The remainder of Covid-19 restrictions in England have now been removed and you should take a personal approach to your Covid-19 safety and the safety of others around you. However, please remember that in certain settings, such as on TfGM Metrolink trams, face coverings are still a requirement, and other venues may politely request you to wear a face covering and practice social distancing for the time being.  



Here is our top pick of five things you can do in the week ahead: 
 

1. See an autism-friendly show at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
 

Award-winning contemporary dancer and grand finalist in the BBC’s Young Dancer of the Year competition in 2019, Matthew Rawcliffe, brings his immersive and joyful new show The Crisp Sandwich Cafe to the remarkable art deco ballroom at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, with five shows from Monday 9 August until Wednesday 11 August. 

Exploring our relationship with the planet, the show features autism friendly dance performances and costumes made from recycled plastic waste, courtesy of Manchester based sustainable dancewear brand, Imperfect Pointes. The show is suitable for autistic dance fans aged 14 to 24.  

Find out more and book tickets here. You could also book the hotel’s new Afternoon Tea experience for an extra special day out. 
 

2. Go on a frogtastic hunt across Stockport 
 

Stockport’s first frog art trail in 2019 was so popular that the frogs are now back until 26 September, only this time bigger and better than ever, with almost 40 frogs to find across the whole of Stockport. 

There are 21 gigantic frogs to find in Stockport town centre and you can download the guide here to try to find them. As well as the town centre frogs, there are also 17 of their frog friends located across the wider borough in parts of Stockport that you may not have visited before such as Reddish Vale County Park, Abney Park in Cheadle and Market Street in Marple. You can download a second guide and plan days out to find them all here. 
 

3. Be immersed in culture across Wigan and Leigh 
 

Running until Saturday 14 August, Wigan Arts Festival brings together several venues and organisations from across the borough to proudly showcase its cultural offer.  

Highlights this week include: several pop-up theatre experiences throughout the week in ‘the Den’ at Leigh Spinners Mill; Romeo and Juliet performed in Haigh Hall gardens on Monday 9 August; interactive chalking art and sustainable weaving workshops; new play Fly Half on Wednesday 11 August; the These Lancashire Women Are Witches in Politics performance event in Leigh’s Civic Square on Saturday 14 August; and the all-day Wigan Pride event, also on Saturday 14 August.  

Find out more about what’s on and book tickets here. 
 

4. Enjoy free entertainment at the Thank You Manchester Weekender 
 

Everyone is invited to a weekend of free entertainment on the streets of Manchester City Centre on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August as the city continues to welcome everyone back to its restaurants, galleries, shops, and museums during the Thank You Manchester Weekender. 

There’ll be street theatre, music, dancing and colour popping up all around the city centre – from rainbow stilt walkers and giant flamingos to human-sized pigeons, super-friendly special bees, and enchanting squirrels like you haven't seen before.  

Cathedral Gardens and Piccadilly Gardens will host a range of live music from brass bands and rhythmic drummers to samba squads and jazz beats and everything in-between, whilst a Manchester Market will also take over Exchange Square for the weekend selling iconic Manchester pictures, Manchester themed clothing and accessories and local produce. 
 

5. Get behind the scenes at The Lowry Open Day 
 

The Lowry in Salford is reopening and to mark the occasion it is holding an open day on Sunday 15 August with a host of events throughout the day including backstage tours where you can see behind the scenes of the amazing venue – and here a few secrets along the way. 

There will also be LS Lowry talks and family fun with sessions including Bee-ology which weaves together juggling, storytelling, dance, puppetry in a funny, heart-warming and interactive outdoor circus show, and Little Music Makers which uses music, songs and creative play to unlock the imaginations of little ones. 

The weekend also sees the return of Quays Festival with a bold and colourful programme of free performances and events by Quays Culture for everyone to enjoy across. 

Find out more about what’s on here. 
 

+ Book now – premium tickets and hospitality for Premier League football, major sports events, and gigs 
 

After a summer of Euro and Olympic action, Premier League football finally returns this weekend, and thanks to a new partnership with Seat Unique, you can now bag access to premium tickets for hospitality packages and live events including this weekend’s opening Manchester United match versus Leeds. 

Through Seat Unique you can also secure tickets for future United fixtures and those of rivals Manchester City as well as packages available for major sports events like Rugby League World Cup and music events at Emirates Old Trafford such as the Courteeners and The Killers.