![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/prologue-stockport-110626-DH-supplied-2.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n\n Manchester <\/p>\n
\n Some BIG stuff to come <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We may be halfway through the year already, but the second half of 2026 is shaping up nicely with some huge new openings still to come. <\/strong><\/p>\n There are reborn pubs, glitzy new restaurants, giant street food venues, and even a bookshop\/wine bar hybrid. <\/p>\n On the list of new openings coming to Greater Manchester this year, you\u2019ll spot a fair few familiar names from the region, some total newcomers, and some big businesses from elsewhere in the UK. <\/p>\n And these new openings span everywhere from Stockport to the city centre, and from the Etihad Campus to\u2026 well, a secret location we actually don\u2019t know yet. <\/p>\n Here are a dozen things to look forward to this year. <\/p>\n 12 new openings coming to Manchester in 2026<\/p>\n 1. Prologue, Stockport \u2013 opening this summer<\/p>\n Could you imagine a better afternoon than buying a new book and then reading the first few chapters with a glass of wine? Me neither, which is why you\u2019re going to LOVE this Stockport newcomer.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prologue will be a bookshop, cafe, and wine bar, from the same team behind Bramhall\u2019s award-winning independent bookshop Simply Books.<\/p>\n It\u2019s set right in amongst the new Weir Mill development from Capital&Centric, and will be hosting all sorts of writing workshops, book clubs, live music and other events.\u00a0<\/p>\n 2. Zadie\u2019s, Etihad Campus \u2013 opening this autumn<\/p>\n Manchester City\u2019s \u00a3300m Medlock Square development is shaping up to be something impressive, with a new Man City museum experience in the works along with The Medlock Hotel.<\/p>\n And now there\u2019s major restaurant news to look forward to at the new entertainment complex too, with the arrival of Zadie\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n Zadie\u2019s will be an intimate and glamorous pan-Asian restaurant, offering high-end dining, cocktails which \u2018border on the chaotic\u2019, and late-night entertainment.<\/p>\n 3. Manchester Street Food, Piccadilly \u2013 opening this summer<\/p>\n It\u2019s all gone a bit suspiciously quiet over at Ducie Street Warehouse, where the Grade II-listed building is being transformed into an enormous food hall concept.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s tipped to open this summer still, and will be home to 11 kitchens plus an outdoor terrace, mini cinema, tequila bar, and game rooms.<\/p>\n Manchester Street Food will also have a self-service beer tap wall and two stages, with space for 450 people inside plus another 180 on the south-facing terrace outside.<\/p>\n 4. The Spinner\u2019s Rest, Ancoats \u2013 opening 22 June<\/p>\n The Shamrock, an iconic old pub in Ancoats, is set to reopen under a new name this year after a major \u00a32m refurbishment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Set to relaunch as The Spinner\u2019s Rest, the 200-year-old pub will be operated by the family-run Joseph Holt Brewery.\u00a0<\/p>\n There\u2019ll be space for a truck or cart to run an independent food operation for the pub, plus one of the few beer gardens in the neighbourhood.\u00a0<\/p>\n They promise that while the refurb will be \u2018extensive\u2019, the historic charm of the pub will be preserved.\u00a0<\/p>\n 5. Gardens Lounge, Salford \u2013 open now<\/p>\n This one caught a lot of eyes for the wrong reason at first \u2013 it decided to house a live Macaw, beautiful Rio, in the middle of the restaurant in a glass box.\u00a0<\/p>\n But now Rio is gone, and it\u2019s time for us all to pay attention to what\u2019s going on beyond the birdcage.\u00a0<\/p>\n Gardens Lounge is a new Mediterranean restaurant and shisha lounge, right on the banks of the River Irwell.\u00a0<\/p>\n With beautiful interiors, and huge windows overlooking the water, it\u2019s a stunning new addition to the Salford\/Manchester border.\u00a0<\/p>\n 6. GRUB, Stretford \u2013 opening 20 June<\/p>\n Beloved Manchester street food OGs GRUB are bringing their signature events programme and award-winning chefs to a new location this summer \u2013 a car park.