04-04-2025
The Mancunian Way: April sunshine
The sun is out, in Manchester, on a Friday. So we can expect all carnage to break loose in the city's beer gardens tonight as vitamin D-hungry Mancs clamour for a sunny pint. Nevermind that it only feels like 14C - we'll make it work.
Our city is full of fantastic watering holes with access to the great outdoors, from Castlefield's The Wharf to the boozers of Stevenson Square and the Oast House in Spinningfields. But if you prefer something a little more old-fashioned, our tourism writer Liv Clarke has just the place.
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Deansgate, the White Lion is located on Liverpool Road, just a few strides away from Mamucium Roman Fort in Castlefield.
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She describes the pub as 'cosy' and 'traditional' (tick, tick), with an 'extensive' garden to boot. And what's more, the words 'drinks' and 'affordable' are even in the same sentence. Really, what more could you ask for?
You can read more about the pub with a view of the oldest part of the city here.
Looking ahead to next week, it's Easter holiday season and we're expecting to be blessed with sunshine for at least a few more days. Keeping the kids entertained for two whole weeks can be a challenge, but our parents editor Emma Gill says there's loads to do over the Easter break this year.
There are plenty of easter egg hunts to join, including trails at the likes of Heaton Park and RHS Bridgewater. Elsewhere, you could spend a day out at a huge inflatable theme park (I'm pretty tempted by this one to be honest), or making mini books at the People's History Museum.
You can read Emma's full list bursting with things to do over Easter here.
The sunny weather is set to last all weekend, so it's the perfect opportunity to get in that long walk you've always wanted to do.
But if you're fresh out of ideas, never fear - Liv has come in clutch with this week's suggestion. It's a Victorian park with play areas for kids, a pond with a rockery, and a lovely little pavilion.
It even boasts its own ice cream parlour for the sweet-toothed of us, with classic flavours from raspberry ripple and rum & raisin, to more adventurous options like Jaffa Cake and Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding on offer. You can read more here.
Big changes are afoot at Greater Manchester's shopping paradise the Trafford Centre.
In an announcement made today, Trafford Centre bosses have confirmed a major leasing deal with Inditex, the fashion giant that owns hit brands Zara and Pull&Bear. They are to take over the large site near John Lewis left vacant ever since M&S moved to its new megastore location at Regent Crescent.
The current Zara and Pull&Bear stores already in the Trafford Centre are set to relocate to larger flagship stores in the new location, and the region will get its very first Bershka. You can read more here.
Prestwich's rise to trendy status has been covered extensively over the last few years. But the town's ascendancy could be about to reach new heights with the appointment of a building contractor.
Vinci, who have been handed the contract, are the firm behind a massive 10 year project to deliver the regeneration of the New Covent Garden Market site in central London.
The wider project is being delivered by Prestwich Regeneration LLP, a joint venture between developer Muse and Bury Council They said the plans will 'overhaul the dated Longfield Centre site, revitalising Prestwich Village with shops, community facilities, public green spaces and much-needed new homes'. You can read more here.
Every year as the weather heats up, moor fires become a sadly familiar story. Over the last few weeks, firefighters have been dealing with a number of moor blazes in Greater Manchester and its neighbouring areas including Stalybridge and Littleborough.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Stalybridge and Hyde station manager Martin Cain explained why wildfires are common this time of year.
"People think that because it's rained, the moors are wet, and yes, underneath it is, but across the top it's very, very dry,' he said. "If it rains now, within half an hour the grass will be bone dry again because of the wind. People coming up with barbecues or naked flames is what is starting these fires.
"They don't realise the danger of how embers of the barbecue will get blown and set fire to the moors on a sunny day. If you're coming to the moors, come and enjoy them, but do it without the flame. Come and enjoy it safely." You can read more here.
Marcin Majerkiewicz, 42, was jailed for life last week after killing Stuart Everett by hacking him with a hammer before cutting him up and spreading his body across parks in Greater Manchester.
Only around a third of Mr Everett's body has been found. James Holt and Lee Grimsditch sat down with Mr Everett's brother Richard Ziemacki, who spoke of his heartache over the tragic murder of his brother. You can read the piece here.
