Big Hands
Spring Edition 2026A dig into the history of Big Hands, one of Manchester’s best rock bars and a brilliant space for up-close, affordable gigs.
© Jason Lock Photography
Zine
Explore the Oxford Road Corridor zine archive — published three times a year and packed with stories from Manchester’s knowledge quarter. Each issue is edited and designed in-house, featuring interviews, event previews, restaurant and bar reviews, and more. Browse the latest edition or dive into our back catalogue to discover what makes this part of the city so vibrant.
Fifteen Years of Noise
Spring Edition 2026Louder Than War turns 15 with a live festival at the Manchester Academy. Founder John Robb reflects on the site’s DIY roots and the culture that keeps it loud.
Streets in the Sky
Spring Edition 2026Martin Dodge from the Department of Geography at the University of Manchester shares 1960s visions for replanning the Oxford Road Corridor.
Africa Hub
Spring Edition 2026Manchester Museum’s Danny Roberts introduces Africa Hub a gallery built around what is not known.
So It Goes: A Walk Through Manchester’s Music DNA
Autumn Edition 2025There’s a rich musical history running through the Oxford Road Corridor — one that has shaped, shaken, and soundtracked generations.
Step inside Triceratops: Eat, Roam, Repeat at Manchester Museum
Autumn Edition 2025Glenn Roadley, Curator of Zoology at Manchester Museum, invites us into a vivid, immersive journey through the world of Triceratops in this unmissable new exhibition.
Ras T. Makonnen: Oxford Road and the Pan-African Congress
Autumn Edition 2025Ras T. Makonnen used his Oxford Road ventures to back the 1945 Pan-African Congress. Washington Alcott writes about a legacy helped shape the end of empire.
Beyond A Clockwork Orange: Life at The International Anthony Burgess Foundation
Summer Edition 2025Ian Carrington on clockworks, cowheel pie and life at The International Anthony Burgess Foundation
Statistical Alchemy: Vicky Clarke’s Journey into AI and Sonic Materiality
Summer Edition 2025Artist Vicky Clarke explores AI, sound and Manchester’s industrial heritage in Latent Spaces, her immersive new installation.
HOME at 10. A Cultural Cornerstone
Summer Edition 2025A decade on from its ambitious beginnings, HOME stands as an example of how a bold cultural vision can transform a city.
Warmduscher Bring the Chaos Back to Manchester Psych Fest
Summer Edition 2025Clams Baker Jr. talks skateparks, misfits and music as Warmduscher gear up for Manchester Psych Fest 2025.
House of Social
Summer Edition 2025Ian Jones previews House of Social, Manchester’s newest food hall which arrives at First Street this summer.
Innovation at the Intersection of Art, Technology, and Industry
Spring Edition 2025Professor Kirsty Fairclough on how the School of Digital Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University is shaping the future of digital creativity.
Renold Building Reimagined
Spring Edition 2025In the first steps of a massive development which will transform the former UMIST campus, the iconic Renold Building has been reimagined as a new hub for community, business and innovation.
Atoning in the Present for the Injustices of the Past
Spring Edition 2025Keisha Thompson introduces The Scott Trust’s Legacies of Enslavement project, linking Oxford Road Corridor to history and justice.
What does a truly great university look like in the 21st century?
Spring Edition 2025The University of Manchester’s President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Ivison examines the question at the heart of the University’s 2035 strategy.
An overnight success 117 years in the making
Spring Edition 2025The adidas Manchester Marathon CEO Andrew Smith looks ahead to the latest edition and its spectacular new finish on Oxford Road.
SEESAW
Spring Edition 2025Pete Tzouanos and Joseph Conway introduce SEESAW. An arts venue and workspace for creatives, for artists, and, for people who like to think more curiously.
Amanda Sutton reflects on 30 years of progress at Venture Arts
Autumn Edition 2024Amanda Sutton, Director of Venture Arts, reflects on how far the arts organisation has come and the impact of their innovative CoLab Series.
