Creative and safe ways to make the most of Lockdown 3 at Great Northern

For those of us living in the heart of the city, finding spaces to exercise and get some fresh air safely is essential.

As the nation gets to grips with yet another lockdown, now more than ever it’s important to stay positive, get creative and make your one piece of daily exercise something a little bit out of the ‘new ordinary’. 

Here are some exciting and COVID-safe ways to make the most of your time outside at Great Northern this lockdown, while adhering to government guidelines – including fun ways to exercise and a photography competition.

Gyms may be closed, but you can channel your inner Gladiator or embrace the Rocky Balboa within by heading down to the amphitheatre at Great Northern and using the steps as part of your workout. 

Running is a great way of releasing those all-important endorphins and burning off frustrations.

We’ve all discovered the delights of Zoom, Facetime and long calls on our walks, but why not get creative and experiment with new ways to reach out and let your loved ones know you’re thinking of them?

Grab a pack of Great Northern postcards from Forevermanchestershop.com and write a note to send to a friend and brighten their day – all proceeds go towards supporting Manchester communities. 

What’s more, Mail Boxes Etc have got it covered for all your worldwide parcel deliveries, courier or postal service needs.

If you’re out for a stroll and fancy a treat,  Alex’s Bakery is still open at weekends for take-out, so you can grab yourself a coffee to warm your cockles and something sweet if you fancy a much-deserved indulgence. 

And they’re still doing national and local delivery throughout the week so you can send a box of goodies to your loved ones (or treat yourself – why not?). From brownies to blondies, cookies to cupcakes, there’s something for everybody.

Fancy a night off from cooking? You can combine your daily walk with collecting a takeaway from Manchester’s best loved Spanish restaurant Evuna, who are offering special At Home boxes for you to enjoy over lockdown. 

Simply order on a Wednesday and collect on a Friday.

Thai restaurant Siam Smiles is also open for collection – or you can get a juicy Almost Famous burger delivered to your door.

For the art fans amongst us, why not take a leisurely stroll and soak up the culture by taking in the Messages of Hope mural, or street artist Moze’s latest creation, located at the bottom of the steps on Deansgate?

Great Northern’s best kept secret street, Deansgate Mews, also has an array of street art for you to enjoy.

Fancy making your own art? Camera phones at the ready – it’s competition time! 

The area is a photographer’s dream with stunning industrial architecture. So snap your favourite Great Northern sites and tag them to have your image shared on their social channels. 

They’ll pick their favourite each week, and the winner will receive a delicious box of Alex’s Bakery treats delivered directly to your door. 

The competition will run until 26th February 2021, with weekly winners announced every Friday, starting on Friday 22nd January. 

For more information on the Great Northern, including updates on individual brand opening dates and safety procedures, click the button below.