Manchester Christmas Markets are confirmed to be making a return in 2022, and the long-awaited opening date has now been revealed.
The air may be getting nippier, the mornings a little darker, and the nights drawing in, but at least we know the festive season is right around the corner, and it won’t be long before Manchester Christmas Markets are here once again to spread some cheer right across the city centre.
Manchester City Council has now confirmed the date for the return of the iconic annual event – which draws in visitors from all across the globe each year.
And there’s not long left to wait.
It has been announced that Manchester Christmas Markets will make their grand return for 2022 on Thursday 10 November and be open every day until Thursday 22 December – with the main market hubs in Exchange Square, St Ann’s Square, King Street, and Market Street all set to close on that date.
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Other zones, however, are set to open after Christmas Day and run into the New Year.
The opening date for Manchester Christmas Markets 2022 has officially been confirmed / Credit: Flickr
Cathedral Gardens will already be open with food and drink stalls from 21 October to coincide with the launch of the Halloween-themed ice rink for the October half term, which will then become a festive ice rink – with stalls staying open through to 31 December.
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The ice rink itself is taking bookings from 21 October – 3 January 2023.
All stalls in the main Christmas Markets hubs will be open daily from 10 November – with all retail stalls closing at 8pm, and all food and drink stalls with close by 9pm.
Speaking on the return of the beloved Markets, Cllr Pat Karney – Christmas Spokesperson at Manchester City Council – said: “With Christmas Day a mere three months away, that can only mean one thing – Manchester Christmas Markets Day is even sooner.
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The annual event draws in visitors from all across the globe each year / Credit: Credit: Andrew Stawarz (via Flickr)
“In fact, there’s only seven weeks left to go until you can grab a gluhwein and buddy up with a bratwurst whilst checking out the fantastic Christmas gifts and goodies on the best Christmas Market in the land.
“Mark it on your calendars – 10 November – they’re back!”
Full timings for Manchester Christmas Markets 2022 are expected to be confirmed by Manchester City Council this week, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester
Emily Sergeant
Today is National Doughnut Day, and to celebrate, Morrisons is on the look-out for one sweet treat fan to take on a new role.
That’s right – today (5 June) is National Doughnut Day, and Morrisons is officially on the hunt for the nation’s ultimate doughnut devotee with the launch of its brand-new (and delicious) role, The Chief Doughnut Tester – with all glaze enthusiasts, sprinkle connoisseurs, and jam-filled aficionados urged to get applying.
The search is on to crown one lucky fan who’ll take on the dream job of taste-testing their way through the supermarket‘s range of doughnuts.
The Chief Doughnut Tester is more than just a title, Morrisons says it’s ‘serious business’.
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester / Credit: Morrisons
The new hire will be tasked with taste-testing doughnuts before they hit the shelves, giving verdicts on new flavours and textures, all in the name of research.
The role will also involve teaming up with Morrisons’ internal doughnut-expert team to develop new and limited-edition treats that’ll be in stores next year.
Crowned as the nation’s definitive doughnut authority, the selected winner won’t just earn the title of Chief Doughnut Tester, they’ll also receive the ultimate of sweet perks – a year’s free supply of Morrisons fresh doughnuts, which the retailer sells more than 1.1 million of weekly.
Aspiring Chief Doughnut Testers can apply on the Morrisons website here, by filling in a short 200-words about why’re the ideal candidate.
Applications close at midnight tonight (Friday 5 June), so you’ll need to be quick.
Featured Image – Annie Spratt (via Unsplash)
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First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
Emily Sergeant -
26th September 2022 
