Manchester’s iconic Victoria Baths has announced it will be reopening its doors for the first time in over six months as it welcomes visitors to its Festive Winter Fair.
If you’re looking to get a spot of Christmas shopping done early, there couldn’t be a more perfect opportunity.
Taking place over two weekends next month, there’ll be up to 30 stalls at the Festive Winter Fair – handpicked by Victoria Baths’ Events Team – selling a variety of art, jewellery, ceramics, homewares and festive decorations, with shoppers being able purchase items from some of the highest-quality makers in the Manchester area.
Victoria Baths will also have its very own stall, with everything from stocking fillers, to fine art, which are all inspired by the building and its history.
And of course, the vast spaces of this Grade II listed building make it perfect for a winter fair 2020-style.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Festive Winter Fair gives everyone the chance to “shop local” and support independent creative traders at the end of what has been a very tough year for small businesses, and for added festive cheer, mulled wine and mince pies will be amongst the treats on offer in the Tea Room, where visitors will enjoy a warm welcome from the Baths’ team of award-winning volunteers.
It also comes just in time for those finalising their Christmas lists too.
ADVERTISEMENT
In order to ensure the event is as COVID-secure as it can possibly be, timed entry tickets, capped visitor numbers, signposted one-way routes, hand sanitiser stations, friendly volunteer ushers and more, will all be in place to ensure a relaxed and safe visitor experience.
Speaking on the COVID-secure measures in place, Victoria Baths said: “The safety of visitors, staff and volunteers is our top priority and we’ll be keeping up with and following all government and local guidelines. We’ve spread the Fair over two weekends and released a very limited number of tickets for each time slot, so it might feel quiet, but that’s to make sure there’s plenty of space for social distancing.”
Elizabeth Sibbering – Operations Manager at Victoria Baths – added: “We’re delighted to be opening our doors again, for what has to be one of our favourite events of the year.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The beautiful tiles and stained glass found throughout the building make a really stunning backdrop to all the maker’s stalls. There’s lots of spaces for people to explore – including the Turkish Baths suite and two of the former swimming pools, despite some areas needing to be closed for Covid safety reasons – and we aren’t dependent upon the weather.
“Victoria Baths is incredibly lucky to have had such amazing support over the years, from those who campaigned to save this building, right through to those who’ve helped us to face the many challenges of 2020 [so] this event will be an opportunity for those who love Victoria Baths as much as we do to enjoy spending some time in one of Manchester’s favourite buildings.”
The Festive Winter Fair at Victoria Baths takes place on Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th November, and Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd November from 10:30am – 4:30pm.
Entry to the Festive Winter Fair is by pre-booked ticket only:
Adults – £3
Under 16s and ‘Friends of Victoria Baths’ – FREE
All the money raised from Victoria Baths’ events goes toward helping to keep the beautiful and historic building open for everyone to enjoy.
ADVERTISEMENT
As per government guidelines under Tier 3 restrictions, you must only attend as a group of up to six people in your own household or support bubble, and it’s also worth noting that the building isn’t heated, so it’s vital you wrap up warm for the event as it is often just as cold inside as it is outside.
Last entry to the fair is at 3pm, and the building will close at 4.30pm.
You can book you tickets here, and for more further information, visit the Victoria Baths website here.
What's On
Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Chester Zoo has been named to best zoo in the UK for 2024.
Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world – but now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.
The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.
Based on millions of online reviews, the new ranking puts the beloved Cheshire-based attraction ahead of the country’s other zoos after earning consistently good feedback from its visitors.
According to Chester Zoo, the “wonderful news” means that, as a conservation charity, it can continue its work with countries across the world to “help all animals survive and thrive”, as well as provide expert care to the 37,000 animals who currently call the zoo their home.
The zoo has also thanked its visitors for all their continued support each year, as this allows to “keep making a difference”.
“With every admission ticket, membership, animal adoption, or experience purchased, you are contributing to our mission of preventing extinction,” Chester Zoo said in a statement.
