Manchester City’s plans to expand the Etihad Stadium and create a new entertainment destination on site have officially been approved.
After the club submitted ambitious proposals to both increase its home ground’s capacity, and create a “best-in-class” fan experience by adding an all year-round entertainment and leisure destination on the current site, the new vision for the Etihad Stadium has officially been approved by Manchester City Council.
Approval follows the club’s fan and community consultation, which took place back in February and March this year, all before the full planning application was subsequently submitted in April.
Proposals were given approval by the Council’s planning committee yesterday (27 July).
We are delighted to confirm our planning application to develop an entertainment destination at the Etihad Stadium has been approved today.
But what exactly is in store for the Etihad Campus then? Well, according to Manchester City, the approved plans include several connected all-weather facilities that are fully integrated into the stadium – which will all be centred around an expanded North Stand, with one larger single upper tier above the existing lower tier that increases overall capacity to over 60,000.
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Above the upper tier, there will be a so-called ‘sky bar’ with views overlooking the pitch, as well as a stadium roof ‘walk experience’.
A covered ‘City Square’ fan zone with capacity for 3,000 people also form part of that plans.
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And then to round it all out, fans can also expect to make the most of a wide variety of new food and drink outlets, a new club shop, museum, workspace, and even a 400-bed hotel, which are all set to be constructed as part of the club’s development.
Plans approved for new ‘best-in-class’ entertainment destination at the Etihad Stadium / Credit: Manchester City
Manchester City’s Operations Director, Danny Wilson, says the club is “delighted” by the approval of the plans, adding that the development will “not only enable the club to enhance and expand its offering to fans and visitors on both matchday and non-matchday”, but will also “create lasting long-term economic and social benefits for our local community”.
He added that the approval of the plans continues to “build on” the regeneration work that the City Football Group has delivered in East Manchester since 2008.
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According to the club, the main construction works are anticipated to begin on-site in November 2023.
This means the North Stand itself will be complete and open during the 2025/26 football season, but the hotel, workspace, and the rest of the ‘public realm’ works – including City Square – are more likely to be completed by late 2026.
Featured Image – Manchester City
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Teen arrested after hiding in wheelie bin following attempted burglary in Bolton
Emily Sergeant
A teenage boy has been arrested after police found him hiding in a wheelie bin during the early hours of the morning.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, at around 3:50am this past Saturday morning (24 October), officers from the Bolton Neighbourhood Team were called to reports of a ‘disturbance’ on Ullswater Drive, in the Farnworth area of Bolton.
Upon arrival, police discovered that a group of people had attempted to break into a garden shed and steal items.
Following a police chase on foot and searches of surrounding gardens, officers found a 17-year-old boy hiding inside a wheelie bin, and he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of burglary.
A 16-year-old girl was also arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary, and they have both been bailed while the investigation continues.
Enquiries remain ongoing to identify and locate others who police believe to have been involved in the incident.
Sergeant Emily Fogg, from GMP’s Bolton Neighbourhood Team, said the boy ‘clearly did a rubbish job’ of hiding from police.
“Our policing teams are committed to rooting our criminality in our communities and will continue to seek justice for victims of this invasive crime,” Sergeant Fogg concluded.
Anyone with information the can assist the investigation is asked to contact police on 101, quoting the log number 475 of 24/10/26.
Featured Image – Rawpixel
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National Lottery hunts for Tameside player who’s not claimed £1m winnings
Daisy Jackson
The hunt is on to find a National Lottery player in Tameside who’s won £1m – and not claimed it.
The missing millionaire won the huge prize on a Lotto ticket bought on Wednesday 1 July, somewhere in the Borough of Tameside.
But with just two months to go until the prize expires, the player has still not come forward to claim their winnings.
The winning numbers in were 5, 8, 26, 33, 39, 42 and the Bonus Ball was 54.
Now, the National Lottery is renewing its search for the millionaire, calling for the mystery winner to cash in their prize before it expires at midnight on 28 December.
National Lottery Senior Winners’ Advisor Andy Carter has been out in Tameside ‘hunting’ for the missing millionaire, visiting everywhere from Portland Basin to Hartshead Pike.
Andy said: “I’ve searched high and low across Tameside for our missing millionaire, but I’ve had no luck.
National Lottery hunts for Tameside player who’s not claimed £1m winnings. Credit: Anthony Devlin/Assignments/Press Association
“With just two months left to claim this £1 million prize, now is the time for anyone who bought a Lotto ticket in Tameside for the 1 July draw to have another look.
“The winning ticket could be tucked away somewhere completely ordinary, while its owner has absolutely no idea they are a millionaire.
“We’d love to find the person we’ve been looking for and turn this search into a celebration. So, if you bought a ticket in the area, dig it out, check those numbers and help us find Tameside’s missing millionaire. It could be you.”
With all National Lottery draws, players have 180 days from the day of the draw to claim their prize if they have the winning ticket. Anyone who has any queries or who believes they have the winning ticket for any of the National Lottery draws within the 180-day deadline should call the National Lottery Line on 0333 234 5050 or email [email protected].
Emily Sergeant -
28th July 2023 
