One of Greater Manchester’s best-loved outdoor dining concepts has returned for 2024, and there’s a proper tasty lineup of traders.
‘Kargo on the Docks’ – which is MediaCity‘s al fresco dining pop-up, in place of the former Box On The Docks – has had itself a bit of a “glow up” and has taken over the waterfront and gardens with a fresh wave of local food traders and stunning artwork by Salford-based creatives, all as the sun shines down on Salford Quays this summer.
A handful of the region’s most popular independents have set themselves up Quayside inside the concept’s signature re-imagined shipping containers.
For the first time ever, Salford legends Leopard Pie are now serving up their delicious – and trademarked – Honey Butter Rings, alongside authentic Neapolitan pizzas, from their very-own Honey Butter Ring Hut.
Other new food offerings come from the likes of Manchester’s beloved Parmogeddon, and Kargo MKT favourite, ThatZiki.
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Loads of local indie food vendors have taken over the Salford Quays waterfront for the summer / Credit: Supplied
So Famous and Block Steak Shop are some of the other local foodie favourites you can find down on the waterfront this summer.
Over the past few weeks, a collection of talented local artists, including Fernandes Makes, Kelly Ma and Caroline Daly, have returned to MediaCity to adorn the newly-added shipping containers with collaborative artworks and installations, and ultimately, bring a fresh summer vibe to its gardens.
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Not only that, but there’s now also a brand-new art trail display throughout the gardens too, featuring artwork from MikeSian Studio, A Studio Called Jane, Luke Passey, and Tasha Whittle.
MediaCity’s popular outdoor dining concept has had a “glow up” for 2024 / Credit: Mark Waugh (via Supplied)
Speaking following the long-awaited return of the popular outdoor dining event, Matt Bigland, who is the Founder and CEO of Blend Family – the company operating the new-look Kargo on the Docks – commented: “This is an exciting development for us and we’re looking forward to bringing all that Kargo offers to MediaCity in a brand-new format.
“The success of Kargo.MKT and Kargo Go has paved the way for this new venture and we’re pleased to be expanding our incredible line-up of food vendors on offer at MediaCity and Quayside.”
Kargo on the Docks will be open Tuesday to Sunday.
Food will be served from 11.30am-9pm, while the bar operates between 10am-11pm, and there’ll also be a range of pop-up events hosted throughout the summer too, with more announcements set to be made in the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – Mark Waugh (via Supplied)
What's On
MediaCity’s new £2.5m indoor activity park confirms opening date just in time for half term
Emily Sergeant
A brand new indoor activity park is set to open its doors in Greater Manchester, and the launch date has now been revealed.
In case you missed it, it was announced towards the end of last year that Salford had been chosen by Oxygen Activeplay as the location for its next venture, and will be descending on Quayside MediaCity this month with state-of-the-art equipment and activities to help local families stay active whilst having fun at the same time.
Oxygen will sit above bustling food hall Kargo MKT, taking over the former site of I’m a Celebrity Jungle Challenge.
Following a £2.5 million investment, the new park will feature more than 30 trampolines, a mega-air bag, a high ropes course, a ‘Rollglider’ aerial ride which flies over the facility, and Oxygen’s signature illuminated sensory experience ‘Excite Tunnel’, along with even more “epic” activities.
A series of optional games and dance parties will also be on offer during each play session, and the new Manchester park will also host ‘Peaceful Play’ sessions designed for neurodivergent guests, who prefer a calmer and quieter playing environment, as well as there being a ‘Toddler Venture Zone’.
A cafe serving drinks, snacks, and meals is also set to overlook the park.
But, up until recently, the date when the exciting new venture would be welcoming in the public for the first time remained under lock and key.
A new £2.5m ‘state-of-the-art’ indoor activity park will be opening at MediaCity / Credit: Jamie McPhilimey
It’s been a long time coming, but after 6,000 hours of hard work from the construction team, it has now been confirmed that Oxygen at MediaCity will open on Monday 17 February , just in time for half term.
Doors will open at 9am, and pre-booking is advised.
“With Oxygen at MediaCity being our tenth park, we knew we had to do something really special, so we have some really big and exciting plans,” teased Oxygen Activeplay CEO, Stephen Wilson, ahead of the new park opening in a couple of weeks time.
“We can’t wait to bring some big-time fun to Manchester.”
Oxygen at MediaCity opens on Monday 17 January at 9am, and you can find out more and book your trip here.
Featured Image – Jamie McPhilimey
What's On
A wholesome fundraising challenge is coming to Greater Manchester – and it only requires a little light exercise
Thomas Melia
Greater Manchester is being asked to ‘Step Up’ in support of a fundraising event that’s aiming to raise funds for a very important cause.
In a bid to raise money for unemployed women an all-new fundraising challenge has been announced titled ‘Step Up’ and it’s running throughout March 2025.
This challenge has been set up by Smart Works Greater Manchester, an important local organisation and necessary resource that provides interview clothing and coaching for unemployed women.
Women who use this service can receive a 60-minute dressing appointment and accompanying hour-long personalised interview preparation, completely free of charge.
In order for vital services such as these to be made readily available, companies like Smart Works Greater Manchester rely on schemes like these to raise money and for people to get involved.
The ‘Step Up’ fundraising challenge is hoping to reach a goal of £35,000 while also covering 130 miles – the equivalent of walking the perimeter of Greater Manchester‘s ten wonderful boroughs.
In 2024, this organisation helped over 800 women and from this, two-thirds of the candidates went on to secure jobs in various work sectors.
Anyone can join this new initiative and Smart Works are calling on local businesses, community groups and individuals to sign up, recruit and take part. Walk, run, cycle, break it up into as big a team as you like – the choice is yours.
As well as raising money for a good cause, those who can get the most donations will be rewarded with some fantastic prizes too; it’s also a brilliant and easy way to promote regular exercise, physical health and general well-being.
Smart Works put on a wonderful festive crowdfunding event this past year too:
There is no better time for this challenge to take place than now as money raised can instantly help as many people as possible during this current period of economic strain and financial instability.
Smart Works has many centres across the country including London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Reading and even a spot just over the hill in Leeds.
Who knows? Maybe you can rope a co-worker or two into getting involved, all we know is every little bit of effort contributes to making a big difference.
Anyone looking to take part in ‘Step Up’ for Smart Works Greater Manchester can find out more information and sign up HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd July 2024 
