Manchester Airport has today revealed details of more than 20 new shops, bars and restaurants that will open at its shiny new Terminal 2 next year, including a huge new street food hall.
Everything from luxury retail units to a new pub will be opening to cater to passengers before they jet off on their holidays.
Manchester Airport has lined up an impressive array of food, drink and retail for this final phase of its £1.3bn transformation programme.
This includes the airport’s first ever Wetherspoons pub, a Chanel makeup and skincare boutique, a Pandora, Greggs, and Joe and the Juice.
Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport will also include plenty of local food names again – you’ll be able to indulge on Gooey bakes in the new food hall, visit an expanded Amber Alehouse from Seven Brothers Brewery, as well as visiting the existing locations of Pot Kettle Black, Archie’s and Sam Carlo.
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The huge new phase for the airport, completing in Summer 2025, will feature a Boutique Mall home to brands like Chanel and a Fever-Tree cocktail bar, as well as a high street-style strip called The Avenue, where passengers will find LEGO, Pandora and Rituals.
Of the 22-strong list of new businesses joining the Manchester Airport, a big name is the 472-seat market hall-style street food venue, which will have seven different kitchens within it, including a Gooey dessert bar.
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The Great Northern Market will feature a diverse range of world street food options including pizza, Mexican food, noodles and more, with a regularly rotating offering.
The Great Northern market has been created with street food pioneer Dominic Cools-Lartigue, the founder of food markets Street Feast and Dalston Yard, and Airport Retail Enterprise.
The Great Northern market is part of the new phase of Manchester Airport. Credit: MAG
Alongside it will be the first JD Wetherspoon’s pub at Manchester Airport, which will feature nods to sporting greats of the North in its decor, as well as brands like Upper Crust, Starbucks, and WHSmith’s Grindsmith Café.
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A new World Duty Free store will span a whopping 2,165sq metres, packed with names like Christian Dior, Gucci, YSL and Charlotte Tilbury, plus other luxury and beauty brands, premium liquor, souvenirs, food and drink, and loads more, with smaller ‘Express’ stores dotted through the terminal.
Manchester Airport’s £1.3bn transformation project has been ongoing for almost a decade, said to be generating 16,400 extra jobs by 2040 as a result of the economic activity stimulated by the expansion of the airport and its route network.
More than 30 million passengers have already used the Terminal Two extension since the first phase opened in 2021.
A planned extension to the Amber Alehouse by Seven Bro7hers at Manchester Airport. Credit: MAG
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said: “We are really proud to connect the North to the world – and now through our brand new Terminal 2 we’re able to do that in a setting that rivals any airport in any major capital city.
“The new shops, bars and restaurants we’re adding in the second phase of the development of Terminal 2 will really elevate the experience and help people feel like they’re starting their holidays at the airport.
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“Whatever your budget and preferences, you’ll be able to find something to your tastes in Terminal 2.
“Not only that, you’ll also be able to enjoy modern, world-class facilities and one of Europe’s most extensive route networks – so wherever you’re travelling, you’ll be able to start your trip in style.”
John Butts at Director, Airport Retail Enterprise, added: “We are delighted to be such a huge part of the new Terminal 2 expansion and to be bringing a food market to Manchester Airport.
“Manchester’s food and beverage scene is world class and food market halls have played an integral role in this culture – they offer choice, convenience, speed and the buzz of communal dining at an affordable price.
A new duty free will also be added to Manchester Airport Terminal 2 along with the new food and drink offerings. Credit: MAG
“We’ve brought together a fabulous team including those behind Manchester icons Gooey and Dominic Cools-Lartigue, the founder of food markets Street Feast and Dalston Yard. We are bringing local suppliers to a fantastic open space which will include murals hand-painted by local artists.
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“Airport dining has never looked better and it is our vision that Great Northern Market will rival any high street experience.”
Richard Jackson, Retail Director at Manchester Airport, said: “We are proud of the world-class facilities on offer in Terminal 2, and a key part of our vision for the finished terminal is to provide an unrivalled experience for passengers shopping and dining before they catch their flight.
CGI of the new premium ‘high street’-style retail offering at Manchester Airport Terminal 2. Credit: MAG
“We’re delighted to be bringing such a varied offering to the second phase of our brand-new Terminal 2, with local brands complemented by well-known high street names and options to suit every budget.
