The Science and Industry Museum, one of Manchester’s leading cultural institutions, has begun work on one of its Grade II-listed buildings.
The ‘critical’ repair work will see the historic roof of the New Warehouse replaced – a roof that’s the size of two Olympic swimming pools.
In fact, if you lined up the gutters surrounding the building end-to-end, it would be the same length as London’s Tower Bridge.
The landmark museum’s New Warehouse is more than 140 years old, having first been built as essential storage space for the bustling Liverpool Road Station.
The roof work at the Science and Industry Museum is part of the extensive, multi-million-pound heritage restoration project taking place across the historic site.
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Visitors will be able to see the engineering in action, as scaffolding is erected around the New Warehouse, but the building will remain open for visitors throughout the work.
And there’ll be – as always – a packed programme of events, exhibitions and displays to explore, including the hugely popular Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You.
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Inside the New Warehouse building of the Science and Industry Museum, there are three permanent galleries, three changing exhibition spaces, the main museum entrance, a cafe, shop, and conference space, all spread across three floors.
The Science and Industry Museum’s New Warehouse is having a new roof fitted. Credit: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
The urgent repairs to its roof will allow them museum to continue its incredible work inspiring new generations of scientists and innovators.
The works are taking place thanks to the museum’s £14.2m worth of capital funding by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
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As The New Warehouse dates back to the 1880s, the vital work will be undertaken with Manchester-based architects Buttress, who specialise in restoring listed and historic buildings.
This will involve making the roof – a massive 100m x 40m in size (or two Olympic-sized swimming pools) – watertight, completely re-tiling it with 60,000 Welsh Slate tiles from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales.
They’ll match the original slates and will even be nailed in in a traditional way to honour the building’s heritage.
Lower Byrom street warehouse, Liverpool road station, Manchester 1983. Credit: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
The work will also make the building more sustainable, with masonry and windows restored and roof lights upgraded.
The final piece of work for this phase will see the gutters replaced with cast iron ones that reflect the building’s history.
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Sally MacDonald, Director of the Science and Industry Museum says: “We are delighted that the next stage of the site’s multi-million-pound restoration project is underway. This marks an exciting moment as we carry out vital repairs to our main museum building, including a brand-new roof.
“Whilst this repair work will bring some disruption to our site, including our largest scaffolding structure to date, the changes taking place now will mean visitors can enjoy our museum for years to come.
“We’ve always been a place of change and transformation and the work on New Warehouse is our next step to future-proof our historic site.”
Alex Scrimshaw of Buttress says: “This is a key milestone for the Science and Industry Museum. The comprehensive repair and renovations reflect our commitment to ensuring that the 140-year-old New Warehouse building will be welcoming visitors for many years to come.
“It’s very exciting to be re-slating the roof with a sustainable national Welsh slate. Traditional lead-lined gutters have been reintroduced, to cope with the ever-increasing pressures imposed by extreme weather.
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“The re-roofing works also provide the opportunity to significantly improve thermal performance; seeing the introduction of an innovative wood fibre insulation; as well as carrying out the meticulous masonry, stonework and window repairs required of a building of this grand stature.
“The project will also incorporate facilities which will enable inspections to monitor and check the building’s precise condition.
“Together with the project team, we are keen to embark on this journey to deliver a museum building fit for the 21st century.”
The New Warehouse work is expected to be completed by mid-2025, with the Power Hall reopening in Spring 2025.
Featured image: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum – Lee Mawdsley
Art & Culture
Local BID board launch new ‘Visit Alty’ app ahead of Taste of Altrincham 2026
Danny Jones
One of Trafford’s resident BID (Business Improvement District) board have officially launched their brand-new ‘Visit Alty’ app for the market town ahead of this year’s A Taste of Altrincham festival.
Set to be a dedicated one-stop where residents can find out what’s going on in and around the area, the platform is already available on the likes of the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android phones.
As A Taste of Alty returns for 2026, this is just the second instalment in the total 10-day food and drink party – with a big opening weekend celebration starting this Friday, 27 February – the latest innovation by Altrincham BID is hoping to keep residents more up to date on their village than ever.
Sponsored by native law firm Myerson Solicitors and supported by various local businesses, the sophomore edition of the now annual festivities serves as the ideal staging event for the fledgling Visit Altrincham app.
