The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest is to be shown on big screens at one of Manchester’s best-loved independent venues.
With the UK to host the 2023 edition of the world’s biggest song competition this May on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine on Saturday 13 May, Manchester’s very-own street food market space GRUB is throwing a massive watch party especially for the occasion.
Each space in GRUB – which is just outside the city centre at the Red Bank Project in Cheetham Hill -will be showing the contest on the night, which means Eurovision fans can choose to watch the show either from inside the venue’s in-house cinema Cultplex, with large groups from long beer tables inside The Hall, or from The Basement Bar if they’re in smaller groups.
The live finals might be the main event, but an evening full of free-flowing drinks and Eurovision-inspired street food are also on the lineup.
GRUB is known for having a wide range of rotating food vendor pop-ups that provide Manchester foodies with some of the best eats from right across the globe, and Eurovision fans can expect to be eating good.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mangiamo Street Kitchen will be dishing up Italian pastas and sandwiches, Zapp will be providing Polish zapiekanka, and Mira is bringing its Italian-inspired saucy deli sandwiches.
Even more food vendors are to be announced in the coming months.
ADVERTISEMENT
As for drinks, the bar will, as always, be stocked with a locally-sourced and 100% vegan offering of craft beer, wines, spirits, and soft drinks.
Fans can expect an evening full of free-flowing drinks and Eurovision-inspired street food / Credit: The Manc Group | Mangiamo Street Kitchen | Zapp Polish
What makes the party even more special is that GRUB will be using it to fundraise for Ukraine, which are unable to host the contest due to safety and security reasons amid the ongoing war – with the venue encouraging guests to bring spare cash where possible.
There will be a huge tombola, donation points, pay-per karaoke, and more fundraising activities throughout the evening.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fancy dress is also “highly encouraged”, according to GRUB.
The UK is to host Eurovision 2023 on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine / Credit: Eurovision Song Contest
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
You can meet Father Christmas at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum this festive season
Emily Sergeant
Father Christmas will be paying a very special visit to one of Manchester’s best tourist attractions this festive season.
And you can now book tickets to take the little ones to meet him.
Now that Halloween has passed and November is here, things are really starting to get all festive across Manchester – especially with the Manchester Christmas Markets and Skate Manchester opening from this Friday – so it really won’t be long before Santa sets off on his present delivery rounds. But before then, he’ll be making a special stop in our city first.
That’s because the Science and Industry Museum is inviting you to meet Father Christmas in the atmospheric surroundings of Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery.
Starting later this month from Saturday 21 November and running on selected dates throughout December, this is your chance to meet the main man himself and his friendly elves in one of the most unique settings in the city – set against a backdrop of iconic locomotives and historic engines.
Formerly a shipping shed for the world’s first inter-city steam-powered passenger railway, Power Hall will once again become a hub for deliveries – only this time, for Father Christmas’ presents.
Visitors will get to explore Power Hall and discover the story of the packages and goods that used to arrive there, before making their way up the platform to meet the big red man and receive a special science-themed gift.
Not only that, but on two special dates – Saturday 21 November and Wednesday 23 December – visitors will be invited to enjoy even more Christmas cheer, as the museum welcomes classic Victorian-costumed carol singers to add to the magical atmosphere.
You can meet Father Christmas at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum this festive season / Credit: Science Museum Group
A number of accessible events will also be running, including BSL supported sessions on the afternoon of Saturday 12 December, and relaxed performances to accommodate a quieter experience and slightly longer time with Father Christmas on both Sunday 29 November and Friday 18 December.
If you want to make a day of it, you’ll also be able to explore the rest of the museum’s free interactive galleries and displays as part of your visit, tuck into some festive food in the museum cafe, and pick up discounted souvenirs in the gift shop before you leave.
Tickets for the Father Christmas at the Museum experience are now on sale, setting you back £15 per child (including a gift) – with accompanying adults going free.
Emily Sergeant -
9th February 2023 
