It’s been confirmed this week by CityCo and Manchester Business Improvement District (Manchester BID) that the colourful spectacle – which last took place in 2019 and saw the streets filled with floral installations, including pop-up gardens and vintage cars overflowing with blooms – is back for 2021, after what has been an undoubtedly challenging year.
Organisers have said they hope the event will “help to green the streets” and support businesses as everyone gets back on their feet.
“We aim to bring a buzz back to the city centre.” CityCo and Manchester BID said.
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Welcoming you back to #Manchester city centre with a city-wide trail of colourful floral displays, green installations, outdoor dining & entertainment.
— The Manchester Flower Show (@MCRFlowerShow) March 12, 2021
“We want to encourage people to rediscover the city centre in a COVID-safe way and welcome residents, workers, customers, clients, shoppers, eaters, drinkers and culture lovers with a smile”.
The revival of this historic spectacle – which first started life as the ‘Manchester Flower and Produce Show’ in the 1950s in Platt Fields Park, before returning in 2018 – is set to be a celebration of the city.
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So, what’s on the cards for this summer’s event then?
Think colourful displays, outdoor dining areas, floral statues, flower fountains, foliage-covered lampposts / railings and more.
Some areas of the city centre set to see floral installations line the streets include Spinningfields, Manchester Cathedral, Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter, Cutting Room Square in Ancoats, First Street, Oxford Road, Great Northern Warehouse, the Corn Exchange, the Arndale, King Street and beyond.
CityCo and Manchester BID are also keen to roll out the event right across Manchester this year, and are encouraging local businesses to get involved where they can.
“It’s all about a collective effort,
“Big things, small things, all coming together to cover as many areas of the city with greenery and colour.
“The more people get involved, the bigger the impact”.
— The Manchester Flower Show (@MCRFlowerShow) March 17, 2021
The Manchester Flower Show will take place from Saturday 29th May – Sunday 6th June 2021.
Applications to participate in this year’s event are open until 1st April, and any local businesses keen to take part can find out more via the CityCo / Manchester BID website here.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjær says just three players have spoken to him since leaving Manchester United
Danny Jones
Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.
Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.
The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.
However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.
At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.
Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”
As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.
He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.
The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.
Co-op Live has been named the number one arena in Europe following its debut year
Danny Jones
Despite a rocky opening month or so, Manchester’s Co-op Live made the ultimate instant recovery and has now been named the number one arena not just in the UK but all of Europe.
Manc music venues being best in class? Sounds about right.
Yes, even despite some obstacles, delays and early hiccups, Co-op Live‘s debut year as a live music and indoor entertainment venue has seen it beat out the likes of the long-established and iconic O2 in London to take the top spot.
The inaugural 12 months of the arena have not only seen it welcome all manner of music legends, as well as live sporting events such as the UFC and WWE, but the arena welcomed more visitors than any other venue across the continent during that time.
Names to have graced the industry-leading stage so far include Liam Gallagher, Stevie Nicks and Take That; Peter Kay, Elbow, Sabrina Carpenter, Paul McCartney, and so many more.
Commenting on the successful start, Tim Leiweke (CEO and chairman of the Oak View Groupbehind the venue) said: “Our ambition was to bring the world’s best music arena to one of the world’s greatest music cities and we are thrilled with the reaction from fans and artists alike over this past year.
“Co-op Live’s revolutionary acoustics investment has already attracted some of the world’s biggest artists and events to Manchester, with many more to come. And our sustainability commitment will ensure we remain responsible contributors to Manchester and the planet for years to come.
“We believe that amazing venues can transform cities for the better, and Co-op Live has done just that.”
It’s fair to say we’ve had some truly unforgettable nights in there already – and that’s just in the last month alone. Case and point:
With a continued commitment to achieving ‘Net Zero’ status too, the venue’s carbon reduction technologies, solar panels, heat pumps and rainwater harvesting, not to mention the recently refreshed CityLink walking in partnership with the Climate Pledge, are all things we can be proud of.
Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, went on to add: “We are delighted with the success of Co-op Live’s first year, and to see it taking the top spot off London.
“It shows Manchester is the home of live music in the UK, with Co-op Live bringing so many exclusives from artists like Bruce Springsteen to the city and Oasis playing massive hometown shows this summer – 2025 is going to be one of the biggest ever for our city’s music scene.”
Meanwhile, things are feeling less fortunate at the grassroots end of the spectrum, as the Music Venue Trust is imploring people to get behind a vulnerable Manc music institution.
Emily Sergeant -
19th March 2021 
