PLUS: A sneak peek inside Manchester’s newest coffee and cocktail spotHello,

Miraculously, we’re looking set for a beautiful weekend of sunny weather across Greater Manchester – and I’ve got the weekend off. I’m feeling pretty ready for 5pm to roll around.

Now perhaps it’s just me, but sometimes I find myself stuck for the best ways to enjoy glorious weather. Don’t get me wrong, I love sitting in a sunsoaked Stevenson Square or beer garden as much as the next person, but every so often I want to get out of my well-trodden haunts and do something really different.

The sun will be out this weekend(Image: Jake Lindley / Manchester Evening News)

Luckily, the great What’s On team always have me covered. They’ve come up with six of their favourite ways to enjoy the sunny weather around the region, and it’s great inspiration for those of us who tend to get a little stuck.

So how about a trip to one of our region’s fantastic parks, or even a venture out into the Peaks? Or you might fancy some al fresco dining in the city centre or in one of the wonderful towns dotted around us. You can read the whole list here – and enjoy the sunshine!

The building of the pyramid

It’s one of Greater Manchester’s most beloved landmarks – and now the Stockport Pyramid is now open to the public as a banqueting hall.

The Royal Nawaab is open for business

The former Co-operative Bank offices have undergone a stunning transformation from abandoned corporate wasteland to the curry house of dreams.

We’ve put together a photo gallery showing you the whole transformation, including behind the scenes shots, and they’re well worth a look. You can peek inside the pyramid here.

Manc language

We all know Mancs have a special dialect that can be pretty incomprehensible to those of us not from here. But how much do you know?

Mancs have their own special language(Image: Manchester Evening News)

Well, you can put that to the test with our special quiz designed to quiz you on all words Manc. I’ve done it, and as a Southerner (sorry), some of them truly baffled me.

Still, I scored a somewhat respectable 10 out of 15 thanks to my nearly eight years in the region. Think you can beat me? You can take the quiz here.

‘There’s nowhere else like it’

Manchester and music go hand in hand. Everyone knows the famous musicians that our city has produced, and so they should.

Ibibio Sound Machine performing at Band on the Wall(Image: Band on the Wall)

And the musical prowess shows no signs of slowing down. Manchester saw the second biggest increase in music events last year – putting on 300 more shows in 2024 than in 2023. An increase that is down to the city’s vibrant and diverse scene, our music venues say.

Charlotte Fisher has this report on why Manchester’s live music scene is thriving, direct from those who know it inside out. You can read it here.

Coffee and cocktails in Campfield

I’ve lived in Manchester city centre for coming up to five years now, and I’d never heard of Campfield market halls.

A mock-up of the space(Image: Copyright Unknown)

But developers are hoping to change that by reopening the building as offices, studios, events spaces, and a cafe-bar-restaurant – all inside a grade-II listed solarium.

The space is set to open in late June, but the M.E.N.’s Ethan Davies got to take a sneak peek this week. You can read his report here.

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Weather etc

Saturday: Warm and sunny. 22C.

Roadworks: A56 Bury New Road in both directions closed due to roadworks from Fairfax Road to Church Lane.

Manchester headlines

  • Neo Nazi arrests: Nine people have been arrested following an M.E.N. investigation into neo-Nazis celebrating Hitler’s birthday in an Oldham pub. More here.
  • Corrie legend rushed to hospital: Former Coronation Street star Charlie Lawson has said he thinks something has “gone seriously wrong” with him after being rushed back to hospital. More here.
  • Motorway speed limit: A 50mph speed limit will come into force along a stretch of the M60 motorway from Monday – and remain in place for around three months. More here.

Worth a read

The relationship between sex workers and the police has often been a challenging and fractured one. But an approach by Greater Manchester Police, spearheaded by PC Kirsty Jackman, is aiming to change that.

The area around the Piccadilly Trading Estate is known for sex work(Image: Manchester Evening News)

“It’s kind of a hidden work,” she told the M.E.N. “I feel like we’re getting somewhere with it now and building that rapport and trust with them, having that regular face that comes in that they know they can speak to and trust.” You can read Amy Walker’s full story on the fascinating work Kirsty is doing here.