ALTRINCHAM'S next food and drink hub is launching tonight – and there’s a packed weekend schedule of events coming up.

The ‘Not So Secret Garden’ at Stamford Square in the town centre will feature a flower wall, live music, street food and even personal training sessions.

The summer’s programme of events, from Trafford Council and Bruntwood Works, comes after they bought Stamford Quarter last year.

The plan to regenerate the ‘neglected’ area of Altrincham town centre and turn it into a destination and food and drinks hub includes plans for events and spaces for all the family.

This weekend’s programme includes a live art session from street artist Qubek Manchester, performances from funk and soul band Buffalo Brother, live cookery demos from Robert Owen Brown and HIIT fitness classes.

Stamford Square will be transformed to include cover al fresco seating areas, festoon lighting and a flower wall.

Here’s what you can expect from the launch weekend:

Friday, June 4

From 4pm: Art Jam hosted by Mural Life MCR and Qubek Manchester (live art jam in Stamford Square as the square is taken over by live street artists for the opening weekend).

From 6pm: Stutter&Twitch Present… Buffalo Brother (a ten piece funk and soul band who will be playing three 30 minute sets at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm).

Saturday, June 5

10am – 1:30pm: Seed postcard making workshop hosted by Inch Arts (aimed at children of all ages, how to create their own seed postcard using either words, poetry, drawing or collage people will create their responses on a postcard which has been impregnated with wildflower seeds. Postcards can be taken away and either sent to friends or watered and planted in pots or the garden).

Booking required for this one – simply RSVP to info@inch-arts.co.uk.

2 - 6pm: Live cookery demo by local food hero Robert Owen Brown (he will be hosting three live cookery demos with support from local and regional chefs, using a selection of the finest, locally sourced ingredients).

From 6pm: Stutter&Twitch present… Hot Singles Club (funk and soul DJ Set hosted by Hot Singles Club).

Sunday, June 6

11am: HIIT fitness session hosted by Stamford Quarter’s OrangeTheory (30 minute free HIIT class from the expert team, designed to appeal to all participants no matter the age or fitness level. Participants will receive an Orangetheory goody bag with keyring, mini band, water, pen, pedometer and 7 day free pass to try their classes in the studio).

Booking required: https://calendly.com/otfaltrincham/sq?month=2021-05

12 – 4pm: Flower Making workshop hosted by Inch Arts (aimed at children of all ages. Participants will create their own beautiful bouquet of paper flowers).

All equipment will be provided, Booking required – RSVP to info@inch-arts.co.uk.

Throughout the weekend there’ll also be pop-up street food guests Bon Street Food serving up Afro Caribbean food and boozy ice cream from a baby pink tuk tuk courtesy of A Few Scoops.

The Not So Secret Garden will feature live music every Friday, ongoing free fitness sessions with Orangetheory and regular sustainability and wellness workshops throughout its six-month duration.

The Not So Secret Garden space will take over the whole of the square.

Sustainability, well being and community are at the centre of the idea and independent street food traders will be popping up at the square on a weekly basis too.

The whole space has been designed and built with reclaimed and recycled materials, lit by solar-powered festoon lighting, surrounded by air-cleaning greenery, and sustained with harvested rainwater.

The plan is for it to be a peaceful place to sit, relax, learn, eat, drink and hang out.