Manchester Airport Group has today announced a £440m investment as the transformation of T2 nears its final phase.
The enormous transport hub has undergone some major upgrades as part of the £1.3bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme.
And there’s more to come – its final phase promises to create thousands of jobs and unlock billions of pounds of economic value for the North over the next decade.
The plans for Manchester Airport‘s T2 include doubling the size of the existing departure lounge, adding in new shops and food and drink outlets, and adding a new security hall with next-generation security scanners.
There’ll also be a new pier with spacious gates, a new dual taxiway system for planes to improve efficiency, and an increase in the baggage capacity for the terminal.
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MAG says that the investment will ‘transform the passenger experience’ from check-in to baggage reclaim, thanks to the new facilities and state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
New retail space at Manchester Airport’s T2. Credit: MAG
The £1.3bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP) was first announced in 2015 with a 10-year vision, and has already seen T2 more than double in size.
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The final phase is set to be completed in 2025, with 80% of all Manchester Airport passengers expected to use the expanded T2. T1 is set to close 63 years after it opened.
More than 500 jobs will be created in the construction phase alone, while independent analysis estimates that around 16,400 extra jobs will be generated by 2040 as a result of the economic activity stimulated by the expansion of the airport and its route network.
The same research – by York Aviation – reveals that Manchester Airport’s current contribution to the Northern economy of £3.5bn is expected to soar by nearly 80%, to £6.3bn by 2040 as a result of the full delivery of the transformation programme.
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And a further £2.9bn boost will be triggered through the increased productivity of businesses travelling and trading globally through Manchester over the same period.
Charlie Cornish, CEO of MAG, said: “Manchester Airport is a key economic asset for the North, and this investment will maximise the contribution it makes to creating a balanced and globally competitive UK economy.
“Our £1.3bn transformation programme demonstrates our long-term commitment to providing a great airport experience for passengers who travel through Manchester. I’m delighted to be announcing the go-ahead for the final phase, which will open in 2025, connecting the people and businesses of the North to dozens more global destinations, and creating jobs and stimulating increased levels of trade and tourism.”
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: “It is hugely exciting to be announcing this significant investment in Manchester Airport. It represents a major milestone in the history of both our airport, and the region as a whole.
“By completing the transformation of Terminal 2, we will not only be offering passengers across the North an unrivalled choice of destinations, but also providing them with world class facilities and a great overall experience when they travel through Manchester.
“I cannot wait to see the plans come to fruition, for the benefit of all of our customers, colleagues and supporters.”
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “As the aviation industry recovers after Covid, it’s great news to see this significant vote of confidence in the UK.
“This investment will be a huge boost for the North, benefitting passengers flying in and out of the region as well as supporting thousands of jobs.”
Deepa Bharadwaj, Head of Infrastructure Europe, IFM Investors, said: “This announcement is extremely positive news for Manchester Airport, its colleagues, passengers and airline customers.
“As a pension fund owned infrastructure investor, IFM’s commitment to MAG is very long-term, unlocking significant value for the North of England, and the UK economy as a whole.”
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Damian Waters, Regional Director – CBI, said: “I am delighted to hear that Manchester Airport is making such a major investment in its facilities and am excited to see the positive impact this will have on the region as a whole.
Check-in desks at Manchester Airport’s T2. Credit: MAG
“This is yet another demonstration of not only MAG’s long-term commitment to providing an excellent experience for passengers and airlines, but also the key role it continues to play as a true driver of economic growth and success for the North West.”
Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “As the international gateway to the North of England, Manchester Airport acts as a critical player in our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and unlocking billions in economic value by facilitating tourism, trade and investment.
“This major investment will sit at the heart of plans to make the North one of the most competitive economic regions in the world, helping the North realise its full potential while rebalancing the UK economy.
“Over the past decade the Northern Powerhouse has built up a heavyweight reputation around the globe, with foreign direct investment up more than 72% in the last five years. This transformation project from Manchester Airport will help to cement our position on the world stage and attract even more visitors and investors in the years to come.”
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Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Manchester Airport is a massive asset to our city region, connecting those living and working here to global destinations, as well as helping attract visitors, tourists and inward investment.
Food and drink offerings at Manchester Airport’s T2. Credit: MAG
“The further investment in the Manchester Airport transformation programme will enhance Greater Manchester’s international credentials and make a major contribution to the northern economy.
“The project is also doing a huge amount to create employment for people from all backgrounds and providing training that will ensure it leaves a skills legacy for future generations.”
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We welcome this important investment in a thriving future for Manchester Airport.
“It is a boost not just for the airport itself but for Manchester, and Greater Manchester, as a whole. The airport is a vital asset which helps attract employment and investment to the city and supports tens of thousands of jobs, both directly and through the wider visitor economy. Having this global connectivity is a major competitive advantage for Manchester.
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“As well as boosting the airport, this next phase of the transformation programme will also create thousands of jobs which Manchester people can access, including young people getting started in their careers.
