A brand-new festival filled with all things motorcycle and lifestyle is coming to Manchester city centre next month.
And tickets are now on sale.
Mancunia Motorcycle Festival is pitching up at popular warehouse venue Depot Mayfield next to Manchester Piccadilly station from Friday 6 – Sunday 8 May 2022, and it looks set to combine the best of new and custom motorcycles, test rides, BBQ, craft beer, and entertainment – and bring it right to the heart of our city.
A blend of factory and custom motorcycles will be on show across the extended weekend, and dozens of independent custom builders will be on hand to showcase what they’re made of, as well as a full line-up of global brands such as BMW Motorrad and Royal Enfield.
Not only will Royal Enfield be leading, headlining, and sponsoring the event, but it’ll also be showcasing its global custom bike display and providing the thrills with Europe’s leading professional freestyle stunt rider, Lee Bowers, with his displays happening across each session of the festival.
UK hand-built specialist motorcycles, such as Langen, will also be on show.
Mancunia Motorcycle Festival will take over Depot Mayfield from Friday 6 – Sunday 8 May 2022 / Credit: Mancunia Motorcycle Festival
Festival-goers will even get the chance to try out the new world of electric bikes, from brands like New Gen and Maeving, in the show’s Electric Avenue zone.
This isn’t just an event for motorcycle fans though, as there’s plenty to get stuck into on the lifestyle side, and the full lineup of street food, craft beer, and apparel traders for the three-day festival has now been announced.
One of the UK’s most exciting breweries Manchester Union will be hosting a mini craft beer festival featuring Cloudwater Brew Co, Pomona Island Beer, Wild Beer Co and Rivington, and also including a guest ‘low & no’ alcohol bar for those travelling by bike to the festival.
Suntory will also be showcasing the best of American and Japanese Whiskey.
For the city’s foodies, Manchester legends Bunny Jackson’s will be throwing open the doors to its brand-new Wing Wagon, where you can grab a cocktail or get yourself a box of their famous Chicken Wings, and Red’s True BBQ will also be on the grill, alongside local heroes the Butchers Quarter, Manchester’s own ‘Meat + Three’ experts, Kongs.
There’ll even be cooking demos throughout the festival from Master Built and Kamado Joe, who will be serving up bites with some impressive guest chefs.
Away from food, the ‘blades’ aspect of the festival will be looked after by Uppercut Barbers, along with Manchester-based Jersey Street and the Chop Shop, and then there’ll also be a whole host of motorcycle apparel brands too.
Hedon Helmets, Stylmartin, Boyd’s of Bedford, and Saint are some of the brands to showcase.
The festival is bringing the best of new and custom motorcycles, test rides, BBQ, craft beer, and entertainment to Manchester / Credit: Mancunia Motorcycle Festival
Speaking ahead of the Mancunia Motorcycle Festival’s arrival next month, the show’s co-promotor Will Evans said: “This is an event I’ve wanted to create for some years now.
“Until now, the North of England hasn’t been well served with bike shows and certainly hasn’t seen anything like this before [so] we really want to bring something fresh and new to Manchester [and] we want to bring together not just lovers of bikes but music, fashion and food.
“We can’t wait to share this amazing mix of Brews, Blades and BBQ with Manchester.”
Tickets for the Mancunia Motorcycle Festival are now on sale, and will set adults back £15, children £10, and family packages (two adults, two children) are also available at £45.
Manchester Arndale is slashing prices on food and drink across the shopping centre
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Arndale’s Summer Scran Fest is back – and that means there are some absolute bargains to be had on food and drink right across the shopping centre.
Throughout the month of August, restaurants, cafes and kiosks within Manchester Arndale will be offering some serious offers and deals.
This ranges from 25% off to buy-one-get-one-free deals, plus free meals for kids and plenty more.
Venues taking part in the Summer Scran Fest include Archie’s, Subway, Barburrito, Pizza Hut, HOP Vietnamese, Michaels Coffee House and plenty more.
And the leisure destinations within Manchester Arndale are getting stuck in too – think free drinks, combos and more at venues including King Pins and Urban Playground.
There are plenty of Manchester-born businesses getting involved and offering bargains to us all, like Archie’s giving out free soft serve when you spend £10, Barburrito offering a £10 meal deal (burrito, tortilla chips and a soft drink), and Lazy Sundae giving a free scoop of ice cream with any large drink purchase.
