One of Manchester‘s best-loved neighbourhoods has been named the second “coolest” in Britain by a renowned national media outlet.
And it’s not the first time it’s been given a similar honour to this before.
If you were taking guesses as to which area it would be, then you probably wouldn’t have got that far before, or really be shocked to hear, that Ancoats has made its way on to a round-up list of the 15 coolest neighbourhoods in Britain by The Telegraph – coming in second place, just behind Walthamstow in London.
Finnieston in Glasgow claims the third spot on the list, with the top five being rounded out by Kelham Island in Sheffield, and Cathedral Quarter in Belfast.
Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, Ouseburn in Newcastle, and Meanwood in Leeds are the fellow northern neighbourhoods to have also made it onto the exclusive list of 15, with Stockbridge in Edinburgh, Pontcanna in Cardiff, and North Laine in Brighton just a selection of the other places getting a mention.
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🇬🇧From London’s hipster enclave to Glasgow’s ‘WeMo’ (West of Motorway), we reveal the trendy spots far from the tourist crowds https://t.co/hSeJtvLq7s
A part of town with a rich history that has undergone quite significant regeneration this side of the century, we all know by now that Ancoats is widely-considered to be one of Manchester’s, the UK’s (and the world’s) most sought-after neighbourhoods, so this most-recent nod from The Telegraph praising its coolness won’t come as a surprise to many.
Home to a hub of thriving independent eateries, bars and shops, it’s fair to say Ancoats has changed a hell of a lot over the years – from being the sort of place you’d be wary to wander around alone in at night, to an Instagram-friendly hipster’s paradise.
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But just what exactly is it that’s made The Telegraph take note and praise it for being ‘cool’?
Well, the publication explains that Ancoats “has been here for an age”, and noted the fact that it was once an important textiles centre dubbed the world’s “first industrial suburb”, as well as also being known as ‘Little Italy’ in reference to a surge in Italian immigration at the turn of the 20th century, all before it became what we know it to be today.
Ancoats has been named one of the 15 coolest neighbourhoods in Britain / Credit: Rudy’s | General Store
“As rentals have become pricier closer to town, Ancoats has emerged as the next major gentrification area, with Cutting Room Square a popular meeting place and drinking hole,” The Telegraph writes.
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Several of Ancoats’ most well-known and best-loved independent eateries and bars were named as places to head on down to if you’re looking to see the area “like a local” – including Elnecot, Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza, Canto and Little Vietnam.
The area has also been noted as being the place to hit up for a tattoo at Tooth and Talon, and somewhere to get your beard tidied at Jersey Street Social Club, while the mini-market reinvention that is Ancoats General Store also getting an expected worthy mention.
The Telegraph does advise that people “hop across Great Ancoats Street into the Northern Quarter for indie shopping heaven” though.
Ancoats has a rich past, and is home to a hub of thriving independent eateries, bars and shops / Credit: Visit Manchester
When it comes to somewhere to stay the night in Ancoats, the outlet has named the Copper and Blossom Boudoir as the place to go for, praising its “dimly lit, lavishly fixtured, and blinged-up suites” that sleep anywhere from two to 14 people.
Thoughts then? Is Ancoats as ‘cool’ as everyone always says? Would you stick anywhere else in Greater Manchester on the list?
Featured Image – Visit Manchester
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‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Greater Manchester set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by some heavy rain and wind this week, according to the Met Office.
While things have seemed surprisingly more settled for the time of year over the last week or so, with clearer skies and chilly winter mornings being fairly commonplace, all that will change very soon, as the Met Office has forecasted that the UK is set to be battered by some ‘impactful’ heavy rain and strong winds as the week goes on.
Low pressure systems will bring a more ‘unsettled’ spell of weather, with a severe weather warning for wind issued for certain parts of the UK.
Today is expected to be filled with grey skies and light rain here in Greater Manchester, with cloud covering much of the rest of the country, and other outbreaks of rain elsewhere, whereas on Wednesday, the focus of rain will shift to southern England instead.
The weather looks set to turn more unsettled during the forthcoming week 🌧️ 🌬️
Thursday is where it’s set to take the biggest downturn though, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day, and it’s us here in North West England that are expected to see the highest accumulations too, with 20-30mm could falling over the hills, and some hill snow even possible over the Scottish mountains too.
A deep area of low pressure will also have ‘deepened rapidly’ by Thursday, bringing ‘strengthening winds’ to western parts of the UK along with it overnight, followed by more heavy rainfall.
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” explained Chris Almond, who is the Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.
“Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night, with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“We have issued a Yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th December 2022 
