So, first things first!
TRAINS
As you’ve probably heard, members of the RMT union are planning strikes on 1st October, 5th October and 8th October – which will impact the train service in and around Manchester.
Taken directly from Transport for Greater Manchester, they say –
- Aslef members will strike on this day. As Aslef represents train drivers, this strike will impact the running of mainline rail services. This includes Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express.
- An extremely limited rail service will operate, if any. Any services which do operate will be very busy and could be cancelled at the last minute.
- During the strikes, there will be no rail replacement bus services operating.
- There is no ticket acceptance in place on bus or Metrolink services. You will need to purchase a separate bus or Metrolink ticket for your journey.
- As with previous strike dates, there may be an impact to some Metrolink services. Please continue to check this page for further information as it is announced.
5th October and 8th October are the key dates for our Grimmlins using public transport – whether you’re arriving a day early to be prepared for the festival or planning to travel on the Saturday, we strongly recommend you look into buses, trams, coaches; basically anything that isn’t a train.
This shows which bus services travel from some of the regional centres into central Manchester.
TAXIS
It might be worth considering a cheap Taxi to get to and from the festival. We recommend KINGSWAY CABS, BOLT and UBER. You’ll find Kingsway the cheapest and UBER the most expensive. All three have downloadable apps.
PARKING
(Please note: make sure you use the correct NCP car park for the Odeon and Casino, first on the left and below the building NOT up a corkscrew ramp!)
Manchester235 Casino are offering 12 hours parking for £6.95 with promo code 235CASINO – you must download the NCP park pass app, create an account and use the code! See below image for instructions.
Odeon Great Northern have parking for 4 hours for £4.95 with promo code ODEONGN – you must download the NCP park pass app, create an account and use the code! See below image for instructions.
Note: DO NOT go over the allowed hours otherwise you’ll be hit with a big parking fee. You can of course drive out of carpark and come back in again and use the code again!!
There are other nearby parking spots and we recommend doing a little research before attending. Nearby parking meters are free after 8pm.
ACCOMMODATION
If you’re still looking for a place to stay during the festival, don’t forget Jury’s Inn are offering 15% off rooms with promo code GRIMMFEST.
JURYS INN is minutes away from The Odeon Great Northern and the perfect hotel to stay in while at the festival. BUT if its out of your price range, why not try looking a little further afield and jumping in a cheap taxi ride. Here are a few suggestions (Click on the images below)
OFFERS
ODEON GREAT NORTHERN: Full Pass and Day pass holders get 25% off food and drink at the concessions stall for the duration of the festival.
LIONS DEN BAR: If you’ve got a full pass, a day pass or a single ticket you get 20% off booze at the official Grimmfest bar Lion’s Den (Just outside the Odeon).
MANCHESTER 235 CASINO: If you’ve got a full pass, a day pass or a single ticket programme or flyer, you get 20% off food and drink at Manchester235 casino, and they’ve got a great Burger, Beer & Bet for £10 deal on the go too (Open until 4am!!).
PEAKY BLINDERS: Full festival pass holders also get 20% off food at Peaky Blinders….
WHISTLE PUNKS: Full festival pass holders 20% off an axe-throwing session at Whistle Punks
IMPOSSIBLE: Full pass, day pass and ticket holders get 20% off drinks at Impossible on Thursday 6th and Sunday 9th.
THE MEWS: Full pass, day pass and single ticket holders get 20% discount on everything at The Mews (Outside the Odeon and just not during their After Work Social which is Thursday 4-11 and Friday 4-7 as they already have discounted food and drinks then!)
PONG & PUCK AND GREAT NORTHERN BEACH CLUB: Full pass, day pass and single ticket holders get 20% off food and drinks at Pong & Puck and Great Northern Beach Club
This will be updated as more partners jump on the Grimm Train, so watch this space…
Just show your festival pass, day pass or ticket when you’re ordering in these places and you’re sorted!
AND FINALLY, IF YOU WANT THE LOWDOWN ON THE FESTIVAL, THE FILMS, TICKETS AND PASSES AND THE VENUE, ITS ALL HERE