We know it’s absolutely been said before by now, but 2020 has been a bit of a let down.
But after a challenging year for tourism globally, Greater Manchester is positioning itself as a strong contender to bounce-back quickly thanks to a long list of tourism developments coming up next year and through to 2023, so the region’s official tourism board Visit Manchester – the organisation that promotes Greater Manchester on the national and international stage – has revealed 21 exciting new tourism developments for visitors to look forward to as we head into the new year.
It means that visitors to our beloved city and region will have plenty of places and events to incorporate into their visit, no matter when they choose to travel.
Speaking on the release of the brand new list, Sheona Southern – Managing Director of Marketing Manchester – said: “Like many destinations globally, Greater Manchester’s visitor economy has felt the devastating effects of COVID-19, however, the city region is in a strong position for recovery, and we are now looking ahead to the future with exciting developments on the horizon offering visitors a plethora of reasons to plan a trip here in 2021.
“The team at Marketing Manchester have chosen 21 of the top things to look forward to across the year and beyond, including new outdoor experiences, rich new cultural developments, refreshed and refurbished hotels, diverse food and drink offering, and some truly world-leading events, all of which expand on Greater Manchester’s already vibrant visitor offer.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Visitors can be confident they will be safe whilst enjoying a visit to Greater Manchester, and we are excited and ready to offer our famous warm welcome once again.”
The Royal Horticultural Society’s first new garden in 17 years will open in May in the historic grounds of Worsley New Hall in Salford. The 154-acre garden is currently the largest gardening project in Europe and will feature one of the UK’s biggest Walled Gardens, a Kitchen Garden, orchards, and a Chinese Streamside Garden amongst other spaces.
The widespread greater appreciation of outdoor space during 2020 will surely have people flocking this 160-acre space in Oldham that plans to become the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park.
In Manchester city centre, a series of expansions at well-loved cultural venues will complete throughout 2021, starting with a new Special Exhibition Gallery at the Science and Industry Museum, which will open in March with Top Secret – a free exhibition that will explore over a century’s worth of communications intelligence through hand-written documents, declassified files and previously unseen artefacts from the Science Museum Group’s and GCHQ’s historic collections.
Housed inside a former synagogue built in 1874, the Manchester Jewish Museum has been overhauled to double its original size and will feature a brand-new gallery, learning studio and kitchen, shop and café, alongside the majorly renovated synagogue which will also double up as a performance space.
In November 2021, a dedicated Fashion Gallery is set to open at Manchester Art Gallery, with an opening exhibition focused on male image and the ‘dandy’ style fashion which was made popular in the late 18th and early 19th century.
The Octogon in Bolton is one of the region’s best-loved theatres set to welcome visitors back in early 2021 after two years of redevelopment work to the town centre building.
The UK’s leading youth theatre has also undertaken a complete transformation over three years and will reopen in autumn 2021, with the first dedicated space for art, health and science in a UK theatre.
Manchester’s oldest music venue has too been working to expand into a derelict Victorian building to the rear of the venue, and will start hosting gigs for up to 540 people from September 2021.
Among the major highlights of a collection of high-profile events making it onto the list of things to look forward to in 2021 will be the return of eighteen days of dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking new work as part of the biennial MIF in July. Following a successful 2019 outing – which featured work from Yoko Ono, Idris Elba, Skepta and David Lynch – the first event announced so far for 2021 comes in the form of an epic theatrical journey The Walk, which will take Little Amal – a 3.5-metre puppet of a young refugee girl – 8,000km across Europe before arriving in Manchester on the opening weekend.
After a year without many of the city’s most iconic events in 2020, it’s arguable that all events in 2021 will hold a special significance with residents and visitors this year, however, Manchester Pride in August and Manchester Day in June both capture the very spirit of the people of Manchester – warm, diverse and proud communities – and promise to be unmissable events.
Towns across Greater Manchester will be playing a key part in the two tournaments throughout October and November, with both finals taking place back-to-back at Old Trafford on 27th November.
Manchester’s hotel scene has boomed in recent years and will be joined by some exciting new additions in 2021, as Scottish beer brewing giants BrewDog has announced it will open its first hotel in England, following the success of the brand in Scotland and the USA. No opening date has been fixed yet, but the 25-bedroom hotel is aiming to be open before the end of 2021, featuring Punk IPA on tap in every room, beer fridges in the showers, a rooftop terrace with fire pit, and it allowing guests to bring their pets too.
