Adam Maidment

Thieves broke into Healey Deli in Whitworth, Rochdale, during the early hours of August 18, smashing a window and forcing open the till. They took only a packet of cigarettes and one can of Fanta Fruit Twist, leaving the deli’s food and other stock untouched. Owner Rachel Ward had to close for a day and pay for repairs, but said the incident prompted an encouraging show of support from the local community. Lancashire Police have received a report and are investigating.

The Tollgate pub opposite Trafford Bar Metrolink station has reopened after a £400,000 renovation under Marston’s Grandstand format. The revamped venue features multiple HD screens, a giant screen, upgraded sound, tiered seating, sports memorabilia, improved outdoor facilities, pool and darts areas, table-ordering technology, and a refreshed food and drinks menu. Positioned near Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, it aims to attract football supporters while showing major fixtures across a range of sports. Local figure Ying-Hoi Soon, known as Mr Miyagi, opened the venue by pulling the first pint, while the pub plans to support local sports teams through a rewards scheme and continue its community involvement.

Stockport’s Foodie Friday, a monthly food event established in 2013, will host the Northern heat of the British Street Food Awards at Stockport Market on August 23. More than 25 traders from Stockport and across northern England will compete before judges including Sam Buckley, Joe McGrath and Holly Temple, while visitors will choose a People’s Champion. Organisers John, Rosemary, Joe and Scarlet Barratt say the event’s expanded scale, live music and family entertainment reflect Stockport’s growing reputation as a food destination.

The Old School BBQ Bus in Chadderton, Oldham, has received the Good Food Awards’ Gold Seal for 2026/27, marking its fourth consecutive year earning the honor. Owner Mark Fairley credited customers, voters and staff for the recognition. The venue operates from a converted 1982 American school bus and serves barbecue dishes including smoked brisket, wings, pork belly, steaks, tacos and burgers. The business began as a festival and market food stall before opening permanently in 2016 and has since received several awards and television exposure.

Manchester Village Pride organizers say the full 2026 artist booking costs £20,000 less than a single headliner at the financially troubled 2025 Manchester Pride festival. The new community interest company was created after Manchester Pride Limited entered voluntary liquidation, leaving more than £1.3 million owed to artists, suppliers and businesses. The revised event will run over the August Bank Holiday weekend and retain the parade and candlelight vigil, while featuring performers including Danny Beard, Nadine Coyle, Cascada and Kate Nash alongside local artists. Organizers say lower ticket prices will fund security, medical and welfare services, cleanup and proper artist payments, supported by an agreement with Equity.

Lawrence Roots, founder of Theme Park Network, visited 37 UK theme parks in 15 days while preparing for the 2026 UK Theme Park Awards in Blackpool. He praised the variety and quality of regional attractions, especially Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort, Alton Towers, Gulliver’s parks, Joyland and Folly Farm. His money- and time-saving advice includes booking tickets online, heading to the back of parks first, considering on-site accommodation and early entry, assessing express passes on the day, bringing suitable clothing and refillable water bottles, and joining queues just before closing.

A family criticised a £150 Jack Grealish football camp in Manchester after a 12-year-old attendee reportedly had limited interaction with the footballer and was charged extra for photographs and autographs. The family also said adults had to pay a £15 spectator fee, while a family photo reportedly cost about £350. Organiser FlexWork Sports said Grealish rotated through each group, defended the optional upgrades and spectator charges, and said the event's time change was communicated in advance. It acknowledged that pricing may not have been clear enough and said it would improve how costs are communicated.

Five events are recommended in Greater Manchester for August 15–16: a Henri-Lloyd sample sale in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, a TNT Sports football-trophy pop-up at the Printworks, Maricarmen’s Madrid-themed Verbena De La Paloma celebration, a family festival at Stockport’s Stopford House piazza, and the World Breaking Finals at Aviva Studios. The events include shopping, food, live music, family workshops and international breaking competitions, with several free activities and tickets for the finals starting at £12.50.

A 90-image gallery documents the August 12, 2026 solar eclipse as viewed across Greater Manchester, the wider UK and other parts of the world. More than 90% of the Sun was obscured by the Moon in the UK, drawing crowds to locations including Heaton Park, Platt Fields, Jodrell Bank and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The coverage also highlights improvised viewing methods, eclipse-related sporting and travel scenes, and a couple who planned their Suffolk wedding to coincide with the event. Totality was visible in parts of Spain, Portugal, Greenland and Iceland.

A Manchester concert headlined by Jay Critch and featuring Smokepurpp, Yungdred and Richiewess will no longer take place at Bowlers Exhibition Centre on August 14. The venue said the booking was only provisional and that required fees were not paid, while ticketholders complained that online listings showed conflicting dates and locations. Promoter Legendarykeyzz attributed the confusion to illness and production conflicts, apologised and confirmed the event will be held at MN1 on September 15. Previously purchased tickets are expected to remain valid, with refunds available to customers who cannot attend.