\u00a0<\/p>\n Plans are in place for GRUB to take over a space in the heart of Stretford, filling it with independent street food traders, family-friendly experiences, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s set to be an 18 month residency that will host everything from neighbourhood socials and town fairs to\u00a0 match day warm ups and beer festivals \u2013 including the World Cup this summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n By day the 300 capacity venue will be home to a bakery, coffee shop and popup bottle store before transforming into a larger-scale evening destination.<\/p>\n 7. Locker, NOMA \u2013 opening this autumn<\/p>\n Following the whispers of New Century\u2019s \u2018new chapter\u2019 earlier this year, the venue is now introducing a 450-capacity, intimate live music space called \u2018Locker,\u2019.<\/p>\n Opening this autumn, the venue is set to host a wide range of genres from rock, jazz and hip-hop to electronic music, alongside one central food concept.\u00a0<\/p>\n This new gig venue has vowed to showcase some quality emerging talent from Manchester and further afield, creating opportunities for artists and providing amazing live performances at an affordable price.<\/p>\n And their existing bar is there to stay, alongside the spectacular outdoor seating area which will remain capturing the sunlight just right in these summer months, as well as there being plenty of exciting plans in place for us over summer, including screenings for the World Cup and much more.\u00a0<\/p>\n 8. Ad Maiora \u2013 very secretive<\/p>\n Everyone\u2019s favourite homemade focaccia sandwich spot Ad Maiora is expanding to a new location here in Manchester. Aren\u2019t we lucky!<\/p>\n In case you\u2019ve been living under a rock \u2013 Ad Maiora serves up huge traditional Tuscan schiacciata bread, packed out with premium Italian ingredients to create beloved butties like the Nonna, the Colosseo alongside crisp Sardinian beers to quench your thirst.\u00a0<\/p>\n This shop has well and truly won the heart of Manchester. So much so, we\u2019re getting another \u2013 Daniela and Enrico have teased a second location is on the way soon.<\/p>\n While we haven\u2019t been told much more just yet, it\u2019s fair to say 2026 is looking up, and we\u2019re so happy to see a (quite literally) homegrown business like this doing so well. Make sure you pay them a visit.<\/p>\n 9. Forbici, Trafford Centre \u2013 opening this summer<\/p>\n One of the North\u2019s fastest rising foodie names is set to expand yet again.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rooted in Naples, formed in Manchester, then making its debut in Sheffield earlier this year, Forbici have just announced yet another location, this time at the Trafford Centre.\u00a0<\/p>\n After being dubbed some of the \u2018best pizza I\u2019ve ever had\u2019 by Marco Pierre White, these stone-baked showstoppers will soon be available to all of you shopaholics.\u00a0<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re in desperate need of some energy mid-way through a spending spree, you need a pick-me-up after breaking the bank or you make the trip for the food alone, you won\u2019t be disappointed.<\/p>\n 10. Bruncho, Northern Quarter \u2013 opening June<\/p>\n One of the city\u2019s favourite brunch spots, Bruncho, is getting closer to opening its second site in the Northern Quarter this June.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since launching in Deansgate, Bruncho has soared in popularity with people queuing down the road to secure a table. Like many, we\u2019re hoping that this new location will alleviate some of the waiting and allow everyone to get their hands on some of the best breakfast food in town.<\/p>\n The team have now confirmed that their new venue will have a salad bar, vegetarian buffet and even coffee raves with DJs at select hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n We just can\u2019t wait to see it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n 11. The Nest and Sister Moon, Deansgate \u2013 opening this summer<\/p>\n When one rooftop restaurant closes, another opens. Only a day after Climat announced its closure, we were treated with news of a brand-new sky-high spot opening this summer.<\/p>\n Sister Moon will be the latest project from acclaimed chef Sam Grainger, who\u2019ll be opening a Southeast Asian BBQ concept, boasting bold sharing dishes made with the freshest produce in a relaxed setting way up above the city on the 14th floor \u2013 now that\u2019s what we call food with a view.<\/p>\n Not only that, there will also be a brand new bar \u2013 The Nest \u2013 which is set to be a private rooftop lounge on the uppermost floors of the Treehouse Hotel Manchester.