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A huge Irish festival with iconic music stars, markets, food and more is coming to Greater Manchester

Craic by the Creek is back

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 30th May 2025

A massive Irish music festival with masses of food, drink, crafts, workshops and surprises is returning to Greater Manchester this summer. 

Craic by the Creek 2025 will bring together all the best bits of the Emerald Isle for a weekend-long knees-up in a gorgeous countryside location on our doorstep in July. 

There’s a huge music line-up (with plenty more still to be announced) featuring Boyzlife, made up of Keith Duffy from Boyzone and Brian McFadden from Westlife. 

And this fun-filled Irish Music Festival is the only one of its kind offering full weekend camping, at the beautiful village of Compstall in Stockport. 

The countdown is now officially on for this unmissable celebration of Irish music, culture, and community spirit, which will take place between 18 and 20 July. 

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Craic by the Creek has been hailed as the greatest Irish music festival in the UK and is back for 2025 bigger than ever.

Craic by the Creek is back in Greater Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Craic by the Creek is back in Greater Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Craic by the Creek is back in Greater Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Craic by the Creek is back in Greater Manchester. Credit: Supplied

Already announced to perform live along with Boyzlife are The Tumbling Paddies, Derek Ryan, All Folk’d Up, Johnny Brady, The Kilkennys and loads more. 

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There are still more acts to be revealed in this stacked line-up. 

And it’s not just about the music at Craic by the Creek – there’s also a bustling Irish-themed craft market with handmade goods, Irish-inspired food and drink, social dance workshops, and plenty of surprises. 

Expect a weekend of tunes, traditions, community vibes and campfire craic. 

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Craic by the Creek will take place between 18 and 20 July, 2025 – tickets are on sale now via Skiddle, and they’re already flying.

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Featured image: Supplied

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Cheshire Oaks is hosting a FREE exclusive gig this summer to celebrate its 30th anniversary

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Cheshire Oaks is hosting a FREE exclusive gig this summer to celebrate its 30th anniversary

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet will be celebrating its 30th anniversary with a huge, free concert that’ll hark back to the 2000s. 

The hugely popular shopping destination, where visitors can save big on luxury brands, will be inviting customers to a totally free summer gig on a stage built on site. 

It’s part of the wider 30th anniversary celebrations, and will include a headline performance from a top-secret 2000s music act.

All they’ve revealed about the headliner so far is that they have a catalogue of number one singles and beloved hits… 

But also on the line-up that has been confirmed is a DJ set from Take That legend Howard Donald, and a hosting slot from Hits Radio DJ Kimberly Wyatt. 

There are still supporting acts to be announced in due course, with Cheshire Oaks promising ‘high energy and big personality’.

Taking place in the evening of Friday 6 June, the Cheshire Oaks 30th anniversary party will be free to shoppers and visitors.

And a select group of VIPs from the local community will have the opportunity to meet the mystery headliner in person. 

Cheshire Oaks is hosting a FREE exclusive gig this summer to celebrate its 30th anniversary
Cheshire Oaks is hosting a FREE exclusive gig this summer to celebrate its 30th anniversary

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet will be giving back to its local charity partners, including The Hospice of The Good Shepherd, Koala, Flynns Port in the Storm and Claire House amongst others, as well as its staff and their families, with exclusive golden circle access for the best seats in the house. 

The anniversary gig is part of the shopping village’s ongoing celebration of its three-decade-long history.  

Earlier this year, Cheshire Oaks unveiled its 2025 Style Report, revealing that 63% of Brits now prefer shopping in person rather than online, as well as the resurgence of nostalgic fashion trends from the 90s, from baggy trousers to full denim looks.

It’s the UK’s largest designer outlet, with more than 400,000 sq ft of retail space and more than 165 brands.

Kenny Murray, general manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, said: “This anniversary is a moment to celebrate the rich history and vibrant future of Cheshire Oaks. We have evolved continuously over the last three decades, and now it’s time to celebrate in true style.

“Over our 30 years we’ve built a real sense of community that makes this centre special and we want to celebrate this milestone with the local area and people so close to our heart.

“This summer’s music event, crowned by a secret headline act, promises to be a truly special experience, and a way that we can give back to the loyal customers who have trusted us to bring them the latest fashion trends since the 90s, we can’t wait to enjoy it with them.”

For more information about Cheshire Oaks and its upcoming summer gig, head HERE. 

Read more: You’ll soon be able to get your own at-home Reformer Pilates machine from Aldi’s middle aisle

Featured image: The Manc Group

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The local property developers helping Mancs buy a home without the large deposit

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A North West developer that specialises in creating Shared Ownership homes currently has eight new developments under construction across Manchester.

Getting your foot on the property ladder or taking the next step to owning a bigger home can be one of the most challenging things to do and is often not financially viable for a lot of people – and this is where Gecko Homes‘ unique Shared Ownership scheme comes in.

The developer is enabling first time buyers and other qualifying homebuyers to purchase shares in its homes instead.

With deposits from as little as £2,438, the scheme means residents can buy shares ranging from 10% all the way up to 75% instead and then pay rent on the rest, with the option to increase the share percentage at later dates, all the way up to outright ownership. 

Gecko Homes is helping Mancs get on the property ladder / Credit: Supplied

As mentioned, the company is currently working on eight new developments across Manchester in some of the city’s most sought-after suburbs, and prospective buyers can now register their interest.

One of the most popular developments currently underway is ‘Tatton Place’ in Sale – which is a redevelopment of a historic Masonic Hall and police station into 31 homes, including two and three-bedroom houses, one and two-bedroom apartments, and several stunning duplexes, all with access to both private and communal gardens.

Another key development is ‘Emerald Way’ over in the popular Manchester suburban town of Chorlton, where prices start from £60,625 for a 25% share, meaning a buyer would only need a deposit of £3,031.

Over in West Didsbury is one of largest ongoing developments called ‘Two Didsbury Point’, which is a £20 million scheme of 76 affordable homes across two connected eight and five-storey blocks – 46 of those being for shared ownership – on the site of the former Withington Hospital, with an outdoor communal terrace and green spaces for residents to enjoy.

Another one of the developments currently in the works that prospective buyers can now register their interest for is ‘Boundary View’, which lies in the thriving Manchester community of Old Trafford.

“Our Shared Ownership model has transformed people’s lives by giving them a way onto the property ladder in a modern, stylish, and high-quality home that they can afford to live in,” explained Christina Tattersall, who is the Head of Sales at Gecko Homes.

Eight developments are currently underway across Manchester / Credit: Supplied

“All of our latest developments are already generating high levels of interest from local people who want to live in some of Manchester’s most popular and vibrant suburbs that all benefit from great amenities and regular transport links.

“Each development will be finished to a very high specification, with contemporary kitchens and bathrooms, as well as luxury floorings and quality fixtures and fittings throughout.”

Residents interested in any of these developments are asked to visit Gecko Homes’ website here to find out more and register their details now.

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Prices shown are based on 25% Shared Ownership and a 95% LTV mortgage. All properties are bought as leasehold, with full terms applying, and prices shown may be subject to change and are a guide only.

Featured Image – Supplied

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