MediaCityUK’s popular outdoor dining concept Box on the Docks (BOTD) is preparing to welcome back customers to its waterside ‘pods’ on May 17, owners have confirmed.
BOTD’s collection of 30 sheds and greenhouses have undergone renovation from local artists ahead of the grand reopening – with an exciting range of residents moving into the neighbourhood in time for summer.
A new Box on the Docks Bar and Grill will also open – offering tri-weekly residencies to some of Manchester and Salford’s most popular eateries.
Award-winning banger hut Grandad’s Sausages will grab the first slot, followed by the wood-fired takeaway I Knead Pizza.
Open daily, The Box on the Docks’ Bar and Grill will have coffee and pastries up for grabs courtesy of Batard Bakehouse – along with supersized NY-style hoagies from Bada Bing Sandwich Deli.
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Local craft breweries will also be on hand to serve fresh beers, with regular DJ sets and live music taking place later in the day.
Plant-based eatery Vertigo and The Botanist have also committed to BOTD for the summer season, with Vertigo offering Brunch and Supper menus from their boxes.
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The Salford Foodbank’s Gift Box will be on site accepting food donations – which will be distributed to local families in need.
Local brewery Seven Bro7hers has just announced the opening of their highly-anticipated pop-up bar & kitchen just in time for BOTD’s relaunch – giving customers the chance to enjoy a pint and one of their signature burgers, flatbreads or wedges in the beer house or private pod.
Keith McAvoy, Seven Bro7hers CEO said: “We are so pleased to finally be launching our MediaCityUK space after months of waiting for covid restrictions to ease. MediaCityUK is such a vibrant and exciting location, so we can’t wait to kick off by being part of the Box on the Docks buzz.
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“It is fantastic after months of closures and restrictions to be back doing what we love – welcoming people into our family for a pint. We look forward to seeing our customers in our new beer house and making the most of our Box on the Docks spaces this summer.”
Josie Cahill MediaCityUK Place Director added: “It’s been a long winter and as restrictions gradually lift it’s great to see MediaCityUK coming back to life.
“There’s a real buzz of excitement among our amazing cohort of artists and independent foodies and operators who have really pulled together to create a special experience for our visitors this summer.”
BOTD was originally launched in summer 2020 to support the hospitality and arts industry following the impact of the pandemic and has proven a huge success – bringing ‘thousands’ of visitors into MediaCityUK.
An unmissable Whitney Houston tribute event is returning to Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
A much-adored and cherished Whitney Houston tribute show is returning to Greater Manchester later this year for not one but two different shows, each channelling the charisma and energy of the pop legend.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the phenomenal theatre production, ‘Queen of the Night’, the show is visiting a multitude of stages and venues all across the UK.
0161 had to receive at least one date on this tour, partly due to being the music capital of the North and also due to the fact that this is a city many fans of the 80s diva will forever hold close to their hearts.
Houston played her final ever concert performance of her career here in this very city back in 2010, taking up residence in AO Arena for two nights of world-renowned ballads and mesmerising live vocals.
This tribute show is set to include some of the diva’s biggest and much-loved hits like ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘How Will I Know’ and ‘The Greatest Love of All’, the audience is sure to be singing along.
Adenike Adewale is taking on the role of the American R’n’B Pop singer and is no stranger to the stage or TV, featuring on The Voice in 2021 where she sang a Whitney classic, making it to the semi-finals.
Fast forward to 1 June and the tour returns to Greater Manchester and legendary city centre space, Bridgewater Hall: an incredible room more than fit for renditions of the powerhouse vocalist.
A pair of stunning venues, two stunning shows and one incomparable voice.
It’s not only our lovely region the Queen of the Night experience will be visiting; our friends over at The Hoot have plenty of nearby opportunities to sing along too, with Yorkshire dates in Hull, Halifax, Harrogate and Bradford to name a few.
I’m definitely saving all my love for when this show visits us later this year in March, and after I buy out the front row for all my friends I’ll certainly relate to the smash 1993 single ‘I Have Nothing’.
Tickets are on sale already now – you can grab yours HERE.
Charlotte Dawson will be handing out compliments and big prizes in Manchester to brighten Blue Monday
Daisy Jackson
TV star Charlotte Dawson will be cheering up Blue Monday in Manchester, dishing out compliments to strangers and awarding some big prizes too.
The actress, who is the daughter of the legendary late Les Dawson, will be bringing her signature sunny energy to Printworks on Monday 20 January.
Otherwise known as Blue Monday, it’s believed that the third Monday in January is the most depressing day of the year – so she’s here to nip that in the bud.
Between 1pm and 3pm on the huge gaming screen inside Printworks – part of its £21m transformation that included adding a huge digital ceiling – Charlotte Dawson will be spreading joy and laughter.
She’ll be live streaming straight to passers-by, spreading smiles and dishing out compliments.
Charlotte will also be treating visitors to some amazing prizes from Printworks’ collection of bars, restaurants and leisure venues.
These prizes will include free brunch for four at Walkabout, gaming sessions at Bierkeller, or family cinema tickets with Ice Blasts at VUE. Other prizes include Nando’s vouchers, a drink and activity for two at the new Trax Social, and much more.
And the top prize will be a luxury overnight stay for two at Hotel Indigo, just across the road in the very heart of Manchester.
Charlotte Dawson will take part in Blue Monday at Printworks, Manchester
There’ll even be free coffee vouchers for Todd St Cafe on offer to brighten your Blue Monday.
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to have Charlotte at Printworks this Blue Monday.
“As a true Mancunian icon, her vibrant personality is exactly what we need to brighten up the most depressing day of the year and we know she’ll bring plenty of laughs and smiles to everyone who stops by.
“What makes this event truly unique is the opportunity for the public to chat with Charlotte under Europe’s largest digital ceiling, which will showcase new mood-boosting content.
“It’s an innovative and exciting way for people to connect, and we can’t wait to see families and friends come together to create joyful memories in this truly unique setting!”
The Manc -
7th May 2021 
