A three-day outdoor festival full of food, drink, and live music is set to return to a hidden street in Manchester city centre in just a couple of weeks time.
Back by popular demand after what was a successful run in 2021, city centre dining and leisure destination, The Great Northern Warehouse, has announced that it’s hosting its three-day outdoor festival, Deansgate Mews Festival, once again in 2022 – with live music, market traders, Al Fresco dining, and so much more on the lineup.
Just as the name suggests, the street festival will take over Deansgate Mews – a hidden street nestled just above the city’s main thoroughfare, Deansgate from Friday 20 – Sunday 22 May, with the final day of the festival coinciding with the Great Manchester Run.
The festival is completely free to attend, and will celebrate all the eclectic independent food and drink businesses on the street.
Deansgate Mews Festival is back by popular demand later this month / Credit: Deansgate Mews Festival
Over 40 different music acts are also on the lineup this year, and it features local acts such as South By Zero, The France, and Uno Mas, who will all be taking centre stage to entertain guests over the three-day “sunshine celebrations”.
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As well as the returning Lion’s Den outdoor stage, also new to the festival this year will be a second stage located within live streaming and music recording specialists, Low Four, which has an lineup of Dirty Freud and Ad Hoc Records – representing the likes of Agadir and Parapet EP – and a disco DJ set from Marple band, Dutch Uncles, from 10:30am-5pm on Sunday 22 May.
Over 40 different music acts are on the entertainment lineup this year / Credit: Lion’s Den Manchester (via Facebook)
When it comes to what’s on the summer-inspired food and drink menu, festival-goers can expect to tuck into treats from Deansgate Mews’ newest restaurant, Another Hand – which is known for its locally-sourced produce and seasonal cocktails.
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The Mews Bar will also be serving up some of the finest of wines paired with meat and cheese sharing boards across the festival, and for the Saturday and Sunday, you can make the most of the spritz menu offering 2-4-1 on selected spritzes, and 50% off flatbreads too.
And if the selection of food, drink, and live entertainment wasn’t brilliant enough as it is, there will also be pop-up Gift Emporium selling a range of unique and quirky gifts across the three-day festival, with local Manchester brands including floristry specialist Bahflorals, Dolly Florence selling artwork and paintings, and independent clothing brand Elize Clothing.
The festival will celebrate the eclectic independent food and drink businesses on the street / Credit: Another Hand | The Mews Bar (via Facebook)
“Following on from last year’s success, we are delighted to bring you the return of Deansgate Mews Festival, and we anticipate it will be bigger and better than ever,” said Mark Schofield – Centre Director at The Great Northern Warehouse.
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“Our ambition with the festival is to invite local people along to enjoy a free weekend of music, accompanied by fantastic outdoor dining, drinks and shopping.”
You can find out more about the Deansgate Mews Festival 2022here.
A free wedding show is returning to the spectacular Grade I-listed Rochdale Town Hall
Daisy Jackson
A beautiful wedding show is returning to the Grade I-listed Rochdale Town Hall next month, and it’s totally free to attend.
Rochdale Wedding Show will bring together 40 different suppliers, showcasing everything from flowers and wedding cars to catering and cakes.
There’ll be food tastings, live music, and breathtaking wedding fashion to get stuck into when the event returns to Rochdale Town Hall on Sunday 17 May.
Organisers Rochdale Borough Council have brought together a huge line-up of businesses to help couples get inspired and organised for their big day.
Companies will be showing off the latest trends in bridalwear, menswear, and everything in between when it comes to wedding fashion.
Then you’ll be able to meet and browse suppliers for your flowers, your wedding transport, photography, venue dressing, cake design, hair and make-up, entertainment, jewellery, music, decorations, and even lighting.
And even if you’re in the very early stages of planning, you might be able to find your perfect wedding venue at the Rochdale Wedding Show, along with masses of inspiration to get started.
Many suppliers will be offering exclusive ‘show only’ offers on the day too, so you could make some big savings.
Experts will be on hand to offer advice and answer questions, whether you’re looking for something traditional, a more contemporary theme, or a civil ceremony.
If the surroundings of Rochdale Wedding Show have caught your eye, good news – you can get married at the Rochdale Town Hall itself, and will be able to take a look around the building on the day.
