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Sensory-friendly Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 16th March 2026

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.

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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.

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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.

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“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 The Manc You can pick up Royal Exchange Flowers for Mother's Day in Selfridges in Manchester

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
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. 

Read more: The best Mother’s Day deals in and around Manchester this year

Featured image: The Manc Group

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First look at enormous The Mystery of Banksy exhibition as it opens in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson A reimagining of the Barely Legal room in LA

Europe’s most popular Banksy exhibition has officially landed in Manchester, displaying hundreds of reimagined works inspired by one of the world’s most prolific artists. 

Making its UK debut, The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind documents the street artist’s illustrious global career and showcases his most famous artwork. 

An enormous purpose-built exhibition space has taken shape at Depot Mayfield in the city centre, where visitors weave their way through a maze of documentary footage, sculptures, prints, graffiti, photographs and paintings.

The exhibition has already stunned millions of visitors across 36 cities, from Berlin to Stockholm, and now it’s Manchester’s turn to step inside the mind of Banksy. 

Huge pieces have been spraypainted on site to suit and fit the mammoth space that is Depot Mayfield. 

95% of the art pieces are recreations of lost Banksy artwork – whether those originals have been sold, covered, or destroyed, removing them from public view. 

The fascination collection highlights artworks which have often been placed in locations that raise awareness for political and social issues, whether it’s the steelworks in Port Talbot, or the rubble of war-torn cities. 

Installations include Palestine Wall, a remodelling of the walls in Gaza and the West Bank, where Banksy has sprayed a range of murals since 2003. 

One gallery showcases Banksy's work in war-torn Ukraine
One gallery showcases Banksy’s work in war-torn Ukraine
There are photo opportunities throughout the exhibition
There are photo opportunities throughout the exhibition
Recreations of Banksy's most famous artworks are on display
Recreations of Banksy’s most famous artworks are on display

You can also step inside a set inspired by The Walled Off Hotel, Banksy’s boutique hotel in Bethlehem which overlooks the concrete separation wall.

While you can no longer safely visit many of these artworks in real life, The Mystery Of Banksy is doing its best to bring them to life here in Manchester. 

His political works are displayed in every room, including reimaginings of his pieces created on ruined buildings in war-torn Ukraine. 

There are also famous sculptures like Death of a Phone Booth, Angel Bust, and Suicide Bomber. 

And visitors can walk through a recreated London Underground carriage that was turned into an immersive Banksy artwork in 2020, called If You Don’t Mask, You Don’t Get.

Recreations of Banksy's most famous artworks are on display
Recreations of Banksy’s most famous artworks are on display
There are sculptures, documentary footage, and loads more
There are sculptures, documentary footage, and loads more
Paintings by patients of The Christie are also on display
Paintings by patients of The Christie are also on display

You’ll be able to explore a timeline of milestones in Banksy’s career, from his graffiti work in Bristol in the early 90s all the way through iconic cultural moments like his Dismaland theme park and his documentary film Exit Through the Gift Shop.

The exhibition also explains why Banksy began using stencils – something he is best-known for – and shows his early and most famous stencil work, like Mild Mild West and Kissing Coppers. 

As you weave through the custom-built exhibition space, you’ll pass sets like the Barely Legal Room, which gives a glimpse inside his three-day warehouse installation in LA, dominated by a gigantic red elephant sculpture (the real exhibition used a live elephant). 

There are photo opportunities along the way too, where you can pose with work like Girl with Balloon. 

And take time in the last room of the exhibition, where Banksy work shares the space with pieces created by patients from The Christie. 

The Christie is the official partner for The Mystery of Banksy, which will raise money towards a new Total Body PET-CT scanner through ‘tap to donate’ spots around the exhibition, alongside a dedicated charity event takeover and an exclusively commissioned artwork which will be donated for auction.

John Carrigan, Director of Cartel Events Limited, says “We’re excited to launch the ‘Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind’ in Manchester, the UK’s hub of modern culture. In partnership with Europe’s leading entertainment promoter, COFO Exhibitions, who holds 50 years of experience in revolutionary international exhibitions, visitors can expect a spectacle of reenvisioned accessible artworks for all.’’

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Louise Hadley, Chief Executive of The Christie Charity, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to be the chosen charity for The Mystery of Banksy, A Genius Mind exhibition. It is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us and one that will ultimately benefit cancer patients both now and in the future.”

Open to all, standard adult tickets start at £22. Tickets are free for curious minds under the age of six, with concession tickets also available for seven-16 year olds, seniors and all NHS workers. 

Find out more and book tickets HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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