40 Years of the Future: Exploring Painting and Sculpture at Castlefield Gallery
Autumn Edition 2024Castlefield Gallery’s Curator and Deputy Director Matthew Pendergast explores the gallery’s legacy in 40 Years of the Future, featuring Jo McGonigal and Frank Bowling.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House Celebrates Its First Decade Open to the Public
Autumn Edition 2024Sally Jastrzebski-Lloyd, Director of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, reflects on the 10-year anniversary of the house being opened to the public
The Hallé Orchestra begins a new chapter with Kahchun Wong
Autumn Edition 2024The Hallé Orchestra begins a new chapter with Kahchun Wong as Principal Conductor, bringing a bold new season to the Bridgewater Hall.
UK’s biggest animation event returns to the Corridor for its landmark 10th edition
Autumn Edition 2024Festival Director Dr Steve Henderson reflects on a decade of development for Manchester Animation Festival and the important place the region holds in the history of animation.
Welcome Back to The New and Improved All Saints Park
Summer Edition 2024A ten-year masterplan has transformed Manchester Metropolitan University into a vibrant, modern campus. Central to this is All Saints Park, which reopens to the public this summer.
Wild at Manchester Museum. An exhibition setting out to change the world
Summer Edition 2024David Gelsthorpe, Curator of Earth Sciences at Manchester Museum introduces us to an exhibition setting out to change the world.
A Landmark Year for Central Library
Summer Edition 2024Neil MacInnes OBE, Head of Libraries, Galleries, Culture and Youth, Play and Participation Services at Manchester City Council, reflects on a landmark year for Manchester’s Central Library.
Manchester Psych Fest 2024 Preview
Summer Edition 2024Manchester Psych Fest comes barrelling into its second decade this August with no signs of slowing down.
Welcome to The Festival of Libraries 2024
Summer Edition 2024Manchester City of Literature’s Executive Director, Ivan Wadeson introduces us to this year’s Festival of Libraries.
A look ahead to Universally Manchester
Summer Edition 2024John McAuliffe, Professor of Poetry and Director of Creative Manchester at The University of Manchester, looks ahead to Universally Manchester, a free festival celebrating 200 years of education and innovation at the University, taking place from 6-9 June.
Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester’s Bicentenary Year
Spring Edition 2024Jonathan Schofield explores the fascinating shared history of Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester.
¡Viva! The Spanish & Latin American Festival turns 30
Spring Edition 2024Tom Grieve looks at what makes audiences return year after year, how ¡Viva! has evolved and what the future holds for the festival.
Lime Art
Spring Edition 2024Established in 1973 with a project portfolio spanning 50 years, Lime is the oldest continually producing hospital Arts and Health Team in the UK
Hey! Ho! Let’s Go: Manchester Punk Festival
Spring Edition 2024Manchester Punk Festival returns to the Oxford Road Corridor this Easter. Founder Kieran Kelly tells us what it’s all about.
Change of Direction at the Whitworth
Spring Edition 2024We sat down with the Whitworth’s new director, Sook-Kyung Lee, who brings with her ambition on an international scale, for a glimpse into the gallery’s future
Stand up! March on! Reclaim The Night
Autumn Edition 2023b>Aisha Akram, Wellbeing & Liberation Officer at The University of Manchester Students’ Union, tells us about this year’s Reclaim The Night theme, Aisha Akram.
Peppercorn Rent
Autumn Edition 2023A small but significant ceremony takes place between the Pankhurst Centre & Manchester University NHS Trust each year that reflects an important historic agreement between the two organisations.
Keisha Thompson on Contact’s new show, 14%
Autumn Edition 2023Keisha Thompson introduces us to 14%, Contact’s new multi-sensory play set against the frenzy of the Lionesses’ success.
We preview Manchester Psych Fest 2023
Summer Edition 2023We sat down with Manchester Psych Fest Director Gareth Butterworth to find out about the festival’s 10th edition.
Manchester Museum Returns
Spring Edition 2023Manchester Museum reopens this February following an ambitious £15 million transformation, Esme Ward introduces us to the new era.
RNCM at 50
Spring Edition 2023As the RNCM celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s clear that Manchester’s global conservatoire offers something for everyone.