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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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 Science and Industry Museum announces FREE programme of space-themed activities
Emily Sergeant
National Space Day is coming up, and you can celebrate with a bunch of free space-inspired activities in Manchester this bank holiday.
Ever wondered what astronauts eat in orbit? How they use the loo in zero gravity? Or why crumbs are bad news on the International Space Station? Well, to celebrate National Space Day – which is taking place this year on Friday 1 May – you’ll now get to discover the answers to those questions and so much more down at the Science and Industry Museum early next month.
The popular Manchester city centre-based museum has unveiled a programme of free ‘out-of-this-world’ events and activities this upcoming May bank holiday weekend.
The programme of free events are set to accompany the museum’s latest special exhibition, Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos – which you do have to pay for – and will give visitors more ways to explore the ‘wonders and weirdness’ of space.
The Science and Industry Museum has announced a free programme of space-themed activities / Credit: Drew Forsyth / Science Museum Group
Launching on National Space Day (Friday 1 May) and running through to Monday 4 May, the special bank holiday weekend programme is especially timely following the recent return of Artemis II astronauts from their history-making mission around the moon.
Families can get a taste of space during new live shows by sampling real foods used to feed astronauts, and discover more about how humans live and work beyond Earth, while budding space explorers put their skills to the test in interactive activities designed to ‘spark curiosity’ and ‘stretch imaginations’ to the moon and back.
Stargazers can enjoy the night sky as its projected across super-sized screens, or get creative by crafting their very own constellations and designing a mission patch for an astronaut’s spacesuit.
The events accompany the museum’s latest special exhibition, Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: Drew Forsyth / Science Museum Group
“2026 has already been a stellar year for space,” commented Tash Camberwell, who is the Interpretation and Content Developer at the Science and Industry Museum, as the programme of free events was announced this week.
“We’ve been so inspired by the amazing Artemis II astronauts, so I’m especially excited to bring space back down to Earth with an action-packed programme for the May bank holiday.
“Just like the exhibition, our holiday activities have been created for young people and their grown-ups to enjoy together by blending humour, hands-on science and spectacular experiences to spark curiosity in space and inspire the next generation of space explorers.”
More information on the bank holiday weekend activities can be found on the Science and Industry Museum’s website here, and free general admission tickets, as well as £10 tickets to Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos, can also be booked online too – with under threes going free.
Following what was a popular spring school holidays, museum staff say early booking is ‘advised’.
Featured Image – Drew Forsyth / Science Museum Group
What's On
Popular grassroots music festival to return to hidden Manchester street with new fringe events
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s much-loved grassroots music festival is back next month, and this year, there’s some new fringe events too.
Set across a handful of popular venues up on Deansgate Mews – including The Lion’s Den, Low Four Studios and The Mews Bar – Deansgate Mews Festival is returning for its sixth year this late May bank holiday weekend.
More than 40 music artists will be performing on a mix of outdoor and intimate indoor stages.
But that’s not all, as in what’s set to be an exciting new chapter for 2026, the festival is expanding beyond its core programme with the launch of the first-ever Mews Fest Fringe too.
Popular grassroots music festival Mews Fest returns this late May bank holiday / Credit: Supplied
The inaugural Mews Fest Fringe will be hosted in a large unit within Great Northern Warehouse, which will be transformed into a ‘vibrant’ hub celebrating music, art and independent culture.
Designed as a platform for Manchester’s creative community, the festival space will welcome artists, designers, collectors, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their work while connecting with festival-goers.
At the Fringe event, you can expect everything from record sellers and vinyl collectors, to vintage clothes, arts and crafts makers, independent creatives, and even bands selling merchandise.
This year there’s also the addition of the Mews Fest Fringe / Credit: Supplied
Already known for its strong grassroots ethos and growing reputation, Mews Fest continues to champion local talent and independent culture – but now with the addition of the Fringe event, the stage is set for its most ‘ambitious and inclusive’ edition to date.
Oh and the best bit? Both festivals will be free to attend, with no need to book tickets beforehand.
Danny Jones -
13th March 2023 
