Manchester has been named as one of the best top 10 cities in the world for sport, according to a prestigious 2023 ranking.
But was there really ever any doubt?
More than two decades on from hosting the Commonwealth Games all the way back in 2002, our city continues to be recognised as a sporting powerhouse, and to prove this, Manchester has come in at number five on the BCW Top 50 Global Sport Cities ranking for 2023.
Not only is it the only UK city, apart from London, to make it into the coveted top 10, but it’s also jumped up a few places its ranking in eighth place in 2022.
Some of the city’s world-class facilities, including the National Cycling Centre and National Squash Centre were all noted as going toward it clinching eighth place on the list, as well as the thriving visitor economy strengthened by sporting attractions like National Football Museum, Emirates Old Trafford, and both football stadiums.
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On top of this, the recent renovation works at the National Cycling Centre and the Aquatics Centre were noted, as were the dozens of other sporting projects said to be either in development or underway across the city region that are expected to be complete by 2025.
Paris, New York, Barcelona, and Tokyo are some of the other global cities to have made the 2023 list.
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The National Aquatic Centre in Manchester / Credit: British SwimmingManchester Velodrome and Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground / Credit: National Cycling Centre | Emirates Old Trafford
Manchester City Council says it’s “very proud” to have received this recognition after the investment that’s been put in to place the city on the international sporting map.
“Hosting the Commonwealth Games cemented Manchester’s reputation as one of the leading cities for sport and two decades on participation in sport has grown, we have widened access and encouraged residents to lead more active lifestyles, connecting sport with health and well-being,” said Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member Skills, Employment and Leisure.
“The long-term benefits of sporting regeneration are not just seen at a national level but regional and local level as well as we continue to see capital investment in our sporting infrastructures, and major sporting events being held here.
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“We have continued to expand, extend and modernise many of our facilities.”
Home Bargains has announced a special two-day closure of all UK stores
Emily Sergeant
Home Bargains has, once again, announced it’ll be closing all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year.
And it’s to make sure staff get a ‘well deserved break’.
After what has been yet another busy year for the retail industry, many workers have been left feeling like they could do with a little extra time off, which is why Home Bargains is following on with what has become a now-annual tradition by shutting up shop on two bank holidays.
All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Years Day.
Announcing the move in a post on social media, the discount retailer confirmed: “All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Years Day. We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time the retailer has kept its doors shut on bank holidays.
Many shoppers will recall it has made the same decision to give hardworking staff a break every year since 2019.
Explaining a little more about the decision taken to close all its stores, Home Bargains said: “As a family-run business, we know the importance of being together at Christmas with those we care about most, now more than ever.
“This is our way of saying thank you to our colleagues for their continued hard work and dedication.”
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Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Emily Sergeant -
23rd October 2023 
