The warm weather this week takes me back to a famous phrase once said by one of this city’s numerous gobby frontmen: ‘Manchester’s got everything except a beach’.
A catchy line taken into the hearts of many who see it as a commendation of all that this place has to offer, even though it’s missing one big summer staple. Indeed, that phrase once adorned the walls of M.E.N. towers.
But fresh from a trip to take in the sights of our Merseyside neighbours - and one sun-soaked (read: heavily sun-creamed) day on the sand later - I’d go one step further.
Manchester doesn’t have a beach… but it doesn’t need it.
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Sure, an afternoon spent picnicking, reading and cloud watching amid the sounds of the waves rolling in is dreadfully romantic – and among my favourite ways to wile away the hours. In the howling wind and driving rain, fathoms of sea provide a dramatic backdrop.
Yet, to me, being beachside has never felt like the right fit for Manchester.
When I think of the beach, it’s slow, relaxing, nostalgic. When I think of this place, it’s busy, industrial, electric.
You only have to look at how Manchester lit up in sky blue as one of our football teams brought home the historic treble this week. The Met Office might have been warning Mancunians of an Armageddon-level thunderstorm, but the party was hardly dampened - even being welcomed by a one very Mancunian crow named Dave.
And that kind of vibrant, lovable chaos only comes from a city where its residents thrive on bustling streets, dancing through the rain to the blaring sounds of Boombox Barry, and settling among a sea of faces while sipping on cool pints in Stevenson Square.
Manchester has pure life packed into its bare brick warehouses, ironically sunny-themed trams, and even its old railway lines which are now adorned with blooming gardens. That life spills out onto every single street, alleyway, canal towpath - and it just wouldn't be that way if we were hash-tagging #beachvibes all the time.
We are not easy-breezy beach bums, sprawling across the coastline. We are energetic, passionate city dwellers hugged in the embrace of high buildings. We are inland creatures and I wouldn’t change that for all the water in the ocean.
So, if I humbly may, I’ll be rewriting this phrase from now on. Manchester’s got everything it needs...
… Including, not least, some brilliant weekend reads. So without further ado, here's what we've got for you brilliant lot this morning.
£1,000 dinners and £60 cocktails - inside MNKY HSE where Man City partied
If you're still riding on the high of the Champions League final victory and, like me, have been seeing increasingly deranged videos of Jack Grealish's celebrations, you might want to take a look inside the spot where the team rang in one of their recent wins.
Our roving lifestyle guru, Dianne Bourne, got a peek at one of Manchester's most decadent new venues which played host to the boys in (sky) blue. With a menu featuring £60 cocktails, £1,000 fish platters and a £150 steak, it's safe to say MNKY HSE has been causing a stir since opening on Lloyd Street late last year, Dianne writes.
The London celebhaunt club opened its first Manchester outpost with the promise of bringing something new to the city's scene in October last year. And it's fast grown a following among the region's rich and famous with its glitzy interiors and opulent menus.
The venue hit the headlines again last month when Manchester City celebrated winning the Premier League with a lavish all-night bash at MNKY HSE. They booked out the entire venue for the team, coaching staff and all their families to party in style.
Their revels started in the restaurant of the basement venue, where star player Erling Haaland, clad in blue silky pyjamas, decided to cook up a storm in the kitchens, dishing up his favourite steak for himself. The cut Erling goes for? Naturally it's the Wagyu Tomahawk weighing in at £150.
Go behind the exclusive doors here.
"Manchester needs more cycle lanes - and bigger ones"
Ok, maybe Manchester doesn't have everything. I'm willing to admit there's always room for improvement. And one crucial request has been revealed by our city centre reporter, Ethan Davies, for this week's 'I Work in Town' feature.
He's been chatting to Neil Elkins, working at Manchester Bikes, on Chapel Street in Salford. Primarily, the firm rents out cargo bikes, which are slowly being picked up by delivery firms as an alternative for gas-guzzling vans.
In a poetic vision, Neil describes his favourite view of the city: "It has to be on my commute into work, from up near Stalybridge, there’s a view from Matley Lane where you can look over the south side of the city, and you can see Manchester Airport. On a dark morning, you can see the runway lights, and it’s fantastic."
But he was also asked what one change he'd make to Manchester if he could. "That’s easy!" said Neil.
"Lots more cycling and walking infrastructure, to make it safer. Being a cyclist, and working with bikes, some of the infrastructure we have is not up to standard. It needs to be wider, and a lot more user-friendly.
"What we have is a good start, but it could be expanded on a lot more."
Find out about the cycling revolution coming to our streets here.
Village has 'fabulous' beach with golden sand and breathtaking views out to sea
Finally - and somewhat begrudgingly - if I really haven't convinced you that Manchester is perfect as it is sans beach, our travel expert Liv Clarke has found an admittedly beautiful seaside getaway for you.
Naturally Blackpool, Formby Beach and Lytham St Anne’s are firm favourites among Mancs when it comes to beachside destinations, she says.
Yet if you venture a little further afield you’ll find some scenic gems. The coastline of North Wales has dozens of beautiful beaches and coastal resorts, and at just a couple of hour’s drive from Greater Manchester it’s within easy reach.
Cross over to the Isle of Anglesey and you’ll discover the pretty village of Benllech, which has breathtaking views out to sea. It has one of the most popular beaches on the island which visitors have described as “fabulous” and “gorgeous” - and with golden powder sand nestled between green headlands it’s easy to see why.
The beach has previously been awarded the Blue Flag Award and it’s a perfect spot for swimming and paddling. On blustery days the beach is a favourite with windsurfers, and even if you’re not a participant it can be a spectacular sight to watch them riding the waves.
Little ones will love to investigate the beach’s rock pools, home to a range of interesting sea creatures. Although dogs aren’t allowed on the main section of the beach from May 1 to September 30, there are dedicated areas where dogs are permitted during the summer season.
Get all the information to plan your trip here.
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