Your bumper briefing of news and what to look out for
Oxford Road station closing for two years to refurb
Oxford Road Station will close for roughly two years in order to undergo a planned renovation, Network Rail has announced.
The company - who own, operate and develop Britain’s railway infrastructure - launched a consultation on Monday (20 January) as part of the Manchester Oxford Road Remodelling Scheme.
Proposals outlined by the company include configuring the layout of the five-platform station in order to accommodate longer trains in the future, something that would ease the regular problem of congestion at the station.
The first round of consultation on Manchester Oxford Road Remodelling scheme will run from 20 January to 28 February 2025.
During this period, a virtual consultation room and feedback form will be available at here.
There will also be drop-in events to view the plans and speak with the team:
- Event one: Saturday 1 February 2025, 11am to 4pm
- Event two: Monday 17 February 2025, 2pm to 7pm
Venue: Friends’ Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “We have said for a long time that Oxford Road Station is in need of a range of improvements from easing the congestion, increasing capacity, improving reliability and ensuring that the station is accessible for all commuters.
“This consultation will be a positive step in achieving those goals and ensuring that the needs of the tens of thousands of people who travel through Oxford Road on a daily basis are being met.
“Any future development will be a long-term project but infrastructure upgrades like these are essential if we are to continue growing Manchester as the leading city of the North.”
HOME Arches opens as hub for creativity
HOME, Manchester’s premier arts centre, has unveiled HOME Arches, a free-to-use artist development hub and public gallery spread across three arches on Whitworth Street West.
Designed in collaboration with HOME’s Artist Panel, the Arches serve as affordable productive workspace in the city centre for creatives across the North West.
In line with HOME’s mission to democratise access to the arts, 50% of the space is reserved for underrepresented groups and the hub offers 5,000 hours of studio and development space each year, providing residencies, co-working opportunities, and access to technical expertise for creatives across disciplines.
HOME Arches also features Arches Windows, a public exhibition space visible from Whitworth Street West, showcasing rotating displays of sculptural and digital art.
Karen O’Neill, CEO of HOME said: “Since opening in 2015, HOME has been committed to supporting, investing in, and providing opportunities for artists across Greater Manchester and the North.
“HOME Arches has been a key part of our strategy for artists’ development for many years, so to be opening these new spaces in 2025, our 10-year anniversary, is really special. The investment and support for the Arches by our funders, donors and supporters confirms that Manchester values culture, and the city continues to grow as a place that artists and creativity can thrive in.”
Save Salford’s Re:Play sustainability studio
Re:Play, the Salford studio providing free and paid-for creative workshops for families, schools and community groups is crowdfunding in order to remain at their Media City site.
Started as a creative initiative combining art, sustainability and community engagement, each session with Re:Play focuses on using recycled and scrap materials to create something new, from art projects to upcycled household items or seasonal decorations.
In order to stay in the Media City site for the next three months, Re:Play need to hit their target of £3,500 by Friday 7 February.
For more information, and to donate in return for awards including a private children's birthday party, visit Re:Play’s crowdfunding page.
NBR25 lineup revealed
Northern Restaurant and Bar has announced its lineup for the 2025 edition of its annual trade show, due to take place from 11-12 March at Manchester Central.
NBR Chef Live will be headlined by Head Chef of Skof, Tom Barnes. Joining him will be Ollie Bridgewater of Windermere’s Michelin-starred The Gilpin and Ruth Hansom, owner of Hansom Restaurant and Wine Bar in North Yorkshire and the first female winner of the prestigious Roux Scholarship back in 2016.
The NBR Keynote Theatre will host Roy Ellis, CEO of Mission Mars, the group responsible for Rudy’s and Albert’s Schloss, as well as co-founder of Caravan, Laura Harper-Hinton, and CEO of The Alchemist, Simon Potts.
Siobhan Thompson, Event Manager for NRB25, said: “This year’s line-up of speakers across both shows reflects the energy, creativity, and resilience of our industry in the North.
