The first images of apartments inside Manchester’s iconic Crusader Mill building have been published by developer Capital & Centric.
Renovation work on the Chapeltown Street complex – which was first constructed around 1830 – is nearing completion; receiving months of publicity since being featured on BBC documentary Manctopia.
Crusader Mill has also grabbed headlines for giving locals ‘first dibs‘ on homes – with overseas investors urged to look elsewhere.
The 180-year-old building has now been restored into a block of one and two-bed apartments with exposed brickwork, original cast iron columns and wooden beams, and huge windows.
All residents will enjoy access to Crusader’s green courtyard, with fire pits and barbecues.
ADVERTISEMENT
Some of the penthouse apartments are fitted with private roof terraces.
The complex is also dog-friendly – with a 24/7 concierge.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital & Centric said: “Crusader is packed with history, but that’s meant it’s been challenging. Stuff that we couldn’t have ever foreseen that’s caused us and our buyers some delays. We can’t wait to welcome our residents and really appreciate how they’ve beared with us.
“But ultimately we weren’t going to cut corners. This building is so iconic, with such great features, we have to do it justice. Once part of Manchester’s Cottonopolis, the building gives the loft apartments tons of industrial character that oozes from the exposed bricks, beams and huge windows that soak the apartments in light.
“This was the first project we brought forward in Piccadilly East – it’s our baby! – so it’s awesome to see it nearing completion.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Crusader buyer Jo Beswick said: “The design and layout of the apartments are really, really well thought out. The windows flood the room with light, the beams are just gorgeous and the exposed brick gives it character.
“We knew straight away this was the one for us! The whole aspect of it being for residents only is great. We wanted a community and we’re really excited to be here.”
Along with neighbouring community Phoenix, Crusader forms part of the emerging Piccadilly East neighbourhood – recently named by The Times as one of the next greatest places to live.
The first set of Crusader Mill residents are anticipated to move into the building in March.
Visit the Crusader Mill website to find out more or call 0161 222 0204 to arrange a viewing.
News
Full list of Manchester restaurants set to add an extra £1 to bills to tackle homelessness this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
A handful of local restaurants will be adding an extra £1 onto every bill over the festive season to help fight street homelessness.
As November arrives, the temperatures begin to start dropping, and the nights set in a little earlier, people in Greater Manchester are once again able to give back while they dine at some of the best restaurants the region has to offer in the run up to Christmas, as the successful StreetSmart fundraising initiative is back for another year.
This year, 15 fantastic restaurants have come together to support local homeless charities as the campaign launches today (1 November).
Manchester independents such as Proloco, Erst, Ezra & Gill, Stretford Canteen, and Blue Eyed Panda are among those taking part in the campaign this year, alongside several city centre chain restaurants such as Lina Stores, Tampopo, Banyan, Manahatta, and San Carlo.
Now in its 29th year, StreetSmart works by each participating restaurant adding an extra £1 to every bill they deliver throughout November and December, with all of the money raised going directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to StreetSmart’s official sponsorship from LandAid.
Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas / Credit: Supplied | Rifqi Ali Ridho (via Unsplash)
Since launching in 1998, the campaign has raised over £16.2 million to support charities across the UK, providing practical help, from meals and emergency accommodation to healthcare, training, housing advice and routes towards finding a permanent home.
The StreetSmart team says it’s determined to deliver another record-breaking year in 2026, and provide much-needed support to the services that help some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
Manchester restaurants taking part in StreetSmart 2026
Proloco
Hache MCR
Bar Posie
SAMPA
Blue Eyed Panda
Ezra & Gill
Erst
Little Seeds
Lina Stores
Stretford Canteen
Hawksmoor
Manahatta
San Carlo Bottega
Tampopo
Banyan Bar & Kitchen
“The festive period can be an incredibly tough time for the vulnerable people in our community,” explained Glenn Pougnet, who is the Director of StreetSmart.
“StreetSmart provides a simple way for people to help some of our city’s most in need. Giving back whilst dining out at Christmas is what StreetSmart is all about, and we’re thrilled to have so many restaurants already taking part.
“Every £1 added to a bill adds up and makes a huge difference.”
Featured Image – John Carey (Supplied)
News
‘Groundbreaking’ new police team launches on Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world
Emily Sergeant
A ‘groundbreaking’ new policing model aimed at making the Bee Network one of the safest public transport networks in the world has launched.
Described as being ‘pioneering’, the first-of-its-kind approach – named the Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) – will bring Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) even closer together to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour, and safety issues across the region’s transport network.
So, how will it work then? Well, according to TfGM, the command will ‘effectively establish’ the Bee Network as GMP’s eleventh policing district.
It will bring together up to 300 personnel, including new police officers, who are all involved in keeping the network safe and providing greater reassurance to passengers travelling across the region.
Efforts to keep passengers safe on buses, trams, active travel routes, and roads across Greater Manchester will be ‘strengthened’ through the new team – improving co-ordination in response to incidents, and helping to reassure communities.
A ‘groundbreaking’ new police team has launched on the Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world / Credit: TfGM
The new team will also incorporate the existing Roads Policing Unit within GMP that includes specialist functions such as the Central Ticket Office, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, the motorbike unit, the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, and more.
Overall, the key focus of TPACC is to:
Increase public confidence on safety across the transport network
Reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and criminality across the transport network
Increase the number of users of the Bee Network across Greater Manchester
The launch of TPACC is said to represents ‘the next phase’ of Greater Manchester’s commitment to creating a ‘safer, more secure, and more welcoming’ transport network for everyone who lives, works, and travels across the region.
“I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together more than 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.
“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”
The Manc -
11th March 2021 
