Manchester aviation fans will be able to tuck into a lavish banquet-style dinner beneath the wings of an old Concorde plane next month.
In what is a bid to properly mark the 20th anniversary of the final Concorde flight to depart the Northern hub, Manchester Airport has announced its plans to host a special celebration under the wings of the the iconic aircraft at its Runway Visitor Park.
Tickets are now on sale, and available for the general public to get their hands on.
The supersonic aircraft famously caused a stir when it first flew into Manchester all the way back in 1980, with thousands of people lining the streets and parking up on the roads around the airport to catch a glimpse.
Its final commercial flight from Manchester took place on 22 October 2003, and then, just one week later, the flagship aircraft in British Airways’ Concorde fleet touched down in our city for one last time.
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The aircraft was flown in to be put on display at the airport, where it remains to this day.
A lavish black-tie banquet is happening beneath the wings of a Concorde plane in Manchester / Credit: Runway Visitor Park
The black-tie event to celebrate the plane’s 20th year will start with a drinks reception in the Concorde hangar, before guests are seated for a four-course meal, Manchester Airport explains.
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Soprano vocalist Gemma Ashley will provide the musical entertainment on the night, while diners will also get to hear exclusive accounts from former Concorde pilot, Captain John Tye, as well as Concorde’s most frequent flyer, Fred Finn, before getting the chance to board the aircraft themselves for a tour.
The evening will then be rounded-off with a demonstration of Concorde’s famous nose droop.
“Concorde is an iconic aircraft,” Runway Visitor Park’s Manager, Paul Emblow, commented as the anniversary event was announced.
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The flagship aircraft touched down in our city for one last time in October 2003 / Credit: Manchester Airport
“Its story is intrinsically linked with the story of Manchester Airport, and of the Runway Visitor Park, as for most of its years of active service, Concorde was a regular visitor to Manchester and its iconic silhouette even appeared in the airport’s former logo, such was its resonance with passengers and planespotters.
“The Runway Visitor Park now provides a permanent home for British Airways’ flagship G-BOAC, which transported members of the Royal Family among other famous faces.
“It’s the perfect setting to celebrate the anniversary of its retirement.”
The exclusive Concorde 20th Anniversary Gala event takes place on Friday 27 October from 6pm, with tickets now on sale and setting you back £90 per person.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig to AO Arena following Co-op Live cancellation
Danny Jones
Rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has confirmed that his cancelled Co-op Live gig has now been moved to Manchester’s AO Arena this weekend.
After suddenly being lined up as the venue’s first official gig after the postponement of both Peter Kay and The Black Keys, the American hip-hop artists’ show ended up going the same as the others previously scheduled for the new arena and being pulled at the last minute.
With guests being turned away from the still-yet-to-open Co-op Live Arena just hours before the show was set to start, and Olivia Rodrigo fans being given the same unfortunate news ahead of her gig this Saturday, ABWDH has taken matters into his own hands.
Announcing the rescheduling of his concert on X, the 28-year-old artist confirmed that Wednesday night’s gig has now been relocated to Co-op’s main rival, the AO Arena.
Yesterday's canceled Manchester show has been Rescheduled for this Saturday at AO Arena! We won't give up that easy let's go!
The switch to the AO comes after A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie issued a statement admitting he was ‘heated’ about the situation.
Set to take place on Saturday, the artist – which just so happens to be his first name (yes, seriously) – had a simple message for his fans: “We won’t give up that easy, let’s go!”.
Nevertheless, it hasn’t stopped the venue – which is set to become the UK’s biggest indoor entertainment venue and one of the largest in Europe when it finally does open – from announcing more events over the coming months and well into 2025.
Confirming the show on their social pages, the AO simply promised, “It’s going to be a brilliant night and we can’t wait to see you all here.”
We’re excited to welcome @ArtistHBTL and his fans to AO Arena this Saturday. 💛 It’s going to be a brilliant night and we can’t wait to see you all here. ⚡️ More ticket info will be available in due course. pic.twitter.com/Q9LKGU6RND
The AO Arena has hosted some of the biggest names in the entire world in the course of its existence and recently underwent a £50m refurbishment that included the launch of The Mezz.
Safe to say this presents an interesting twist in events when so many people have been pitting the two venues against one another.
Question marks have been hanging over whether more upcoming gigs, like Keane on Sunday 5 May, and then a five-night run of gigs from Take That will still be able to go ahead.
It remains to be seen whether other artists will follow suit in moving their shows should more cancellations/postponements be announced.
You can recap everything that’s happened so far down below:
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 6 – 12 May 2024
Emily Sergeant
We’re into our first full week of May now, and it’s already starting to feel like summer’s on the way across our region.
April saw the likes of foodie festivals, cultural celebrations, wholesome spring-themed events, and so much more happening all throughout the month… but thankfully, there’s even more where that came from in May.
There’s loads more in the Greater Manchester social calendar for everyone of all ages to be getting involved with this week and beyond.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? We’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘What’s on‘ guide, so here’s some of our recommendations.
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The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition
Manchester Central Library
Monday 6 May – onwards
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition / Credit: Supplied
Photography students from The Manchester College will be showcasing their ‘Greater Mancunians’ project as part of a landmark exhibition at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall from this week.
150 students have participated in the groundbreaking photography project, and it features images of some of Manchester’s most famous and influential people shot at numerous locations across the city.