Big brand deals include a £5 meal deal at McDonald’s (4 Chicken McNuggets, Cheese burger or Mayo chicken; fries; and medium cold drink), and 25% off at Pizza Hut.
There’s 20% off at Sides in the Manchester Arndale Summer Scran FestLazy Sundae will do a free ice cream with a large drink purchase
Then there are newcomers to Manchester Arndale taking part in the Summer Scran Fest.
HOP, a new Vietnamese street food venue on Market Street, is doing 25% off, while Michaels Coffee House will knock 15% off their seasonal favourites like an Iced Maple Oat Matcha or an Iced Rose Coconut Matcha.
There’s also a 20% discount at Sides, the chicken shop backed by YouTube sensations Sidemen.
And as for leisure destinations – Urban Playground is doing 18 Holes of putters tech-infused mini golf, plus any three small plates from The Butcher menu for £28.20.
Kind Pins has 20% off food and drink, and Immersive Gamebox will do 20% off plus a free drink when you book a 60 or 30 minute gaming session.
Pick up a voucher booklet in the centre or download your offers from the Manchester Arndale website from 1 August.
The team behind Salford’s beloved Black Friar set to take over popular Chorlton pub
Danny Jones
The talented culinary team behind the stunning Black Friar pub in Salford are set to take over a new site at a historic old pub in Chorlton: the beloved Horse and Jockey.
As one of the longest-standing and most charming spots on Chorlton Green, The Horse and Jockey public house dates all the way back to 1512 and has remained a regular watering hole for native boozers since the 19th century.
Having been operated by legendary local beermasters, Joseph Holt Brewery, from 2012 onwards, it’s remained a popular spot for generations of punters and ‘The Inn of the Green’ is still the go-to for so many of those who live and work nearby.
Nevertheless, The Horse and Jockey is now set to be taken over by the duo who rebooted a fellow site of Manc hospitality heritage are turning their attention to a new gastropub project.
The Horse and Jockey Inn on the Green, Chorlton-cum-Hardy (Credit: Adam Bruderer via Flickr)
Announcing the redevelopment plans at the start of this month, owner Neil Burke and Executive Chef Ben Chaplin is set to oversee the next chapter for the 200-year-old community pub.
The current Black Friar team has been in place for just over four years now and has very quickly turned what used to be a casual working men’s boozer into a lovingly restored English pub and restaurant with a beautiful outdoor terrace and back garden.
Known for classic but elevated pub grub, proper homemade pies, regularly rotating seasonal menus, a carefully curated cocktail and drinks menu, along with the elegant updated interior, it’s come a long way from its rebirth in 2021.
Having proved their revitalising powers with the Grade II-listed building, which had sat derelict for more than a decade and a half, Burke is using his experience and knowledge as a local resident of the central Manchester suburb to bring a new lease of life to The Horse and Jockey.
Formerly a regional manager of the Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, before teaming up with Chaplin to take on their own challenge, Chorlton Green’s treasured public house has been something he’s dreamed about for some time.
Speaking on the upcoming overhaul, Neil said: “Myself and Ben are champing at the bit to get the Horse and Jockey living up to its full potential. As with the Black Friar, we want to create a pub that heavily focuses on great British produce in a beautiful environment.
Neil and BenThe Black Friar stunned this past springCredit: Supplied/The Manc Eats
“We’re over the moon to be taking on a true suburban gem that’s all about the community. The Horse and Jockey will be a place where everyone is welcome, whether they’re popping in for a pint, having a roast after a leisurely Sunday walk, or throwing a bash to celebrate a milestone.”
Set to reopen following a major revamp this autumn, Joseph Holt will continue to run the cherished Chorlton pub in the interim while the refurbishments are completed.
Those passionate about keeping that authentic, traditional feel will also be glad to hear that original features like the bright white visage, wooden beams will be kept intact and complemented by a stripped-back decor, heritage colours and more cosy furnishings.
Looking to make this a more dining-led venue than just another bar that happens to serve food, they promise all the usual pub grub favourites, premium á la carte dishes, weekly specials and “a fresh take on The Black Friar’s legendary Sunday roasts.”
Better yet, there’ll still be Holt ales to be enjoyed as well as a new dedicated wine list designed specifically to pair with the new foodie lineup.
We can’t wait to see how it turns out, and you keep your eyes peeled HERE for more updates.
Emily Sergeant -
5th April 2022 
