A new hotel has opened in Manchester city centre, taking proud inspiration from the city’s industrial heritage.
The Reach at Piccadilly is a beautiful new hotel in an enviable location.
Standing at 11 storeys tall, the building towers over the Rochdale Canal and is a mere 90-second walk from Manchester Piccadilly.
In the present day, that means you’re a short stroll from several iconic music venues, loads of great bars and restaurants, and plenty of transport links, but The Reach at Piccadilly has taken its inspiration from a little further back in time.
It’s been designed to celebrate Manchester’s pioneering history, which is fitting given that it stands on a canal that was vital to the city’s Industrial Revolution.
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The hotel, situated on Ducie Street, has made nods to the area’s history with little touches like nautical interiors, activated charcoal toiletries, and a twist on the ‘fourpenny’ drink that was historically used by workers to toast the end of the day.
The Reach at Piccadilly is Manchester’s new canalside hotel with proudly Mancunian inspirations / Credit: The Manc Group
The hotel itself, which is dog-friendly, has 215 guest rooms, eight suites, and the ground floor restaurant and bar, Lock 84.
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In Lock 84, you’ll find all-day dining crafted around sustainable, seasonal, and local ingredients.
The inspiration for the menu comes from across the globe, but is based on British dishes with lots of small plates, including the stand-out Manchester Scotch Egg, and a range of larger courses, sides, snacks, and more.
The Reach at Piccadilly is part of Tribute Portfolio, a collection of characterful, independent hotels from Marriott Bonvoy, which all strive to create social scenes for guests and locals alike, and each one has its own unique vibe.
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For The Reach at Piccadilly, it’s all about its Manchester-led authenticity and collaboration with local partners, promising guests a ‘warm Northern welcome’.
In Lock 84, you’ll find all-day dining crafted around sustainable, seasonal, and local ingredients / Credit: The Manc Group
Peter Nye, general manager at The Reach at Piccadilly, said: “We are delighted to unveil this new and exciting addition to the city’s thriving hospitality scene. When creating the concept for the hotel, we have been conscious to create an authentic Manchester experience for guests to fully encompass, and our teams have worked tirelessly over the past few months to ensure our guests experience the very best of the city’s supply network.
“They’ll be able to enjoy produce grown only a few miles away, drink a great cup of coffee which has been roasted around the corner, and sip on unique, locally brewed beer.
“We really are very excited to welcome guests from around the world.”
The Reach at Piccadilly is now open, and bookings can be made over on the hotel’s website – https://thereachmcr.com/
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Rochdale to be filled with fiery sculptures for return of dazzling Ignite Fire Festival
Daisy Jackson
A magical trail of fire sculptures and light installations will return to Rochdale this month, spilling across the square and gardens around the almighty Rochdale Town Hall.
Ignite Fire Festival will be back in town this winter between 21 and 23 November, for three free nights of spectacular shows, light trails and family-friendly entertainment.
That’s alongside an ice rink and Christmas market, too.
It’s all in the lead-up to the festive lights switch-on and will include a 20-strong drumming collective, blazing fire sculptures, and illuminated installations.
This year’s Ignite Fire Festival will be the biggest yet, Rochdale Borough Council has promised, with artworks created once again by multi-award-winning outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank.
The event will kick off on the Friday of the festival with a torchlight procession to officially launch the new Broadfield Slopes, which has been carefully restored to deliver new pathways and parkland in the town centre.
Thousands of people are expected to attend again, for an evening that includes flaming hot performances from some of the north’s top talent and ‘Drum Machine’ – the 20 strong drumming collective will be bringing their techno infused beats.
Rochdale Ignite Fire Festival. Credit: Walk the Plank / Alan Hamer
There‘ll also be hot food, mulled wine and other seasonal drinks.
Rochdale’s Ice Rink by Santa’s Village will also be open and running until 4 January, although advance booking is advised.
Councillor Sue Smith says: “Ignite Fire Festival and Christmas Light’s Switch On has been a huge hit with audiences across Greater Manchester.
“This year, with the addition of a new illuminated trail around our beautifully restored slopes area, the ice rink and the return of a Christmas Market it really will be the ultimate winter experience.”
Ignite Fire Festival, sponsored by car supermarket The Trade Centre UK, will open from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 November, with dazzling shows between 5pm and 8pm.
One of the installations from last yearDisplays will be open to walk through each eveningRochdale Ignite Fire Festival. Credit: Andy KruczekExpect flaming hot performances from some of the north’s top talent.Credit: Rochdale Borough CouncilBack again for 2025 is ‘Drum Machine’. Credit: Supplied
Then there’ll be the Christmas lights switch-on taking place from 5.30pm on the Sunday, with Father Christmas and his special guests, including the Mayor of Rochdale.
Ignite is organised by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency in partnership with Culture Co-op, funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The festival is also supported by The Casey Group – the contractor responsible for the restoration of the Broadfield Slopes, who will have plant equipment at the event to inspire future careers in the construction industry and highlight opportunities available.
BRSK – the full fibre broadband provider is also supporting, and will have a presence at the festival.
Find out more about Ignite Fire Festival in Rochdale HERE.
An apres-ski yurt village is returning to Greater Manchester for Christmas party season
Daisy Jackson
One of the coolest Christmas party venues in the UK will reopen its doors in Greater Manchester this winter, whisking you away for an apres-ski-inspired party.
All the vibes of a classic apres-ski experience will be brought to a pop-up Yurt Village, each one decorated with log fires, Christmas trees, ski racks, fur throws, and even cable cars.
Spending your Christmas ‘do at the YurtBar pop-up in Sale means you could have an evening packed with steins of beer, live music, and ski shots, surrounded by your loved ones (… or colleagues).
And to celebrate its triumphant return to Manchester, we’ve got a lovely 20% discount for The Manc readers – find out how to claim yours below.
Each yurt in the YurtBar’s pop-up village is a different size, so there’s the right event space for everything from a 350-strong private Christmas party to a table for six for a birthday night out.
An apres-ski yurt village is returning to Greater Manchester for Christmas party season
They’re all named after and inspired by iconic European ski resorts, like Chamonix, Val D’Isere, and Avoriaz.
On arrival at the festive Yurt Village you’ll be greeted with a welcome drink before tucking into an Alpine-themed three-course meal by The Hog and Apple.
That includes a festive arancini ‘snowball’, slow-cooked beef daube with mash, cabbage and a sticky bourguignon sauce, and an Alpine sharing board for dessert with a chocolate log, Aperol spritz cheesecake, and lemon posset pots.
And to get the party started there’s a full cocktail bar, plus live music with a DJ and saxophonist.
You’ll be able to document your festive celebration in a photobooth with an Alpine themed backdrop, as well as a 360 degree videobooth.
Billed by previous customers as ‘the best night of the year’, YurtBar bookings are now open for minimum tables of six.
The Manc readers can get an exclusive 20% off their booking by using the code yurtbar20 – book your party HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
31st July 2024 
