There has been more change with adverts on Manchester Metrolink as we’ve seen more adverts removed, new adverts applied and also the unusual situation of an advert being ripped off and then identical vinyls reapplied not longer after!
We start off with this update with 3023. In September the tram received an advert for Hamilton which is currently playing at the Palace Theatre as part of its first UK national tour. Then at the end of November these vinyls were removed which at the time seemed a little odd considering the show was still in situ in Manchester. And now we know it really was odd as the vinyls were actually taken off in error and not long after they came off identical versions were added back to the tram! All in all that means the tram is now advertising Hamilton again!
3047 has now lost its adverts for Marc Jacobs but has not returned to fleet livery with it currently carrying vinyls encouraging people to use the greater Bee Network for travel this Christmas. Featuring a black and red base colour it also uses the slogan “Together at Christmas. That’s why we get on board”. The tram is now on its fourth advert and third of 2023: Vodafone (June 2018-December 2019), Soccer Aid (April-August 2023) and Marc Jacobs (September-December 2023) being the others.
And the most recent new advert has been added to 3117 which is now advertising Marks Electrical, a company who have previously advertised on both Nottingham Express Transit and West Midlands Metro. 3117 is definitely no stranger to adverts with this being its fifth following on from Manchester College (October-December 2016), Cyberpunk 2077 (December 2020-February 2021), Lifebuoy Soap (September 2021-June 2023) and Yayoi Kusama Aviva Studio (July-September 2023).
Other recent changes have seen 3066 (TUI), 3089 (Booking.com) and 3107 (Ordinary Skin Care) all lose their adverts whilst 3081 retains normal fleet livery although has received unique window advertising for Brief Encounter which is currently at the Royal Exchange Theatre.
3047 with its Christmas vinyls at St Peter’s Square working into Piccadilly.
Retaining its standard fleet livery, 3081 has received some advertising for Brief Encounter which is the show over the festive period at the Royal Exchange Theatre (which is on the route of 2CC and so trams pass it every day). This photo shows the detail of those vinyls. (Both Photographs by Michael Morton, 15th December 2023)