A deal has been announced for an exciting new development in Greater Manchester as one of the UK’s biggest ice rinks is coming to Trafford.
‘Regeneration specialists’ Peel Waters, the same people behind the highly-anticipated Therme, have agreed terms with property investment company ICITIES to develop a brand-new ice arena in the ever-growing TraffordCity business and leisure district.
Located just next to the Trafford Centre and directly opposite the likes of the Chill Factore and iFLY Indoor Skydiving, the project is set to be built on the same plot of land which once hosued the former Soccer Dome site which was finally cleared last year in preparation for a new arrival.
With ICITIES also securing a major pre-let agreement with Planet Ice to bring their award-winning ice-leisure offer to the UK’s preeminent retail and leisure destination, we can now confirm that new addition to be a brand new ice rink which will be their biggest venue to date.
Planet Ice Altrincham.You can see the Chill Factore and the plot for the new Trafford ice rink in the background.Credit: Supplied
Planet Ice currently have 14 other locations up and down the UK, including just down the road in Altrincham — an ice skating rink and the home stadium of the Manchester Storm ice hockey team — but the venue in TraffordCity will be one of the most state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities in the country.
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Promising not only a multi-use event space that can be converted for various different occasions but onsite food and drink offerings, including grab and go options, a stylish family restaurant and a high-end sports bar, this place is going to be a full on leisure unit that perfectly aligns with the surrounding area.
More details and images of the proposed venue will be released closer to the planning submission processes full approval but it’s safe to say we’re already getting very excited. The build itself is estimated to take anywhere between 12 and 15 months once ground is broken.
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With the award-winning Planet Ice brand already on board too, you can be assured that when this thing does arrive you’ll be guaranteed quality and plenty of scope for the future — we can already see the Storm swapping the Shelter for the Trafford for the odd game.
Peel Waters’ Executive Director, James Whittaker, said of the plans:“We’re extremely pleased to have secured another brilliant attraction to TraffordCity. Planet Ice will be a huge success in TraffordCity and together with the existing and proposed diverse mix of offerings, we believe TraffordCity will be the UK’s best retail and leisure destination.
“Alongside boosting the local and visitor economy and attracting investment into the area, we are committed to increasing jobs and opportunities for our local community. Through our long-term vision for TraffordCity, Peel has helped create 17,500 jobs within the destination to date with plans to increase this to 33,000 over the next 20 years.”
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As for Planet Ice, their COO Heath Rhodes said of the new rink: “We are delighted to announce our commitment to lease a new venue at TraffordCity… The venue will be very complementary to our existing facilities in the northwest, in particular Altrincham, where we are often at capacity.
“We plan to provide a large seating capacity at the new venue for on and off-ice entertainment. Furthermore, we plan to invest in our Altrincham site, so having this new facility close by will allow our customers full access to the ice during any works we do at Oakfield Road.”
TraffordCity just keeps getting bigger and better and this certainly isn’t the only new development we’re keeping a very keen eye on.
Featured Images — Ross Gibbs (via Planet Ice Altrincham)
Trafford
Viral Christmas Markets trader to open Manchester’s first tiramisu cafe
Daisy Jackson
Manchester is set to get its first tiramisu cafe, after viral Christmas Markets trader Misu Tiramisu has secured a bricks-and-mortar location.
The local business was one of the most popular operators at this year’s festive event, thanks to its miniature tiramisu ‘drawers’.
The individually portioned and colourfully packaged desserts quickly became one of town’s top puddings, and owners Aleem and Aishah went on to launch a stand inside the Manchester Arndale too.
And now they’re branching out again with their first tiramisu cafe, over in Stretford.
You’ll find all their delicious flavours of handmade tiramisu, including classic, pistachio, Biscoff, mango, and lemon – plus a whole host of new varieties for the cafe.
Misu Tiramisu will be creating new flavours like strawberry matcha, white hazelnut, and ‘intenso’.
The desserts will be served alongside speciality Italian coffee, plus focaccia sandwiches and pastries.
The new cafe will feature an open counter where customers can see the tiramisu being made.
Misu Tiramisu owners Aleem and Aishah spent a year refining the recipe for their tiramisus after a trip to Milan, first launching with their first market stall in Sale.