Also new for 2021 will be climate conscious brand Qbic, bringing its fourth European hotel to Manchester in March, with rooms made from largely recycled materials and a series of quirky sustainable initiatives and rewards for guests.
Alongside these new brand hotels, several of the city’s existing hotels have undergone dramatic refurbishments, including The Midland Hotel and The Edwardian Manchester, however, the most noticeable change comes from the former Principal Manchester, which has re-emerged as Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.
Building on Manchester’s UNESCO City of Literature status, awarded in 2017, Manchester Poetry Library will open in early 2021 as part of Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University, and the new library will add to a rich literary tourism trail that includes the iconic John Rylands and Chetham’s Libraries.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House will have a new reason to visit from spring 2021 when a recreation of the celebrated author’s bedroom is added to the property.
Wigan Pier will also build on, or rather reshape, its literary connection – made famous by George Orwell’s 1937 book,The Road to Wigan Pier – when the long-vacant 18th Century industrial buildings of the pier are transformed into a new neighbourhood waterside attraction in summer 2021.
A brand-new family entertainment attraction celebrating ITV’s popular show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me out Of Here! is set to open at the new The Watergardens development at MediaCityUK. The I’m A Celebrity… Jungle Challenge attraction will bring an exciting mix of tasks and trials based on the hit show, including jungle zip lines, treetop ropes course and vertical climbing walls in 2021.
Over the other side of the water at MediaCityUK, a poignant moment in November 2021 will see the iconic POPPIES structures return to Greater Manchester, being displayed permanently for the first time within the Air Shard of the architecturally renowned Imperial War Museum North.
Escape to Freight Island was a rare success story from 2020 when it opened as a 600-seat open-air venue, with live music and events alongside street-style food and drink from ten independent traders, and the site will be further developed in 2021, taking over the cavernous inner parts of the former Mayfield Station, with more vendors and long-term plans for events, working in a holistic way with music partners such as The Warehouse Project.
Escape to Freight Island will be one of the must-visit places for those looking to party and reconnect with friends in 2021.
___
There is also much more to come in Greater Manchester beyond 2021, which tourism bosses are hoping will sustain increased visitor numbers over the coming years.
Highlights include a transformation at Manchester Museum to add a South Asia Gallery and a new China Gallery due to open in August 2022, followed by the highly-anticipated opening of The Factory – a 13,300sq ft arts centre designed by Rem Koolhaas and set to host a 365-day programme of arts in late 2022. Then in 2023, Manchester’s first new city centre park in over 100 years, Mayfield Park, is set to be open, as well as the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort Therme, a new large-scale music venue, Co-op Live Arena, and Modern Surf Manchester surf lagoon, from the same company behind Surf Snowdonia.
ADVERTISEMENT
How brilliant is all of this?
Things are really looking up Manchester, so hang in there.
You can find more information about tourism across the region via the Visit Manchester website here.
What's On
You can ‘run and rave’ as part of this new charity-driven social in Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
If you’re looking for a fun new way to spend a night out or thinking about getting into running but maybe haven’t quite found the right way in for you just yet, this new Manchester run socialthat starts and ends with a good old-fashioned party might be right up your street.
Run The Streets MCR is a community-led and charity-driven fitness and social event that recently launched in Manchester and has already developed a bit of a cult following in the space of only a couple of months.
The concept is simple: it’s a running social where you can meet new people whilst getting your yards in, just not quite as you know it. Instead of people turning up for a 5k and then heading home, the fun carries on at a host venue where people can keep chatting and mingling whilst having a boogie.
And the best part is that not only is it more of a causally paced, low-pressure jog and crucially social-first, but it’s all for a good cause too.
Started out by East Manchester locals and lifelong mates, Liam Parker-Worsley and Sarah Edwards, (‘Sezzle’ to those who know her among the Manc running circles), Run The Streets started out as a running social concept at its very core but has now become truly bigger than the sum of its parts.
While the ‘run and rave’ idea has been done before, this particular event is the first of its kind in Greater Manchester and after facing some serious obstacles to get it off the ground and plenty of adversity at the very first hurdle – for lack of a less punny phrase – they’ve managed to turn it into a force for good.
