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Ex-Hacienda DJ whose clients include Russell Brand launches yoga studio in Manchester

His clients have also included members of The Stone Roses

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 17th February 2023

A former Hacienda DJ has launched a very different business venture in Manchester, opening a new yoga studio.

Matt Ryan, whose clients have included famous faces like Russell Brand, members of The Stone Roses and English Premier League footballers, has taken up a space on Duke Street.

Matt has previously taught yoga all over the globe and opened studios in London and LA, and is now bringing his ‘yoga for everyone’ style to his home city.

He hung up his Hacienda headphones back in the 2000s after years behind the decks at the Hacienda and Home nightclubs.

Matt then spent months immersed in the world of Ashtanga yoga in Mysore in India, and is now holds an Astanga yoga level 2 qualification.

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YogaMCR has taken shape in a new studio space on Duke Street, just of Deansgate.

Matt Ryan’s new yoga studio in Manchester, YogaMCR. Credit: Supplied

It promises to focus on the basics of yoga, helping its members to build both strength and flexibility, either with an accessible stretch session or more advanced yoga practices.

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Classes will take place daily with morning, lunchtime and evening workshops which are suited to all levels.

Matt said: “Having travelled the world for 20 years teaching Ashtanga Yoga to people of all walks of life, I felt it only right to come back to where my yoga journey initially began.

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“Returning to Manchester is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I can’t wait to teach Mancs that yoga can be for everyone, it doesn’t have to be just for people looking to find themselves within but for anyone wanting to be fitter, more flexible and stronger in mind and body.

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“Come and stretch out, you’ll definitely feel better for it, that I can guarantee.”

Yoga Manchester will open on Monday 20 February at Space at the Mill, Wellington Mill, Duke Street, Manchester, M3 4NF. 

For more information and to book classes visit: yoga-manchester.co.uk

Featured image: Supplied

Things To Do

A unique Manchester attraction is offering FREE entry to anyone who shares its ‘birthday’ month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

One of Manchester’s most unique attractions is offering free entry for two weeks to celebrate its first birthday.

But there’s a catch… free entry is only granted to people born in one specific month.

Museum of Illusions – which is is one of the largest and fastest-growing private museum chains – is celebrating the first birthday of its debut UK attraction in Manchester this September by giving away free tickets to anyone who shares its birthday month.

Since opening on Market Street in 2024, Museum of Illusions has welcomed more than 200,000 visitors through its doors to experience the dozens of mind-bending illusions and interactive exhibits inside, and has quickly established itself as one of the city’s top attractions in what is a very competitive market.

Manchester’s Museum of Illusions is celebrating its first birthday / Credit: Supplied

Loved by locals and tourists alike, the museum blends fun and education for visitors of all ages, and is fully-accessible too, ensuring everyone can enjoy the fun.

Manchester‘s Museum of Illusions is not only the first in the UK, but it’s also the second-largest in Europe, just behind Copenhagen – so yes, it’s a pretty big deal.

To mark the milestone and celebrate its first anniversary, visitors born in September can enjoy free entry to the museum from Monday 22 September through to Friday 3rd October (excluding weekends).

All they need to do to access this offer is show a valid ID when they arrive.

The museum will also be dressed for the occasion too, adding a birthday touch to its already-captivating mix of optical illusions and immersive exhibits.

“Manchester has truly embraced the Museum of Illusions, and we’re so grateful for all the support we’ve had in our first year,” commented Steve Buchan, who is the General Manager at the Museum of Illusions in Manchester.

The unique attraction is offering free entry to anyone who shares its birthday month / Credit: Supplied

“Welcoming over 200,000 visitors in just 12 months has been incredible. 

“Free tickets to anyone celebrating their birthday in September feels like the perfect way to give something back. It’s our way of saying thank you for the incredible support, and of course, to invite even more people to experience the fun, curiosity, and wonder the museum brings.”

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Is your birthday in September? You can visit the Museum of Illusions in Manchester anytime from Monday 22 September – Friday 3rd October (excluding weekends).

Featured Image – Supplied

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Cheshire Oaks to debut first-ever ice rink with iconic Christmas tree in the middle to skate around

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Cheshire Oaks has unveiled its big plans for the upcoming festive season.

With less than 100 days until Christmas is here, and festive events being announced left, right, and centre, Cheshire Oaks has now joined in on the action, and for the first time ever this year will be adding a bespoke ice rink into the mix, which is set to become centrepiece of its festive celebrations this Christmas season.

The Designer Outlet shopping mall is already known and loved in the North West for its Christmas events each year, and 2025 is set to be no different.

The highly-anticipated ice rink attraction will launch in late October, and it’s already promising to be an ‘unforgettable experience’ that organisers say blends the timeless joy of ice skating with contemporary design and community spirit. 

A brand-new ice rink is coming to Cheshire Oaks with a big Christmas tree in the middle to skate around / Credit: Supplied

At the heart of the new ice rink will be a custom-designed ice path that gracefully weaves around Cheshire Oaks’ iconic oak Christmas tree in the centre.

The rink itself will be nestled within a dedicated Christmas events space at the shopping village.

“We are incredibly excited to soon introduce this bespoke ice rink experience to our guests,” says Kenny Murray, who is the General Manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. 

“It’s more than just a place to skate – it will be a destination where families and friends can create cherished festive moments.”

There’ll be lots of other fan-favourite festive activities returning too / Credit: Supplied

The new ice rink will officially open on Friday 24 October, and tickets will be available soon, with the option to book in advance online or on the day, so keep your eyes peeled.

Alongside the exciting new ice rink addition will, of course, be some of Cheshire Oaks’ fan-favourite Christmas attractions – including the ‘The Big Wheel’ and ‘Santa in the Sky’ experiences, as well as festive film screenings, and the massively popular Winter Village.

The Winter Village is the perfect place to head to if you’re in need of a break from gift shopping and somewhere to soak up the Christmas spirit, as here you can grab a cosy seat and tuck into some traditional German bratwurst from the swing grill, warm up with mulled wine at the bar, and marvel at the UK’s tallest Christmas tree.

You can also book a little wooden hut to relax in, with each hut accommodating up to six people.

The Big Wheel is also one of Cheshire Oaks’ best-loved experiences each year, as here you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy watching the festivities unfold below you, with each flight taking 10 minutes, or you can upgrade to Santa in the Sky to meet the main man in the most unique way possible.

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Find out everything happening at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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