A new permanent exhibition is being unveiled at the Pankhurst Centre when the venue finally reopens in just a few weeks’ time.
Having been temporarily closed since the first lockdown was announced all the way back in March 2020, the museum and birthplace of the Suffragette movement will begin to welcome the Greater Manchester public back through its doors from Thursday 29 July for “a brand new visitor experience”.
Local community groups will be given a four-week preview of the new exhibition before it opens to the wider public.
At Home with the Pankhurst Family will explore the lives of the Pankhurst family in a participatory and immersive way, which includes the chance to visit the parlour where Emmeline Pankhurst called the first meeting of what would come to be known as the suffragette movement.
Funded by AIM Biffa Award History Makers as part of the Landfill Communities Fund, the new exhibition will completely transform the small Nelson Street-based museum.
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The family’s experiences will be set within the context of historical events and viewpoints, exploring how the campaign to achieve ‘Votes for Women’ reached its pinnacle.
Since 1987, The Pankhurst Centre has acted as the hub for what would become one of history’s most iconic political movements / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
It is hoped that the re-imagination of the museum for this new permanent exhibition will be the start of a journey that will ultimately lead to the restoration of 60 and 62 Nelson Street – the location that has acted as the hub for what would become one of history’s most iconic political movements since it opened 1987.
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Speaking ahead of the museum’s opening, Gail Heath – CEO of the Pankhurst Trust – said: “The new permanent exhibition is visceral, powerful and moving and we are so looking forward to welcoming you all back into the museum to share the achievements of our suffragette sisters, past and present”.
Ruth Colton – Heritage Manager at the Pankhurst Centre – adds: “The Pankhurst Centre’s reopening begins with us giving back to grassroots community groups who play such an important role in people’s lives, and have particularly provided immense support over the last 12 months.
“We want these groups to be able to enjoy a relaxed and rewarding experience with us during our first few weeks of opening.
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“Then, from 29 August we’ll be open to all visitors, who we are excited to see discover the story of the Pankhurst family and the legacy of these change makers.”
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Public bookings for the Pankhurst Centre will open on Thursday 29 July 2021 for slots from Sunday 29 August.
Entry will be free, with a suggested donation of £5.
Featured Image – Pankhurst Trust
What's On
The ENTIRE Manchester Village Pride lineup cost £20k less to book than ONE headliner last year
Daisy Jackson
Bosses behind Manchester Village Pride have revealed that the entire lineup has cost significantly less than the amount spent on just one headliner last year.
In a statement promising transparency, organisers said that the entire weekend of artists has cost less than one single headliner from 2025.
And by some margin – £20,000.
The announcement comes less than a year after the previous Manchester Pride organisation entered voluntary liquidation amid rising costs, declining ticket sales and an ‘ambitious refresh’ of the festival format.
That refresh included moving the main music portion of the annual LGBTQ+ celebration away from the Gay Village itself, and over to Depot Mayfield.
The collapse of Manchester Pride followed reports that performers from the 2025 event were still waiting to be paid, with entertainment union Equity later saying its members were more than £70,000 out of pocket.
Manchester Village Pride was subsequently established as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, with organisers promising a more community-focused approach and greater transparency around finances.
The 2026 event is being delivered with unpaid directors, while organisers have also signed an Equity agreement guaranteeing fair pay and professional standards for performers – the first UK union agreement of its kind for a Pride event.
Performing at Manchester Village Pride this year are major artists like Nadine Coyle, Danny Beard, Gareth Gates, Kate Nash, Cascada, and Rowetta.
They’re joined by a lineup of fantastic home-grown talent, including artists, DJs, and drag queens, taking our city’s Pride celebrations back to their roots, and keeping things firmly in the Gay Village.
In their statement, Manchester Village Pride said: “Transparency time! Booking this entire weekend of fabulous artists cost us £20k UNDER what was spent on a single headliner last year. This is what community Pride looks like!”
Manchester Village Pride will once again take place over the August bank holiday weekend, with the party running for four days from Friday to Monday.
The celebrations will culminate in the moving candlelit vigil in Sackville Gardens.
Ticket prices this year, even with just over a week to go, are only £40 for the full three-day festival, or £25 for one day. Monday will be free to attend.
You can ALREADY book tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides are back for more festive fun this Christmas, and tickets are already on sale… genuinely.
Sure, it’s literally the middle of August, and we’ve still got the rest of summer, and the small matter of a bank holiday weekend, Halloween, and Bonfire Night to get through first, but East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is already looking ahead to the most magical time of year.
The iconic heritage railway has announced that its hugely-popular ‘Santa Specials’ steam trains are back once again from late November.
The famous festive steam trains have become an essential part of Christmas for many families in the North West.
Santa Specials are your chance to hop on board an old-school steam train and travel through the magical Irwell Valley to make ‘enchanted memories’ that last a lifetime.
You can ALREADY book tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains this Christmas / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (via ELR)
The truly special Christmas day out starts as you make your way through a winter wonderland at Bury Bolton Street Station, and first get to meet some old favourites and new characters – including the magical talking Christmas tree, Mrs Claus, and ELR’s very own Ice Princess – all before before having a singalong with a chorus of musical polar bears.
The festive fun then continues on the Santa Special steam trains themselves – with an 80-minute ‘enchanting voyage’ through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.
And, of course, you can expect a special visit from Santa while you’re on board.
After you’ve grabbed a selfie or two with the big man himself, the grown-ups can look forward to mince pies and festive tipples, while little Mancs can enjoy a soft drink, some chocolate, and take a festive-themed activity pack home with them.
Emily Sergeant -
13th July 2021 
