What's On

Stockport to host huge vintage fair with market stalls, live music, and classic cars

It's to celebrate 15 years of The Vintage Village.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 14th May 2025

A huge vintage fair is taking over Stockport town centre this summer with market stalls, live music, classic cars, and more.

So Retro Events and Stockport‘s beloved The Vintage Village are joining forces to bring Greater Manchester residents a vintage ‘extravaganza’ next month, with the hall packed to the rafters with vintage stalls selling everything from clothing and homeware, to ceramics, artwork, antiques, vinyl records, and loads more.

Taking over the historic Stockport Market Hall to celebrate 15 years since The Vintage Village opened in the town, fair-goers will also have access to a free vintage styling zone where they can try on loads of outfits and accessories from different decades.

From 50s frocks to 70s jumpsuits, find your style and grab a photo in your retro gear.

You’ll also have the opportunity to have your hair authentically-styled by The Vintage Beauty Parlour on the day too, so if you’ve always fancied a victory roll or kiss curl, then is is your chance.

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Once you’ve browsed the vintage delights of the stalls and been styled to perfection, you can hop on a vintage bus for a free ride around Stockport town centre, thanks to Belle Vue Coaches, and if that’s not enough entertainment for one day, then outside the Market Hall, there’s live music from all-female vocal harmony group The Villanelles.

Plus, there’ll be classic cars and scooters to ogle at throughout the day, and Stockport-based dance school Revolution Dance will be jiving away and hosting a free dance class in the afternoon too.

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Stockport is hosting a huge vintage fair with market stalls, live music, and classic cars / Credit: So Retro Events

So Retro Events founder, Michelle Barratt, says she is delighted to be collaborating on this event to celebrate The Village Vintage’s milestone birthday.

“I used to attend The Vintage Village as a customer,” says Michelle. “I love what [they have] created and it inspired me to start So Retro, so it’s fantastic that we can now work together and create a huge celebration of vintage at the incredible building that is Stockport Market Hall.”

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So Retro x The Vintage Village is taking over Stockport Market Hall next month on Sunday 15 June from 10am through to 4pm, and tickets cost £3 on the door – with under 12s going free.

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Find out more here.

Featured Image – Perry Merrity (via Unsplash)

What's On

Dave at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Highly-acclaimed rapper-songwriter Dave is heading to Co-op Live for two nights, in support of his recent release The Boy Who Played The Harp. 

Manchester is gearing up for two nights of high-energy rap with a sprinkle of prose courtesy of rapper and songwriter Dave, taking place at Co-op Live.

The rapper has been cultivating an audience of dedicated fans through his impressive solo work and some pretty huge collaborations with acts like Central Cee, AJ Tracey, Fredo and more.

The Brit-Nigerian star has three albums to his name and an even bigger number of chart-toppers, recently earning his fourth, a collaboration with Afrobeats artist Tems titled ‘Raindance’.

Now, Dave is compiling a 10-year discography, creating a setlist perfect to be played at 23,500 seater venue Co-op Live right here in Manchester. 

Gig guide | Dave at Co-op Live, Manchester – all you need to know

Dave is playing two shows at Co-op Live Manchester in March as part of UK tour / Credit: supplied via Wikimedia Commons
Dave is playing two shows at Co-op Live Manchester in March as part of his UK tour / Credit: supplied via Wikimedia Commons

Dave UK tour dates

  • Fri 13 March – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Mon 16 March – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Tue 17 March – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Sat 29 August – Little John’s Farm – Reading, UK
  • Sun 30 August – Bramham Park – Leeds, UK

Are there tickets left for Dave at Co-op Live?

You ‘Wanna Know’ if there’s any Dave tickets going spare? Well guess what, you’re in luck as you can still find a handful of tickets to both dates.

It might not be a ‘Funky Friday’, but Dave is coming to Co-op Live in Manchester on Monday 16 March with tickets HERE.

There’s two chances to witness some of the best ‘UK Rap’ so grab your ‘Trojan Horse’ and get ready to watch him live on Tuesday 17 March – tickets HERE.

Dave setlist for 2026 tour

  • History
  • No Weapons
  • Verdansk
  • Clash
  • System
  • Both Sides of a Smile
  • Screwface Capital
  • Location
  • Thiago Silva
  • No Words
  • Professor X
  • Funky Friday
  • Kat Slater
  • Titanium
  • Victory Lap Freestyle
  • Trojan Horse
  • UK Rap
  • Selfish
  • Chapter 16
  • The Boy Who Played the Harp
  • Sprinter
  • Starlight

Stage times for Dave and support act at Co-op Live, Manchester

Doors for the ‘Money Talks’ hitmaker are set to open from 6.30pm with no official starting time listed although the rapper has taken to the stage around 9pm at previous dates.

The show officially begins at 7.30pm, with Lost Boys performing as support.

You’re guaranteed to get swept away by Dave’s songs and the storytelling weaved throughout his lyrics.

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event.

Getting there by car and parking

If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.

The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

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Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:

  • Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
  • Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
  • Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.

There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:

  • Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

Walk/cycle

Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

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For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Press shot via supplied / Wikimedia Commons via supplied

What's On

Sensory-friendly Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

This week marks the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference, according to the most recent statistics, and Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-20 March 2026) highlighting the importance of championing, raising awareness of, and accommodating neurodiverse people.

And Printworks is marking the occasion in its own special way, with a series of new initiatives designed to create a more ‘inclusive’ and ‘sensory-friendly’ environment.

You may already know that the popular indoor entertainment complex in the heart of Manchester city centre is home to more than a dozen bars, restaurants, and leisure activities – including one of the largest IMAX screens on the continent – and Europe’s largest digital ceiling too, of course, but this week’s experience is unlike anything the venue has welcomed before.

Throughout the week, Printworks will be transforming its digital ceiling with calming Northern Lights and constellations which have been specifically designed to create a relaxed, sensory-friendly atmosphere for visitors with additional sensory needs.

Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week / Credit: Supplied

As part of a long-term commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, Printworks is also introducing a weekly sensory-friendly hour every Sunday too, where lighting throughout the venue will be dimmed, and music and SFX volumes reduced for a reduced-stimulus environment.

200 free sensory packs – which can be collected at Vue cinema – with a pair of ear defenders and sensory-friendly toys, designed to support visitors who may benefit from sensory tools while enjoying the venue, are also on offer throughout the course of the week.

On top of this, there’s also a range of autism-friendly cinema screenings taking place on the last Sunday of every month at 10:30am.

An additional autism-friendly screening will be taking place with a showing of Hoppers this Sunday 22 March at 10:30am, with tickets now available from Vue’s website.

“Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an important time for brands and venues to recognise and support the diverse ways visitors and audiences experience the world,” commented Dan Davis, who is the General Manager at Printworks.

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“We endeavour to ensure that all visitors feel comfortable and welcome when spending time at Printworks.”

Find out more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week on Printworks’ website here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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