The unpredictable British weather can be relied upon to spoil a summer’s day, particularly when purchasing cricket tickets a year in advance. Rain may have stopped play in the case of England and Australia, but it is easy to while away the time in a city as charming as Manchester. The northern powerhouse has an industrial beauty which pays tribute to its history as a global trading empire, with towering mills, bustling streets and busy warehouses now reimagined as luxury hotels, Michelin restaurants and boutique shops. As the storm cleared, the sun inevitably shone through, highlighting the beautiful colour of the building which formed the inspiration for this piece.