Travel & Tourism

More new images released of Soho House Manchester ahead of luxury members’ club launch

This is going to be SO fancy.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 14th February 2023

More images have been released from Soho House ahead of its highly-anticipated Manchester launch.

The exclusive members’ club operates sites across the globe, including in Mykonos, Barcelona, Paris, Rome, New York and Mumbai, but this will be its first foray into the north of England.

Soho House is currently taking shape in the former Granada Studios, turning it into luxury destination with a bar and terrace, workspace, and a rooftop swimming pool.

Memberships are expected to cost somewhere around the £1,000 mark (for comparison, annual memberships at Soho House London are £1,100, while Little House Mayfair is £700 per year) when it opens this year.

Inside, there’ll be various spaces for members to eat, drink, socialise and work out, with the new images including an artist render of a luxury gym.

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The gym at Soho House Manchester
The gym at Soho House Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Soho House Manchester rooftop pool
The rooftop pool at Soho House Manchester. Credit: Supplied

The members’ club will span the top two floors, overlooking a rooftop pool and outdoor terrace.

Then on the first floor will be an extensive gym for members, with a free weights area, boxing zone, studio space, steam, sauna and an outdoor terrace, with showers, vanity areas and lounge spaces.

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Across the remaining floors there will be members’ events spaces and bedrooms.

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The new images show a bar and lounge space decorated with a rich jade green terrazzo-style floor that matches the one surrounding the rooftop pool.

There’s also a long marble bar, and dozens of low couches and armchairs.

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Soho House‘s exact opening date and membership options will be revealed soon.

Featured image: Supplied

Travel & Tourism

Microdot exhibit for BRITs 2026: the artwork of Oasis, Verve and more up in Manchester Piccadilly

Danny Jones Danny Jones Brits 2026 art exhibit Manchester Piccadilly train station Microdot Britpop collection

If you’ve passed through Manchester Piccadilly of late, you might have noticed two things: one, it’s really quiet, and two, there’s loads of cool Britpop merch and memorabilia on display, including original Oasis, The Verve, Inspiral Carpets art and more – all courtesy of Microdot.

Set up as part of the city’s own BRITs celebrations, along with a raft of other nationwide festivities, as the annual music award ceremony prepares to make its Manc debut at the Co-op Live this month, the showcase features special edition frames and more, all pride of place in the middle of the train station.

This collection, simply entitled ‘A Microdot Design’, is all done by the legendary Brian Cannon, the graphic designer and art director behind so much recognisable visual material within the genre.

We recently had the honour of speaking to the man himself in person ahead of Piccadilly’s temporary closure; you can see our interview with him right here:

So cool. And that’s just his glasses.

The Wigan-born artist and visionary didn’t just make promotional materials for some of the biggest bands in the 1990s; he’s responsible for what has gone on to become some of the most familiar iconography in British music history.

With this pop-up exhibit available for a limited time only, we strongly urge you to go along and, for once, take your time rather than rushing around the station as you peruse the boards placed right near the main entrance.

Charting his work from circa 1990 up until now, it’s crazy to see just how many of Brian and Microdot’s fingerprints are all over so many different bands and artists.

From native names like Oasis, The Verve and the Inspirals, as mentioned, as well as the likes of Cast, Super Furry Animals, Suede and Ash, plus so many more, this guy has been nothing short of prolific over the past few decades.

Audio North took a little tour of the King Street South unit last year in the lead-up to Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour, and we felt like kids in a Britpop sweetshop.

While this site has sadly since closed, shutting up shop back in July, Brian’s mini, modest, but nevertheless magic Microdot Boutique up in the Lake District is still standing.

Located in the popular North West town and tourist attraction, Kendal, it’s worth a trip there to see more of his portfolio alone.

Currently on display at Manchester Piccadilly ahead of the full 2026 BRITs Week and shindig at Co-op Live, it’s one of the best completely free things you can do in town at the moment – but the exhibition finishes on Sunday, 1 March, so make sure you don’t miss it.

Speaking of the BRIT Awards, if you’re wondering what else is on as 0161 gets ready welcome them for their two-year stint (at least), look no further…

All the events happening around Manchester ahead of the BRIT Awards 2026

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

Manchester United to offer fans FREE coach travel for upcoming away game

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man United offering away fans free coaches for travel to Bournemouth game

Manchester United have offered free coaches to away fans hoping to travel to their game against AFC Bournemouth.

The fixture against The Cherries isn’t here just yet, with four other matches before then – two home and two away – but many supporters have already been fretting about how they’re going to get there.

With a 252-mile trek and what could be upwards of a 10-hour round trip, there and back, the club has informed the travelling ‘Stretford Enders‘ that they will be arranging at least some of the nearly 1,300 members of the fan base to travel down south to the Vitality Stadium.

Although not entirely unheard of, it’s nevertheless been praised as a classy touch and way of recognising some of their most dedicated support year-round, especially after a turbulent few weeks.

Set to be free of charge for anyone with a valid away ticket next month, the gesture will at least make life a little bit easier for Reds heading to the coastal town at the end of an already long working week.

Scheduled to take place at 8pm on 20 March, Bournemouth vs Man United is the late kick-off, but the first of that Premier League round (gameweek 31).

With limited transport options via both public and supporters group networks, they’ve decided to step in and aid those willing to make the journey.

They also seemed to make what some have perceived as a dig at the division, noting that “this fixture follows an unusually high number of games that have been played midweek this season.”

Writing a lengthy statement, they said: “The club, listening to the views raised by supporters in both the Fan Advisory Board and Fans’ Forum, has raised concerns in meetings with senior counterparts at both the Premier League and broadcasters in recent months…

Acknowledging the “impact scheduling decisions have on match-goers and urging them to make earlier decisions”, they are one of many teams that have urged the footballing body to adjust their plans where possible and afford fans extra time to plan.

With both recognised supporters’ trusts and other fan groups alike having played a crucial role in a number of key observances of late, it only feels fitting that they be rewarded for their commitment.

This push to give more consideration to those putting in the hard yards off the pitch also, crucially, includes giving them a longer period to save.

It was only back in January 2025 that a finance expert detailed how, all told, home and away fans can spend upwards of £3,000 supporting their team. Staggering sums.

That being said, director of fan engagement Rick McGagh went on to add: “We believe we have the best and loudest away following in the country, and we wanted to do something for our fans to show we appreciate their dedication and support.

“When games are moved from a weekend to a Friday or Monday night, we know it impacts fans, meaning they often have to take time off work and face more expensive and greatly restricted travel options.

“We continue to work with our FAB and Fans’ Forum reps and share their concerns to broadcasters and the Premier League. We hope this gesture helps our fans travelling down to Bournemouth for the game, and, on behalf of the players and everyone at the club, we thank them for their continued support.”

As an added bonus, they also detailed that besides free coach travel to the far-flung game, those attending the Bournemouth game will also be entered into a raffle to win a United shirt signed by one of the men’s first-team.

While fans must organise their transport to arrive at Old Trafford, with no alternative pick-up or drop-off points, all the details on how to book the free coach travel will be shared with successful applicants, along with confirmation of their place in the away ballot.

Man United release statement after controversy around Jim Ratcliffe comments on immigration

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Mr Ignavy (via Geograph)

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