Enter any one of the exciting cultural institutions, hip bars, world-famous sporting and music venues, and you’ll be greeted by friendly locals who are fiercely proud of the place they call home: Manchester is a happening and intoxicating city to visit. I’m one such fiercely proud Mancunian and have watched the city’s hotel scene boom in recent years, meaning visitors have more choice than ever. From independent boutique hotels and budget options to chains with pizzazz, here are 10 of the best spots to lay your head. Neighbourhood: City Centre With an infinity spa pool on its seventh floor overlooking Manchester Town Hall’s clock tower, this 40-room hotel is a special retreat in the city centre. Rooms and public areas have been painstakingly put together by owner Sally O’Loughlin – expect locally commissioned artwork, statement lights and wallpaper, and a classic muted colour scheme – and each bedroom is unique. Freestanding … [Read more...] about 10 of the best hotels in Manchester
Wallpaper football pitch
Mike Ashley Sky interview: NUFC owner spoke out one year ago today
Welcome to our liveblog from Sunday, August 13 as Mike Ashley gave his first interview for nearly a year. The Newcastle owner appeared on Sky in a programme called Mike Ashley: Talks Direct - and we had all of the quotes and coverage of the interview here. Ashley spoke about his budget and about the renaming of St James' Park, but he also addressed some of the other controversial moments of his stewardship. As ever we want to hear from you, so please send us your thoughts over Facebook at www.facebook.com/chroniclenufc/ or on Twitter at @ChronicleNUFC. Lee Ryder, Mark Douglas and Sean McCormick provided updates throughout the interview - and we had all the reaction to Ashley's Sky interview too. Read More Mike Ashley at Newcastle United Key Events Mike Ashley prepared to sell NUFC 20:45 Will Ashley be here for another 10 years? 19:35 But does that mean winning the cup isn't a priority? 19:34 Ashley wants to emulate Southampton 19:33 Ashley's high point? 19:28 … [Read more...] about Mike Ashley Sky interview: NUFC owner spoke out one year ago today
Jermaine Pennant reveals how football helped him escape from gang life
Brought up in The Meadows during the grip of gang warfare, Jermaine Pennant knew football would be his only way out. The moment his life changed was when he heard gunshots aged 14 and watched his older friends racing away to chase the rival gang. The then-teenager ducked behind a takeaway counter and hid - but he would soon become involved in a murder investigation. When one of the rival gang members was later kicked to death, the future Arsenal and Liverpool football star was questioned by police over the murder but he didn’t stand trial like six others. This turf warfare took place when a group from his notorious The Meadows Estate gang in Nottingham were ambushed outside a KFC by rivals from St Ann’s. In his new autobiography Mental, which will be exclusively serialised in The Mirror this week, he writes: “They had knives, baseball bats and some guns. "As they ran past, they stabbed one and hit another with a baseball bat, and a few shots went off. Read More More … [Read more...] about Jermaine Pennant reveals how football helped him escape from gang life
Night Pennant nicked chicken wings as rival gang member was kicked to death
The moment the gunshots went off Jermaine Pennant made a decision which would affect the rest of his life. While many of his older friends raced off after a rival gang, Jermaine jumped behind a takeaway counter and hid, in his words, nicking a few chicken wings. So, when one of the rival gang members was later kicked to death, the future Arsenal and Liverpool football star was questioned by police over the murder but he didn’t stand trial like six others. This turf warfare took place when Jermaine was just 14 and a group from his notorious Meadows Estate gang in Nottingham were ambushed outside a KFC by rivals from another area, St Ann’s. In his new autobiography Mental, which will be exclusively serialised in the Mirror this week, he writes: “They had knives, baseball bats and some guns. As they ran past, they stabbed one and hit another with a baseball bat, and a few shots went off. They all ran off. Our gang chased them. I didn’t see it, but one of the St … [Read more...] about Night Pennant nicked chicken wings as rival gang member was kicked to death
Jermain Pennant dodged murder probe by choosing chicken wings over life of crime
The moment the gunshots went off Jermaine Pennant made a decision which would affect the rest of his life. While many of his older friends raced off after a rival gang, Jermaine jumped behind a takeaway counter and hid, in his words, nicking a few chicken wings. So, when one of the rival gang members was later kicked to death, the future Liverpool and Arsenal football star was questioned by police over the murder but he didn’t stand trial like six others. This turf warfare took place when Jermaine was just 14 and a group from his notorious Meadows Estate gang in Nottingham were ambushed outside a KFC by rivals from another area, St Ann’s. In his new autobiography Mental, which will be exclusively serialised in the Mirror this week, he writes: “They had knives, baseball bats and some guns. As they ran past, they stabbed one and hit another with a baseball bat, and a few shots went off. They all ran off. Our gang chased them. I didn’t see it, but one of the St … [Read more...] about Jermain Pennant dodged murder probe by choosing chicken wings over life of crime