An enormous new venue built specifically with social distancing in mind has appeared near Manchester Piccadilly.
The first phase of Escape to Freight Island will officially open to the public this evening, with an impressive roster of street food traders and live music and DJ sets.
Known as Platform 15, the space has been filled with spaced-out tables and benches, with seating booths covered in draping ivy and a colourful wall of bleacher seating.
It's taken over the outside area at Depot Mayfield, previously home to events such as Manchester Pride Live, Warehouse Project and Grub.
There's capacity for up to 400 people in this first phase, with tables booked in advance and food and drink ordered to your table using an app.
The entire space has been constructed in a matter of weeks in response to the UK's new reality of social distancing.
Even the toilets have been purpose-built with safety in mind, with each cubicle given its own dedicated hand-washing station.
Though the entire venue is open-air, it's also braced against Manchester's weather with canopies spaced around the venue.
The brand new seated market will see the likes of Ramsbottom's Baratxuri, London's Voodoo Rays and Krum Doughnuts serving up food.
Visitors can expect enormous pizzas - served whole or by the slice - from Voodoo Rays and vegan doughnuts from Krum.
Baratxuri has installed purpose-built fire pits and grills over which they will cook huge portions of meat and fish, while a colourful VW van nearby has been turned into a taco truck by the teams behind Breddo's Tacos in London and Belzan in Liverpool.
A shipping container bar has Salford's Pomona Island beer on draught, as well as Camden Town Brewery, and on the other side of the site is a Kopparberg bar.
The next phase of Escape To Freight Island will see Ancoats' Jane Eyre join the party.
The space is championing a mix of existing operators from around Greater Manchester, as well as providing a new space for up-and-coming traders to test the waters.
Open Thursday to Sunday, headliners this summer will include Gilles Peterson, Mr Scruff, Homoelectric, Manchester Pride and Festival No. 6.
Also performing at Platform 15 will be Norman Jay MBE, Krysko, DJ Paulette and Reform Radio.
The first phase of Escape to Freight Island will open today, Friday July 24.
The opening weekend is booking up quickly, with spaces still available for Norman Jay on Sunday.
Further details and the full entertainment line-up can be seen at escapetofreightisland.com, where you can also book your tickets.
