The city centre is set to be home to some brand new boutique accommodation as the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel opens its doors at the start of next month.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants – the leading global boutique luxury brand from IHG – will open its Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on Thursday 1st October.
It’s the brand’s fourth and final hotel to open in the UK, joining sites in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is a magnificent, terracotta Grade II listed building, with a history dating back to 1890 when it first opened as The Refuge Assurance Company headquarters. The grand clock tower at the centre of its striking Victorian architecture is an unmistakable landmark on Manchester’s skyline.
All 270 loft-style bedrooms – including 11 suites – were designed to make the most of the stunning, double and triple-height ceilings. Other original, period features – including glazed bricks, tiles and faience, stained glass and carved wooden staircases – meet contemporary fittings and interiors, such as the three-metre-tall bronze horse by artist Sophie Dickens, which sits in the lobby and is a piece that denotes a horse-and-carriage ‘turning circle’ that once stood on the spot.
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Guest rooms offer an homage to Manchester’s iconic music scene, with vinyl records of the city’s most iconic bands – from the Stone Roses and Oasis, to Elbow and Take That – available to play on record players in each room.
Each room borrows design inspiration from the spirited and renowned Manchester party and music scene, with vibrant, bespoke textiles designed by Timorous Beasties, which incorporate the iconic Manchester worker bee and bold contemporary graphic prints adorning the walls.
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Hotel guests will enjoy Kimpton’s signature perks such as in-room yoga mats and the ‘Forgot It? We’ve Got It!’ service offering important guest essentials.
Free tuck boxes of treats in all rooms – as well as fresh milk and mineral water in the fridge – make for a relaxing in-room experience, and guests can also expect the brand’s industry-leading pet-friendly attitude and an approachable luxury experience fuelled by a hotel team who is committed to delivering heartfelt care and personal service in surprising ways.
Those wanting to make human connections can meet fellow visitors across social distanced tables at the nightly Kimpton Social Hour to bond over hosted drinks from 5-6pm at The Winter Garden – an interior glasshouse within The Refuge, which is a dining room and public bar set in a 10,000 square foot of space.
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IHG / Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
A 10-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is located in the heart of the city, opposite Oxford Road Station. Visible from all around thanks to its clock tower, it is less than five minutes by foot from the world-famous LGBTQ area of Canal Street, and close to the city centre’s shopping areas and department stores.
For those looking to explore Manchester on two wheels, Kimpton-branded bikes are available for hire free-of-charge.
Destination bar and restaurant, The Refuge by Volta, serves globally inspired small plates, craft beers and cocktails curated by the award-winning team from Volta and has a uniquely curated programme of events and happenings.
The hotel also offers 17 meeting rooms – featuring charming Edwardian detailing alongside 21st century technology – with capacity from four to 1,000, thanks to the largest ballroom in a hotel in the north west of England.
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Johan Scheepers – General Manager at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – said: “Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is the latest addition to the global Kimpton brand. Each Kimpton hotel is an escape from the ordinary, and Kimpton Clocktower Hotel will offer a real ‘wow’ factor stay with a warm Mancunian welcome.
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“Kimpton continues on its incredible expansion across the globe with the opening of Kimpton Clocktower Hotel marking our fourth opening in the UK.
The Kimpton brand is rooted in human heartfelt connections and we look forward to welcoming guests and locals in a city world renowned for its warmth, charm and exuberance.”
Double rooms at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel start from £120 (inc VAT, Service Charge and Full English Breakfast).
Bookings are now available via the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel website here.
The safety and wellbeing of guests and colleagues amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is of top priority, so the newly-introduced IHG Clean Promise giving guests extra reassurance and you can find out more at kimptonhotels.com/Clean
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Manchester City are reimbursing fans who travelled to watch their defeat against Bodo/Glimt
Danny Jones
A bunch of Manchester City players are preparing to refund fans who travelled to watch the shock defeat against Bodo/Glimt earlier this week.
In case you missed the surprising score, Man City were on the end of a very unexpected result against the Eliteserien side, losing 3-1 in what was the club’s first-ever win in the Champions League.
More than that, it was also the first time a Norwegian team had won in the competition in nearly two decades, making it a historic night for the nation, albeit one to forget for the Blues.
Following the European upset, as a gesture of goodwill towards supporters, select members of the squad from Pep Guardiola’s so-called leadership group have now pledged to cover the trip made by the dedicated away fans, from the match ticket itself to travel costs.