“This scale of investment, underpinned by a long-term vision to transform the airport and its facilities, is a real statement of confidence.”
Security at Manchester Airport’s T2. Credit: MAG
Rhys Whalley, Interim Managing Director at MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency said:
“Manchester Airport’s next phase of investment is another significant boost to Greater Manchester’s offering, as one of the most accessible cities in the UK.
Not only will this transformation help to secure more high value routes, it will also create a world class hub connecting the North of the UK to key markets internationally. Both those factors combined will make us an even more attractive place for international investors and I can’t wait to see it come to fruition.”
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Richard Sofer, TUI’s Commercial and Business Development Director said:
“The news of Manchester Airport’s redevelopment is hugely exciting, for both our customers and TUI colleagues based at Manchester.
As one of our major airport hubs, TUI flies to more than 40 holiday hotspots from Manchester, so it’s great to hear about the plans for the evolution of the airport, with passengers benefitting from the new facilities, shops, bars and restaurants once the project is completed.
We look forward to continuing to work together with the team at Manchester Airport and our TUI colleagues to create more holiday memories for our customers in the North West.”
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Sheona Southern, Managing Director at Marketing Manchester, said: “This year Lonely Planet and National Geographic have named Manchester a must-visit city, so it is great to hear about Manchester Airport’s investment to strengthen its position as a major international hub for the city, and gateway to the North.
“As the volume of international visitors to Greater Manchester increases, it is reassuring to know Manchester Airport will be ready to handle demand and offer visitors a warm welcome and a positive travel experience.”
Featured image: MAG
Travel & Tourism
Neighbourhood Weekender guide – lineup, set times and stage splits, how to get there and more
Danny Jones
It’s that time again: Neighbourhood Weekender is BACK for 2026, and we cannot wait to descend back on Victoria Park for another two full days of singing till we’re hoarse and dancing our arses off.
We even love the walk from Warrington Central, down that long strip through the centre and over the gorgeous green space as the vibes start to pick up right from the off.
The years off without NBHD Weekender or just having to settle for the Manchester city centre version of the festival always remind us of how much we miss the big boy, so we intend to make the most of every single moment of the sixth edition.
And so should you – that’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide of all the key info, from ticketing and timings
Everything you need to know for NBHD Weekender festival 2026
Are there any tickets left?
For starters, if you’re looking pretty open plan-wise the long weekend and are looking for something fun last-minute, you’ll be glad to hear that there are plenty of ticket options still on offer for Neighbourhood Weekender festival 2026.
Whether it’s the full weekend wristband, just a single day pass, or even VIP packages, there’s a decent amount of allocation left on all fronts. For the first-time ever, there are also payment plans available.
More importantly, NBHD is also a wheelchair-friendly festival, with plenty of accessibility options available, too. Check out all ticket options and prices while you still can.
When does it start and end?
Taking place over this late May Bank Holiday Weekend (Saturday, 23 May – Sunday 24 May), the gates will open at 12 noon, and the festival curfew is 22:30pm.
Neighbourhood Weekender lineup, stage splits and set times for 2026
As we’re sure you’ll have already seen by now, we’ve got some big names topping the NBHD Weekender ’26 bill, not least of all Stopfordian indie headliners, Blossoms.
But they’re far from the only Northern name taking to the big stage at Victoria Park, either, as you’ll also be treated to the likes of the legendary Richard Ashcroft and fellow Oasis reunion tour supports Cast, as well as The K’s, Kaiser Chiefs, Jamie Webster, The Royston Club and lots more.
Sadly, Esme Emerson has dropped out due to unforeseen circumstances, but thankfully, local lad John Denton (one of our previous Artists of the Month) will be taking her place on the Viola Beach stage.
Apart from that, there are no other changes, so here’s your full breakdown of the lineup and stage times:
NBHD Victoria Park festival site map and facilities
Besides the stages, toilets, water stations and various food and drink traders located around the roughly 30-acre site, there are plenty of other fun and useful additions that are worth knowing about.
As well as a new cloakroom service run by partners GoHangers – you can see the full bag (basically no bigger than A4) and cloak policy HERE – there are also accessible viewing platforms as alluded to above, along with premium bars by the likes of Brothers Ciders and Tia Maria.
There’s even the ‘corner shop rave’ area taking place over in the southwest corner of the park. NBHD Weekender is also a completely cashless festival, so card machines will be available at all vendors.
You can see the full NBHD Weekender festival map down below.
*It’s worth reminding that there’s no re-entry – once you’re in for the day, you should have all you need.
Travel advice – how to get to NBHD Weekender in Warrington
Now, we would always encourage festival-goers to travel as sustainably as possible, and fortunately, there are plenty of public transport options to get you there and back across the weekend.