Misu Tiramisu at the Manchester Christmas MarketsMisu Tiramisu will open a cafe in Stretford
Aleem, Co-founder of Misu Tiramisu, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be opening our first bricks and mortar cafe in Stretford town centre. It’s a big milestone for us, and we can’t wait to create a destination where people can sit down and really enjoy the experience of our range of freshly made tiramisu..
“More than anything, we want to build somewhere that brings people together and becomes a genuine part of the local community – see you soon, Stretford!”
Chris Houghton, Retail and Leisure Director from Bruntwood added: “The Misu Tiramisu cafe will be a great addition to Stretford town centre. The team’s unique offering adds a fresh and vibrant concept to the area and we can’t wait for everyone to try it and enjoy their great hospitality.”
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “We are delighted that the Misu Tiramisu cafe has decided to open in the new-look Stretford town centre.
“The Council is committed to improving all our town centres. This will be a great addition to the shops and hospitality in the Stretford redevelopment.”
Misu Tiramiu will open its doors at Unit 6, The Mezzanine, 26 King Street, Stretford, Manchester, M32 8AE.
Great Manchester Run guide for 2026 – route map, waves and start times, travel advice and more
Danny Jones
‘Marathon season’ may be over for some, but not for those taking part in the AJ Bell Great Manchester, which returns this year for its 23rd edition.
The 2026 Great Manchester Run takes place this Sunday, 31 May, and tens of thousands of Mancs and more are set to take on the challenge, be that the fan favourite and super flat 10k, or the equally popular half-marathon.
Whatever distance you’re doing, or even if you’re just turning up to cheer on your mates and loved ones, we’ve put together a list of all the important details ahead of another sell-out event – but places
Here’s everything you need to know…
Great Manchester Run 2026 – all the key info
The GMR course map for 2026
If you’re wondering what the route for this year’s Great Manchester Run is like, it’s largely the same as most other years, no matter which race you’re talking about.
As a brief overview, the 10k course takes you from the start line on Portland Street, towards Old Trafford and the edge of Salford Quays, before heading back into town.
Meanwhile, the half-marathon route covers the same ground, but you also take along the Mancunian Way and over to the Nexen Bridge to Manchester City’s Etihad Campus and then back over the elevated motorway for the two main bits of your elevation.
Best of all, both share that box office finish line on the main Deansgate strip, where you can drink in all the glory; you can see a more in-depth look at both down below.
The 2026 route map, including water stations and toilet stops. (Credit: AJ Bell Great Manchester Run)
What are the Great Manchester run waves and start times?
Now, for those of you who are putting the great in Greater Manchester this year, the first thing on the docket for 2026 is the information point opening bright and early, before elite runners and those with visual impairments start assembling from 7:15am.
After that, the warm-up and subsequent waves (which you’ll find on your tour bib along with your participant number and RFID chips) will set off in staggered intervals until just after half past eight.
For anyone who hasn’t yet received their race pack, you can visit the info point, and your access point to the start line will also be signposted according to your corresponding wave colour.
As for those doing the shorter dash, here’s your breakdown:
10k running order (pun intended)
7:55 – Elite Wheelchair Athletes Start
11:00 – Assembly Opens: Fast Paced, Orange and Green Waves
11:30 – Elite Women Start
11:32 – Warm Up
11:40 – Visually Impaired (VI) Participants Start
11:45 – Elite Men, Fast Paced and Orange Wave Start
12:05 – Green Wave Start
12:25 – Assembly Opens: Purple and Pink Waves
12:40 – Warm Up
12:50 – Purple Wave Starts
13:10 – Pink Wave Starts
AJ Bell’s Junior and Mini children’s races – Great Manchester Run
As always, 2026 will also see the joint junior and mini races for kids, which takes place separately from the main course and hordes of runners on the Sunday.
Getting underway on Saturday, 30 May), mini runners (aged 3-8) race through a 1.6km dash, and junior runners (aged 9-15) will take on a 2.5km challenge.
Supporters are encouraged to come along and experience this joyous spin-off over at the Etihad Campus, with stars from the hit BBC reboot of Gladiators set to join in the party.
If your little ones have speedy feet, keep an eye out for 2027 sign-ups when they go live.
📢 Calling all future running stars!
Super Saturdays are BACK for 2026 🎉🦸
Join the UK’s best kids running series, packed with fundraising, family time and fun at our Junior & Mini events 🙌
Great MCR Run travel advice, diversions and road closures
Now, naturally, when such a huge event with more than 40,000 runners is set to take over the city, not to mention the 100k+ spectators that are expected to line the streets on the day, it’s always going to have an impact on travel.
