With Christmas Day fast approaching on Friday, the UK government has made amendments to the travel rules across England.
This now means that the tier you live in dictates where you can travel.
In what is a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the “new variant” detected, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this past weekend that the initially-announced plan – which allowed up to three households to form a ‘Christmas Bubble’ between 23rd – 27th December – will now be reduced to just a single date – 25th December.
It also comes as all of London and other parts of the South East of England have now been placed into Tier 4 restrictions, which has put a significant halt on travel and Christmas plans.
Residents of all tiers however have been told by the UK government that: “You should stay local and avoid travelling outside of your local area, meaning your village or town, or part of a city, where possible. People should continue to travel for reasons such as work, education, medical attention or caring responsibilities.”
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But for one day, these rules will be lifted to allow for households to meet to celebrate the festivities.
Those in some tiers will be allowed to travel to other parts of the UK, but this is subject to which tier the area they live in is under.
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Here’s everything you need to know.
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Tier 1 & Tier 2
Three households can still meet up to celebrate Christmas on 25th December.
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This means that the current Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions – which prevent people from meeting indoors with those from outside their household – will be scrapped for 24 hours on Christmas Day only, however residents in these tiers cannot see anyone from a Tier 4 area.
All Christmas bubbles must be exclusive.
This means that if three separate households meet up on Christmas Day, none of the groups can then see anyone else from other households, however the government says you should think very carefully about the risks and only form a Christmas bubble if you feel you absolutely need to.
Wherever possible, residents are encouraged to discuss alternatives to meeting up in person.
Residents of Tier 3 locations or lower who choose to form a Christmas bubble (of up to three households), are encouraged by the government and health professionals to carefully consider the risks of travelling at all.
If you live in an area with the highest level of restrictions, you should avoid travelling to lower prevalence areas where possible, but should you decide you do need to travel, you are asked to make travel plans in advance – including booking for public transportation services – to enable you and others to travel safely, and plan your outward and return journeys carefully.
You must only travel and return on Christmas Day.
Tier 4
You must not visit or leave a Tier 4 area in order to see others at any point during the Christmas period.
Households in Tier 4 areas will not be allowed to mix – except for already-formed support bubbles – and people are only permitted to meet one person from another household in outdoor public spaces.
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Restrictions will not be relaxed on Christmas Day.
Should anybody be found breaking the rules in a Tier 4 location, the police can take action against you.
This includes breaking up illegal gatherings and issuing fines. You can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400, and if you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of up to £10,000.
Travelling into Greater Manchester
As announced in a joint statement issued by Greater Manchester’s ten directors of public health yesterday, anyone who has travelled to Greater Manchester from Tier 4 areas – or Wales – for Christmas is being told to self-isolate for at ten days.
Anyone arriving to the city-region is urged to remain in whichever house they are staying at for that period, starting from Saturday 19th December.
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They are being warned not to have visitors over that time, including on Christmas Day, although people in the same house do not need to self-isolate unless anyone develops symptoms.
The UK government has ultimately advised that the safest way to celebrate Christmas will be to do so with your own household in your own home.
Scotland has banned all travel in and out of the country – meaning Christmas bubbles can only be formed within the Scottish borders – but Wales has allowed cross-border travel to meet with households in Christmas bubbles, however this will be limited by the fact that you will need to leave and return to your home on Christmas Day.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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A list of all the best freebies you can get at this year’s Manchester Marathon
Lydia Mastrolonardo
It’s that time of the year again to brace yourselves for Strava-plastered Instagram stories and road closures – that’s right, it’s one of the UK’s biggest running events: the adidas Manchester Marathon, which also means it’s time for lots of well-earned freebies.
Even if you’re not participating this year, don’t miss out on the opportunity to come down to support our fellow Mancunians, many of whom will be running for a great cause and immerse yourself in the infectiously positive atmosphere here on marathon day in the city centre.
Now, for all of you runners, after all of that training and hard work, it’s time to kick back, relax and let us do this last leg of the race for you. 26.2 miles is no small feat, so make sure you look after yourselves inside the celebration zone before moving on to the much-deserved freebies further afield.
Whether you’re set on gaining a new PB or are just focusing on surviving to the finish line, we believe that you all deserve to unwind properly. So, find out all the free things you can get your hands on after the 2026 Manchester Marathon.
20 Manchester Marathon freebies for 2026
FYI: All deals below are only validated by showing your 2026 Adidas Manchester Marathon medal upon entry – no medal, no free stuff!
1. ERDINGER ‘Alkoholfrei’
First stop is to rehydrate and recover, with an isotonic celebration (and your first ‘bev’ of the day).
Go and grab your FREE drink in the adidas Celebration Zone, packed with B-vitamins and minerals to replenish your body with all that it needs post-marathon.
2. High5
Before you leave the Celebration Zone, collect your Vanilla Chocolate-flavoured HIGH5 Recovery Protein Bar, packed with carbohydrates and proteins to help with recovery and build your energy stores back up, so you’re able to go and explore the next deals.
