Manchester has earned itself a very special new title.
Our city can often be found featured on coveted lists across a wide range of categories. In recent months, Manchester has been named one of the world’s best cities for music lovers, even beating out New York along the way, and has also claimed places on lists such as the world’s most beautiful skylines, best UK cities to visit, and countless more.
But arguably no title is cuter than this one – that’s right, Manchester has been crowned the most dog-friendly city in the UK.
Recent research has shown that around 36% of British households are dog owners, and apparently, the pet care industry is projected to reach £16.5 billion by 2033, so credit company, Capital on Tap, has carried out a study to reveal which are the best UK cities for dog owners.
Manchester has been crowned the most dog-friendly city in the UK (Credit: Mylo Kaye (via Unsplash/The Pup Up Cafe)
Just how dog-friendly is central Manchester?
The company analysed 30 major UK cities – comparing things like green spaces, dog-friendly venues, the number of pet shops, and more in the process.
Manchester secured the top spot as the UK’s most dog-friendly city, thanks to the city being made up of an impressive 34.7% of green space, along with there being 128 pet shops and 243 pet groomers.
The city also boasts 25 dog-friendly job listings within a 10-mile radius, at the time of the study being carried out, making it easy for residents to balance work and time with their four-legged companions.
So whether it’s weekend park adventures or weekday convenience, Manchester ‘truly leads the pack’ when it comes to dog lovers.
The UK’s Top 10 Dog-Friendly Cities
Manchester
London
Brighton and Hove
Bradford
Swansea
Leeds
Stoke-on-Trent
Edinburgh
Plymouth
Aberdeen
Other northern cities on the list include Bradford at number four and Leeds at number six.
On top of that, other major cities and areas making up the top 10 include Brighton and Hove, Swansea, Edinburgh, and of course, London.
Better still, Manchester’s title as the UK’s most dog-friendly city comes after another pet-centric accolade.
Salford Red Devils have assured that their next game will ‘go ahead as scheduled’
Danny Jones
Salford Red Devils have assured their supporters that their next game is set to go ahead as planned following the cancellation of their previous match over the weekend.
The local rugby league club is set to take on fellow Greater Manchester outfit Leigh Leopards this Friday, but there remain lingering doubts as to whether or not this latest fixture will be played either.
Nevertheless, Salford Red Devils have now issued a statement assuring those watching Super League round 23 at home and, more importantly, those travelling to nearby Wigan for the clash that “will go ahead as scheduled.”
Then again, the meeting against Wakefield Trinity RLFC was only called off two days prior, so many are still opting for a ‘touch wood’ mentality.
Sharing a statement on social media at the start of the week, the Red Devils said: “We can confirm this Friday’s Betfred Super League Round 23 clash between Leigh Leopards and Salford Red Devils will go ahead as scheduled.
“The Club, in consultation with the Rugby Football League (RFL), RL Commercial and Rugby League Cares, reluctantly decided to cancel last Sunday’s scheduled fixture versus Wakefield Trinity due to significant concerns regarding player welfare.
“However, with first-grade players back from injury this week, and others with Super League experience set to join on loan, this Friday’s fixture will proceed as planned.
“Your support this season has been incredible, both at home and on the road – thank you for backing the boys in such a tough period.”
While there were no issues on Wakefield’s end last Sunday, 17 August, it was made apparent that the home tie simply had to be cancelled, as the Salford side were effectively unable to raise a team.
Only two players were said to be actually available for the match, with the Devils having to depend on loanees for others in the division to stay afloat following several individuals departing this year.
So much passion as fans of Salford Red Devils came together to peacefully protest against the owners of the club.
Pretty special to also see supporters of rivals Wigan, Warrington & Widnes here to support the rugby league community ❤️
— Nick Hope – the athlete’s journalist (@NickHopeTV) August 17, 2025
Against the backdrop of yet more woe for the 125-year-old organisation, more than 500 fans decided to march outside the ground – led by passionate supporters group, The 1873 – with a clear message regarding problematic ownership and their equally ever-troublesome finances: “enough is enough.”
The board insist that the recent and increasingly decisive decision-making hasn’t been “taken lightly”, but the climate around the Salford Community Stadium is nevertheless turbulent, with some deeply distressing claims being made behind the scenes.
Perhaps one of the most alarming allegations came on Thursday, 14 August, when now former COO (chief operating officer) Claire Bradbury resigned within less than a year with the Devils after an ownership figure suggested she “sleep with someone at the RFL” to help their struggles.
She shared details of incidents in a lengthy open letter via LinkedIn; we sincerely hope the toxicity and lingering air of uncertainty abate soon, not just for the fans’ sake, but for the evidently long-suffering staff and everyone who has kept the club going this long.
First look at new Netflix series House of Guinness filmed in and around Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A highly-anticipated new drama series from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is set to hit Netflix this autumn.
And a series of exciting first look images have now been released.
Knight has traded in the foggy streets of Birmingham for the back alleys and stately mansions of Dublin – as well as its world-renowned brewery, of course – as House of Guinness is set to whisk audiences back to the 1860s, where the powerful and debaucherous titular Guinness family is ‘on the precipice of greatness’.
Set in 19th-century Dublin and New York, the eight-part series explores an epic story inspired by one of Europe’s most famous and enduring dynasties, and begins immediately after the death of Sir Benjamin Guinness.
From the creator of Peaky Blinders, HOUSE OF GUINNESS premieres September 25. Starring Anthony Boyle, Louis Partridge, Emily Fairn, Fionn O’Shea, and James Norton.
The head of the Guinness brewery is dead. Now his children must navigate power, rebellion and scandal…or risk… pic.twitter.com/QzpLNzA842
The story follows the far-reaching impact of Sir Guinness’s will on the fate of his four adult children, Arthur, Edward, Anne, and Ben, as well as on a group of Dublin characters who work and interact with the phenomenon that is Guinness.
The four Guinness siblings are played by actors Anthony Boyle (Arthur), Louis Partridge (Edward), Emily Fairn (Anne), and Fionn O’Shea (Ben).
Audiences get to watch the Guinnesses experience ‘ecstatic highs’ and heartbreaking lows’ as they work to live up to their birthright of black gold.
Other acting names set to appear in the series include James Norton, Niamh McCormack, Seamus O’Hara, David Wilmot, Michael McElhatton, Jack Gleeson, Dervla Kirwan, Hilda Fay, and many more.
First look images of Netflix’s new drama series, House of Guinness, have been released / Credit: Ben Blackall (via Netflix)
Production and filming for House of Guinness commenced from summer 2024 onwards, and some very well-known Greater Manchester places were used as filming locations, such as the Northern Quarter, and Stockport‘s legendary Underbanks.
Mansions in Cheshire and Liverpool were also used as filming locations for the show.
“It’s the extraordinary story of a family who happens to be the inheritors of the biggest brewery in the world,” creator Steven Knight told Netflix.
“They’re young and are given the task of taking on this incredibly successful brand. The first priority is – don’t screw it up. And the second priority is to make Guinness even bigger.”
Emily Sergeant -
18th August 2025 