Running until Sunday, 8 March, A Taste of Altrincham is even bigger this time around. (Credit: Press shot)
With a full programme events kicking off this weekend, the app itself is ideal for keeping track of everything going.
In addition to workshops, live demos by regional chefs, supper clubs, wine tastings, the latest ‘Ultimate Pudding Competition’ and lots of other special events, it can be hard to keep track of everything.
That why, like any good festival, the app has a full map and guide featuring all the key info.
Beyond just the event itself, the app itself is aimed at supporting local independents and more by helping to increase their exposure, sign-post daytrippers to the old Cheshire holdout’s best bits, and push more and more people to one of the borough’s blossoming suburb in general.
Teaming up with a number of popular locations in and around the town centre, it’s a real come one, come all affair – just as things should be.
Residents and visitors alike can also found physical printed copies of the full Taste of Alty ’26 programme nearby at the likes of Altrincham Library, the Bee Network Interchange, as well as OYEZ Arts at the Town Hall.
Created with digital town hub partners, Loqiva, co-founder Marcus Chidgey said in a statement: “We’re pleased to be partnering with Altrincham BID to support Altrincham’s continued growth.
“With a strong independent business scene, an award-winning Market and excellent transport connections to Manchester, the Visit Altrincham app offers a new way for people to discover and explore the town.”
As for the local BID department, Alty’s director Mandy White added: “If you haven’t downloaded the Visit Altrincham app yet, now is the perfect time. It’s a simple way to find out what’s on, discover local businesses and unlock exclusive offers, especially during A Taste of Altrincham.
“The app helps people get more from their visit while supporting our independent businesses and high street brands.”
The Visit Altrincham app is FREE to download right now – you can find it HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Altrincham BID)
Art & Culture
Manchester artist Stanley Chow to host free DJ set at beloved Chorlton bar
Danny Jones
Well-known Manchester artist Stanley Chow is set to host a exclusive DJ at one of the most beloved neighbourhood bars in Chorlton– and it’s happening this weekend.
So, if you fancy something other than BRITs buzz that has well and truly gripped Manchester, you can always go and dance with Stan.
Following the success of other special one-off performances such as Cain Dingle from Emmerdale (yes, really), The Garden Bar will be inviting the famous portrait creator to spin a few tracks with his fellow suburban residents.
Previously known as The Font, which sadly closed it’s city centre site a couple of years ago and has since been reborn in Chorlton and hosted all kinds of fun events throughout the week. Up next:
Still living nearby and remaining a passionate Chorlton regular – as we found out from his very opinionated ‘Tram Takes’ interview last year – the 52-year-old illustrator and local legend with be heading to Garden Bar this Friday, 27 February.
He’s also no stranger to stepping behing the decks.
As a member of not only of the art hub here in the city centre, but Greater Manchester’s wider creative scene as a whole, he played the likes of Green Island – which recently announced the first wave of its lineup for 2026 – and he’s played the area more than once before.
It’s still unconfirmed whether or not he’ll be returning to the big outdoor bash in garden centre, but he’ll certainly be an equally popular and familiar face at The Garden at the end of the month.
Also, we caught him at Green Island ourselves and, on this ocassion, we can vouch: the man’s not half bad, you know…
Speaking on booking his next live gig, Stan said: “I’m very happy to be back DJing in Chorlton. The Garden Bar is a fantastic local spot, and I’ll be playing a mix of my favourite tracks, some old classics and a few surprises.
“DJing has always been a big part of my life, and it’s a joy to share that with a friendly crowd in such a creative space.”
Jess Anderson, Manager of The Garden Bar, added: “As one of our regulars we’re thrilled that Stan will be bringing some of his record collection for us all to hear.
“His DJ night comes straight off the back of brilliant guest slots with Jeff Hordley [aka Emmerdale‘s Cain Dingle], and James Cartwright [aka Coronation Street‘s Theo Silverton] and we’re expecting more of the same with Stan as guest DJ. We can’t wait to see the energy he brings.”
So yeah, if you fancy seeing Stan the man swap his 2D geometric portrature for a fun little night on the tiles, it’s completely free entry, with the party starting from 8:30pm and food served until 9pm.
You can of course phone ahead to book yourself a spot on 0161 518 2227, and in case you’re wondering what else they’ve got on at The Garden, find out more down below.
Daisy Jackson -
31st January 2024 
