SEEKING an alternative tom the same-again city centre Christmas Markets? We’ve hatched a plan for you. Or rather Hatch have. The Food, drink and retail oasis down Oxford Road under the Mancunian Way has conjured up Urban Narnia. Who’s playing the streetwise White Witch we’re not sure but it all sound jolly fun.
Running from November 15 to December 20, it’s a self-styled (ouch) ‘bespoke Christmas pop up experience’ that will see Hatch more than double in size to create this new family-friendly festive destination.
The existing Hatch site will expand to engulf a much larger area of its location beneath the Way. Expect festive trees, twinkling Christmas lights, heaters, blankets and a whole programme of events and entertainment. Lots of indie shopping opportunities but we’ll concentrate on the additions to the already impressive roster of food traders.
Popping up in extra shipping containers especially for Christmas will be Cottonopolis with a Yule version of their street food brand ‘Japanese Junk’. They’ll be serving up a range of Asian-inspired festive drinks including a hot, mulled, spiced plum sake. Foodwise they’ll serve up their pork belly bao with peanuts, mustard and pickles, katsu chicken burgers and wagyu kuro burgers as well as super snacks like vegetable gyozas and prawn cracker nachos.
Electrik, the gang that successfully brought Yadda Yadda to Hatch, will be transforming a double stacked shipping container into an all new Urban Narnia Bar…details under wraps until the big opening night event on the November 15. Which sounds a perfect time to get the festive over-indulgence underway without a Gluhwein in sight (we hope).
There’s also a new stage at Urban Narnia, plus extra seating and blankets, and if you really want to get hands on (ToM’s staying under the blankets) sign on for the Urban Narnia Christmas Tree Shop., which is hosting mini-masterclasses from Christmas tree decorating to wreath making workshops, as well as selling festive firs.
So what’s it all got to do with CS Lewis’s fabulous imaginary land (first aired in ‘The Lion, The Witch and Western Europe’s Busiest Bus Route’)? Younger visitors will get to meet a whole family of characters to meet including Mr Tumnus and the Fabulous Fauns.
Thursday, November 15’s launch night kicks off from 6pm with DJ sets from Danielle Moore (Crazy P) and Jenna & The G’s alongside an extraordinary AV performance by The Ice Queen and other Urban Narnia personalities.
Check the Hatch website for full details of the subsequent events programme and variable opening times.
Takk, Öl and a new street food trader line-up will remain in the outdoor courtyard as they welcome their new Hatch neighbours for the celebrations, while festive performances from the Cosmo Singers and a reappearance from ‘Mr Tumnus and the Fabulous Fauns’ will be a magical finale at the Mince Pie and Mulled Wine Mingle on December 20.