JUST IN: Manchester City's players are reimbursing fans who watched their Champions League defeat against Bodo/Glimt.
They are covering the cost of match tickets for game which Pep Guardiola's side lost 3-1 🚨
The message from City stars is as follows: “Our supporters mean everything to us. We know the sacrifice that our fans make when they travel across the world to support us home and away, and we will never take it for granted.
“We also recognise that it was a lot of travelling for the fans who supported us in the freezing cold throughout a difficult evening for us on the pitch. Covering the cost of these tickets for the fans who travelled to Bodo is the least we can do.”
Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Scandinavian native Erling Haaland, who had a less-than-ideal return to his home country on Tuesday night, are said to be the individuals covering the fees
As per multiple reports, the figure is said to be just under £10k – approximately £9,357 spread across a total of 374 matchgoers, to be specific.
While the club and the players, specifically, have been praised by plenty for what many have labelled as a ‘classy move’, some are suggesting that the statement actually signals the opposite regarding their opponents, who shone on the night.
Scoring twice in quick succession midway through the first half before bagging the third and ultimately decisive goal in the 58th minute, it could have been four or five.
Bodo/Glimt had moments ruled offside and hit the woodwork in both halves.
Despite City pulling one back and showing promise of getting back in the game through Rayan Cherki, that momentum was quickly crushed when the aforementioned and only recently returning, Rodri, was sent off after a second yellow around the hour mark.
Following the arguably equally unexpected blow in the Manchester derby last weekend, it’s been a tough few days for the players and fans alike, but they still stand a chance of beating Arsenal to the Premier League title this season.
You can see the highlights from the Bodo/Glimt vs Man City game here.
Tesco launches 2026 Valentine’s dine-in deals with its ‘most generous’ menu yet
Emily Sergeant
Tesco has unveiled the menu for this year’s edition of its Valentine’s dine in meal deal, and it’s sounding tastier than ever.
Last year, thousands of Brits headed on down to their nearest Tesco to make the most of the retailer‘s always-popular Valentine’s dining deal and celebrate the international day of love in a more low-key way from the comfort of their own home – but this year, Tesco says it wants to top that success, and is hoping its ‘most generous’ menu yet will do the trick.
Launching early next month (9 February), this year, there’ll be two different dine-in deals to choose from based on your budget.
The Tesco Finest Valentine’s Dine In range includes one starter, one main, two sides – for the first time, giving customers more choice when building their meal – one dessert, and one drink, setting you back £20 with a Tesco Clubcard.
Or if you want to keep things a bit more budget-friendly, you can get the simpler Valentine’s Day Dine In option, which includes one main, one side, one dessert, and one drink, for just £15 instead.
Tesco has unveiled its Valentine’s dine-in menus for 2026 / Credit: Tesco (Supplied)
50% of the menu on offer is new for 2026 too, offering you some fresh foodie inspiration alongside much-loved favourites.
Some of the starter highlights include the Tesco Finest Camembert with Garlic & Parsley Dough Balls, Tesco Finest Coquilles St Jacques, Tesco FinestMediterranean Style Breaded Prawns with Hot Honey Dip, or if you’re vegan, you can try out Tesco Finest Mushroom Parcels instead.
For mains, on the menu we have Tesco Finest Salmon & Prawn En Croûte, and Tesco Finest Beef Bourguignon Pies served with a red wine jus, or the Tesco Finest Mushroom Stroganoff Pies for vegans.
But it’s the sides that are taking centre stage this year, with the expanded selection including the likes of Tesco Finest Samphire, Petit Pois & Sliced Cabbage with Mint Dressing, Tesco Finest Rosemary & Parmesan Fries, Tesco Finest Baby Potato Traybake with Chantenay Carrots & Tenderstem Broccoli, or Tesco Finest Garlic & Parsley Ciabatta, just to name a few.
There’s two different deals available this year, depending on your budget / Credit: Tesco (Supplied)
There’s also a selection of sweet treats to finish the night off, with everything from the Tesco Finest Belgian White Chocolate Delice Hearts, to the Tesco Finest Banoffee Pudding on the cards to pick from.
Drinks are also included this year too, with the likes of soft drinks, cocktails, beers, and award-winning wines to choose.
As mentioned, both Valentine’s Dine In deals launch in Tesco stores across the UK from 9 February, so you’re covered no matter whether you’re sharing a romantic moment, creating a spread for loved ones, or simply treating yourself at home.
Emily Sergeant -
8th September 2020 
