How ‘King of the North’ Andy Burnham’s Manchester HQ matches up to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago from grub to golf course

HE’S known as the King of the North – and now he wants a palace to match. We revealed last week, below, how incoming PM Andy Burnham is taking a leaf out of Donald Trump’s playbook and wants to turn Manchester into a Brit Mar-a-Lago – Manc-a-Lago, if you will. PM Andy Burnham is taking a leaf out of Donald Trump’s playbook and wants to turn Manchester into a Brit Mar-a-Lago Credit: Reuters Manchester Town Hall is in the heart of Burnham’s base Credit: Alamy But how will Burnham’s ‘Manc-a-Lago’ compare with Trump’s real deal Credit: Reuters Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club on Florida’s Palm Beach Credit: Getty The US President hosts VIPs at his Florida outpost, which has more than 120 rooms, a beach club, spa, tennis courts and ballroom. But what can global dignitaries expect from Burnham’s rain-slicked northern base? Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Graham Stringer, MP for Blackley and Middleton South, said: “Who needs the Florida beach when you can have the best music, sports and people in Manc-a-Lago.” We look at how Burnham’s HQ would match up to Trump’s. CLUBS Donald Trump’s private members’ club has hosted performances from stars including Celine Dion, The Beach Boys, Lionel Richie and Andrea Bocelli Credit: X/ @NICKIMINAJ MAR-A-LAGO: Donald Trump’s private members’ club is famous for its star-studded soundtrack. Over the years, Celine Dion, The Beach Boys, Lionel Richie and Andrea Bocelli have performed for the Palm Beach elite. Even rap superstar Nicki Minaj who once declared she was the President’s “number one fan,” attended a Maga wedding on the sprawling estate. Burnham could entertain VIP guests at Manchester’s £365million arena, which has already welcomed stars including Paul McCartney and Liam Gallagher Credit: Getty CO-OP LIVE ARENA: Prime Minister Burnham might not own a nightclub, but he has the crown jewel of Manchester’s music scene. Most read in The Sun The city’s impressive new £365million Co-op Live Arena has already hosted heavyweights Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher, Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran and the Brit Awards. Burnham can entertain VIP guests in the arena’s premium hospitality bars, which offer champagne, luxury gallery seats, and private suites. TENNIS Mar-a-Lago has five red-clay courts Credit: Getty TENNIS COURTS: As a Florida neighbour, tennis great Serena Williams has been a guest of Trump’s at Mar-a-Lago and may have enjoyed a spot of tennis on its five red-clay courts. After a game, guests can wind down at the state-of-the-art gym and spa. Stockport’s own Heaton Moor produced Liam and Naomi Broady, who honed their craft at South Manchester’s historic club, The Northern Lawn Tennis Club Credit: davidlloyd.co.uk DAVID LLOYD CENTRE: Burnham wouldn’t need to look far for local tennis royalty to hit with. Stockport’s own Heaton Moor produced Wimbledon aces Liam and Naomi Broady, who famously honed their craft at South Manchester’s historic club, The Northern Lawn Tennis Club. Tucked away in Didsbury, the 135-year-old institution has hosted legends from John McEnroe to Pete Sampras. While it offers pristine grass courts to rival Florida’s clay, it also boasts three indoor structures, which are crucial for guarding against the notorious English rain. WATER PARK Donald Trump’s Palm Beach retreat boasts white sands, manicured gardens and turquoise waters Credit: Alamy BEACH: Mar-a-Lago is located on the white sands of Palm Beach and surrounded by manicured gardens, perfectly placed deckchairs, palm trees and that turquoise ocean. It is no wonder the venue has hosted movie stars including Sylvester Stallone as well as Trump’s infamous model parties and Hawaiian Tropic pageants. Therme Manchester, a £500million mega-water park and wellbeing resort, is being built near the Trafford Centre Credit: Therme Manchester THERME WATER PARK: Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown famously remarked that Manchester has “everything but a beach,” but Burnham is bringing the seaside to the landlocked city. Therme Manchester, a £500million mega-water park and wellbeing resort, is being built near the Trafford Centre. Set to open in 2028, it will feature several pools, a lagoon, gardens, spa, sauna, steam rooms, water slides –— and the UK’s first all-season indoor beach. EVENTS Trump has hosted Elon Musk, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Las Vegas casino tycoon Steve Wynn, TV cook Martha Stewart and singer Rod Stewart in his ballroom Credit: Getty BALLROOM: The opulent 20,000sqft gilded, chandelier-lit ballroom is the site of the US President’s annual New Year’s Eve bash as well as charity and black-tie galas. Trump has hosted Elon Musk, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Las Vegas casino tycoon Steve Wynn, TV cook Martha Stewart and singer Rod Stewart there as well as visiting presidents. Burnham’s favourite Manchester venue is a historic former Wesleyan Chapel that hosts indie gigs and Bongo’s Bingo Credit: Alamy ALBERT HALL: Manchester’s historic Albert Hall, a listed former Wesleyan Chapel with impressive stained-glass windows, is one of Burnham’s favourite venues in the city and a regular home to indie music concerts and party night, Bongo’s Bingo. Burnham has described seeing The Courteeners at the venue in 2019 as one of his best gigs ever. “The biggest truly Manc band for ages,” he said, made even better because Everton and England goalie Jordan Pickford stood behind him in the crowd. GOLF Trump International Golf Club, with an 18-hole championship course and nine-hole course Credit: Alamy TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GC: Not far from the gates of Mar-a-Lago is the palm tree-lined Trump International Golf Club, with an 18-hole championship course and nine-hole course. It was here that an attempted assassination on Trump took place in 2024. It has also been a frequent stop-off for Tiger Woods, who played rounds with the President in 2016 and again, with Trump and golfing great Jack Nicklaus, in 2019. Burnham can talk diplomacy over 18 holes at Ashton-in-Makerfield Golf Club Credit: Alamy ASHTON-IN-MAKERFIELD GC: As mayor, Burnham proposed grand plans to bring the Ryder Cup to Greater Manchester by 2035 with a championship course in Bolton. Until then, he can talk diplomacy over 18 holes at Ashton-in-Makerfield Golf Club. In the heart of the PM’s new Makerfield constituency, it boasts a pro shop and a clubhouse renowned for its “fabulous catering”. DINING Trump has hosted diplomats, business leaders and celebs in his historic Main Dining Room Credit: Getty FINE DINING: Dining at Mar-a-Lago offers “an extraordinary culinary experience” for its members and their guests with continental, New World, classical and Caribbean menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Trump has hosted diplomats, business leaders and celebs in its historic Main Dining Room, but guests can also head to the Teahouse and its al fresco patio for food with some of that Palm Beach sunshine. Burnham famously took to the DJ decks at Ramona, a trendy Northern Quarter joint serving up £15 Detroit-style pizza slices and a bottomless brunch for £34 Credit: United We Stream DEEP-DISH PIZZA: Burnham is a proud fan of pub grub and independent foodie spots. He famously took to the DJ decks at Ramona, a trendy Northern Quarter joint serving up £15 Detroit-style pizza slices and a bottomless brunch for £34. For a pint by the canal, his go-to is the award-winning Rain Bar, which has three themed areas, a rooftop beer garden and a classic Sunday roast for £17.95. Comment now