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Giant outdoor funfair and circus returns to Trafford Centre next month

Spring Escape takes over the Trafford Centre's outdoor space from 1 April.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 14th March 2023

A giant outdoor funfair full of vintage fairground rides and a circus is heading back to the Trafford Centre by popular demand next month.

After several hugely successful runs in both 2021 and 2022, the UK’s third largest shopping centre has announced that its outdoor space is “springing to life” once again at the start of next month, and will be back with a whole host of thrilling rides, a glittering circus, and lots of delicious treats for the whole family to enjoy.

Spring Escape is returning to the Trafford Centre just in time for the school Easter holidays on 1 April, and as usual, will be popping up outside the Great Hall.

Here all spring and open right through until 4 June, people can head on down to the shopping centre to make the most of “all the fun of the fair”, which is full of vintage fairground rides and attractions suitable for all ages.

Some of the rides this year include the fan-favourite Starflyer, Rock Rage, Waterballs, Waveswinger, Funhouse, and even a giant inflatable clown.

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Spring Escape takes over the Trafford Centre’s outdoor space from 1 April / Credit: Trafford Centre

One of the stand-out events has to be the return of Gandeys Circus, who’ll be bringing their new GLITTERATI show to the Trafford Centre from 31 March – 16 April. 

The sparkling show stars 30 artists, and combines new special effects, new productions, and even a new Big Top with stunning costumes and “lots of surprise features”, which are all gearing up to make GLITTERATI an unmissable date in your 2023 calendar.

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If all the fairground fun has you feeling hungry, then there’ll also be a wide range of pop-up street food traders at the event serving up everything thing from sweet treats like donuts, crepes, and ice cream, to more hearty meals like burgers and hot dogs, as well as lots of coffees, and hot and soft drinks to wash it all down with.

There’s a giant outdoor funfair, a circus, and so much more for all the family / Credit: Trafford Centre

Speaking ahead of return of the popular event, Zoe Inman – Centre Director at the Trafford Centre – said: “It’s time to come out of hibernation and escape the ordinary at Trafford Centre, as Spring Escape promises to be a fun-filled event, with something for the whole family to enjoy.”

Tickets for entry to the Spring Escape will set you back just £2.80 per person, if you’re booking in advance (including a booking fee) or £3 on the door, while tickets to watch GLITTERATI are currently on sale from £9.99 at every show.

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Ride tokens can be bought separately to tickets.

Find out more and grab tickets to Spring Escape on the Trafford Centre website here.

Featured Image – Trafford Centre

What's On

Michael Bisping announces second ‘Tales From The Octagon’ talk with Manc MMA star Tom Aspinall

Danny Jones Danny Jones Michael Bisping Tom Aspinall talk Manchester

UFC legend Michael Bisping is bringing back his hugely popular Tales From The Octagon conversation series and he’s bringing Manc MMA star Tom Aspinall as well as Scottish fighter Paul Craig along for the latest Manchester talk.

Following the success of his first trio of live shows back in 2021 — then marketed simply as ‘An Evening with Michael Bisping’ — the Lancashire-raised fighter has invited along the two fellow Northerners to make this latest event more of a discussion surrounding MMA’s past, present and future.

Despite being born in Cyrpus, Bisping spent most of his life not too far down the road in Clitheroe and has spent a lot of time in Manchester, including winning multiple fights at the AO Arena and even meeting his wife, so there was never any question he’d be bringing the tour back to his second home.

Hosting just two shows this time, one at London’s Indigo at the O2 and the other at the Manchester Apollo, the talk promises stories spanning years inside the Octagon as well as the 44-year-old’s time commentating cage-side since retiring back in 2018.

The second Tales From The Octagon live show will also see the special guests chipping in with plenty of their own “wonderful, hilarious” and exclusive “behind-the-scenes stories” and they provide their own take on the MMA scene at large of today.

Craig, a former light heavyweight champion and Aspinall, a Salford-born heavyweight currently ranked fourth overall in the UFC, will both be joining the expert panel across the two dates this winter, bringing their own funny anecdotes, personal stories and unique takes on their careers and the sport as a whole.
 
Best of all, like sitting down to watch with a mate who also happens to be a vastly knowledgeable fight fan, Bisping style on stage draws both casual and new fans with the open, informal style, whilst still making sure to entertain the hardcore followers of the sport.  