<\/p>\n 12. The Abbey \u2013 open now<\/p>\n One of Manchester\u2019s beloved historic pubs, The Abbey, is opening its very own 100-capacity live music venue, facilitating a brand new space for grassroots artists and emerging talent, right in the heart of Hulme.<\/p>\n This iconic pub has forever been a cornerstone here since the 1890s, with a stunning 19th-century bar that is set to remain at the heart of the venue, alongside lots of exciting changes and not just one, but two beer gardens to choose from.<\/p>\n On the taps, you\u2019ll find their own house pilsner, alongside beers from Manchester\u2019s Blackjack Brewery and with Pieminister as their in-house kitchen, you can now grab an unreal pie and a pint for \u00a39.99.<\/p>\n A traditional pub, new music, outdoor seating and top notch pies whilst you\u2019re there \u2013 what more can you ask for?<\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n Featured image: The Manc Group<\/p>\n Manchester<\/p>\n New Amazon Prime Video docuseries to show Pep Guardiola\u2019s final seasons at Manchester City<\/p>\n A new all-access docuseries featuring Pep Guardiola\u2019s final few seasons at Manchester City is set to air this summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n Coming exclusively to Prime Video in the UK and Ireland, the four-part documentary is set to take Manchester City<\/a><\/strong> fans and neutral viewers alike inside the club as the players and manager \u2013 who delivered an era of dominance -make way for a new generation.<\/p>\n Filmed over the past two seasons, this is the ultimate account of an emotional farewell that marks the end of an era in English football, and will offer unfiltered access to Guardiola<\/a><\/strong>, his squad, and the City boardroom.<\/p>\n After 10 trophy-filled years \u2013 which included six Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, three FA Cups, and five EFL Cups \u2013 Pep Guardiola called time on his tenure in Manchester<\/a><\/strong> last month, alongside fan favourite players Bernardo Silva and John Stones, as well as Kevin De Bruyne the season prior.<\/p>\n This new docuseries<\/a><\/strong> was there to follow them every step of the process.<\/p>\n\n Fans can follow City from a disappointing 2024\/25 campaign right through to a domestic double the following season, charting the raw emotion of a squad in transition.<\/p>\n The series is directed by Academy and BAFTA award-winning filmmaker, Kevin Macdonald, alongside City Studios\u2019 John De Caux, and is produced by Kevin Macdonald for Plan B\/KM Films and Gavin Johnson and Ged Doherty for City Studios. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is the ultimate account of an emotional farewell that marks the end of an era in English football,\u201d Amazon Prime Video said in a statement.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Joining Prime Video\u2019s wide selection of sports programming,\u00a0the series will be available to watch at no additional cost to Prime members this summer.<\/p>\n It\u2019ll be ready to stream on 19 August.<\/p>\n Featured Image \u2013 Prime Video<\/p>\n Manchester<\/p>\n Audio North\u2019s Artist of the Month \u2013 Aaron Dinning | June 2026<\/p>\n Aaron Dinning is an indie-pop act whose songs span the highs and lows of relationships, and now he\u2019s Audio North\u2019s latest Artist of the Month.<\/strong><\/p>\n Born in County Durham, studied in Leeds, and now the curator of a live music events organisation based in Manchester, Dinning sure knows a thing about northern music.<\/p>\n With hits to his name already like \u201924\u2019, \u2018Look Who\u2019s Holding The Gun Now!\u2019, this queer musician is gearing up to release a deluxe edition of his sophomore EP Boys Become Men. <\/p>\n If his name feels familiar to you, that\u2019s because it probably is, as Aaron Dinning<\/a><\/strong> has performed at a multitude of venues across the north \u2013 including Feel Good Club, Popup Bikes, and The Proud Place.<\/p>\n Now, Dinning chats to Audio North<\/a><\/strong> about his upbringing and music journey, as he accepts the title of Artist of the Month for June.<\/p>\n An interview with Aaron Dinning \u2013 Audio North\u2019s Artist of the Month | June 2026<\/p>\n You were born in County Durham and now live in Manchester. How have those two places shaped you as an artist?