An enormous new cafe, bar, restaurant and social workspace is opening its doors in Manchester next week, as Junction unveils its beautiful interiors.
The huge new space is attached to one of the most iconic buildings in the city – Manchester Central, the giant conference centre in the heart of the city.
Junction stands at the top of the steps to the familiar domed building, which was formerly a railway station but closed to passengers in 1969.
Situated in Petersfield, just across from The Midland hotel and Bridgewater Hall, this landmark new opening will be welcoming guests from breakfast until evening drinks.
It will cater to the countless people who attend events at Manchester Central every year, as well as locals, tourists, remote workers and families visiting or living in the city.
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Inside the beautiful new space, they’ve subtly reflected the history of the former railway station in the decor, using industrial curved architecture to their advantage.
Junction is decorated in shades of pinks, jades and corals, with an impressive central bar bathed in pink light.
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Inside Junction. Credit: The Manc GroupJunction is opening at Manchester Central. Credit: The Manc GroupThe restaurant space at Junction in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
There are several distinct zones to Junction, whether you’re wanting to kick back in a relaxing sofa to catch up with friends or colleagues, tuck into a booth for a lunch meeting, or perch at the bar to sip on cocktails.
There are coffees, pastries, brunches and small plates served in the venue’s bright and air lounge area, while the intimate restaurant space has an open kitchen serving lunches, after work and weekend dining.
It’s manned by head chef Liam Raynor, formerly of The Lowry Theatre, who’s creating a menu of modern European classics.
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The menu is heavily influenced by the Mediterranean, with specialities like rare bred pork schnitzel with Burford Brown egg, or stone bass with pressed potato, samphire, mussels, vermouth and paprika sauce.
Junction is an all-day work space and cafe. Credit: The Manc GroupThe central bar at Junction. Credit; The Manc GroupFood at Junction. Credit: The Manc Group
Smaller plates include salt cod croquettes and muhammara flatbreads with walnuts, onion powder, Lombardi chillis and sumac.
Will Alston has created a 15-strong cocktail menu which includes Tenth Summer (a delicate mix of Havana 7yr, pickled cherry, honey and lemon), and the A Factor Sour (a refreshing blend of El Tequileno reposado, Avallen Calvados, agave, sherbet apple and citrus.
Several of the cocktails can be made non-alcoholic too.
The Manc readers can enjoy 10% off their bill by following Junction on Instagram and showing this video on arrival.
MediaCity’s massive Vue cinema has had a comfort upgrade with new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats
Emily Sergeant
Manchester cinephiles are now able to enjoy the latest movie releases in ultimate comfort.
That’s because, over at the popular MediaCity Vue cinema complex, 75 brand-new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats have been installed across seven screens, offering film fans what is, quite literally, the chance to sit in the best seats in the house.
Each seat provides the very-best view of the big screen and comes with a host of premium features.
Some of these exciting premium features include extra-wide armrests and a personal table for snacks and drinks, your very-own beverage cooler, which is ideal for films with a particularly long run-time, and even a back and legs that recline independently, so you can find the most relaxing viewing position possible.
Vue currently has 93 state-of-the-art cinemas throughout the UK and Ireland, totalling more than 850 screens – and the Quayside cinema is the latest to benefit from upgraded seating.
Ultra Lux seats have arrived at Vue Quayside Manchester / Credit: Vue Gallery / Supplied
This means that anyone heading to the cinema to see some of the latest and upcoming releases like Avatar: Fire and Ash, Marty Supreme, The Housemaid, Fackham Hall, Wicked: For Good, and so many more, can experience comfort like never before.
“We have invested in bringing Vue’s best seating option to our venue and are excited for our customers to enhance their experience on their next visit,” commented Darren Tinsley, who is the General Manager at Vue Manchester Quayside.
“It is truly the best way to immerse yourself in a film and to have the most comfortable experience.”
Tickets for Vue Manchester Quayside start from £6.49, with upgrades to Ultra Lux from £3 on selected tickets.
January is a month where the temperatures are colder, the days darker, and the social batteries a little lower, so it couldn’t be a better time to lose yourself in the power of cinema – and treat yourself to an Ultra Lux experience.
You can book tickets to upcoming films online by visiting myvue.com.
Featured Image – Supplied
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A massive home and furniture store just outside of Manchester is holding its biggest ever winter sale
Danny Jones
You heard: a huge home, furniture and accessories store just outside Greater Manchester is holding its biggest ever winter sale, making the festive period and the New Year the perfect time to pop in.
Rather annoyed we got mum those nice cushions for Christmas before we saw this, now, but ah well – there’s always her birthday…
Anyone who’s been to Macclesfield or on a train heading in or out of the North West will have most likely been past this place on the train, but the multi-storey emporium that is Arighi Bianchi really is a must-visit for anyone looking to upgrade their interior on a budget.
The Macclesfield home furnishings store has something for everyone, from high-end luxuries to decorative accessories, with pretty much every price range taken into account – which is why landing some seasonal discounts is such a big win for the region.
A fairly iconic sight as you pass through the Cheshire town, Macclesfield‘s Arighi Bianchi was founded way back in 1854 by two Italian immigrants – both called Antonio – whose surnames give the long-standing retail destination its title.
Well over 170 years later, and it’s more popular than ever, so the bonus of them bringing never-before-seen in-store deductions and special seasonal promotions across all departments is an even bigger win.
It doesn’t matter whether you want to shop online or visit in-store (though we would highly recommend the latter), you can get up to 30% off items in what is their biggest event of 2025.
As well as discounts on everything from sofas, sideboards and dining tables to floors, mattresses and much more, they’re doing cut-price offers on top designer brands from around Europe, including Cattelan Italia, Calligaris, Ercol, Hypnos, Tempur, Vispring and Stressless, just to name a few.
Subject to the usual terms and conditions, customers can even get early flexible finance deals (24 months 0% APR*) on their purchases; after all, they know as well as we do how tight money can be around this time of year.
Better still, their early bird offers, which are on top of the standard winter sale, will see even more cost cuttings on the likes of the Britannia Sofa, Freja Dining Bundle, the Heritage Bed Collection and other premium accessories from 27 December until 18 January.
For instance, if you spend £1,200 in-store, you will receive an extra £50 voucher for the CASA Accessories Lounge; or, beyond that, spend £2.5k and earn yourself a £100 voucher.
So, if you’re looking to get a fresh living room suite for 2026, make the most of 10% off wallpaper and fabrics or 20% off mirrors, or even get four new dining chairs for the price of three, there’s a cheeky deal to suit just about everyone.
You can see the full extent of what’s on offer during the Arighi Bianchi winter sale right HERE, or go and peruse the four floors for yourself in the flesh on the famous Silk Road.
Happy holiday season shopping, folks – maybe bump into you around Caffè AB.
Daisy Jackson -
19th July 2024 
