Manchester residents are being asked for their views on the ‘future vision’ of Chorlton’s high street as redevelopment plans have now been set out.
With the aim of making sure the neighbourhood stays an “attractive, welcoming, and accessible space” for local people and visitors to enjoy for decades to come, Manchester City Council has now launched a public consultation into the redevelopment of Chorlton’s main high street and immediate surrounding areas.
New artist impression images of the project have also been released.
The draft ‘Public Realm Plan’ is part of a city-wide focus on local district centres to ensure they can “benefit from emerging regeneration opportunities”, according to the Council.
With a number of development opportunities for the Manchester suburb now in the works and set to take shape over the coming years, the Council says this is a “timely opportunity” to put in place a vision for how the high street could look in the future, and open the plans up to the public for their thoughts and feedback.
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The plans look to create a “distinct” district centre, with benefits for the local commercial, retail, and food and drink offering, all a part of them.
Cllr Gavin White, who is the Executive Member for Housing and Development at Manchester City Council, called Chorlton’s high street the “beating heart of the community” as the redevelopment plans went out to public consultation this week.
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He commented: “We have made a clear commitment to focus on our district centres across Manchester and ensure our local high streets are vibrant, attractive, and welcoming spaces for local people and visitors.
“These centres are the beating hearts of our communities, and their strength is in providing a range of vital local services on the doorsteps of our residents. The economic prosperity of these spaces is directly linked to the prosperity of the wider local neighbourhood, and the right investment is crucial to support their continued success.
“Chorlton will welcome a number of key developments in the coming months and years, and this is the community’s opportunity to help guide how their high street and public spaces will look and feel in the years ahead.”
The public consultation on the redevelopment of Chorlton’s high street is now live and will remain open online until 19 March, as well as there being two in-person events on Thursday 7 March from 3-7pm at Chorlton Central Church, and on Sunday 9 March from 1-4pm at Oswald Road Primary School.
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.