Those watching on the sidelines are being urged to use public transport wherever possible, with extra trams being put on throughout the day, and various other arms of the Bee Network (who have a full guide ahead of the event) will be there to get people around the event.
If you do end up driving into the region for the action, we would recommend you use one of Greater Manchester’s multiple park and ride sites and then use one of our many Metrolink services to travel into the city centre itself.
Whitworth Street West: 6.30am – 2.45pm (includes parking restrictions)
It’s also worth noting that there will be a number of bus diversions on the day; you can consult the adjusted timetable HERE.
Event village + other pre- and post-race extras
This year’s event village is based on St Peter’s Square and is open to everyone; it’s set to feature a wide range of activities, charities and exhibitors for everyone to enjoy.
From giveaways and competitions in partnership with the AJ Bell ‘Money Matters’ team, as well as Solgar, Mitchum, Liquid I. V. and SiS energy gels (we’re sure enough of you will be more than familiar after the run is all said and done), there’s a lot of different bits and bobs up for grabs.
We don’t know about you, but we’ll be heading straight to the mobile Lucky Saint bar, which will be serving ice-cold, refreshing, alcohol-free beers – they’re going to hit SO different after a run in the sun.
Credit: Supplied (via Great Manchester Run/Lucky Saint)
Cheer zones and support hubs: best spots to watch the Great Manchester Run
For those of you set to line the streets and provide your much-needed support on race day, there are some key sections where the atmosphere from the crowd will be injected into the runners.
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As well as drummers, local choirs and lots more surprises to keep your energy pumping throughout, there’ll be some big corners to look out for your loved ones.
You can find some of the main supporter hotspots and where they are along the route down below, but we’d personally recommend the roundabout coming heading towards Chester Road, the small grassy mounts and central reservation either side of Cornbrook, and the corner of Deansgate-Castlefield.
Half marathon
St Peter’s Square – for the start line
Manchester Piccadilly – 2-mile marker
Etihad Campus/Velopark – 4/5-mile marker
Wharfside/Imperial War Museum – 10/11-mile marker
Cornbrook – 12-mile marker
Deansgate-Castlefield exchange – for the finish line
10k
St Peter’s Square – for the start line
Cornbrook – 2km marker
Old Trafford – 4km marker
Wharfside/Imperial War Museum – 6km marker
Cornbrook – 9km marker
Deansgate-Castlefield corner – for the finish line
We want this kind of energy all day long, please and thank you:
Every year, we always get to see a fair few celebs and noteworthy names either taking on the 13.1-mile/21.1k dash, be that out on the start line with the rest of you, teaming up with the official BBC presenting team, or simply helping cheer on in their own way.
This one is no different – familiar faces to look out for include: Traitors stars, Reece Ward, Jessie Roux and Jack Butler, Race Across the World winners, Kush Burman and Joe Diop, siblings Katie and Harrison Devine, Caroline Bridge, along with Emon Choudhury, running in memory of the late Sam Gardiner.
Cast members from Waterloo Road will also be there, such as Jason Merrells (Jack Rimmer), Maisie Robinson (Portis Weaver), Tillie Amartey (Stace Neville) and Cory McClane (Ashton Stone); the same goes for Corrie and Emmerdale stars.
Before we wrap this thing up, there’s also the matter of how to track runners on the day as they make their way along the course. The easiest way to do this is by downloading the Great Run app, where you can simply enter runners’ names and race numbers to follow along. You can find it HERE.
Obviously, there are also options such as the FindMy apps and the likes of WhatsApp, where you can share location for several hours throughout the duration of the day.
There is also the dedicated AJ Bell ‘Motivation Station’ along the last stretch of the city centre track, where people can write messages of support for those final metres and yards. Enter yours now.
Last but not least, you can find the official event guide in full on the Great Run website, with all the info above and more, plus plenty of other extras.
Once again, we’d also encourage you all to download the official app, which should help you access all these key details quickly and easily, not to mention have your tracker to hand so you don’t miss the all-important runners on the day.
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That’s just about it; all we have left to say is have a wonderful Great Manchester Run and have an incredible day – and for those of you running: go and absolutely smash it! We’re proud of you already.
Danny Jones -
11th January 2024 
