Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has extended an invitation to US President Donald Trump to tour the city, marking the first conversation between the two leaders. Manchester is set to host the G20 summit of world leaders next year. Burnham, who previously faced Trump's dismissive remark that he was the mayor "of some town," expressed hope to show the President what Manchester has to offer during a future visit.
Alternative Sights for Trump's Tour
The Daily Star has compiled a list of alternative attractions that Trump might enjoy during his potential visit to the city region.
Stockport Pyramid
Once the headquarters of the Co-operative Bank, the distinctive Stockport Pyramid has dominated the skyline for decades. Now home to the world's largest Pakistani curry house, the Royal Nawaab, it offers an extravagant 400-cover restaurant and banqueting hall. Since opening last year, it has attracted high-profile guests like Tyson Fury and Paddy McGuinness. With its gold-plated decor and palm tree-lined hall, it could be a fitting start to Trump's whistle-stop tour of Greater Manchester.
Vimto Monument
A noted teetotaler, Trump is known for his love of Diet Coke. However, Burnham might convince him to try the legendary Manchester-made fruity drink, Vimto. A statue dedicated to the beverage stands in Vimto Park near Piccadilly train station, featuring a giant retro bottle surrounded by the fruity ingredients used to create the unique drink.
Piccadilly Gardens
While in the area, Trump could visit Piccadilly Gardens, a green space on the edge of the city's trendy Northern Quarter. Although intended to be a jewel of the city, it has been blighted by drug users and crime in recent years. As one social media user joked, "Take him to see the crackheads in Piccadilly Gardens." The pigeons might make the native New Yorker feel right at home.
The Indestructible Post Box
A humble red post box in Manchester city centre survived a 3,300lb IRA bomb explosion in 1996 almost unscathed. It became a symbol of resilience against terrorism. Removed during rebuilding, it was later returned to its original site and inscribed with a plaque in 1999.
UFO Landing Pad
Trump has shown interest in aliens, having ordered the release of hundreds of top-secret US government files on UFO encounters. A UFO landing pad exists in a park in Hulme, built in the late 1990s. It was the brainchild of late architecture lecturer David Ellis, a follower of geomancy. The site was chosen because all ley lines in Manchester were said to converge there. However, no one is actually sure where the pad is located.