More than 100 contributors are featured in the project, including musicians Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr, athletes Diane Modahl and Ricky Hatton, local politicians Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, and Bev Craig, actors Maxine Peake and Bill Roache, artists Stan Chow and AKSE P-19, and other local figures like Jonathan Warburton, Simon Martin, and Professor Erinma Bell MBE.
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine has once again made a long-awaited return to Greater Manchester this early May Bank Holiday weekend.
The beloved Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be “a train ride like no other”.
Families will have the chance to hop onboard the East Lancashire Railway’s replica of the cult-classic blue train character when he returns in a couple of weeks time for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.
Don’t forget there’s a world-first exhibition still running down at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, and it’s giving families the chance to “dive headfirst into the digestive system” and “travel like a poo”.
The new blockbuster exhibition, Operation Ouch!, is based on and will see the award-winning CBBC children’s TV series brought to life.
Visitors can expect interactive experiences, amazing objects from the Science Museum Group’s collection, and appearances from world-renowned doctors who will be on hand to guide audiences through this “lively, interactive, and playful adventure to better understand our brilliant bodies”.
A brand-new art exhibition curated by visual artist Emma Evans in partnership with six other creators is now open in Manchester, and it’s completely free to visit.
Tales of Manchester 2.0 down at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is a collection of multi-platform art celebrating our brilliant city, and it’s showcasing six spoken word pieces by established Manchester based poets – Griot Gabriel, Ilaria Passeri, Lisa O’Hare, Mark Jackson aka Keith’s Brother, Matt Concannon aka The Thirsty Poet, and Sarah Attwell.
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The spoken word is paired with visual pieces painted by self-taught artist Emma Evans, where the words have served as inspiration for the art.
Did you see that Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024?
Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is already familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world.
But now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.
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The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.
Castlefield ViaductManchester Green Spaces Trail / Credit: Carl Sukonik | Annapurna Mellor
Workers and visitors are being invited to discover some stunning outdoor spaces across Manchester city centre and beyond this summer.
Keen to get out and about on foot? Manchester has launched Manchester Green Spaces Trail – a brand-new walking trail celebrating the best green, blue, and outdoor areas the cities of Manchester and Salford have to offer.
Created in collaboration with Manchester tour guide, Jonathan Schofield, the walking trail is free to do and accessible via a downloadable map, and it features 16 garden and water spaces.
Have you seen that Noi Quattro has just launched a full new menu of pastas?
Down at the beloved Manchester Italian restaurant’s site inside popular foodhall, Society MCR, is where you’ll find slow-cooked ragú, homemade pesto, loads of parmesan cheese all served with a generous portion of rigatoni or penne pasta.
Disco Bingo – Taylor Swift vs Harry Styles / Credit: GRUB
‘Disco Bingo’ is one of GRUB’s best-loved events, and this week, it’s putting two of pop music’s biggest names, Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, against each other.
If you find yourself at a loose end this Friday night, you might fancy nipping down to GRUB, as the Green Quarter-based street food market and social hub is hosting a Taylor vs Harry edition of ‘Disco Bingo’, and it’ll be combining all your favourite bangers by the two superstars with lyric challenges, karaoke, guess the intro, bottomless brunch, and classic bingo hall vibes.
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There’s loads of exciting prizes up for grabs too.
Tickets will set you back £6 for ‘standard’ and £25 for ‘bottomless’, so you can find out more and grab yours here.
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Freight Island’s Spring & Summer Festival Season 2024
Depot Mayfield
Saturday 11 May – onwards
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Freight Island’s Spring & Summer Festival Season 2024 / Credit: Freight Island
In case you missed it, Freight Island has announced a huge lineup for its Spring/Summer season, with a free-to-attend festival series.
The huge urban street food and entertainment destination, located at Depot Mayfield just beyond Manchester Piccadilly, is now back open in full swing, and is promising its most electrifying season yet throughout this spring and summer.
David Rodigan, Greg Wilson, Crazy P (DJ set), and Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) are just some of the names on the lineup over the next few months.
It’s official… the best doughnuts in Manchester have found a beautiful new home.
Word on the street is that these fluffy brioche doughnuts are even better than Gooey’s… ‘the street’ being the guy sat next to us who was eating one with his eyes closed in a state of bliss. That’s right – DGHNT has moved into the beautiful foodhall, Mackie Mayor, and are now serving up gorgeous from-scratch bakes topped and stuffed with delicious flavours.
Currently, there’s a collab on with Manchester Italian stalwarts, Salvi’s, so ricotta chocolate chip, Amalfi lemon, pistachio tiramisu, and black cherry almond are some of the flavours on the ever-changing lineup.
Did you see that the 2024 Eurovision Grand Final is set to be show live in cinemas across Greater Manchester this Saturday?
Following the success of the first-ever live streams of Europe’s biggest party onto the big screen when it was held on British soil in Liverpool last year, cinemas up and down the UK are set to come together once again to celebrate 2024’s edition of the major night in the music calendar by hosting the ultimate viewing events.
The epic Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on Saturday 11 May will be broadcast live on BBC One, and streamed into more than 100 cinemas nationwide – including several in Greater Manchester.
Hosted by CinemaLive, the live stream events will allow Eurovision fans to gather under one roof and be “united by music” to share in the unbeatable experience of celebrating the brightest and boldest music party of the year on the big screen.
Emily Sergeant -
5th September 2023 
