What's On

Iconic Thomas the Tank Engine replica to travel through Greater Manchester again this summer

He's back for more family fun.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 23rd July 2024

Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making another return to Greater Manchester once again this summer.

Tickets are now on sale and they’re already selling fast.

After delighting little Mancs and families throughout the region during countless successful events over the past couple of years, East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that the Thomas the Tank Engine replica train is back by popular demand now schools are out, and will return to its tracks next weekend.

In case you aren’t too familiar with the beloved Day Out With Thomas experience, it’s said to be “a train ride like no other”.

Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making another return to Greater Manchester this summer / Credit: ELR

Families will have the chance to hop onboard the replica of the cult-classic blue train character when he returns next weekend for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.

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The journey begins at Bury Train Station, where you’ll be greeted by The Fat Controller, meet Sir Topham Hatt, say hello to Thomas on the platform, and then climb aboard a carriage, all before Thomas makes a final stop at the beautiful Ramsbottom station. 

The doors to Bury Transport Museum will also be open across the weekend and will be hosting loads of fun free activities.

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There’ll be Thomas-themed stories, and engaging and interactive activities to make the most of, as well as amusing performances by Sodor’s mischievous station sweepers, Rusty and Dusty, who’ll be entertaining with singing, dancing, and laughter all day long.

Not only that, but you can also expect fun fair rides, face painting, balloon art, and so much more throughout the weekend.

ELR’s Chairman Mike Kelly is “thrilled” about Thomas’ return next weekend.

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The ‘Day Out With Thomas’ experience is said to be “a train ride like no other” / Credit: ELR

Mr Kelly said Day Out With Thomas events hold “a special place” in the heritage railway’s calendar, adding that: “They remain one of our most beloved experiences, as Thomas is cherished by people of all ages and this makes the event a source of joy, not just for children, but also for parents, grandparents, and our volunteers.”

Day Out With Thomas tickets are now on sale for next Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August – with prices starting at £13.70 for kids, and £22.70 for adults.

Read more:

Grab your tickets here.

Featured Image – ELR

What's On

Central Cee at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist, and more for ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Alright. UK rap act Central Cee is bringing his usual charm and witty bars to Co-op Live for a night of rap caviar, fully catered for by the Shepherd’s Bush native.

Cee, a.k.a. ‘Cench’, has been gaining traction since dropping freestyles on social media before eventually releasing his breakout hit ‘Day in the Life’ back in 2020.

This gig will be packed with everything from a stellar setlist to a powerful stage presence from the London MC, you’ll be up on your feet from the first song right through to the encore.

Don’t fret because this guide will have you covered with everything from A to B to make sure your night is nothing less than ‘5 Star’.

Central Cee at Co-op Live gig guide

Central Cee at Co-op Live, Manchester - tickets, times, setlist, and more for 'Can't Rush Greatness' tour
Credit: Press Shot (supplied)

Central Cee UK tour dates

  • Fri 18 April – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Sat 19 April – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Thu 24 April – London, UK – The O2
  • Sun 27 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Arena

Are there tickets left for Central Cee at Co-op Live in Manchester?

Tickets for this show aren’t ‘Limitless’ but there are still a handful of tickets left for this highly anticipated UK arena tour, including Cench’s Co-op Live date.

Fans can pick from a range of seating and standing options starting at £42.50 and reaching £81.95, so you’re really getting lots of value for your ‘GBP’ – I’ll stop now, I promise…

Anyone looking at grabbing a ticket or two can take a pick from their limited selection HERE.

Central Cee setlist

  • Limitless
  • 5 Star
  • Day in the Life
  • 6 For 6
  • Cold Shoulder
  • Ruby
  • Commitment Issues
  • Loading
  • St. Patrick’s
  • Ten
  • Straight Back To It
  • Gbp
  • Obsessed With You
  • Did It First
  • Me & You
  • Mrs
  • gen z luv
  • Now We’re Strangers
  • LET GO
  • Doja
  • Truth in the Lies
  • Overseas
  • Must Be
  • CRG
  • UK Rap
  • Sprinter
  • BAND4BAND
  • No Introduction

What are the stage times for Central Cee in Manchester?

Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning concertgoers can get ‘Straight Back To It’ the following day without having to stay up all night to hear the rapper’s huge tunes.

Doors for the event will be open from 6.30pm, with those famous drill beats filling the massive Co-op Live venue from 8pm onwards.

There are currently no confirmed support acts as of yet, but with Cench appearing in the hometown of Manc rapper Aitch, who knows, maybe the pair will work it out on the remix and squash their squabble once and for all?

What’s going down between Aitch and Central Cee?

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

For those of you heading to Co-op Live, luckily, it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.

Getting there by car and parking

If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time and there are designated drop-off areas.

The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day – though estimates will obviously vary:

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  • Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
  • Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
  • Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.

There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:

  • Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

Walk/cycle

Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the southwest corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

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Central Cee at Co-op Live, Manchester - tickets, times, setlist, and more for 'Can't Rush Greatness' tour
Credit: Supplied

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

Featured Image – Publicity Pictures (supplied)

What's On

K-pop boyband ENHYPEN announce HUGE gig in Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

K-pop boyband ENHYPEN are heading out on a world tour and they’re making a stop in the music capital of the North, Manchester.

This Korean seven-piece act are bringing their statement songs and fashion wear to Manchester at the AO Arena this year and we’re convinced Manchester is ready to ‘Shout Out’.

It’s not just their name that’s bold either, as their songs pull in some seriously impressive numbers too, with more than 10 songs hitting 100 million streams, and nearly 100 over a million streams.

This pop group formed back in 2020 thanks to the survival competition show I-Land which saw 23 individuals training to become a member in a boyband and the result was the genius that is ENHYPEN.

Whether you’re after a performance of tracks like ‘Drunk-Dazed’ or ‘Polaroid Love’, one thing is guaranteed – a stellar night of entertainment.

Expect a show with huge audience support as these boys have achieved billions of streams in just over five years, meaning fans will definitely be singing their hearts out and ready to dance the night away.

These boys may be familiar to you as they’ve just performed at one of music’s biggest events of the year, Coachella, where they strutted their stuff in some seriously swanky cowboy attire.

Alongside making history thanks to their snazzy Southwest-inspired outfits, they also made history for Korean music becoming the fastest K-Pop boy group to play the US festival.

Now they’re trekking across the globe performing their hits from ‘Bite Me’ to ‘Sweet Venom’ and Manchester has received a very special date at Manchester’s equally special music venue AO Arena.

There’s only two chances to catch the boys in action if you’re from the UK with Manchester just managing to secure a date alongside the capital, London.

ENHYPEN are coming to AO Arena in Manchester on 25 August and tickets are on pre-sale from Wednesday 23 April at 10am and general onsale from Friday 23 April at 10am HERE.

Read more:

Featured Image: Supplied (via Publicity Picture)

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