Manchester’s culture clubs

Named a Unesco City of Literature earlier this month, part of the worldwide Creative Cities network along with Dublin, Barcelona, Prague, Melbourne, Reykjavik and Baghdad, Manchester is celebrating its new title with a string of cultural events.

Along with community writing projects, the city is planning a libraries festival as well as initiatives to support new writing and creativity in Manchester. 

The city is also welcoming back the Manchester Music Tours. Created by Inspiral Carpets’ drummer Craig Gill, who died last year, the tours will move to a new location in the Northern Quarter, with new tours and events planned for 2018.

Victoria & Albert head north

Scotland’s first ever dedicated design museum is set to open in the second half of 2018 as The V&A Museum of Design Dundee welcomes its first visitors. 

The only V&A museum anywhere in the world outside London, it aims to tell the story of design past, present and future featuring both Scottish and global pieces. 

At the heart will be the Scottish Design Galleries with 300 beautiful and innovative objects ranging from a 15th century Book of Hours to a pair of Hunter wellies.

The new museum is part of the one billion pound investment into the new Dundee waterfront.

Stoke-on-Trent’s new facelift

Shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2021, Stoke-on-Trent is set to mark the new year by commemorating the city’s heritage.

The 19th century Old Spode Works are being transformed into a 26-bedroom aparthotel for The Hotel @ Potbank, joining The Potbank Café on the site where some of the area’s most famous pottery was made.

The area is also helping to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the modern circus — Staffordshire-born Philip Astley from Newcastle-under-Lyme went on to develop the standard circus ring for his performers, clowns, acrobats and trick riders.

The decision about the 2021 UK City of Culture will be announced in December.