Manchester venues MNKY HSE and The Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes received one-star food hygiene ratings following inspections in January 2026. Inspectors cited problems with food handling, cleanliness, facilities and food-safety management. Both venues said they accepted or addressed the findings, introducing additional training, digital records, audits, repairs and greater management oversight. Both are awaiting re-inspection.

Chorlton’s historic Horse & Jockey has undergone a £1.4 million renovation led by Neil Burke and executive chef Ben Chaplin. The pub has introduced a new food and drink menu, restored events on Chorlton Green and re-established itself as a community hub. Its efforts earned it the title of Greater Manchester’s best pub at the 2026 National Pub & Bar Awards, while its offering includes popular Holt’s Trailblazer beer, in-house cocktails and community-focused events.

SMOAK owner Jonathan Barnett said the Didsbury cafe lost two days of trading, thousands of pounds in revenue and stock, and staff wages after its electricity was disconnected amid confusion over EDF Energy bills linked to a former tenant. Barnett paid nearly £6,000 in outstanding charges while waiting for reconnection, which EDF said it handled as a priority. Power was restored on August 4, allowing the cafe to reopen the following day, but the business expects a prolonged recovery as it rebuilds its customer base and restores kitchen operations.

The Davenport Arms in Woodford, Stockport, is highlighted as a community-focused traditional pub run by third-generation publican Ed Bromley. The pub hosts events including Robinsons Brewery shire-horse visits, an annual Scotch Egg Week, seasonal celebrations and community gatherings. Bromley discusses the pub’s historical nickname, The Thief’s Neck, its popular Robinsons Unicorn bitter and the importance of supporting local pubs as places for celebration, socialising and remembrance.

Manchester Village Pride venues are introducing a joint “no wristband, no entry, no service” policy, meaning most bars will serve only ticket holders during the August 28–31 event. Adam Maidment argues that the policy is justified because local businesses are financially supporting the event, tickets fund infrastructure, safety and entertainment, and controlled access can help manage capacity. He acknowledges affordability and access concerns, clarifies that the public can still access Canal Street, and notes that this year’s weekend wristband costs £40—less than comparable access last year.

True Pride, a new queer arts festival scheduled for August 1 at Manchester’s Hidden venue, has been postponed to November 7 after headliner Jamie Irrepressible developed laryngitis and an ear infection. Organisers said two anchor performances depended on him and chose to move the entire event rather than significantly alter the programme. Existing tickets remain valid, while customers unable to attend the new date can request full refunds. Jasmine.4.T, The Hidden Cameras and Queer as F*** will not appear at the rescheduled festival, whose remaining lineup is still being confirmed.

A roundup of five events taking place across Greater Manchester on August 1–2, including the Heaton Park Food and Drink Festival, Platt Fields Mega Mela, Trans Pride Manchester, a Threadbare clothing sample sale at The Alan hotel, and RADAR Festival at Victoria Warehouse. The events offer food, family activities, South Asian cultural performances, LGBTQ+ community programming, discounted clothing, and contemporary music, with some activities requiring advance booking or tickets.

The former Irish Deli on Greenwood Street in Altrincham has been transformed into a dual-purpose venue: Flakey serves elaborate croissants, coffee and matchas during the day, while Paddy’s offers personal-size fermented-focaccia pizzas, beer and cocktails at night. The concepts are led by Georgia Copp-Barton and chef Daniel Mullen, with Kennedy’s owner John Kennedy continuing as a co-owner. Menu highlights include lavish sweet and savoury croissants, Irish-inspired and truffle pizzas, and a broad drinks selection. The venue shares outdoor seating with Kennedy’s and is intended to operate from morning through evening with seasonal specials and collaborations.

Nancy Swanick, who ran Manchester's Grade II-listed Peveril of the Peak pub for more than 55 years, died peacefully on 28 July 2026. Her family said the pub would remain in the Swanick family and stay open under its staff. Known locally as The Pev, the historic venue was recently named the best pub in the UK by Time Out London and has retained its Victorian character under Swanick's stewardship. Her son Maurice described her as a firm but fair landlady who resisted modernisation, while customers, celebrities and television productions helped cement the pub's cultural importance.

BrewChimp’s owners plan to put their Flixton bar up for sale after seven years, citing other commitments. The venue will remain open and fully operational until it is sold, with existing private bookings intended to be honoured or transferred to an alternative venue. Local customers expressed sadness, describing the bar as an important community hub. BrewChimp’s Urmston and Stretford locations will continue operating as normal.

Yorkshire restaurant group Pranzo Italian will open its first Manchester venue at 55 King Street in September, taking over the former home of Gary Usher’s Kala bistro. The restaurant, founded by Marco Greco in 2018, has four Yorkshire locations, two AA Rosettes and a menu featuring homemade pasta, Roman-style pizza, focaccia sandwiches, salads and traditional family recipes including Nduja Paccheri and beef shin ragu.

