Conference and exhibition centre EventCity in Trafford has pulled plans for venue relocation and has announced its closure.
The large-scale events venue – which has previously hosted a range of events including Winter Funland, the Ideal Home Show and Park N Party – had already been scheduled to close and relocate to a new, purpose-built facility on the site of the old Soccerdome nearby next spring, but the plans, which were approved earlier this year, have now been withdrawn and EventCity will cease trading completely from 31st March 2021.
Owners Peel Group confirmed the closure yesterday evening.
It said that the economic impact of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis on the events and hospitality sector had been “far more extreme than anyone could have envisaged”.
In a statement addressing the closures, a Peel Group spokesperson said: “EventCity’s business strategy throughout the COVID-19 crisis has been focussed on the health, safety and wellbeing of our people, while protecting as many jobs as possible during this exceptionally challenging period.
ADVERTISEMENT
“In recent weeks, it has become increasingly clear that the depth of the economic contraction, particularly in the events and hospitality sectors, is far more extreme than anyone could have envisaged. Regrettably, we have had to take the decision to close EventCity by 31st March 2021 and withdraw our plans for a new facility, which were approved by Trafford Council in February of this year.”
EventCity
Construction had yet to begin on the new venue, and Peel is understood to now be exploring other potential leisure options for the Soccerdome site.
ADVERTISEMENT
A consultation process has now been launched with staff and around 20 roles are understood to be affected.
The spokesperson continued: “The team have been working hard to follow government guidelines ensuring our re-opening plans adhere to strict protocols set out by a variety of standards and leading industry bodies,”
“A reduced team will operate the events until closure takes place and we will be working with colleagues to support them through this period. The economic uncertainties should in no way undermine the extraordinary commitment and loyalty our colleagues have shown during these most testing times.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We would like to thank you for your support and commitment over the years and we wish you all the best for the future.”
Plans for the state-of-the-art development were approved in April and it’s set to open in 2023.
The resort will house a number of pools, water slides, a wave pool, swim-up bars, warm water lagoons and botanical gardens, and there’ll also be a range of spa facilities – including steam rooms, saunas and therapeutic mineral pools – plus a daily programme of water-based fitness classes, such as yoga and pilates.
You can find more information at the Therme Group website here.
Trending
You can win two VIP tickets to a Co-op Live show as part of a heartwarming Manc charity raffle
Danny Jones
Fancy bagging yourself the posh treatment at the biggest indoor gig and live entertainment venue in the city? Well, you can do just that by entering the latest Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raffle, which is offering a pair of VIP tickets to a Co-op Live show.
All you have to do is simply do your bit for a crucial local cause.
It’s one that we’ve worked closely with in the past on many occasions: the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, which helps house rough sleepers across the region.
Teaming up with The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness – which was created specifically to generate funds for this ongoing crisis – as well as an upcoming community social, all you have to do to be in with a chance is put your name down for a cheap raffle ticket.
Writing in the caption of the post, the Mayor’s Charity has revealed that “Cross Club Social and The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness are teaming up to raffle off 2x VIP Co-op Live tickets to a show of your choosing.”
That’s right, not just any random show – you get to pick which one you fancy going along to in style.
With the 2026 edition of the annual fundraising relay event, on behalf of Greater Manchester’s homeless community, taking place this November (find out more on the GMMC website and keep up to date with us here at The Manc for the latest) they’re hoping to get the donations going nice and early.
For anyone unaware, the Cross Club Social, or ‘XCS’, has been going for a few years now; it brings together runners from all over the 10 boroughs for a big post-race party, all whilst raising money for charitable organisations.
DJs, karaoke, quizzing, three full rooms, an entire beer garden to themselves, and MUCH more. 👀
The next edition will be taking place this Friday, 19 June, over at the award-winning Fairfield Social Club, where an all-day party will run, pardon the pun, well into the night.
Better still, entrants into the raffle don’t have to wait long to find out if they’re a winner, as the lucky recipient is set to be announced the following Saturday (20 Jun) after the big shindig over on the XCS Instagram page.
The Mayor’s Charity team signed off by adding, “Good luck and together, we will end homelessness” – a mission that many Manc groups, especially, have been working so hard to make possible in recent times.
For instance, last year alone, the aforementioned 24 Hour Run, whose team will be in attendance and taking donations for at XCS 2026, generated a whopping £70k, and the total tally has now reached truly life-changing sums.
As for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raffle, you can grab a ticket HERE for just a fiver to secure your chance to go along to a VIP night at Co-op Live. Fingers crossed!
‘Powerful’ firearms found in Stockport suburb as police search for answers
Danny Jones
Concerning news coming out of Stockport after two “incredibly powerful and dangerous” firearms were found in the Brinnington area of the town.
The weapons have been secured by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), but the nature of their discovery has drummed up plenty of questions among local authorities.
Stumbled upon this past Friday, 12 June, officers in Stockport found both a handgun and, even more shockingly, a submachine gun in simple rubbish bags.
The high calibre and fire rate of the respective weapons, specifically, have understandably added to the level of worry among police and residents alike.
As per an official GMP release, an MP5 model SMG and a ‘Grand Power’ handgun were uncovered, although the exact location of the ordnance has not yet been disclosed.
Troubling stuff, to say the least.
However, at present, they believe the attempt to conceal and/or dispose of the weapons is likely a reaction to their ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal activity and remove dangerous weapons from the streets across the region.
Stopfordian sectors of the city-region are among many across the surrounding 10 boroughs, with Brinnington in particular seeing a more ramped-up level of searches.
Detective Inspector Mark Graham, leader of the SK Challenger Team, said: “We have done some fantastic work in recovering firearms in Greater Manchester – between April 2024 and April 2026 – GMP took 150 firearms off our streets.”
#Brinnington neighbourhood intensification operation sees multiple arrests and seizures
In the 2 weeks since our work began, we have secured 15 arrests for offences including possession with intent to supply, failing to appear at court, dangerous driving, & weapons offences. pic.twitter.com/zJS9QIYJTD
Nevertheless, he goes on to say that “Friday’s discovery has prevented potentially serious harm to those who work and live in the area”, adding in the full statement: “These types of weapons have no place on our streets and are incredibly powerful and dangerous.
“Our investigation is progressing, and we are following numerous lines of enquiry in relation to who these belong to and how they ended up where they did.”
As always, they are urging anyone with information about illegal firearms or suspicious activity in and around the Stockport region to contact police ASAP, either over the usual 101 number or by dialling 999 immediately in emergency situations.
If you would rather get in touch online, you can report potentially useful info via the live chat function on the GMP website, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
11th September 2020 
