City Centre
Snappy Runners
AJ Handley-Rowe -
16th June 2022
AJ Handley-Rowe -
16th June 2022 City Centre
Police issue statement following several stabbings in and around Manchester Arndale this month
Emily Sergeant
The police have issued an update following several stabbings, primarily involving teenagers, in and around Manchester Arndale this month.
It comes after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers responded to reports of a stabbing on Withy Grove at around 7pm on Tuesday evening (27 October), and once they attended the scene, the found a 13-year-old boy who’d sustained injuries consistent with knife wounds, and he was subsequently rushed hospital where he’s said to remain in a ‘stable condition’.
Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident, and GMP confirmed there will be an ‘increased police presence’ in the area as the investigation continues.
Section 60 and Section 60AA ‘stop and search’ warrants have been authorised following this most recent incident, and remain in place.
It has also been confirmed that four teenagers have been arrested in connection.
ADVERTISEMENT
Three boys – aged 14, 15 and 16 – have been arrested on suspicion of affray and remain in custody for questioning, while another boy, aged 13, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article, GMP confirmed.
Providing an update following the several stabbings this month, Superintendent Simon Nasim, from GMP’s City of Manchester team, said: “Firstly my thoughts are with the young boy who was injured and I wish him a quick recovery.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We are aware of the other incidents in the city centre of this nature, but at this stage they are not thought to be linked. Our communities should not be in fear of harm, and our priority is taking effective action with partners against those involved in anti-social behaviour and criminality.
“Knife crime is understandably a concern amongst our communities, and we have dedicated teams who will be deployed across the city centre to hotspot areas to strengthen our response to violent crime, and provide a reassuring message to our public.
“But we cannot tackle it alone. We rely on the cooperation of the public, to report anything that looks suspicious or any incidents to us, and we will be sure to act on it.
“Our investigation into [Tuesday’s] incident is ongoing, I urge anyone with information to please come forward.”
Read more:
- Teenage boy rushed to hospital after third Manchester Arndale stabbing this month
- Police provide update after stabbing of 14-year-old boy at Manchester Arndale carpark
- Police charge and name man after broad daylight stabbing of 19-year-old in Northern Quarter
Can you help? Anyone with information, including witnesses or those with CCTV or mobile phone footage, are asked to contact police on 0161 856 1495, or via the LiveChat function on the GMP website, quoting log 3058 of 28/10/26.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
City Centre
Everything you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – dates, locations, and more
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Christmas Markets will be taking over the city centre this festive season, with hundreds of little wooden huts lining the streets.
Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bringing thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on fantastic festive treats and soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.
This year will see a bigger return of Albert Square, after the headline-grabbing partial return at last year’s event – with the big wheel also set to make a comeback.
There’s also set to be some new locations too for 2026, with Lincoln Square joining in on the action, as well as big changes to St Ann’s Square with what is being described as a ‘brand new layout’ bringing in a bigger number of market stalls.
There will be a total of 210 stalls spread out across the city centre.
When are the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026?
This year’s Manchester Christmas Markets will take place between Friday 6 November and Monday 22 December, across 10 different city centre locations.
Some sites will remain open even longer though – there’ll be festivities continuing at both Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens (which is home to the Skate Manchester ice rink) until Sunday 3 January 2027.
Another date for your diary is the Manchester Christmas Parade, which will see floats and performers filling the city on Sunday 6 December.
Manchester Christmas Markets locations
There are some brand-new spots to check out this year as the markets officially leave Piccadilly Gardens and return to their spiritual home around Albert Square.
Notably, Lincoln Square will be hosting a food and drink-focused market for the first time.
St Ann’s Square will also have a brand-new look, and Albert Square will again be home to a helter-skelter and a big wheel, along with loads of food, drink, and festive retail.
The locations are:
- Albert Square
- Lincoln Square
- King Street
- St Ann’s Square
- Corn Exchange
- Exchange Street
- New Cathedral Street
- Market Street
- Exchange Square
- Cathedral Gardens
You can see more about what each location will offer HERE.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 opening and closing times
The vast majority of the Manchester Christmas Markets locations will be open from 10am to 9pm daily, through to 22 December.
The only exceptions are as follows:
Albert Square
- 6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
- 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
- 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
- 26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
- 31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
- 1–3 January: 10am to 6pm
Cathedral Gardens
- 6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
- 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
- 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
- 26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
- 31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
- 1–3 January: 10am to 6pm
Food and drink highlights at the Manchester Christmas Markets
Until the markets are officially open, we’re not sure exactly what this year’s top stalls and must-eats will be – but looking at the trader list, we can give you a good idea.
The always-popular Yorkshire Pudding Wraps from Porky Pig will be back in Exchange Square, along with the iconic Witch House German bratwursts a short distance away on New Cathedral Street.
Other traders we loved in 2025 who’ll be returning this year include Great North Pie, Flat Baker, Hong Kong French Toast, and Oi Dumplings.
ADVERTISEMENT
What is the 2026 mug design? And how much do they cost?
Zippy is the star of the show, as the retro-style mug designs show Manchester’s favourite giant Santa surrounded by gift-wrapped presents, fir trees, and a snowy Manchester cityscape with the Town Hall and its unmistakable clock tower to one side.
Designed by the Council’s in-house design studio, the mugs are the latest in a series of collectable Christmas mugs designed by them each year for Manchester’s world-beating Christmas Markets.
There are two different souvenir mugs to collect – both share the same retro design, but each one is a different colour and shape.
This year, the price of the mugs is the same as last year, with customers asked to pay a deposit of £3.50 when they buy a hot chocolate or Glühwein.
Travel advice and how to get to the Manchester Christmas Markets
As usual, passengers are advised to travel with public transport wherever possible, as the city centre will be very busy with both Christmas Markets visitors and shoppers.
ADVERTISEMENT
There are eight tram stops in the city centre that will put you within walking distance of the festivities, with St Peter’s Square the closest to the main site at Albert Square.
Trains and buses also serve the city centre well, but if you really need to drive, TfGM is advising to make use of the park and ride system rather than risking traffic delays in town.
See more on the Bee Network website HERE.
Read more
- M&S launches massive recruitment drive in Greater Manchester with hundreds of jobs available
- Festive food village announced at magical Manchester light trail
- Full list of locations announced for Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – including NEW places
Featured image: The Manc Group
More City Centre
Audio
Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute
Eats