“With hospitality leaders from some of the country's most flourishing hospitality brands, these events promise to provide invaluable insights, inspiration, and a platform to celebrate the talent driving the Northern hospitality scene forward.”
Manchester Libraries launch Digital Spaces
Manchester Libraries is taking part in a new programme aimed at bringing new digital experiences to library users in 2025.
The Digital Spaces programme will look to engage people in a new digital era of how we interact with archives and information, and is supported by the Arts Council and BFI along with National Lottery funding.
The programme will include a Virtual Reality tour, taking place at Central Library from June to coincide with the Festival of Libraries, to showcase a collection of VR titles aimed at a wide variety of audiences.
- Wallace & Gromit in the Grand Getaway: A narrative VR experience for MetaQuest, allowing fans to join a new immersive adventure with everyone’s favourite plasticine duo, Wallace and Gromit.
- The Philharmonia's Lark Ascending: A 360 performance by Philharmonia of Ralph Vaughan Williams’s spellbinding ‘The Lark Ascending’, featuring Nicola Benedetti.
- Monoliths: An immersive XR experience by Pilot Theatre and One to One Development Trust, exploring England’s northern landscape through the voices of three women.
Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure said:
"Libraries have always been at the heart of our communities and Digital Spaces is a fantastic opportunity to ensure they remain relevant in an increasingly digital world. By embracing innovation, we are opening exciting opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection for people of all ages.”
OSMA on the move
The jewel in Prestwich’s culinary crown since it opened in late 2020, OSMA has enjoyed a great deal of acclaim and a loyal following of customers local and further afield.
Now the Scandi-inspired restaurant, headed up by Whitefield-born chef and Great British Menu finalist Dani Heron, has announced it will be moving to a city centre site.
“It’s with a heavy heart, but excitement for the future, that we have decided to close our Prestwich restaurant ahead of a move to the city centre,” said a statement released by the restaurant on Saturday (18 January).
“Being fully transparent - we’ve struggled to find experienced staff, leaving us with little to no personal life. We have made the decision to move on to what we hope will be a more sustainable business that can grow, and allow us more time to follow our dreams. This is by no means the end of OSMA.
“We’re optimistic, but it’s bittersweet. After (almost!) five years we have met so many amazing and incredible people, who we’re proud to call our friends and OSMA family. So many of you have kept coming back week after week - we feel honoured and so grateful for your company. There have been hard days over the years and your kindness, patience and good moods have made such an impact on us to keep pushing forward. Thank you!
“Our last day of service will be Sunday, 9th February. Bookings are open now and we’d love to see as many of you as possible before we go. Stay tuned on our socials as we’ll be throwing a leaving party, too.
“A little housekeeping. Gift cards bought after the 9th of Feb 2024 may be refunded to the original payment method, or extended to use at our new site (to be valid for one year after the opening date). Our Kitchen at Exhibition on Peter Street will also remain open as usual, so please don’t be a stranger.
“We appreciate every single one of you… and we’ll be back before you know it!
“Love Dani & Fie x”
Call to Action at People’s History Museum
The People’s History Museum, the UK’s national museum of democracy, has opened its 2025 banner exhibition, showcasing banners and protest materials that played pivotal roles in moments of collective action, from a 1940’s Homelessness Action Campaign to a banner created by GCHQ staff in the 1990s during a unionisation protest.
Spanning the 20th century, the exhibition, which runs until the end of 2025, celebrates the power of ordinary people coming together to fight for democracy and equality, encouraging visitors to reflect on the themes of solidarity and activism which remain strikingly relevant today.
The exhibition is found within the main galleries of the People’s History Museum, with historical information and conservation insights shared on each of the 25 banners on display. PHM offers free entry, though donations are encouraged to keep their vital conservation work going.
Music and Mental Health to be discussed in aid of Turning Point charity
Emerging Beats, an event series supporting the mental health charity Turning Point, is set to host a special panel discussion to help raise funds for a community garden at Turning Point’s Recovery Facility in Manchester.
