Manchester‘s first new park in the heart of the city centre for more than 100 years is officially set to open to the public this week.
It’s been a long journey to get here, but Mayfield Park is finally becoming a reality.
Over the last 18 months, the vast and mostly-derelict former industrial site next to Piccadilly Station has been transformed into what project developers are calling a “stunning, accessible, and varied” green space for everyone who visits the city centre to enjoy.
Mayfield Park has been more than six years in the planning, design, and delivery, and once it officially opens this week, local residents, visitors, and communities across the region will have access to a green oasis and beautifully-landscaped river walkways.
The realisation of the ambitious project comes after the UK government pledged £23 million of investment from its Getting Building Fund to Mayfield Park – which is one of the largest investments in any single project.
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Delivered through Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), developers say this investment is part of the government’s strategy to support “shovel ready schemes” that will help to drive economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manchester’s first new city centre park for more than 100 years is officially opening this week / Credit: Studio Egret West
Mayfield Park’s main entrance on Baring Street will officially be opened to the public at 12:30pm this Thursday 22 September by Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig.
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From then on, it will be open from dawn until dusk, seven days a week.
“September 22 is a momentous day for Mayfield, and Manchester,” said Martyn Evans – the Creative Director at U+I, which is the regeneration company leading the Mayfield development on behalf of the Mayfield Partnership.
“The greatest cities in the world offer a true blend of amazing culture, great architecture and green space.
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“Manchester is one such city and Mayfield Park adds a significant piece of new, family-friendly, inclusive green space to the city centre.”
It's the date you've all been waiting for: 22.09.2022 🌱
Ahead of the ribbon-cutting grand opening ceremony this Thursday, Cllr Bev Craig – Leader of Manchester City Council – commented: “There are some projects that feel so momentous in the development story of our city that we look forward to them with great anticipation [and] Mayfield Park is one of those developments.
“A project that has true transformational potential for this part of our city.
“It’s with excitement then that we can look ahead to the official opening of the city centre’s first public park in 100 years later this week.
“We know the massive health and well-being benefits that green spaces can have for our residents and increasing access to parks for our residents is a key priority for us.”
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Mayfield Park is gearing up to be a “stunning, accessible, and varied” green space for all / Credit: Martin Moss (via Natural England)
Cllr Craig also added that Mayfield also represents “a significant economic boost for Manchester”.
She continued: “The partnership has shopped local when procuring contractors to make sure that employment opportunities have benefited local companies and local people first.
“During the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, it’s this type of development that provides the jobs that our residents need.
“And it makes sure Manchester people continue to share in the success of our city.”
Featured Image – Studio Egret West
News
Wayne Rooney expresses interest in joining Manchester United’s coaching staff
Danny Jones
In another unexpected twist in the Manchester United manager saga, club and England legend Wayne Rooney has expressed interest in returning to Old Trafford and potentially joining their coaching staff.
Man United’s all-time leading goalscorer is one of half a dozen different former players to have been linked with either the top job or a backroom role following Ruben Amorim’s departure.
Speaking on his self-titled BBC podcast, the retired Premier League icon turned coach and now pundit, didn’t hesitate when asked about the prospect, simply replying: “of course I would” – dubbing the decision as “a no-brainer.”
"Of course I would!"
Wayne Rooney wouldn't think twice about joining Michael Carrick's staff at Manchester United if an offer arrived. pic.twitter.com/nGEAugQjHH
Rooney’s last coaching job was that of Plymouth Argyle manager, which ended in December 2024 following a run of poor results, much like his time at Birmingham City earlier that year.
Since then, he’s bounced around between punditry and broadcasting, serving as a guest on the likes of The Overlap with his old teammates and peers, as well as now co-hosting his own aforementioned pod, The Wayne Rooney Show.
However, the 40-year-old has always insisted that he still wants a future in coaching, and while it may not have worked as a full-time first-team boss just yet, perhaps more of an assistant position or more specific post (maybe training the forwards as Benni McCarthy did) could be a better fit for now.
‘Wazza’ admitted that, even despite having been on holiday with Carrick “last week”, no one could have expected this situation to have emerged, and certainly not this quick a turnaround.
Moreover, Rooney insisted that rather than preferring any particular person for the next interim head coach/United manager or to join the wider staff, he simply believes that they need “people who know the club” inside and out.
He isn’t the first to have accused the global sporting franchise of losing its ‘identity’ in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and many seem to believe that getting in familiar faces who were at the club during its heyday could help resolve that issue.
This was obviously pretty much the thinking when Ole Gunnar Solskjær not only became interim head coach but got the job on a permanent basis after they began looking more like the confident, attacking teams of old and like they were enjoying their football again. Though we all know how it ended.
Solskjær did look to be leading the race to return to Old Trafford for a second spell as manager initially, but it now looks as though Michael Carrick is the odds-on favourite to replace Amorim in the interim, with the suggestion that one might still assist the other.
Carrick certainly received a good amount of praise during his time at Middlesbrough, and while his time there didn’t end perfectly, either – parting ways after missing out on the playoff spots once again – there seems to be a belief that he, whether flanked by others or not, is the right choice for United at this time.
Once again, there is talk of current temporary caretaker Darren Fletcher remaining with the first team in some capacity rather than simply returning straight to the under-18s, but only time will tell who will be involved. Nevertheless, it now looks nailed on that Carrick will be in the dugout for the derby day.
Police appeal for information after ‘attempted kidnapping’ in Wigan
Emily Sergeant
A public appeal for information has been issued after the attempted kidnapping of a female in Wigan last week.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Criminal Investigation Department are appealing for information and witnesses following the shocking incident, which occurred last Friday morning (9 January 2026) between 6:05am-6:20am.
The victim was walking along Central Park Way, in Wigan, when she was grabbed and threatened by a man who attempted to force her to come with him.
The victim managed to get free and to a place of safety, however the suspect fled the area.
The suspect is described by police as being a white male, approximately 6ft 1in tall, and was wearing grey joggers, black trainers, a yellow hi-vis vest, and a black beanie hat at the time of the incident.
#APPEAL | Officers are appealing for information following a reported attempt kidnapping on Friday 9 January between 6:05-6:20am on Central Park Way, #Wigan.
The victim was grabbed and threatened and the suspect attempted to force her with him.
Officers are supporting the victim and investigating the incident, but at this time are now appealing to the public for information.
“Whilst we understand incidents of this nature are concerning, I want to reassure our communities that we take reports of this nature very seriously and the safety of the public is our top priority,” commented Detective Sergeant Andrew Partington, of GMP’s Wigan CID, as he appealed to the public.
“Our officers are taking every measure and following multiple lines of enquiry to investigate the circumstances of this incident.
“We have extra patrols in place around the area and if you have any concerns, our officers are always more than happy to support.”
Can you help? Anyone with any information is urged to come forward.
This includes anyone who may have CCTV / dashcam footage, witnessed the incident itself, or can help police identify the man involved, and you can contact GMP on 0161 856 7094, quoting log 472 of 09/01/26.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
20th September 2022 