By train
Warrington has two train stations – Warrington Bank Quay (BQ)* and Warrington Central, making it easily accessible from most locations. Timetables are obviously always subject to change, but here are some example routes:
Manchester to Warrington Central – 20 minutes
Liverpool to Warrington Central – 22 minutes
Preston to Warrington Bank Quay – 22 minutes
Crewe to Warrington Bank Quay – 17 minutes
Chester to Warrington Bank Quay – 26 minutes
Lancaster to Warrington Bank Quay – 41 minutes
Stockport to Warrington Central – 31 minutes
St. Helens to Warrington Bank Quay – 16 minutes
Widnes to Warrington Central – 7 minutes
Leeds to Warrington Central – 1 hour 20 minutes
*Please note, however, there are some Northern Rail engineering works planned over the weekend of the festival. While operators should be running smoothly throughout both local stations on the Saturday, Sunday, 24 May will see some amended services to and from Warrington BQ:
No Northern trains are operating (this is the current timetable)
Transport for Wales services running as normal.
Avanti West Coast operating with rail replacement buses between Crewe and Wigan
By coach/bus
Big Green Coach are also returning as NBHD’s official travel partner – Parklife attendees will be more than familiar – providing hassle-free coach returns directly to the Neighbourhood Weekender’s official coach park to multiple locations; pick-up spots include:
Ashton Under Lyne | Birkenhead | Birmingham (Jenners Road) | Blackburn | Bolton | Bradford | Bury | Castleford | Chester | Crewe | Doncaster (Interchange) | Huddersfield | Hull | Leeds | Leicester | Liverpool | Manchester (City Centre) | Manchester (Trafford Centre) | Manchester South (Sharston) | Preston | Sheffield | Stockport | Stoke-on-trent | Wakefield | York.
If you’re heading back to Manchester city centre or Liverpool, the company is offering one-way returns on both days to make getting home after the event as easy as possible. Secure your seat from £30 now.
Meanwhile, the Number 11 and 11a bus services stop at Knutsford Road just outside Victoria Park; it takes 5 minutes to walk there from Warrington Bus Interchange located at Warrington Central train station. Pro-tip: just follow the big queue of punters in their festival-wear finery…
By car – drop-off and parking guidance
For those arriving by car, the designated pick-up and drop-off zone is located at Sir Thomas Boteler School. Please follow the festival signage to Sir Thomas Boteler School and note there are no residential or other roads or areas to wait, drop off or park.
As for parking, the official car park operated by the Neighbourhood festival organisers is also located at Sir Thomas Boteler (again, please follow festival signage), which is approximately a 15-minute walk to the festival site. However, spaces will be very limited – you can reserve from a limited number of spots HERE.
By foot
Finally, if you’re content getting your steps in, as mentioned, the park is a short walk from Warrington Town Centre, and just a 20-minute walk from Warrington BQ, Warrington Central train station or the Golden Square Shopping Centre. Easy does it.
That should just about do you for all the key details and important info you need to know ahead of a brilliant bank holiday weekender with NBHD taking up the bulk of the vibes.
How nice that we’re getting pure sunshine and warm temperatures, too, eh? What a treat.
We hope you all have a wonderful time. Make sure to stay hydrated, drink responsibly, abide by the festival site rules and be mindful of the heat; there’s plenty of cover and shade in the large outdoor area to make the most of – oh, and bucket hats at the ready, of course.
Keep an eye out for our Audio North team both online and in person, and we’ll see you there for more sing-alongs!
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Publicity pictures (supplied via SJM Concerts)
Travel & Tourism
New record-breaking £8.72m ride opens at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Emily Sergeant
The day has finally arrived… the UK’s tallest ride is now open to the public.
After first being announced back in May 2025, thrill-seekers have been hotly anticipating the arrival of Blackpool Pleasure Beach‘s newest ride, Aviktas, for the past year – and now, the time has come, as passengers have travelled from across the country to be among the first to experience the adrenaline-pumping spectacle.
Not for the faint of heart, Aviktas launches its riders 138 feet into the air while reaching angles of up to 120 degrees.
Now officially open at the iconic Lancashire seaside theme park, Aviktas has became the largest ride of its kind in the UK – almost doubling the size of the previous tallest, Maelstrom at Drayton Manor.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s newest £8.72m ride is now open / Credit: Supplied
The jaw-dropping new ride features a unique design that’s been engineered to ‘maximise thrills’.
According to its creators, Aviktas’ restraints create a sense of freedom leaving its riders feeling weightless as they soar towards its 138 foot peak.
Pleasure Beach has invested £8.72m into the attraction, marking it as its biggest single investment in eight years.
Aviktas is now the tallest rollercoaster of its kind in the UK / Credit: Supplied
“Pleasure Beach has always had a reputation for going big and pushing boundaries, and Aviktas is no exception,” commented Amanda Thompson OBE, who is the CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort.
“Its sheer size and presence speaks for itself, there is simply nothing like it in the UK. We wanted to build something that sets us apart from anywhere else and gives our guests a genuine must-visit reason to come to the park.
Daisy Jackson -
25th January 2023 