After pivoting the model at the start of 2024 to be completely non-profit, the monthly event is now helping bring people together for a good time, from the tarmac to the tiles, all whilst raising money for the likes of The Running Charity (TRC).
Not only do all the proceeds from the super affordable tickets – we’re talking the same price you’d pay for a decent pint in town these days – go straight back into running the next social, but they also help fund the chosen charity for that month.
Be it national causes like TRC, which recently received huge support from the incredible ‘Hardest Geezer‘s run across Africa, or charities strictly local to Manchester, everyone involved is striding towards a goal – quite literally.
Offering a different kind of night out
Speaking to The Manc, co-creator Sezzle says the mission statement is simple: “Everyone’s welcome and you can meet new people whilst running but at the same time we’re giving back to the community.
“We’re supporting local charities, artists and DJs, as well as local running clubs who want to get involved. Essentially, it’s just about bringing people together, which is what run clubs do, but we’re also in a big city and not everyone wants to go out and just drink at a bar all night.
“You want to keep fit, it’s good for your mental health, but you also still want to be social and enjoy yourself. Run The Streets is that Mancunian through and through but everyone’s invited.”
Sober for five months now, she acknowledged that outlets like this are crucial, insisting: “I don’t want to stop going out and having a good time or meeting new people, so this is a way that you can still go out on a Friday night and enjoy a party atmosphere with no pressure to drink”.
This is what the start of a night in trainers, hi-vis and glow sticks looks like. (Credit: Supplied)
The ‘by Manchester for Manchester’ ethos
Her partner in crime Liam echoed that party-run description, reiterating that whilst people can still get a bit boozy if they like, it’s all about “providing an alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to drink and want to be included but might have felt a little alienated otherwise”.
A fellow Tameside native, he explained how Run The Streets has already partnered with zero-alcohol brands like Clean Break for their inaugural event back in March and now alcohol-free favourite Lucky Saint for their sophomore social this month.
“It’s not about the financial aspect for us”, says Liam, “we only charge for tickets to sustain the event and pay for the talent, hiring spaces and so on… It might be different venues, different charities etc., but as long as we focus on core issues to Manchester with a cultural element that’s important to us, we’re happy with that”.
Sez couldn’t agree more, adding: “At the end of the day, we’re Mancs, we’ve watched the city grow into what it is today. When it comes down to it everyone knows about the Manchester spirit, it’s a hard-working area and there’s such a community to this place – we want to make sure everyone feels welcome.
“We look out for each other. That’s how it’s always been.”
Their recent running event with Matchroom ahead of the Gill vs Barrett fight at AO Arena. (Credit: Run The Streets MCR)
Roots in the running and wider Greater Manchester community
Chatting with Tom Lewis, founder of Manchester’s annual 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness and Chairman for the Run The Street’s official host club, Manchester Road Runners, he said that they became interested because they “really liked the idea of sponsoring different charities every month”.
Confessing that it felt like “a natural crossover” given MRR’s size and ethos, as well as their own non-profit work with the British Heart Foundation and Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, he said the “overall response from the first event was incredible – everyone just loved it”.
“There were people dancing on the streets as they saw us come past and there were so many videos on social media. That sort of stuff can really help get people into running who wouldn’t necessarily consider it in the first place.”
“I think it’s going to grow really quickly; the first event sold out and I think the next ones will too, definitely. It’s great to see what just a random group of friends can accomplish when we come together.”
Manchester Road Runners is helping bring huge numbers to the event already.
Liam himself couldn’t speak highly enough of the Castlefield-based group, insisting that “me and Sez find a lot of happiness and solace” at MRR.
While they are affiliated with others like KOKO (Keep On Keeping On’s Manchester arm) and Stretford Run Club that they want to help promote, the hope is that events like this might help people who run but don’t attend a club might give them a try in the future.
Regular ambassador and volunteer at both organisations, Natasha Barclay – who herself is over a year into her own sobriety journey – described the flagship event as “such good fun, really welcoming” and filled with plenty of people who had never even run before.
Nat also urged people not to be scared if they’re first-timers to run socials or running full stop, reassuring that “no one gets left behind; even if you can’t really run, you’ll always make it back, have a good time and meet others in the same boat”.
