Freight Island has just announced a huge line-up for its Spring/Summer season, with a free-to-attend festival series.
The huge urban street food and entertainment destination, located at Depot Mayfield just beyond Manchester Piccadilly, will be back open in full swing from Easter weekend.
The huge venue is promising its most electrifying season yet, announcing names including David Rodigan, Greg Wilson, Crazy P (DJ set), Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) and more.
Spring/Summer will run all the way through from April until September, inviting world-renowned DJs and Greater Manchester’s finest home-grown talent to the stage.
Also on the line-up will be Norman Jay, Luke Una and his special É Soul Cultura, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, and more.
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Support acts will include some of Manchester’s most celebrated DJs and collectives, including the likes of Sit N Bun, Supernature Disco, SK1 Records, Me Gusta Collective, Semi Skimmed Edits, Ghosts of Garage, to name a few.
On top of all the Spring/Summer programme, Freight Island will have regular events like the pop club night Cherrybomb, mass karaoke, and creative workshops.
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There’s a new food trader in the mix, too – Liverpool institution Pattersons, a chicken shop that brines its meat for more than 24 hours in a special herb and spice mix, is joining Freight Island.
Pattersons is joining existing traders like Voodoo Ray’s pizza, Lazy Tony’s Lasagnaria slab shack, Mega Gyros, Payal (Indian and Nepalese street food), Fuku (pan-Asian street food), open-fire cooking at Smoking Coal and cheesecakes on a stick from Oh My Cheesecake.
And on Sundays, there’s the return of the Seconds carvery, with unlimited access to all the trimmings.
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Freight Island will fully reopen from Friday 29 March. Its opening hours will be from 4pm until 11pm on Thursdays, 4pm until 12am on Fridays, 12pm until 12am on Saturdays, and 12pm until 10pm on Sundays.
You can book free tickets for Freight Island’s Spring/Summer programme here.
Freight Island’s Spring/Summer 2024 programme in full (A-Z)
Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) | Crazy P (DJ Set) | David Rodigan | É Soul Cultura | Greg Wilson | Huey Morgan | Luke Una | Maurice Fulton | Norman Jay | Optimo (Espacio) | Raw Silk DJs | Scarlett O’Malley | Sophie Lloyd | Todd Edwards | Abigail Ward | Andi Hanley (Body & Soul) | Andrea Trout | Atiké | Aveidt | Body Heat DJs | Ché Wilson | Contrast DJs | DJ Khanfu | DJ Rasp | Elen Beth Abdi | Freakout Collective | Ghosts Of Garage | Girls On Film | Groovement | Hannah O’Gorman | Hattie Pearson | Jack Farrington | Jamaste DJ | James Greenwood | Jamie Groovement | Jesterman | Jim Bane (Eastern Bloc Records) | Jimmy The Gent | Joey T | Joy Social | Keltoi | Lil’ Minx | Marco Giannini | Marley Reid | Massey | Matty F White | Me Gusta Collective | Metrodome | Mikey D.O.N | Mr Cryptic | Mr Wilson’s Second Liners | Muddy Feet | Neil Clarke (Clapdown Records) | No Boundaries |Nossa! | Obeka | Pablo Blanquito (Idle Moments) | Paul Hughes (Eclectic Circus) |Ralph Ninety | Rev. Austin | Rich Reason | Rick Donohue | Room 90 | Ruby Swallow |Semi Skimmed Edits | Sit N Bun | Sk1 Records | Stells Selections | Sticky Heat |Supernature Disco | Swindells | The Colonel | Tommy P-nuts | Yohan
Sensory-friendly Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Emily Sergeant
This week marks the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference, according to the most recent statistics, and Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-20 March 2026) highlighting the importance of championing, raising awareness of, and accommodating neurodiverse people.
And Printworks is marking the occasion in its own special way, with a series of new initiatives designed to create a more ‘inclusive’ and ‘sensory-friendly’ environment.
You may already know that the popular indoor entertainment complex in the heart of Manchester city centre is home to more than a dozen bars, restaurants, and leisure activities – including one of the largest IMAX screens on the continent – and Europe’s largest digital ceiling too, of course, but this week’s experience is unlike anything the venue has welcomed before.
Throughout the week, Printworks will be transforming its digital ceiling with calming Northern Lights and constellations which have been specifically designed to create a relaxed, sensory-friendly atmosphere for visitors with additional sensory needs.
Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week / Credit: Supplied
As part of a long-term commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, Printworks is also introducing a weekly sensory-friendly hour every Sunday too, where lighting throughout the venue will be dimmed, and music and SFX volumes reduced for a reduced-stimulus environment.
200 free sensory packs – which can be collected at Vue cinema – with a pair of ear defenders and sensory-friendly toys, designed to support visitors who may benefit from sensory tools while enjoying the venue, are also on offer throughout the course of the week.
On top of this, there’s also a range of autism-friendly cinema screenings taking place on the last Sunday of every month at 10:30am.
An additional autism-friendly screening will be taking place with a showing of Hoppers this Sunday 22 March at 10:30am, with tickets now available from Vue’s website.
“Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an important time for brands and venues to recognise and support the diverse ways visitors and audiences experience the world,” commented Dan Davis, who is the General Manager at Printworks.
“We endeavour to ensure that all visitors feel comfortable and welcome when spending time at Printworks.”
Find out more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week on Printworks’ website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Lovely last-minute Mother’s Day ideas from Selfridges in Manchester
The Manc
Mother’s Day is this Sunday – and if those words have just sent you into a blind panic, just take a breath and head straight across to Selfridges.
The huge department store has come up with all sorts of things that make for perfect last-minute gifts and experiences.
That includes a carefully curated selection of gifts available in-store, plus a very special Morning With Mum beauty workshop so you can spend some quality time together on Mother’s Day.
Selfridges can be your one-stop shop for the big day.
In both Exchange Square and Trafford Centre stores, you can pick up lovely gifts like feast-filled hampers, fabulous accessories, luxury chocolates, candles, and even cards.
As always, there are gifts you can have personalised in-store for a sentimental present for the mother figure in your life.
If you’re really stuck, you can pop along to the Beauty Concierge and book her an experience.
And over in Selfridges Exchange Square, you can pick up a beautiful fresh bouquet from The Royal Exchange Florists.
Selfridges has loads of last-minute Mother’s Day ideas
There’s rarely a gift more precious than quality time together, which is why Selfridges will be hosting a special Mother’s Day floor-wide beauty event on Saturday 14 March.
Ticket-holders will receive expert beauty advice from your favourite brands, while enjoying complimentary drinks and sweet treats.
There’ll also be plus exclusive gifts with purchase available, and giveaways on the day, and you can redeem the £20 ticket price against products purchased on the day.
You can even grab an artist print for mum at the vending machine.
Tickets for the Morning With Mum beauty workshop are on sale HERE.
You could also share a moment over a glass of champagne at San Carlo in both locations, or grab a sweet treat from the bakery in the Trafford Centre store.
Daisy Jackson -
29th February 2024 