We've been named the BEST zoo in the UK, thanks to YOU! 🇬🇧
This news comes after receiving thousands of positive reviews on the travel website, Tripadvisor 🙌
Your support helps us to protect more than 500 of the world's most threatened animal and plant species🐅🌱
Speaking on the coveted new TripAdvisor title, Jamie Chirston, who is the CEO at Chester Zoo, says he’s “over the moon to be named the best zoo in the UK”, adding in a statement that: “It’s an incredible achievement and especially pleasing given it’s based on thousands upon thousands of genuine reviews and opinions.
“It’s a real seal of approval from our visitors, and testament to every single one of our dedicated, hardworking, and talented staff that make our conservation zoo the wonderful place it is.
“Every time someone walks through our gates, not only do they enjoy all kinds of wildlife experiences and a have great day out, but they’re also contributing to the vital conservation work we carry out here and around the world, and that’s why, as a not-for-profit conservation zoo, this top TripAdvisor ranking means such an awful lot to us.
It’s all thanks to more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings by visitors on TripAdvisor / Credit: Chester Zoo
“It’s confirmation that we’re getting things right for our visitors, [which is] especially important as, together, we’re preventing extinction and making a real difference for wildlife.”
The UK’s best zoo isn’t the only title Chester Zoo has claimed this month either, as TripAdvisor has also listed it as the eighth-best zoo or aquarium to visit in the whole of Europe too.
So it double congratulations are in order – and they couldn’t be more well-deserved, right?
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
What's On
Peter Kay’s gigs at Co-op Live have been postponed as the arena admits it’s not ready for opening act
Danny Jones
Just a day before the venue was set to welcome its very first act, Co-op Live has announced that arena opener Peter Kay’s gigs have unfortunately been cancelledand postponed until later this month.
Both of Peter Kay‘s highly-anticipated shows have ultimately had to be called off after Co-op Live revealed that the brand-new entertainment venue is simply not ready to welcome guests just yet, with work still to be completed on key areas of the building, namely power supply issues.
Issuing a regretful statement on social media, the arena has confirmed that the shows will now be rescheduled to Monday and Tuesday, 29-30 April.
An important update from Co-op Live. Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay. These dates will move from 23 April and 24 Wednesday to Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 April. pic.twitter.com/SxW50Ph5hm
Co-op Live confirms Peter Kay’s pair of opening shows have been cancelled and rescheduled.
Addressing the situation online, Co-op Live said: “Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay…
“It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind. Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly.
“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size. Peter Kay has very graciously agreed to perform his record-breaking comedy at Co-op Live on 29 (rescheduled from 23) and 30 (rescheduled from 24) April 2024.
“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend. We are very sorry for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause for some.” Safe to say many of those looking forward to the show have been left frustrated.
Booked train ticket hotel and can’t make next week! Place is a joke !!
Please tell me why I am finding this out of flipping TWITTER and have not been emailed?!
— 🧜🏽♀️ Lauren Sparks – Book Siren 🧜🏽♀️ (@thickthighnolie) April 22, 2024
Speaking to The Manc, a Stockport gig-goer who had tickets said they had to find out via social media and that her group had still received no email notifying them about the cancellation, adding, “We just logged into the app to find the date on our tickets had been changed to next Monday”.
As for the beloved Bolton-born stand-up and British comedy legend himself, Kay added: “I’m truly gutted as I know how disappointing this will be for everyone with tickets, but obviously it’s a brand-new venue and it’s important that everything is finished and safe for full capacity audiences.
“Fortunately, we’ve been able to reschedule the shows to next week, (I’ll have to miss my Bums & Tums class) but hopefully I’ll see you then.”
The venue also went on to assure that they will still be hosting The Black Keys on 27 April in the lower bowl with 10k fans as planned and will continue to test the resilience of the venue and its operations for the time being.
They also reminded fans who previously missed out on tickets that due to dates being moved, tickets may now become available.