Manchester’s SCENE LGBTQ+ film and television festival will return from August 20 to 27, 2026, for its largest programme yet. The Manchester event will open with a The Traitors panel and themed party, and will include a fifth-anniversary screening of It’s a Sin, a discussion with Russell T Davies and Nicola Shindler, an Alice Oseman event, tributes to Caroline Aherne and Absolutely Fabulous, and celebrations of shows including Rivals, Heartstopper, I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl. The programme also features film premieres, drag events, screenings, podcasts, exhibitions and outdoor cinema across venues including HOME, Aviva Studios and Cultplex. Tickets start at £5, with profits donated to Manchester Village Pride Charities.

Manchester-born disco collective La Discothèque will stage its biggest-ever event at Manchester's Depot Mayfield on November 7, celebrating its tenth anniversary as part of The Warehouse Project's 20th anniversary season. The five-room event will feature DJ sets from Basement Jaxx, Groove Armada, Annie Mac, DJ Paulette and numerous other artists, alongside a Stevie Wonder tribute and a takeover of the Star & Garter. Pre-sale tickets begin July 31 at 9am, with general sale at noon through Ticketmaster and Skiddle.

The Head of Steam in Manchester's Northern Quarter is profiled as the Manchester Evening News' Pub of the Week. Regional support manager Kieran Cant discusses the venue's transformation from the former Cottonopolis site, its connection to the Industrial Revolution and the Head of Steam brand, its extensive beer selection and non-alcoholic offerings, and visits from figures including Jodie Comer and Manchester City Women's team. He says the pub has been warmly embraced by Manchester residents and argues that the best way to support local hospitality is to visit and contribute to the venue's atmosphere.

A family visit to Blackpool convinced Adam Maidment that the town has a credible case to become the UK’s City of Culture in 2029. The trip included a stay at the Hotel Sheraton, the Hot Ice XC show at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Zoo’s recently expanded giraffe habitat and meals at the hotel. The article highlights Blackpool’s mix of entertainment, heritage, wildlife and family attractions, including the Tower, Showtown museum and major rides, arguing that its appeal and year-round visitor numbers make it a worthy contender regardless of the bid’s outcome.

Artist and former screen printer Matthew Rich has recovered posters, photographs and duplicate prints he produced for Manchester venues and record labels in the 1970s and 1980s. The material includes promotional artwork for Hacienda shows by The Smiths and The Fall, as well as events at Rafters and the PSV Club. His exhibition, I Am The Fly, is being shown free at The Refuge in Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel until September 26, offering a visual record of the city’s music scene, streets and changing culture.

Jessie Ware discusses her deep family and personal ties to Manchester ahead of her December performance at Co-op Live, the final Manchester date and concluding show of her Superbloom tour. She reflects on progressing from small Manchester venues to major arenas, drawing on lessons from supporting Harry Styles, and describes plans for a bold set combining new material with older songs. Ware also explains the 1970s- and 1980s-inspired sound of Superbloom, recalls meeting Grace Jones at Wimbledon, and talks about hosting the Table Manners podcast with her mother Lennie. She hopes to bring her family to the Manchester show and plans a celebratory after-party for fans.

Manchester streetwear brand Drama Call will open its first permanent flagship store at 70 Tib Street in the Northern Quarter on July 26. Founded by Charlie Bows in 2017, the brand has grown from an online and pop-up skatewear label into a business worn by figures including Aitch and Marcus Rashford. The store occupies a historic site formerly associated with The Sheep Store and Beermoth, and will sell Drama Call’s latest collections, Adidas collaboration products, and Manchester-exclusive clothing and merchandise.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s new 20 percent business rate cut for pubs, clubs and live music venues has been welcomed by Greater Manchester hospitality leaders as a positive first step offering financial relief and renewed confidence. Industry figures praised Burnham for acting quickly and keeping campaign promises, though many stressed that broader measures—especially VAT reductions—are still urgently needed to support the sector. Some concerns were raised about how the policy will be funded and whether the approach is sustainable, while calls continue for more comprehensive support for restaurants and the wider hospitality industry.

The forthcoming Oasis documentary Don't Look Back In Anger will premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in September before a limited cinema run and subsequent streaming release on Disney+ and Hulu. Directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace and written by Steven Knight, the film features unprecedented access to rehearsal, backstage and performance footage from the band's 2025 reunion tour, along with the first joint interviews with Liam and Noel Gallagher in over two decades. The documentary also explores Oasis's global impact since 1994 and follows the success of their extensive Oasis Live ’25 tour, which drew large international audiences and fueled speculation about future performances.

Robbie Williams will headline Lytham Festival 2027 on July 3, with several presales beginning ahead of the general ticket release on July 24. PayPal users, Ticketmaster customers, and members of Williams’ website and various mailing lists will have early access. Ticket prices range across three releases for both general admission and VIP options, with five-day passes also available. The festival is set to run from June 30 to July 4 in Lytham St Annes.

Robbie Williams has been announced as the first headliner for Lytham Festival 2027, marking his only mainland UK headline show next summer. The festival will run from June 30 to July 4 and typically attracts more than 100,000 attendees. Tickets go on sale July 24, with further lineup announcements expected. The news follows Williams’ recent high-profile performances, including appearances at the FIFA World Cup closing ceremony and a special show in Manchester. Festival organisers expect strong demand and describe the booking as a major start to the 2027 event.