Credit: The Manc Group
3. Vita Coco
Next, head over to the Vita Coco Refresh Zone to collect your free Vita Coco Coconut Water. With high levels of Vitamin C and potassium, it’s guaranteed to refuel and hydrate your body.
Ensure you collect your ‘Feel Good Fuel,’ before moving on to your next treats.
4. HARIBO
Time for a sweet treat, after all, you’ve earned it.
Go and visit the HARIBO Activation Zone to collect some energy-filled sweets. They will have a selection of Starmix, Supermix, Tangfastics and GIANT Strawbs available to both runners and spectators, so there’s something for everyone!
5. Circolo Popolare
One of Manchester city centre’s finest Italian restaurants is offering a free margherita pizza.
Again, all you have to do is present your finisher’s medal to secure some free slices. It’s also worth noting that you can claim this at any time between race day on Sunday and the following Wednesday.
It’s a very popular place, of course, so it’s definitely worth trying to book ahead if you can, which you can do so right HERE.
Next up is Blackbird over at beloved bar, kitchen and small-cap gig venue, Gorilla, who will be offering a free dessert on them with a dining reservation.
T&Cs apply, of course – pre-booked tables only as stipulated and one dessert per medal etc. – but it’s pretty much as simple as that.
Following last year’s success, Circle Square will again be transformed into an all-day bustling free Manchester Marathon Fan Zone with big screens, food and drink stalls and a schedule of family-friendly activities, only a short distance from the marathon’s finish line on Oxford Road.
This area will be a supporters’ hub from 9am-5pm, supplying a vibrant space for spectators to rally support throughout the day, as well as a meeting point for runners to reconvene with family and friends after the race.
Activities will include arts and crafts, dance experiences, children’s sport sessions and performances from a youth-led percussion and dance band. Restart Pilates will be hosting free guided ‘stretch and recovery’ sessions all afternoon for marathon finishers in Symphony Park.
Jetts Gym are also set to deliver outdoor fitness classes throughout the day, with ‘sports massage and physio support’ on hand and evening classes dedicated to ‘stretching and light movement,’ to cool down post-marathon.
Proudly part of the running route and one of our favourite strips to run during the Manchester Marathon track, The Deansgate pub is offering finishers a drink on the house.
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They’re doing the same for the TSC London Marathon as well, and the Greene King pub group in general will be extending that bit of kindness to runners turned punters.
Upon leaving the Adidas Celebration Zone, after soaking up the atmosphere and music, head on over to The Grosvenor’s unofficial after party for your reward.
All medal holders are entitled to a free pint of BrewDog Cold Beer, and both runners and the public will have the opportunity to try the brand-new Jagermeister Orange.
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There’s nothing quite like that first sip of an ice-cold pint after a run, and with it located so close to the finish zone, even if your legs are like jelly, it’s only a few steps to stumble to – it would be rude not to.
Not to mention, they will also be hosting entertainment throughout the day, with lots of huge giveaways.
Now this one is great, not just for runners but volunteers too, as both are entitled to a free burger on Sunday, 19 April.
All you have to do is show your medal/volunteer pass, purchase a single drink, and then you can reserve your well-earned meal.
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Only available at their Spinningfields and Trafford restaurants, take your pick!
12. Chotto Matte Manchester
Chotto Matte is also inviting participants to unwind with a drink and celebrate with family or friends, high above the Manchester skyline.
Marathon runners are invited to enjoy a complimentary pint or glass of Prosecco, in Claude’s Skyview Bar between 12 and 6pm.
Simply flash your medal at reception to collect your token, and then it’s time to relax. To accommodate the occasion, a relaxed dress code is in place to facilitate runners straight from crossing the finish line.
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This offer is available to walk-ins only, so don’t wait around. Head on up and enjoy the views across the city, you could even try and see if you can spot where you just ran.
To celebrate in style, head over to the Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel to receive another complimentary glass of prosecco for all marathon runners.
Not to mention 26% off your table for those 26.2 miles you ran. Very well deserved, we think! Walk-ins are welcome all day.
14. Mollie’s Motel
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If you’re getting in need of a bit of food by this point, Mollie’s is celebrating this amazing day with unlimited fries for all runners and friends. Yes, you heard right: come and get your post-run fix of carbs for free, available with any main item order.
Can your day get any better? If you thought you received kudos for your run before, just you wait until they find out that every runner can share their hours of endless fries with their group of supporters.
Everyone will want to be your best friend even more, and the kudos will know no bounds – if you think about it, it’s a reward for everyone involved.
Whether they’ve been there for you through the highs and lows of training or have spent their day standing on the sidelines, everyone deserves a little reward in potato form at Mollie’s.
15. YES
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Alternatively, head over to YES for free slices of arguably some of the best pizza in town.
Go and make the most out of their deal of a free slice of pizza with every pint bought, for all marathon finishers. Can you think of a better way to celebrate?