“We’ve worked hard to make sure we’re bringing exciting, classic brands like Chanel and Pandora to the airport as well as Fever-Tree opening a statement cocktail bar and our very own Lego store – while also making sure people have the brands they love to see in an airport setting like Wetherspoon and Greggs.
“On top of that our Great Northern Market will be a unique airport offering – allowing people to enjoy the popular ‘market hall’ style dining experience with a range of individual street food style pop ups around a central eating area. It will let groups of people dine together while being able to choose from a range of different and varied menus.”
Manchester Christmas Parade 2025 – all you need to know-ho-ho
Danny Jones
Now we’re into December, the Manchester Christmas Markets have returned both to the city and even to Albert Square for 2025, not to mention it’s bloody COLD, we think it’s fair to say the holiday season is well and truly underway – plus, the annual parade is now just around the corner.
Time to wrap up warm, pick your perfect spot, grab a hot drink and watch as a train of coloured ribbons and giant puppets flood the streets.
Yes, that’s right: not only can Mancs enjoy the return of the festive firework display this winter, but this year’s Christmas parade is taking place this weekend, and the fun-for-all-ages event is promising to be as magical as ever.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 edition.
We managed to catch it right at the start last year. (Credit: The Manc)
MCR Christmas Parade 2025 – all the important info
When is the Manchester Xmas Parade this year?
For starters, if you’re wondering what time the Manchester Christmas Parade starts this weekend, the fun will be kicking off from 1pm on Sunday, 7 December and will last around an hour from start to finish.
MCR Xmas Parade route
As for where it will be heading and when, the procession will follow a circular route that starts and ends back at Manchester Cathedral, before heading through the city centre, running along some major roads and passing notable landmarks.
It is as follows: Manchester Cathedral – Victoria Street – Deansgate – John Dalton Street – Cross Street – Market Street – St Mary’s Gate – Deansgate – Victoria Street – Manchester Cathedral.
There will be two accessible viewing areas available on a first-come basis – one on Cross St (outside Boots) and one on Deansgate (outside House of Fraser).
You can see a full map of the Manchester Christmas Parade route for 2025 down below.
Credit: Manchester City Council (supplied)
People coming into the city centre for the parade should note that the busiest sections of the parade route are likely to be previously mentioned Cross St and St Mary’s Gate.
Manchester city centre road closures for Sunday (7 Dec)
8am-5pm
Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach)
Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square)
11am-3pm
Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel St to Deansgate)
Deansgate (Victoria St to John Dalton St)
John Dalton Street (Southgate to Clarence St)
Cross Street (John Dalton St to Corporation St)
Market Street (Cross St to Exchange St)
St Mary’s Gate (Exchange St to Deansgate)
11am-6pm
St Ann’s Street (Deansgate to Cross St)
As well as the city now having entered what is expected to be one of its busiest periods, it’s also worth reminding that the Metrolink tram service is scheduled for more strikes this weekend, so plan accordingly when heading into town.
It’s also worth noting that these closures will obviously affect parking and bus lanes, as well as some trams and taxi ranks.
There are, of course, always new additions each year, and there’s more never-before-seen content coming for 2025, too.
With even more community groups now taking part than ever, the completely free, family-friendly parade will not only be led by the usual ‘Reindeer Ensemble’ – a talented troupe of eight synchronised dancing reindeer – but a new fantastic ‘Festive Fantasy Candyland Castle’.
Think Christmas meets Willy Wonka, meets Sugar Rush from Wreck-It Ralph and more.
Standing more than four metres tall and surrounded by a giant cavalcade of stilt walkers and dancers, the spectacularly decorated castle slowly rotates as it glides along and is sure to be a particularly must-see moment for the youngsters this year.
Credit: Supplied)
We’re not going to spoil too much else for you this year, as we always find it’s more fun to be surprised by what we see whilst stopping roadside.
Let’s just say there’ll be plenty more Christmassy characters and fantastical festivities in store.
Local councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for MCC, said of the 2025 parade: “Manchester is one hundred per cent the best city in the world when it comes to celebrating the festive season.
“There is nowhere that does Christmas quite like we do, and our iconic Christmas Parade has been a big part of our celebrations over the last three years, helping make magical memories for thousands upon thousands of Mancunians.
“It’s the heartwarming event of the season and our special Christmas gift to the city. Grab your Santa hat and some tinsel, and come down and join us. Don’t miss it!” There’s plenty more on this week, too…
Featured Images — Manchester City Council (supplied)/The Manc Group
Travel & Tourism
8 European Christmas markets you can fly to from Manchester, from £27 return
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s Christmas Markets may be fairly famous in their own right – but for those of us who live here they’re perhaps a little less magical than they are for visitors (drinking a gluhwein immediately outside your office takes the shine off it a bit).
