'Ian Brown once said Manchester has everything except a beach - that's about to change... kind of'

The Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown once famously said that Manchester has everything except a beach. Well, Mr Brown, you have been forced to eat your words (albeit some many years later) following an exciting announcement earlier this week.

Mancunians looking to get a bit of sun and sea later this month will no longer have to venture up to Blackpool or Southport as the city centre is going to get its very own beach. Well, kind of…

Not only will we be getting an indoor Miami beach-themed cinema in time for the new Barbie movie, Deansgate will be transformed into a seaside resort of sorts as Manchester Day on July 29 takes on a beach holiday theme.

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There will be sand sculptures, a helter skelter, live entertainment and plenty more beach-themed surprises to be revealed. There is no word on whether there will be donkey rides or pesky crabs trying to invade your personal space, which is probably for the best anyway.

For any city-dweller like me - who actually can’t stand the thought of finding sand between their toes for the next five years after a visit to the beach - this actually sounds pretty ideal. It’s like the best bits of the beach without the faff and the gulls (I once saw a child get viciously attacked by a gull on holiday and it's stayed with me ever since. I'll share that story once the therapy sessions have commenced).

Come the inevitable rain or shine, it will certainly be nice to enjoy Deansgate in all of its pedestrianised glory and soak up the fun. I’m certainly looking forward to the al fresco feeling and I’m hoping there’ll be plenty of chips on the menu too - purely only for the beach fantasy vibes, of course.