The first images of a brand-new foodie destination on the waterfront down at Salford Quays have now been released.
As part of a wider £3.5 million transformation of the waterfront stretch at Quayside MediaCity, and set to open sometime early this summer, the new drinking and dining destination will be known as ‘Central Bay’, and not only will become the first of its kind in Salford, but also one of the biggest in the Greater Manchester region.
Named after the original stretch of dock that was once a thriving loading bay during the industrial revolution, and sitting at the heart of the areas different cultural landmarks like The Lowry, Imperial War Museum North, and Coronation Street’s studios, Central Bay will take over 25,000 sq ft and fill it with “exciting food and drink experiences”.
Not only that, but the destination will also occupy 2,000 sq ft of south-facing outside terrace space – with room for up to 600 visitors to be able to enjoy unrivalled views of some of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks.
This means Central Bay will be one of the biggest independent food and drink operations in the North.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to operators Blend Family – which is working in partnership with Quayside MediaCity to deliver the Salford concept, and is the team behind the hugely-successful food halls Cutlery Works in Sheffield, and The GPO in Liverpool – Central Bay will be home to four new independent restaurants, and 13 kitchens.
The food hall area at Central Bay is to be known as Kargo, while the street vendor elements will be branded as Kargo Mkt – which operators say is to “alignin with the area’s rich history”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Central Bay will also play host to pop-up events, indie markets, and live music performances, as well as a recreation and play space for children.
More announcements are set to be made in the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled.
“Central Bay is an ambitious and transformational project for Quayside MediaCity which will be a fantastic place for our growing number of residents, workers, students and visitors to enjoy great food, in a tranquil yet vibrant waterside setting,” Stephen Wild, Managing Director for MediaCity, said ahead of the launch later this year.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It will be truly unique and a celebration of local food, drink and art.
“Central Bay will add another dimension to MediaCity and Quayside and will bolster its growing reputation as a leading leisure and cultural destination.”
Matt Bigland, Founder and CEO of Blend Family, also called Central Bay an “exciting development”, adding that: “The passion the Quayside MediaCity team have for creating new, exciting experiences for everyone who lives, works, and visits the area is infectious.
“We can’t wait to announce Central Bay and Kargo’s first line-up of incredible food vendors and bring our offering to Salford.”
Featured Image – Quayside MediaCity
News
Entire tram line suspended due to overhead line damage at Old Trafford
Daisy Jackson
Metrolink trams along the Altrincham line have been suspended due to damage to an overhead line near Old Trafford.
The damage, caused by a third party, has caused significant disruption for commuters across the Greater Manchester region this afternoon.
No Metrolink tram services are operating between Altrincham and Piccadilly, in either direction.
Large queues are already forming for buses at Piccadilly Gardens as people attempt to get home.
Engineers have arrived on site to try and fix the issue, but ‘significant disruption’ is expected to continue into the evening.
TfGM and Metrolink have also deployed staff to assist people with their journeys at all stops in the city centre as well as at Old Trafford, Trafford Bar, and Cornbrook.
Trams between Bury and Deansgate-Castlefield are unaffected.
Ticket acceptance is in place on the 245, 255, 256, 263, 281 and 285 bus services and on Northern Rail services between Altrincham and the city centre. Simply show the driver your Metrolink ticket or pass when boarding.
You can plan the rest of your journey online using the TfGM journey planner here.
Pubs can extend their opening hours if England make it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals
Emily Sergeant
Pubs are to be permitted to extend their opening hours if England make it through to the semi-finals of EURO 2024 this summer.
With the Premier League, and the English and Scottish football leagues, all drawing to a close over the next couple of weeks, our nations are already looking ahead to what is gearing up to be a massive summer of sport – with both the UEFA EURO 2024, and the 2024 Olympics coming up before August is out.
And now, it’s been revealed by Home Secretary James Cleverly that if either England or Scotland’s mens national football teams make it to the semi-final of European football’s flagship tournament, then pubs will be allowed to stay open for longer.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… because isn’t there always?
The Government has said that venues will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours on match days if either or both teams reach the last four or the final of the competition, but this only applies to pubs that already have a license to open until 11pm anyway.
The move to extend opening hours comes after a consultation at the end of last year, and is hoped to provide a boost to the hospitality industry – which has notably been hit hard during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The Home Secretaries in England and Wales, under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, can make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”, but the Scottish and Northern Irish Governments have to set their own rules.
“We have listened to the public through our consultation,” explained Home Secretary James Cleverley, “and we will be extending pub licensing hours should England or Scotland reach the semi-finals or final of Euro 2024.”
The EURO 2024 semi-finals are to be held on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July / Credit: UEFA
Mr Cleverley said the move will “allow friends, families and communities to come together for longer to watch their nation hopefully bring it home”.
This legislation is set to be laid in Parliament today (Wednesday 8 May) to ensure there is enough time for it to be debated and passed before the tournament begins on Friday 14 June, the Government has confirmed.