With Aspinall being not only a local lad but one of the UFC rising stars and next in line for a heavyweight, we’re also looking forward to hearing his thoughts on how fast-growing career. Here is Bisping speaking on just how excited he is by the 30-year-old fighter:

This won’t be the last time you hear Bisping talk up Manchester’s best new fighter.

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Speaking ahead of the two new shows, Bisping said: “The last tour in the UK was epic, I was overwhelmed by the turnout and reaction of my fans old and new. I can’t wait to come back later this year with a new show and with Tom and Paul in tow.”

Given the popularity of these three and the fact the previous tour went down a treat, it’s fair to say seats to sit in on this conversation are going to go fast.

Now branching into acting, running a successful podcast and YouTube channel, not to mention a Sunday Times and Amazon Best Seller thanks to his 2019 autobiography, Quitters Never Wins, you’re getting a real value-for-money showing.

The Tales From The Octagon 2 talk in Manchester takes place on 16 December; tickets start from just £28.50 and you can secure yours HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Supplied/Michael Bisping/Tom Aspinall/Paul Craig (via Instagram)

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The top nerdy places in Manchester to get your geek on

Dean Hadcock Dean Hadcock Arcade games at NQ64's new site in Manchester.

There are so many different types of nerds. From comic and manga readers, to the tabletop players, to lovers of video and arcade games.

So even if you’re DC or Marvel, in Manchester there’s a bit of something for everyone.

We’ve rounded up everything from board game cafes to comic book shops to arcade bars.

Whether you’re looking to buy or play, here are some of the nerdiest places you NEED to check out in Manchester.

Forbidden Planet

Forbidden Planet in the Northern Quarter, Manchester
Forbidden Planet in the Northern Quarter, Manchester

This place is like the Big Tescos for nerds. It’s your one-stop shop for everything geeky.

Upstairs has everything like pop funks, figurines, collectables and fun merch from your favourite shows and games.

Downstairs is where the magic happens, and if you’re looking to get into comics or manga, this is the place to be. It’s got all the classics you’d expect with, of course, the brand-new comic releases.

Travelling Man

Travelling Man in Manchester is one of the city's best havens for nerds
Travelling Man in Manchester is one of the city’s best havens for nerds

This Dale Street shop is like the previous but with a smaller, independent feel and is always a lovely shop to browse in.

It’s our personal favourite and it’s got all you need including comics, manga and loads of tabletop games to browse and purchase.

Fan Boy Three

Looking for people to play board games with? This is the place to go. It was voted the UK’s favourite board game store in 2019.

You can join D&D and Warhammer games or just nip in for a browse, just try not to end up spending copious amounts of money on a new Warhammer army.

Afflecks

You can now get married at Afflecks in Manchester
You can now get married at Afflecks in Manchester

This gigantic shopping emporium is the home of all things alt, but there are also plenty of shops inside to get your geek on.

Here are just a few standouts. There’s Card Empire specialising in Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokemon Cards. The Animaid Cafe for lovers of all things kawaii. And we couldn’t forget Star Wars Man on the third floor with his huge collection of nostalgic TV and film collectables.

NQ64

Arcade games at NQ64's new site in Manchester.
Arcade games at NQ64’s new site in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Now if you’re looking to play instead of buy, the next three will be right up your street. Starting with NQ64, specifically the massive new site in the Northern Quarter.

They’ve got loads of classic arcade machines, themed cocktails and grub for when you get the mid-gaming munchies. We highly recommend playing Ice Cold Beer and beating our high score of 7 (trust us it’s hard).

Pixel Bar

Pixel Bar in Manchester
Pixel Bar in Manchester
Pixel Bar in Manchester
Pixel Bar in Manchester

Fancy something less retro and more modern? Try Pixel Bar, which is open past midnight every day.

If you want to grab some mates and have a couple of drinks while you crush them on games like Smash, Fifa or Tony Hawk, this is the place to be.

Bury Arcade Club

This place is the Mecca of all things arcade. It’s a multi-level video arcade featuring classic and modern games.

The best thing about it is you pay one standard fee (under £20) and you get to play everything inside for free and as much as you want.

The downside is Bury is a bit of a trek from the city centre and you’ll probably have to drive to get there. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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