That includes the accommodation inside the nearby Rochdale Register Office which includes a 70-seat ceremony room, the Red Rose Suite, which holds marriage and civil partnership ceremonies.
Classic and contemporary wedding cars will be on display at Rochdale Wedding ShowEnjoy a taste of wedding bands and DJs at Rochdale Wedding ShowA complimentary glass of fizz and canapes will be served to guests on arrival.Hair and beauty experts will be at Rochdale Wedding ShowToastmaster Alan CalowLooking for inspiration? At the show there will be many ideas for things you may not have even considered having at your wedding, yet!Meet beautiful, stylish and inspiring suppliersExperts will be on hand to offer advice and answer questionsThe bar on the first-floor bar will also be open for love-themed cocktailsMeet beautiful, stylish and inspiring suppliersMeet beautiful, stylish and inspiring suppliersCompanies will be exhibiting the latest collections and trends in bridal wear, formal menswear and everything in betweenVisitors are welcome to try the acclaimed Martlet Kitchen restaurantRochdale Wedding Show will be in the stunning Rochdale Town Hall, itself a popular wedding venue
Guests will be greeted with a complimentary glass of fizz and canapes, and in between wedding planning, visitors are welcome to try the acclaimed Martlet Kitchen restaurant, where there’ll be hearty Sunday roasts with all the trimmings on offer.
The first floor bar will also be open for love-themed cocktails, including a Passion Fizz, Blushed and Frisky, and Love Bite, plus other drinks and snacks.
Events manager Charlotte Preston says: “Rochdale Wedding Show is the ultimate afternoon out for anyone looking to look at their options ahead of the big day.
“Whether you are in the early stages of planning or your wedding is rapidly approaching, this is a must attend event to get ideas and inspiration, meeting the experts and relaxing with friends and family.”
No need to book tickets, entry is free, just turn up and browse – you can find out more HERE.
National Trust’s popular Manchester blossom trail returns with dozens of Bloomtown events this spring
Emily Sergeant
The blossoms are blooming everywhere you look, and the National Trust’s popular Bloomtown programme is back once again.
Each spring, the most beautiful blossom covers the UK in swathes of pink and white.
From ornamental magnolias in gardens to hawthorn scattered across the countryside, you really don’t have to go far to experience the beauty of this season, as there’s plenty of blossom to discover right on our doorstep in Greater Manchester.
Whether you’re walking through the city centre on your way to work, enjoying a spot of lunch in the park, or going on a little local adventure with your family, the National Trust’s interactive Bloomtown map is filled with more than 50 of the best places to see blossom – with trails that will take you on a journey through several floral hotspots.
You can follow the Bloomtown Trail everywhere from Manchester city centre, to Salford, Trafford, Rochdale, and Stockport, or get creative and use the map to explore and create your very-own route.
The National Trust’s popular Manchester blossom and Bloomtown trail has returned this spring / Credit: The Manc Group
That’s not all either, as the National Trust has also organised a whole host of themed events and activities to help you appreciate the blossoms in all their glory.
You can get involved in everything from walks and bike rides, to poetry, dance, storytelling, creative workshops, and so much more at hotspots like Castlefield Viaduct, Dunham Massey, and Lyme Park.
Bee Pedal Ready are hosting a series of Bloomtown bike rides – including one this weekend (Saturday 25 April, followed by others in May) – where you can bring your own bike or borrow one for free and explore some of Manchester’s best blossom-lined routes.
A special Blossom-themed parkrun will take place at Heaton Park next weekend (Saturday 2 May), or there’s also a hands-on ‘blossomify your kit’ workshop at the park’s Lakeside Cafe this Saturday (25 April) morning too.
One of the most creative events on the lineup has to be the poetry and writing walks through the city’s pocket parks and green spaces, where you’ll be given a related writing prompt at each blossom stop.
First timers and experienced poets alike are welcome of the event on late May bank holiday Monday (25 May).
Bloomtown then ends in a finale weekend with dance performances and music created from the electrical signals of plants on Saturday 30 May at Castlefield Viaduct (booking required), as well as a free celebration for all ages on Sunday 31 May at The Whitworth Art Gallery – featuring blossom-themed storytelling, arts and crafts, bike rides, free books, drumming, dance, and more.
The Bloomtown programme is underway until 31 May, and you can find out more about all the themed events and book your tickets on the National Trust website here.
Emily Sergeant -
12th May 2022 
