Most Mancunians have heard the famous Ian Brown quote “Manchester has everything except a beach” once or twice in our time.
Every year, once the sun starts to shine and the temperatures soar, locals of our great city are reminded of its downfall when it comes to the lack of beach and distance from the coast and sea air, and to at this point, we’re getting a bit sick of hearing the Stone Roses frontman’s famous words.
But finally, those words will no longer stand this summer, as a giant sandy beach is set to arrive in Heaton Park this weekend just in time for the school holidays.
And the best part? It’s completely free.
Organised by events company Carousel Funfairs, Come to the Beach is returning to Manchester this weekend, and it’s bringing sand, deck chairs, buckets and spades, and so much more to one of the area’s most popular and best-loved parks so all the family can make the most of the sunshine before it disappears.
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The upcoming free event is set to have “the largest sandpit in the North West” with 100 tonnes of play sand, according to event organisers, and it’s promising to be “the biggest beach” the city’s ever had.
Come to the Beach is taking over Heaton Park from this weekend / Credit: Carousel Funfairs
While the sandpit is undoubtedly one of the stand-out features, there’ll also be trampolines and inflatable attractions, a ‘kid’s zone’ that’s packed with a wide range of entertainment to keep the little ones happy, regular character and dino appearances, and of course, a seaside fun park with plenty of traditional rides and attractions – which can be paid for with tokens.
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Regular character appearances will come from the likes of Spider-Man and Mirabel from Disney’s Encanto.
There’s also set to be a wide array of “boardwalk treats” to tuck into, as well as stalls selling foods from all around the world.
The upcoming free event is set to have “the largest sandpit in the North West” / Credit: Pxhere
Come to the Beach is arriving at Heaton Park in Manchester on Saturday 23 July, and will be staying open right through the summer until Sunday 4 September – and tickets are now available to get your hands on.
Open from 12pm daily, you can either buy tokens for individual rides or get 25 tokens for £25 for the family to share, and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, you’ll even be able to buy an unlimited wristband, which gives you access to all the rides for a three-hour session for £11.99 per person.
You can grab tickets to Come to the Beach 2022 here.
Massive student night returns to Trafford Centre next month with up to 50% off on big brands
Emily Sergeant
Students can get themselves up to 30% off on food, activities, and loads of big-name brands at the Trafford Centre next month.
With thousands of new and returning students starting to arrive for the new academic year at Greater Manchester‘s universities, one of the region’s biggest student nights will be making a long-awaited comeback for one night only next month – and there’ll be loads of exclusive offers and free entertainment to make the most of across the evening.
Taking over the Trafford Centre in early October, the popular one-off student night is happening in partnership with Student Beans, and gives cash-strapped students the chance to shop a variety of incredible discounts all under one roof.
Just some of the big brands offering big discounts include 25% off at Levi’s and Boux Avenue, 20% off at Gymshark, Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch, and 15% off at KIKO, Rituals, and Sephora.
It’s not just retail brands you’ll be able to save some pennies on either, as many of the Trafford Centre’s restaurants and cafes will also be offering discounts and freebies on the night too.
Alongside the offers, students can expect plenty of live entertainment and in-store experiences throughout the evening, including a DJ set and drinks at Calvin Klein, in-store fitness challenges and at Gymshark, an exclusive piercing event at Lovisa, and a Beauty Hub takeover at Sephora.
There’ll also be ‘spin-to-win’ opportunities at places like schuh, River Island, and YO! Sushi.
Massive student night returns to Trafford Centre next month with up to 50% off on big brands / Credit: Supplied
“Student Night is one of the highlights of our autumn calendar, and we’re excited to welcome students for an evening of brilliant offers and feel-good experiences,” explained Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at the Trafford Centre.
“Whether they are updating their wardrobe, stocking up on beauty favourites, grabbing a bite to eat or enjoying the atmosphere with friends, there is plenty to discover across the centre.
“With simple transport links from Manchester city centre and across the region, Trafford Centre is the perfect place for a student night out.”
The Trafford Centre’s Student Night is happening on Thursday 1 October from 6-10pm, and students can now reserve themselves a spot by registering online HERE.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Manchester has been named one of the most ‘stressful’ places to drive in the UK
Emily Sergeant
The UK’s most challenging driving locations have been revealed, according to new data… and isn’t good news for Manchester.
No matter whether you’re a new driver or have years of experience behind the wheel, some roads can test even the most confident of motorists.
From congestion and poor road conditions, to limited parking and higher incident rates, it’s fair to say that some areas make driving more stressful.
But which parts of the UK are the hardest to drive in?
Well, in a bid to answer that question, MoneySuperMarket has analysed a whole host of data – such as road infrastructure, road safety, road conditions, vehicle crime concerns, and insurance-related trends – for 58 UK cities, boroughs, and local authorities to create a drivability score and discover the locations that drivers find most stressful.
Manchester has been named one of the most ‘stressful’ places to drive in the UK / Credit: Manchester City Council | pxfuel
Manchester, unfortunately, claimed third place on the list of top 10 most challenging locations for drivers – with an overall drivability score of 25 out of 100.
Other northern cities and towns like Leeds, Preston, Blackpool, Bradford, Wakefield, and Oldham have founded themselves in the top 10 too, meaning the North West is sadly the most-represented area.
Top 10 Most Challenging Locations For Drivers
Croydon
Derby
Manchester
Leeds
Preston
Birmingham
Blackpool
Bradford
Wakefield
Oldham
The findings also reflect some of the concerns drivers experience on the road, with more than a third of motorists (34%) saying they have avoided driving because they were travelling in an unfamiliar area, while almost a third (32%) have chosen not to drive due to heavy traffic or congestion.
Dealing with impatient or aggressive drivers was the most commonly cited source of stress, with almost two-thirds of motorists (65%) saying they find situations such as tailgating and beeping stressful.
“Driving is part of everyday life for millions of people, but our research shows just how much stress and uncertainty it can bring,” commented Alicia Hempsted, who is a Car Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket.
“Particularly in areas where there are more incidents recorded, car-related thefts are more common, or where there is heavier traffic or less familiar roads.”
Emily Sergeant -
19th July 2022 
