Greater Manchester’s favourite market is planning to return on Saturday 17th April.
Following the recent announcement of the roadmap out of lockdown, things are looking brighter in Levenshulme as their award-winning market gears up to return.
As Manchester’s go-to for the best of local talent, Levy Market is perhaps one of the county’s most adored and jampacked markets, so its reopening can’t come quick enough.
Levenshulme Market will currently be operating as a ‘Shop & Go’ model, meaning there will be no eating, drinking or socialising at the market.
You’ll still find the same great stalls but we ask that people make their purchases and head home to safely enjoy them rather than sticking around at the market,” says Richard, Levenshulme Market’s manager, when asked about their new strategies.
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Although we’ll happily get on board with this small change to have Levy Market back in our lives, sharing all of the delicious food we’ve bought when back at home will be a struggle.
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They will also be operating a socially distanced market with a one-way system, so you can safely travel through without missing anything, and their night markets – which usually take place on the third weekend of every month – are currently on hold as Levy Market’s return is phased.
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Levenshulme Market launched in 2013 in an effort to improve their high street. Who knew that 8 years later, the market would have such a massive impact on the entire county.
“We work hard to offer our customers a balance of stalls selling arts and crafts, street food, general groceries and all the strange and wonderful things in between”, says Richard.
But Levy Market is more than just a shopping opportunity for many, it’s a community of Manchester’s greatest makers and loyal visitors.
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“The secret ingredient in what makes Levy Market what it is, is Levenshulme itself”, comments Richard.
“Our market shares its home with the warmest, kindest, most welcoming community you could hope to find.”
While Levy Market has always been a highlight of our Saturdays, the uncertainty of the past year has cemented it as a rite of passage for Mancunians.
“It became evident last year that Levenshulme Market was even more of a weekly fixture for locals than it had been in pre-Covid days,” says Richard.
“With everyone having so few opportunities to go anywhere or do anything different, having a handful of new shops popping up in the neighbourhood and finding the opportunity to say a quick and safe hello to friends and neighbours took on an additional importance.”
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If April 17th still feels like a lifetime away, you can support their creators online in the meantime with their online directory of food stalls and arts & crafts items.
You can also keep up-to-date with their proposed markets and which traders will be attending on their Instagram and Facebook pages.
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National Trust and Pokémon team up for exclusive trading card game and trail this half term
Emily Sergeant
National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for an exclusive trading card game and immersive trail this half term.
Families are invited to National Trust sites across the UK, including here in the North West, this upcoming May half term, as a brand-new partnership has been launched with Pokémon, and it’s bringing the widely loved brand to the great outdoors through a series of Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Mega Evolution Trails.
The partnership is set to bring together the places the National Trust cares for and Pokémon’s spirit of play and discovery.
Exclusively designed for the National Trust, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails are going to be running throughout May half term at 14 National Trust places nationwide, combining ‘imaginative play’ with ‘gentle physical activity’ inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon.
National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for an exclusive trading card game and trail this half term / Credit: James Dobson & Annapurna Mellor (Supplied)
Each trail point features a simple physical or creative challenge inspired by different Mega Evolution Pokémon.
From showing courage and curiosity with Darkness-type Mega Gengar ex, to unleashing energy and imagination inspired by the powerful Fire‑type Mega Charizard Y ex, the trails blend imaginative play with gentle activity.
A trail sheet will help young trainers keep track of their discoveries, and at the end of the trail, explorers can celebrate their achievement together with a photo opportunity at a Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail backdrop.
It’s hoped that it’ll help more families feel ‘welcome, confident, and curious’ about exploring the outdoors together.
Quarry Bank in Cheshire, Sizergh in Cumbria, and Speke Hall in Merseyside are the three National Trust sites in the North West where the new experience will be talking place.
The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails are exclusive to the National Trust and are included with standard National Trust admission (free for NT members).
Beyond May half term, the Mega Evolution Trails form part of a wider National Trust partnership with Pokémon, marking the first of several playful experiences for families throughout the summer holidays, kicking off in July.
Featured Image – James Dobson / National Trust (Supplied)
What's On
Manchester City turn down Old Trafford offer for FA Youth Cup final in favour of Joie Stadium
Danny Jones
Manchester City have turned down an offer from rivals Man United to hold the FA Youth Cup final at Old Trafford.
The Cityzens have instead chosen to host it themselves, only not at the Etihad Campus’ main ground, but rather the Joie Stadium.
Primarily used for City Women and the club’s EDS (elite development squad) and academy teams, the arena was formerly and simply known as The Academy Stadium, was renamed for sponsorship reasons back in 2023, and has seen several updates over the years.
Seating just a fraction of the amount possible across the city at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, the decision has disappointed many, but has been seen as a shrewd bit of gamesmanship by some, as it could effectively see any home advantage handed over to their opponents.
With this set to be the first Manchester derby FA Youth Cup in four whole decades, many supporters were hoping to go along and back their young teams in big numbers.
Proving somewhat divisive among both fan bases, with each of their under-18s squads having enjoyed promising seasons, to say the least, literally tens of thousands look set to miss out on potential tickets as a result of the announcement.
For context, the last time Man United won the coveted academy tournament – which has often served as a key first piece of silverware won by entire generations of young talent – they welcomed a record youth crowd of 67,492 in May of 2022.
In comparison, even with a sold-out stadium, the Joie would only be able to match around 10% of that figure at most.
That being said, it goes without saying that United fans have been some of the most vocal on social media following the controversial confirmation.
best two youth teams in England meeting in the FA Youth Cup final and playing them in small stadium at MCFC is such a shame. 60,000 would watch this game if it was done right.
On the day, the winning team featured the likes of now fully graduated senior stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Joe Hugill, along with several still-rising prospects.
Some of the starlets that lots of fans would have been looking forward to seeing live in a large and historic sporting arena include Jim Thwaites, Noah Ajayi, Kai Rooney, JJ Gabriel on the red half, and the likes of Kylan Midwood, Divine Mukasa, Stephen Mfuni, Reigan Heskey and more in the blue.
Head coach Oliver Reiss (who took over in July 2024) led his City side to the U18 Premier League North title at the start of this month; meanwhile, Darren Fletcher has returned to oversee his young Red Devils after a spell as caretaker manager of the men’s first team.
While tickets were expected to be snapped up rather quickly already for the all-Manc FA Youth Cup final, it’s now set to be a race for followers of both teams to get their hands on their respective allocations.