She went on to add: “Run The Streets MCR is all about giving back to the running community which I think can often get overshadowed by social media and certain brands. The spirit can sometimes get taken out of it but this run social puts its straight back in whilst helping Manchester business and DJs.”
When we asked the guys to sum this whole experience up in three words or less that weren’t ‘rave and run’, they came up with some pretty telling answers too. “Community, soul and fun”, “alternative Friday fun” and our personal favourite: “Simply for Manchester”.
It’s also worth reiterating that these guys have done it completely off their own backs and are doing so on an entirely voluntary basis on top of their full-time jobs, sometimes juggling two or three different roles. It’s been built over countless late nights and dinner hours, all for the love of running and the city.
The second ever Run The Streets MCR running social and party kicks off this Friday, 26 April from 7pm at Joshua Brooks, with a light 5k around our lovely city centre starting at 7:30pm before heading back to the venue for more tunes, dancing, glowsticks and general good vibes from 8pm onwards.
You can grab the last few remaining tickets HERE and we hope to see a few of you there on the night.
Come rain or shine, there’s always tunes to keep you going.The turnout at the last Run The Streets Manchester social at The Deaf Institute.Credit: Supplied/The Manc Group
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Run The Streets MCR
What's On
Co-op Live announce UFC 304 is coming to the brand-new arena for Manchester return this year
Danny Jones
Co-op Live has announced one of the biggest nights yet and their first-ever sporting event after confirming that the UFC is coming to the new state-of-the-art arena.
While the shiny new music and live entertainment stadium suffered an unfortunate setback earlier this week, with both of Peter Kay’s gigs being postponed following power supply issues discovered during their test event, the confirmation of UFC 304 at Co-op Live is a big plus for the opening month.
Rumours had been circling that a huge sporting event might be coming to the UK’s newest indoor arena, one of the biggest of its kind in Europe, but this being just the fourth time the UFC has washed up on British shores, it’s a huge coup for their debut year.
Announced on Wednesday, 24 April, the global MMA phenomenon and multi-billion-dollar promotion company will be bringing their 304th fight night to Manchester on 27 July and you can roll your eyes at the pun all you like, but it’s going to be a knockout.
The UFC is coming back to Manchester for the first time in eight years.
As the UFC has said in an official press release, “UK MMA is currently experiencing what is being described as an unheralded golden era, with stars such as welterweight champion Leon Edwards, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, and local favourites, including Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann, Muhammad Mokaev, Michael Page and Arnold Allen, with more rising through the ranks.”
That being said, there isn’t a better moment for the brand to capitalise on the growing fight audience here in the UK and 0161, specifically, with the aforementioned Aspinall having created a real appetite for the discipline in and around the city.
The Greater Manchester region has always been home to iconic fighters regardless, be it boxing or otherwise; Ricky Hatton, Tyson Fury, Amir Khan, as well adopted Manc MMA legend Michael Bisping, whose pedigree helped bring UFC to Manchester and the AO Arena for the first time back in 2016.
Nearly a decade later the promotion is now part of Co-op Live’s maiden calendar and set to be the first of many sporting events they hope to host – a plan bolstered by their partnership with neighbours, Manchester City.
The UFC 304 fight card is yet to be announced but there are a few local names you can probably bank on. (Credit: The Manc Audio)
“I’m so excited to get back to Manchester, and no better time than this summer,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White. “We have two champions from the UK and fans have been dying for a UFC PPV event. So here we come to the largest indoor arena in the UK. See you soon, England!”
As for Co-op Live, Executive Director and General Manager Gary Rodenadded: “With the north of England home to so many of the world’s leading fighters, we are primed and ready for UFC and its knowledgeable, passionate fanbase.
“Offering a state-of-the-art platform for globally broadcast events, Co-op Live is extremely proud to welcome entertainment of this scale and calibre as the future home of combat sports in the UK.”
Co-op members get early access to presale tickets at 10am on 5 June and general admission goes live via Ticketmaster at the same time on Friday, 7 June. UFC Fight Club members will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets early on the Wednesday from 9am BST.
You can also register your interest HERE to gain access to a special pre-sale which starts on Thursday, 6 June 6 from 10am as well. Roll on fight night!