YES is a fantastic bar and event space located on Charles St. It is stretched over multiple floors with a gorgeous roof terrace and outdoor area, offering live music, food and cheap drinks. Don’t believe us? Go on down and see for yourself.
Ideal on that terrace if we get perfect race day weather. (Credit: The Manc)
16. Dishoom
Next stop is Dishoom, grab a table and claim your free 330ml Kingfisher or Kingfisher Zero (0.0%) beer for anyone dining with a finisher’s medal.
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Serving Indian-inspired dishes, this would be another amazing option to stop off for some class food.
17. Motley
There is a FREE pint or non-alcoholic ‘Nojito’ waiting for you at Motley, and in their words, it’s time to ‘run like a saint… celebrate like a sinner!’
With a choice of either a free pint of Motley Brew, a locally produced craft Pilsner from Seven Bro7hers Brewery or for those more ‘saintly’ runners, there is a non-alcoholic spin on a Mojito waiting to quench your thirst. Simply present your medal at the bar to collect your refreshing reward.
Located in Deansgate, Motley is best known for having a laid-back community atmosphere, serving both seasonal food and inventive cocktails. This isn’t one to miss.
18. Society
If you’ve got any stamina left, you might as well make it a crawl – next stop for a free pint is Society, located on Barbirolli Square. After 26.2 miles and all of that gruelling training, you deserve it.
Society prides itself on its relaxing atmosphere, perfect for recovering post-run, with the city’s ‘biggest beer collection’ and five fantastic, independent, street food stalls to refuel with.
Not to mention all of those with a medal will be able to collect a refreshing post-run free pint of hazy pale ale, created in partnership with the Manchester brewery Sureshot, but don’t delay, as they’re available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Every year, plenty of people stretch out their marathon celebrations by treating themselves to a bit of posh scran, and many of them eye up a steak at Gaucho – especially when it’s free.
With a choice from any of their signature cuts, it’s a great choice and gets that protein in.
Unlike the others on the list, this deal is available from 19 – 23 April, so if you want to celebrate after some sleep, that’s absolutely fine, just don’t forget to bring along your medal to redeem your steak!
Why not end the night with a game of shuffleboard?
All marathon finishers are entitled to a free glass of house wine (175ml), a glass of prosecco (125ml) or a soft drink.
On Sunday, 19 April, Electric Shuffle will also be hosting a Bottomless Brunch from 12-2pm and 2:30-4:30pm. Expect sets from the resident DJ, four beers or a bottle of prosecco for each guest, unlimited sourdough pizza and one hour of shuffleboard! Find out more and book HERE.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/adidas Manchester Marathon
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Bernardo Silva has confirmed he is leaving Manchester City at the end of the season
Danny Jones
After a couple of years of will he, won’t he, Manchester City star Bernardo Silva has now revealed he will be leaving at the end of the season.
While most supporters saw it coming from a mile off, it’s still a huge loss for the Blues.
Announcing his imminent departure on social media this Thursday, 16 April, the Man City midfielder will call it a day at the Etihad Stadium after the best part of the decade.
More importantly, he’s lifted virtually everything there is to win at a club level after signing from Monaco at the age of 22, and has been an instrumental part of the squad ever since he arrived.
Manchester City can confirm Bernardo Silva will leave the Club this summer.
Writing a lengthy and emotional post on his Instagram, 31-year-old Silva wrote: Cityzens, When I arrived 9 years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life, wanting to achieve great things.
“This city and this club gave me much more than that, much more than I ever hoped for. What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart. ‘The Centurions’, the domestic quadruple, the Treble, the ‘Four In A Row’ and much more… It wasn’t that bad
“In a few months, it’s time to say goodbye to the city where not only [did] we win so much as a football club, but also where I started my marriage and my family. From the bottom of my heart, Ines and Carlota, thank you!
“To the fans, your unconditional support throughout the years is something that I will never forget. My main goal as a player was to always play with passion so you guys could feel proud and well represented on the pitch. I hope you felt that every single game.
“I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life. Keep supporting this young team, and I’m pretty sure they will bring you a lot of new, fantastic memories in the future.
After more than four and a half centuries’ worth of appearances already, and a few more to come before the end of the 2025/26 campaign, he will no doubt go down as one of the all-time greats – and not just for City, but arguably the Premier League in general.
With 76 goals and 77 assists to his name, not to mention 19 trophies while wearing the shirt,
He signed off by adding: “To the club, Pep, the staff and all my teammates these 9 years, thank you for all the memories and for letting me be a part of this journey for so long.
“The atmosphere we created every day in the training ground made me feel at home and a part of a big family. Let’s enjoy together these last weeks and fight for what this season still brings us. Love you all, Bernardo.”
As for Guardiola and co, they have already teased plans to give the Portuguese playmaker a proper send-off and have promised to work with the fans to deliver “a fitting tribute and farewell to a wonderful servant of Manchester City Football Club at the end of the season.”
The Manc -
22nd December 2020 
