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NQ64 release first images of new Peter Street venue opening in June

After months of rumours, it's been confirmed that the late-night gaming bar will launch a second site in Manchester city centre later this month.

The Manc The Manc - 2nd June 2021

NQ64 – Manchester’s retro underground gaming bar – has confirmed a second city venue will officially open its doors on Peter Street later this month.

Rumours surrounding the launch of a new nostalgic arcade bar first surfaced back in March, with NQ64 having already expanded into Liverpool, Edinburgh and Birmingham over the past two years.

Now, owners have released the first images of NQ64 Manchester V2 – which will take over the old Club LIV site next door to Albert’s Schloss.

NQ64’s Peter Street venue is a ‘levelled up’ version of the original – which has been luring gamers into Northern Quarter since 2019.

Containing all the bar’s hallmarks (neon lighting, retro art, classic consoles) the site will also boast a bigger bar area, more seating and a variety of new arcade machines.

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Accompanying the likes of Pac-Man, Time Crisis 2 and Guitar Hero will be additions such as the Mario Kart arcade game, Time Crisis 3 and NBA Jam.

NQ64 Peter Street will utilise the same ‘token system’ in which users swap cash for game tokens to play, with MegaDrive, PlayStations, GameCube and Super Nintendo consoles all free to use.

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A new themed cocktail list featuring NQ64 classics such as Princess Peach, Bubble Bobble and Pacs a Punch will also be available, as well as bags of retro crisps.

NQ64 Peter Street is set to open its doors on June 21 from 7pm.

There will be free drinks and merch for the first 50 people who arrive on the Monday and Tuesday of opening week.

The bar is also seeking games and beer testers in the days before launch. Head across to @NQ64MCR on Instagram for more information.

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The Pop Up Club – pop-up shop for independent retailers to return to Manchester this weekend

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

The Pop Up Club is coming back to Manchester city centre this weekend, offering a prime retail space to independent businesses and small creators.

The initiative aims to transform unused public spaces and invite designers, makers and artists along to add cultural and commercial value to the local area.

Through providing this platform for these businesses, The Pop Up Club has managed to help its traders earn £1.5 million across all their previous events which run up and down the UK.

The brilliant pop-up retail space was previously on King Street in Manchester, but this time The Pop Up Club is moving into the Manchester Arndale.

Shoppers will be able to choose from the curated traders on offer, such as beautifully handpainted watercolour illustrations from By Tilly, celestial and nature inspired jewellery by Sian Mellor designs and beaded bracelets from That Wild Feeling.

It’s also helping to promote local talent as it shares the work of Manchester based unique printed homewares from Lydia Meiying.

Moonshine Prints, a trader who creates a variety of fascinating and eclectic wall art for everyone to buy and display in their homes, will also be at The Pop Up Club when it returns to Manchester.

The Pop Up Club will offer a chance to browse local traders who normally wouldn’t have a platform as big as this, while also supporting art and culture direct from the north.

Tillie Peel, creator and founder of The Pop Up Club.
Inside the incredible retail space providing opportunities for small businesses.
Peel, admiring works by small creators which are part of her small business initiative.
Credit: Publicity Pictures

The businesses The Pop Up Club uplifts and works with may be small but the amount of traders definitely isn’t – they’ve shone a spotlight on more than 500 independent retailers since setting up the social enterprise.

It’s also nice to hear that creatives who have worked with them in the past would more than likely consider working with The Pop Up Club again as according to the statistic on their website, ‘100% of traders said they would return’.

The venture was founded by Tillie Peel, who says: “Manchester has always welcomed us with open arms, and the friendly Northern spirit was calling us back once again.

“Utilising an empty space at the Manchester Arndale is a dream come true for us, as it puts us at the heart of shopping in the city and with events such as the Christmas Markets returning, the footfall of the city centre will be highly welcomed by us and all our traders in our Manchester store.

“With over 5 million small businesses in the UK*, there are so many that deserve attention and shopping small can bring huge benefits to the economy as well as supporting local income. This Christmas is the perfect time to shop from small businesses and independent traders, where a purchase can make a real difference to that brand.

“Our network of independent businesses have found being in our stores offers real value, as well as allowing them to speak to customers, see the reactions in real time to their items and to get a taste of what the high street has to offer.”

Shoppers who just can’t wait to get on down to The Pop Up Club can browse the shop in person on 16 November at Manchester Arndale.

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Featured Image: Publicity Picture

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Doves announce first hometown gig for 15 years in Manchester on UK tour

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Doves have announced a Manchester gig on a new UK tour. Credit: Publicity picture

Doves have announced a massive homecoming show – their first Manchester gig in 15 years – on their upcoming tour, but without frontman Jimi Goodwin.

The Manchester-founded band are heading out on a full UK tour in support of their sixth studio album Constellations for the Lonely.

Doves will be heading to Aviva Studios for a huge show, along with dates in Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and London, to name a few.

The new tour dates are in addition to the already sold-out intimate dates in Stoke, Birkenhead and Hebden Bridge.

Lead singer Jimi Goodwin will sit out the live tour to focus on his health – the band had previously cancelled their 2021 tour to protect his wellbeing.

He has said that his current circumstances are ‘not compatible with a mad, city-to-city schedule’.

Instead, Andy and Jez Williams will alternate on vocals and are promising a ‘one-of-a-kind experience’.

In a heartwarming statement about their Doves bandmate, they said: “This tour is incredibly special as Jimi is stepping back from live to focus on his well being.

“Mental health has always been central to Doves, and we fully support him in his decision.”

Doves announced their new album Constellations For The Lonely last week, shortly before confirming their UK tour and Manchester homecoming gig.

The band have recorded tracks, including recent Goodwin-fronted single Renegade, through a patchwork of in-person and remote recording sessions.

Doves UK tour dates in full

  • Tue 25 Feb – Glasgow, SWG3
  • Wed 26 Feb – Edinburgh, La Belle Angele
  • Thu 27 Feb – Newcastle, Boiler Shop
  • Sat 1 Mar – Leeds, Beckett SU
  • Sun 2 Mar – Sheffield, Leadmill
  • Tue 4 Mar – Liverpool, O2 Academy
  • Fri 7 Mar – Manchester, Aviva Studios, home of Factory International
  • Sun 8 Mar – Birmingham, O2 Institute
  • Mon 10 Mar – Nottingham, Rock City
  • Tue 11 Mar – Norwich, Waterfront
  • Thu 13 Mar – London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
  • Fri 14 Mar – Bristol, SWX
  • Sat 15 Mar – Southampton, Engine Rooms
  • Mon 17 Mar – Brighton, Chalk
  • Tue 18 Mar – Oxford, O2 Academy

Tickets for all dates go on general sale on Thursday 21 November at 9.30am HERE.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

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