Which is why Manchester Airport has now rounded up eight European Christmas markets you could jet off to from as little at £27 return.
That means you could be hitting cities across the continent that have their own time-honoured festive markets to enjoy, from Switzerland to Poland and beyond.
The airport has singled out eight festive destinations from its network of more than 200 that won’t break the bank.
So get packing your comically small Ryanair bag and check this lot out.
Brussels
Brussels is one of the cities you can fly to from Manchester for a European Christmas break. Credit: Luna Zhang on Unsplash
Head to the Belgian capital and you’ll find twinkling Christmas markets sprawling right across the city.
This is a perfect European destination if you like your Christmas season to be filled with beers (for which Belgium is world-famous), chocolate, and fries.
The heart of the action is Grand Place, but the markets sprawl out across a number of other locations like the Marché aux Poissons, with more than 200 stalls; and the Place de Brouckère, which offers an ice rink and funfair rides.
Fly with Ryanair from £27pp return| Market dates 28 November – 4 January
Milan
You’ve surely seen Milan’s jaw-dropping cathedral – well this is the backdrop to the Italian city’s Christmas Markets, which fill the Piazza Duomo every December.
You’ll find stalls selling handmade trinkets, cheese, and charcuterie, as well as panettone which actually originated right here in Milan.
Fly with Ryanair from £29pp return | Milan Christmas market runs from 1 December – 6 January
Gdansk
Stop what you’re doing right now and get ready to book flights, because you could jet off to Europe’s best Christmas market from just £30 per person.
Gdansk is big on spectacle and covers the city in Christmas lights and street performances, with stalls filling the picturesque Old Town.
It’s also a bargain for British visitors, with beer less than £3 and Polish delicacies like Pierogi dumplings costing even less than that.
So you can stuff your £8.50 bratwurst in Manchester, frankly.
Fly with Ryanair from £30pp return | Gdansk Christmas market runs from 21 November – 23 December
Oslo
If you want an authentically white Christmas, this might be the place to try – Oslo is one of the most northern major cities and that means a good chance of snow – and maybe even a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
The markets themselves have food stalls, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink and a carousel for a picturesque and varied experience.
And if you head out of town you’ll have Norway’s beautiful lakes, fjords and woodlands to explore too.
Fly with Ryanair from £30pp return | Oslo Christmas market runs from 8 November – 4 January
Riga
Another affordable European Christmas spot on the list from Manchester Airport is Riga, the Latvian capital.
Music runs through the markets’ veins, with live performances throughout December from folk banks to Christmas choirs and even DJ sets at the weekends.
These are proudly local markets too, with artisanal stands selling local handmade products.
Fly with Ryanair from £37pp return | Riga Christmas market runs from 29 November – 1 January
Bratislava
Bratislava is one of the fastest-growing markets in Europe, and is another one that’s both authentic and refreshingly affordable.
Wander the streets of the Old Town to be surrounded by Viennese-inspired architecture and charming market stalls, selling classic fare like bratwurst as well as more local favourites.
Don’t miss langos (a savoury fried bread with sour cream) and lokshe (a potato pancake).
You can also head across to Bratislava Castle to explore a medieval-themed market.
Fly with Ryanair from £38pp return | Bratislava Christmas market runs from 27 November – 6 January
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Bucharest
Right in front of the Romanian Parliament building you’ll find Constitution Square, and Bucharest’s festive activities.
There are more than 130 stands to explore here, selling handmade gifts plus Romanian and international food at reasonable prices.
There’s also a main stage with musical and dance performances, and a Santa’s Grotto where the little ones can meet elves and reindeer.
Fly with Ryanair from £45pp return | Bucharest Christmas market runs from 29 November – 28 December
Nowhere captures a magical Christmas scene quite like Switzerland, and if you fly over to Zurich at this time of year you’ll be able to wander the Christmas markets with the snow-capped Alps in the distance.
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The largest markets are actually indoors, in the grounds of the city’s main train station, where you’ll find Swiss traditions like raclette and mulled wine plus a giant Christmas tree.
Swiss Airlines and easyJet both fly to Zurich from Manchester.
Fly with easyJet from £79pp return | Zurich Christmas market runs from 20 November – 23 December
Daisy Jackson -
19th September 2024 
