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.
Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Featured Images — Great Run Company/AJ Bell (supplied)
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A candlelit Queen tribute concert is returning to Manchester
Danny Jones
Yes, you read that right: a candlelit concert dedicated to the one and only Queen, with a spectacular West End Cast and a talented live rock band, is coming to Manchester city centre in January.
In fact, it’s coming home, as this wonderful event started right here in 0161 back in 2021.
Concerts by Candlelight themselves host concerts up and down the country at various points throughout the year, but their much-loved ‘Queen by Candlelight‘ special knows all about lighting up Manc venues.
Having since gone on to become an internationally acclaimed live concert experience, we’re glad we still get to see the ‘Princes of the Universe’ on our doorstep.
Credit: Concerts by Candlelight (supplied)
With the likes of Bridgewater Hall and the magical Manchester Monastery all having played host to the promotion on many ocassions, this time Queen by Candlelight is coming to the legendary Manchester Opera House in the new year.
One of our most historic and legendary theatres, it’s only fitting, really, that they be chosen to welcome a night of equally iconic tunes.
But it’s worth reminding more casual fans that these aren’t just British rock and pop anthems; Queen‘s discography is one that still has global recognition to this day.
That’s why this specific show has been taken to virtually every corner of the world, with the incredibly talented cast of singers and musicians delighting audiences in Dubai, Australia, New Zealand and New York, to domestic crowds here in town and down in London’s West End.
‘Queenies’ or ‘Darlings’, as Freddie Mercury used to call them, can expect all the big hits, from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Are The Champions’, to ‘It’s a Kind of Magic’ and ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ and plenty more from the back catalogue.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store this coming January:
With tickets already flying out fast, we really would recommend securing your seats early before they inevitably sell out.
To quote the promoters themselves, “this spectacular celebration of Queen’s biggest hits is guaranteed to rock you.”
Coming to the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, 6 January, you can book your tickets for Queen by Candlelight right HERE.
And if you’ve never been to one of their candlelit events before, you only need to see how much of a ball we had at their country event earlier this year to find out how much fun they are…
Daisy Jackson -
19th July 2024 
