Kimpton Clocktower Hotel has announced that they are making access to their start-of-the-art gym facilities completely free to the general public for the rest of March.
As part of a new initiative by Technogym called ‘Let’s Move for a Better World‘, which is aiming to get people back exercising in 2023, the fitness, gym technology and wellness brand is encouraging gyms across the UK to open up their doors free of charge to local communities.
Since the Kimpton‘s luxury gym is kitted out with all of their top-of-the-range equipment already, it only made sense for the beloved Manchester hotel kick things off in style.
Running from 14-31 March, Mancs can get moving and make the most of Technogym equipment for free and join them for a series of fun events, including a 12-hour ‘MOVEathon’ as well as various circuit classes.
The Kimpton’s urban fitness centre is kitted out with industry-leading cardio and resistance training equipment, rowing machines, free weights and more. While the space is usually exclusive to hotel guests only, the Technogym initiative will grant access to the wider community free of charge.
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Members of the public will be able to book a space in the fitness hub for absolutely nothing, with each slot lasting up to two hours. Technogym and Kimpton are doing their bit to battle obesity and the risks of a sedentary lifestyle but it doesn’t stop with just inviting people down — there’s an added incentive.
To make things more interesting, everyone who books a session will help generate ‘MOVES’ using Technogym equipment. These MOVES, generated from each individual’s workout, will be totted up and go towards the total amount of donated equipment to local community groups.
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The more MOVES generated, the more equipment donated. Simple as that, so get your best gym gear on pronto.
Users will be able to book a slot once a day from 9am-5pm, allowing flexibility for those wanting to come along and maximise the number of ‘MOVES’ that can be made during the two-week period.
To celebrate the campaign, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel will be hosting a 12-hour Mega MOVEathon on launch day (Tuesday, 14 March), where the public as well as hotel guests and staff are invited to get moving and start the initiative off right.
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On top of this, there will be additional MOVE Circuit Classes on 22 and 29 March from 2:15–3:15pm — you only need to report at reception on arrival to sign in.
This campaign isn’t just about trying to get people fit, it’s about engaging with local communities and trying to instil a sense of social wellbeing and health in Manchester and beyond, all whilst giving back at the same time.
Discover more about the Let’s Move For a Better World initiative, as well as how you can book your slots on offer HERE.
Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade returns next month to celebrate Chinese New Year 2026
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade will make its way through the city centre once again next month.
As Manchester gets ready to celebrate Chinese New Year 2026 – which officially begins on Tuesday 17 February and runs through to Tuesday 3 March – and mark the ‘Year of the Horse’, the iconic Dragon Parade will be making its grand return to the streets of our city centre, and bringing a spectacular show of colour and light along with it.
In case you’re unfamiliar with what the Dragon Parade is all about, it’s the focal point of the city’s annual Lunar New Year celebrations – and it’s a real spectacle, to say the least.
The parade is known for attracting thousands of visitors from all across the region each year.
Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade returns next month to celebrate Chinese New Year 2026 / Credit: Chinese NY Manchester (via X)
Celebrations officially kick off on Saturday 14 February this year, and as the headline of the festivities, the popular parade is set to take place the day after (Sunday 15 February).
Once again, organisers are expecting visitors in their thousands to turn out and watch as the famous 175ft Chinese dragon weaves its way through the city’s main shopping streets.
Official timings and plans for the parade are yet to be announced by the Council, but if previous years are anything to go by, it’ll likely kick off from around midday, starting on the junction of Oxford Street and George Street, and then make its way along Portland Street before concluding in Chinatown for a final performance on Princess Street.
Chinese New Year festivities will take place over a full weekend / Credit: Chinese NY Manchester (via X)
There’ll also be even more cultural celebrations and activities to get involved with throughout Lunar New Year over in Manchester’s popular Chinatown – with live stage performances, traditional lion and dragon dances, and loads of stalls serving up tasty and authentic street food.
And to top it all off, we’ll also soon see the return of Manchester’s famous traditional red lanterns dotted up above all around town too, adding colour to dark winter days.
As always, this year’s celebrations have been organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM), in partnership with Manchester Business Improvement District (BID) and Manchester City Council.
Featured Image – Chinese NY Manchester (via X) / CityCo
What's On
Chester Zoo announces new spring date for its popular running event to help UK wildlife
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has announced that its popular Run For Nature is back again this year, and this time, there’s a new spring edition.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo seen success with this event in the past few years, with thousands of runners signing up for one of the North West’s most unique athletic experiences and all funds raised going towards efforts to protect highly-endangered giraffes in Africa.
This year though, the much-loved event’s focus brings conservation ‘a little closer to home’ and will protect some of the UK’s most threatened species instead – with all funds helping to safeguard hedgehogs, kingfishers, otters, harvest mice, and more.
It comes as the UK is currently considered one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.
Participants will first get to wind through the zoo and enjoy glimpses of elephants, lemurs, and other incredible species along the way, before heading out into the picturesque Cheshire countryside.
Adults can choose from a 10K or 5K route, while younger runners are invited to take part in a one-mile ‘Zoom’ race, open to children aged four-15, which takes place entirely within the zoo’s incredible 130-acre grounds.
All runners will receive free entry to the zoo for the rest of the day as part of their registration, along with a 25% discount for friends and family who come along to show support.
Chester Zoo’s popular 10K charity run is returns with a new spring date / Credit: Chester Zoo
Lorraine Jubb, who is the Fundraising Lead at Chester Zoo, called the Run For Nature a ‘really special event’.
“In previous years, runners have already supported conservation efforts for Asian elephants, Eastern black rhinos and Northern giraffe,” she explained. This springtime though, we’re turning our attention much closer to home in the UK, and to the wildlife we share our gardens, parks and countryside with.
“With one in six species now at risk of extinction in the UK, every runner will be playing a vital role in helping us protect animals and supporting our growing nature recovery work across right across Cheshire.
Danny Jones -
13th March 2023 