<\/strong><\/p>\n I think there\u2019s such a contrast in the environment of those two places. Durham was so formative for me growing up, back then I didn\u2019t have the autonomy to vocalise it but now I see Chester-Le-Street specifically as such a \u2018small town mindset\u2019 kind of place. <\/p>\n If I stayed at home, I would never be the artist I am today. That\u2019s not to say that growing up somewhere like that isn\u2019t just as important as the place which makes you feel accepted. You can\u2019t have such a strong desire for one without a disdain for the other. <\/p>\n What does being a northern musician mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n I think being northern, to me, just means breaking the mould and showing that if I can do it, anybody can. It means building my career on my own terms, it\u2019s taught me to unapologetically be myself, on and off stage.<\/p>\n I always say that I want to write the songs I needed when I grew up because there was nobody like me from the North. Sometimes it still feels like I\u2019m the only one too. <\/p>\n To me, if I can write a song, or put on a performance that resonates with a 15-year-old kid who\u2019s still figuring out who they are or who they love, that\u2019s the most fulfilling thing that can come from sharing my art.<\/p>\n The music industry can feel very London-centric at times. Have you found being based in the North to be an advantage or a challenge?<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s a bit of both really. Yes, London is where the majority of the big names in music are, but in my mind, I always compare it to that scene in Baby Reindeer when the guy says \u2018You find yourself a background artist in a cast of millions\u2019 (niche). <\/p>\n I like that the industry isn\u2019t as saturated as London up here, but I can see that changing in years to come. The North has always been where it\u2019s at and truly where all these major labels should be looking for who\u2019s up next because you might just find a gem like me waiting to be found.<\/p>\n Is there a northern artist who made you think, \u201cIf they can do it, so can I\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>\n Definitely Sam Fender. I know it\u2019s a bit of a cliche nowadays, but I absolutely love him and he\u2019s what I think of when it comes to a classic northern success story.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve seen him six times and the last time at St James\u2019 Park was a completely different calibre of show to when I saw him at Boiler Room in 2019 and paid fifteen quid for the ticket. <\/p>\n Me and him are completely different, but I imagine we had a similar sort of upbringing in the terms of characters we knew growing up in rougher areas. I feel like he cracked the mainstream so well with his first album and he\u2019s only gotten better since. I\u2019d want my first album to have the same kind of critical acclaim as his.<\/p>\n What made Manchester feel like the right place for the next chapter of your career?<\/strong><\/p>\n I recorded my entire EP here whilst I was still living in Leeds with Toby Ollis Brownstone from the beginning of 2024. That year and a half which I spent travelling back and forth in Manchester made me love the city and loathe commuting. <\/p>\n I knew I wanted to move to Manchester when I got invited to play the Queer as F*ck open mic on Valentine\u2019s Day in 2025. That was the first show I played accompanying myself on the guitar, I agreed to play three hours before doors and completely fumbled my way through the set. <\/p>\n The feeling of the room was like nothing I\u2019d experienced before, to come to a show in another city I had never played in and feel so welcomed, at home and accepted by a room full of likeminded people, felt like a feeling I could only replicate in Manchester. <\/p>\n Has living in Manchester changed your songwriting at all?<\/strong><\/p>\n Generally speaking, I\u2019ve been playing guitar a lot more since moving here. I feel like there\u2019s a naive fresh start that comes along with moving to new places and feeling like your life\u2019s going to drastically change.<\/p>\n Becoming the Producer of SoFar Manchester helped me feel integrated and I\u2019ve met so many cool people doing that job while spotlight my friends who are artists and bring them to the city that I fell in love with \u2013 It\u2019s all very full circle. <\/p>\n I\u2019ve brought Romy Taylor, Caitlin Doran, Sophie Green, and GRACEY over to play SoFar events and they\u2019re all equally amazing creatives who are based in Leeds, like I once was.