The panel will explore the intersection of music and mental health, featuring Aiden Francis, a rising electronic music artist, Rebecca Swarray (aka Mix-Stress), a DJ and producer fostering connections across Greater Manchester, and Mark Stanley from Turning Point who will share insights into the charity’s work.
Hosted by aalice, a prominent figure on Manchester’s creative scene, Emerging Beats hopes to inspire dialogue, build connections and transform lives. Emerging Beats will take over Ramona at 40 Swan Street from 8pm-10pm on 30 January.
All proceeds go to Turning Point’s charity work and tickets are available on the door, or through the following link.
Callout for art ready to hang at Darwen’s Prism Contemporary
Prism Contemporary art gallery in Darwen has issued an open call for art ready to hang at its solo exhibition in February.
The independent gallery is looking for works by North West-based artists on any theme or medium, presenting a fantastic opportunity for budding artists looking to get their work in front of an audience.
Here’s the terms and conditions.
• Work must be ready to hang for the week of 17 February
• You must be an artist based in the North West of England
• Applications must include a PDF with images of your works, relevant contextual text and sizes of each work
• Supporting links are welcome (website & instagram) Any theme & medium is welcome, please submit your body of work to prismcontemporary@gmail.com by the 6 February at 12pm.
Stockport Vegan Festival comes to the Guildhall
The Stockport Vegan Festival is set to take over Stockport Guildhall on Sunday 9 February, offering over 60 stalls packed with vegan delights, including cooked foods, pies, cakes, chocolates, skincare products, crafts, clothing and more.
Local favourites like Manchester’s Seitan’s Kebab and Salford’s DevilDog sauces will be offering their specialties, from plant-based kebabs to flavoursome chilli sauce, alongside vegan friendly caterers like The Intolerant Baker and skin and haircare specialist Yours Naturally Naturally Yours.
Festival organiser and founder of Vegan Events UK, Victoria Bryceson says that the Vegan Festival is set to be, “Stockport’s biggest plant-powered party. Taste the world with global vegan cuisines, try mouthwatering cakes and treats, game-changing dairy and meat alternatives, fresh juices and smoothies, ethical skincare and beauty discoveries, visit our sustainable fashion corner. And there’s budget-friendly cooking demos, expert nutritional talks and live cookery demonstrations plus free samples galore!”
Running from 10.30am to 4.30pm, the festival is a must-visit for food lovers and eco-conscious shoppers, and with free entry for under-16s, it’s perfect for families too.
Standard tickets are just £5, available here or on the door.
Indoor golf coming to St John’s
Pitch, the indoor golf and lifestyle brand, is set to open its first Manchester venue at Goods Yard this March, featuring ten simulator bays that immerse players in some of the world’s most iconic courses, custom club-fitting, and the first TRENDYGOLF Concept Store outside of London.
Pitch combines cutting-edge simulator technology, professional coaching, and a vibrant atmosphere with late-night DJ sets, and a diverse food and drink menu, to foster a golf-focused space for socialising in the centre of St John’s.
By removing traditional barriers like space, time, and physical demands from golfing, Pitch aims to attract players of all abilities and means, making the sport more accessible while also creating a lifestyle space in the heart of the city.
Kym Marsh to make Royal Exchange debut
Corrie star Kym Marsh has been announced as the lead in the Royal Exchange’s spring production of Mike Leigh’s masterpiece of 70s sexual politics, suburban snobbery and vol-au-vents, Abigail’s Party.
Following her performance in 101 Dalmations The Musical, Marsh is set to take on another iconic female role in that of Beverley Moss, the part made famous by Alison Steadman in the landmark 1977 Play for Today.
In a statement on her Instagram, Marsh said: “I am beyond excited to announce that I will be playing Beverley Moss in Abigail’s Party at the Royal Exchange in Manchester from 4th April to 17th May. This is a dream role and my debut at such an iconic theatre. I’m so so so thrilled and I can’t wait to get started!”
To book tickets visit the Royal Exchange website.
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