Alice Lorenzato-Lloyd

This November, the inaugural Manchester Cocktail Festival is taking over the city for a seven-day tribute to local cocktail culture. Conceived by Liar's Group director Nick Coupland and Speak In Code co-founder Ben Kendrick , the festival aims to channel the collaborative energy of major UK bar scenes into a homegrown showcase. Consequently, the programme highlights the visionary teams whose inventive drink menus have earned Manchester both national and international acclaim.

Available at station ticket desks and carried directly by on-board conductors, the free discreet pins allow travellers to ask for passenger courtesy without having to say a single word.

Replacing the outdated 1970s interchange, the hub will cut cross-Pennine travel times and integrate with Great British Railways, offering turn-up-and-go services by the 2030s.

Engineers are currently installing a permanent reinforced concrete cap over the 3m-wide void before coordinating with water and telecom networks to fully reconstruct the carriageway.

The two-part rollout adds 15 more rail stops across Marple, Hyde and Stalybridge by spring 2027, with full contactless fare capping and multi-modal integration across buses and trams slated by 2028.

The Terminal 3 expansion will bring extra natural light, more seating, and a brand-new retail lineup alongside upcoming dining spots like Terracotta Italian restaurant.

Each themed stay features bespoke artwork by Simon Painter, mini-fridges stocked with retro sweets, and access to a rooftop football pitch overlooking Old Trafford.

From David Attenborough's immersive 360-degree show at Chester Zoo to a massive inflatable monster invasion, here is the ultimate guide to October half term.

A Treasury-backed feasibility study will examine regional transport links, venue readiness, and how towns across the region can share hosting duties ahead of Chancellor John Healey's formal Budget announcement.

Produced by Dragonfly TV, the 12-episode reboot brings fixed-rig cameras inside Saint Mary's Oxford Road maternity unit to capture raw, 2026 childbirth stories and modern NHS challenges.