<\/p>\n What do you think Manchester does better than anywhere else when it comes to music?<\/strong><\/p>\n I think Manchester is such a hot pot of different styles and genres. I think the thing it does best is spotlight LGBTQ+ artists. Not just in music, but drag is somewhere I look to when I think of performance, and the queens in the village are truly a sign of resilience and individuality. <\/p>\n I\u2019ve had more shows just for being queer in Manchester than anywhere else I\u2019ve lived, there\u2019s so many freelance creatives, charities and gig promoters who are looking out for LGBTQ+ artists to celebrate, even making entire lineups out of us. <\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester,\u00a0subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Featured Images \u2013 The Manc Group\/Press Shots (supplied)<\/strong><\/p>\n \n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/prologue-stockport-110626-DH-supplied-1.jpeg\")
A huge new bookshop, cafe and wine bar is opening in Stockport<\/p>\n![\"Glamorous](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/zadies-medlock-square-240426-DH-supplied-1600x900.jpg.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"Inside](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/manchester-street-food-020326-DH-supplied-2-1600x889.jpg.webp\")
Inside the new Manchester food hall opening in a Grade II-listed building<\/p>\n![\"Gardens](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gardens-salford-rio-parrot-100626-DH-supplied-3-1600x1067.png.webp\")
Gardens Lounge in Salford is open now<\/p>\n![\"New](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/locker-new-century-200526-DH-FionaFinchett-1600x1067.jpg.webp\")
New Century to open new 450-capacity gig venue, Locker, in Manchester<\/p>\n![\"Ad](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ad-maiora-250225-DH-themancgroup-2-1200x1600.jpg.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"Forbici](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/forbici-trafford-centre-news-030626-DH-themancgroup-5-1200x1600.jpg.webp\")
Forbici is opening at the Trafford Centre<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/bruncho-280426-DH-instagram-1.jpg\")
A glimpse inside Bruncho Northern Quarter<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/treehouse-sister-moon-300426-DH-supplied-2-1600x1131.jpg.webp\")
A glimpse at Sister Moon, the new sky-high restaurant opening in Manchester<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781907474_721_the-new-abbey-manchester-11-6-2026-the-manc-group-DJ-1200x1600.jpg.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781907477_162_gigs-at-the-abbey-mcr-11-6-26-the-manc-group-DJ-1200x1600.jpg.webp\")
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\n Emily Sergeant
\n <\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pepprime-190626-ES-PrimeVideo.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\n ![\"Thomas](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_3316-96x96.jpg\")
\n Thomas Melia
\n <\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781907488_913_aaron-dinning-artist-of-the-month-TM-1-190626-scaled.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Aaron](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781907490_924_aaron-dinning-artist-of-the-month-TM-4-190626-1600x1067.jpg.webp\")
Aaron Dinning is making his mark in the Manchester music scene with his indie-pop tracks \/ Credit: Press Shots via Emily Atherton (Supplied)<\/p>\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781907494_27_aaron-dinning-artist-of-the-month-TM-3-190626-edited.jpg\")
This Northern talent is from Country Durham, studied in Leeds and is now based in Manchester \/ Credit: Press Shots via Jack Garrod (Supplied)<\/p>\n![\"Dinning](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781907497_198_aaron-dinning-artist-of-the-month-TM-2-190626-edited-scaled.jpg\")
Dinning fuses his sexuality throughout his music, being an openly queer pop musician \/ Credit: Press Shots via Tom Hargreaves (Supplied)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781907499_804_aaron-dinning-artist-of-the-month-TM-5-190626-1600x1067.jpg.webp\")
The \u201924\u2019 singer has played gigs in unusual Manchester city centre locations like Popup Bikes in Ancoats \/ Credit: Credit: Press Shots via Emily Atherton (Supplied)<\/p>\n
![\"Emily](\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c6521570b62af6ad478c307cd4ae55b5b405e5130de6e785af80b637d76370d5?s=96&r=g\")