Town hall will host New Year’s Eve bash
MANCHESTER’S official New Year’s Eve party will take place in Albert Square again this year - featuring fireworks from the town hall roof.
Thousands are expected to join the countdown to midnight, this year to the soundtrack of Manchester bands.
But the council’s city centre spokesman Pat Karney revealed it could be the last occasion for some time that the town hall hosts an end-of-year party.
“We are going to take Manchester into 2018 in style,” he said. “The Lord Mayor will be doing the countdown and we will have a special fireworks display from the roof of the town hall.
“But it’s possibly the last time for a long while, because of the building being refurbished.”
Manchester town hall will close from January for six years, so that major structural repairs, restoration and alterations can be carried out.
But for this year at least, the city’s biggest party of the year will come from Albert Square.
As well as the traditional big screen and party atmosphere, this time it will also feature a soundtrack of the city’s biggest names.
“The last half-hour of the entertainment will all be Manchester music and bands,” said Coun Karney.
“It will be a global event – Manchester will be joining the world to celebrate new year, but in our own style. First Sydney, then Hong Kong, then us and then New York – the four major international cities welcoming in 2018.”
Celebrations are expected to kick-off at around 10.30pm, although more details are expected over the next few days.
Coun Karney said up to 10,000 people are expected to see out 2017 – but there will be no champagne for those in the crowd as the event is a strictly alcohol-free, family-friendly bonanza.
Previous new year’s fireworks displays have been threatened with the chop after cuts to town hall budgets left their funding in doubt.
But this year’s will be paid for out of the council’s proceeds from Manchester’s booming Christmas markets, which appear to be on course for a record year.
In November alone 80,000 gluhwein mugs were sold, a third up on the year before – as footfall in the city centre has shot up over the festive season.