AM95: The Vault’, giving sneakerheads a chance to get their hands on a sold-out OG Heat product. 

At exactly 1.10pm – a throwback to the ‘110s’ nickname – there’ll be the OG Mandarin up for grabs, along with a limited run of the OG Pink Foam, which will be on sale from doors opening at 10am. 

A glimpse of the largest JD store in the world
A glimpse of the largest JD store in the world

Crep Protect will be hosting demos and giveaways; Unlike Humans will be there with their ice cream truck serving matcha and vanilla mochi; and you can get any Unlike Humans item you buy customised by Matt B Customs for free.

James Air, Director of Group Acquisitions at JD, commented: “This new store at Trafford Centre is set to be a true statement of intent. It’s our biggest, boldest space to date – and it’s happening in the city where our journey began. 

“This is JD at its very best: fashion-forward, community-focused, and pushing the boundaries of retail. 

“And JD’s opening at Trafford Centre isn’t just about creating a dynamic new shopping destination – it also brings new jobs to the area, reinforcing the brand’s ongoing investment in the local communities it serves, which is at the heart of JD’s mission.”

Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome the world’s largest JD to Trafford Centre. This mammoth, flagship store is a game-changer, not just for Manchester but for retail as a whole.  

“With expert staff on hand, immersive displays and bespoke services, the new JD store will be a destination in its own right – promising an incredible in-store experience.”

JD’s new flagship store has been fuelled by the brand’s Forever Forward mission that propels youth culture forward. 

Expect groundbreaking releases, creative partnerships and cutting-edge cultural experiences. 

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JD will open its flagship store at the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday 7 June from 10am. 

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Featured image: Supplied

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There’s a new summer terrace in town with a weekend spritz happy hour

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Embankment Kitchen terrace in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

There’s a new summer terrace in Greater Manchester that’s the ideal spot to soak in some rays – and enjoy a few discounted spritzes while you’re there. 

Over on Chapel Street – just across the river from Manchester Cathedral – you’ll find Embankment Kitchen, which has opened up its terrace for the season. 

This stylish spot is part of the CitySuites aparthotel, and has a menu rooted in the warm spirit of Northern hospitality. 

It’s worth a visit all year round for their seasonally-focused, local-as-possible menus, but the summer terrace at Embankment Kitchen is a real added bonus in spring and summer. 

And following that spell of absolutely glorious weather, they’re opening up two hours earlier every day too for maximum sun-soaking from 2pm. 

At Embankment Kitchen you can tuck into a drinks and nibbles menu from 2pm until 5pm, and Happy Hour drinks deals from 4pm until 7pm. 

That means two-for-one cocktails, plus discounted wines, prosecco and beers – an ideal post-work haunt.

Cocktails at Embankment Kitchen in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Cocktails at Embankment Kitchen in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Small plates on the Embankment Kitchen terrace. Credit: The Manc Group
Small plates on the Embankment Kitchen terrace. Credit: The Manc Group

It’s usually almost impossible to find a happy hour in Manchester at weekends, but these guys are doing two-for-£12 spritzes every Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 4pm, with flavours including Aperol, Hugo, and limoncello. 

Drinks on the menu include signature cocktails that are inspired by the city’s industrial roots, like The Emmeline, Manchester Exchange (a take on an old fashioned), and the Atomic Zombie, as well as classic cocktails such as an espresso martini, limoncello negroni, amaretto sour, and strawberry daiquiri. 

As for nibbles, tuck into treats like garlic bread, edamame beans with smoked salt, garlic and parmesan fries, salt and pepper tater tots, and halloumi fries. 

Surrounded by lush plants and gigantic parasols, it’s hard to believe you’re just across the river in Salford when you’re soaking up the sun at Embankment Kitchen. To find out more, head HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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