Business

An ‘inspiring’ new wellbeing-focused workspace has opened in Manchester city centre

The new "urban oasis" is as part of Bruntword Works' £50 million Pioneer redevelopment programme.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 1st June 2021

Workspace and leisure specialist Bruntwood Works has launched an “urban oasis” workplace in the centre of Manchester as part of its £50 million Pioneer redevelopment programme.

Bloc – a re-imagining of the 16-storey office block on Marble Street – has introduced a raft of quality new workspaces, amenities and technology that have all been designed to improve workplace wellbeing and boost productivity for the communities diverse range of businesses.

“Bloc’s transition from a corporate office building to a wellbeing-focused workplace is game-changing for Manchester,” said Ciara Keeling, CEO at Bruntwood Works.

“We have responded directly to what businesses and their employees expect from a modern workspace [as] we’re seeing increased demand for quality spaces that not only provide a wealth of amenities, but support positive work-life balance and create an environment where people want to spend time – both in and outside of work.

“Bloc provides all this and more.”

So, what do businesses get to benefit from at Bloc then?

“Bloc’s transition to a wellbeing-focused workplace is game-changing for Manchester,” / Credit: Bruntwood Works and gushiyin.xyz

Central to the focus on workplace wellbeing is the introduction of RESET – a new state-of-the-art yoga studio by Manchester’s premium training brand, FORM – which is situated within the serene basement space and hosts a rolling programme of yoga, pilates and wellbeing-based classes to help people blend fitness seamlessly into the working day.

A sleep pod has also been created to prioritise workers’ wellness and enhance productivity.

Local independent bakery Trove has opened on the ground floor and BrewDog is set to open a new bar and restaurant, as well as its first hotel, on site later this year, providing “unrivalled on-site amenity” for customers.

There will also be a focus on biophilia – which is known to help improve wellbeing, and sustainability – has also been included through the installation of an innovative, two-storey living wall that provides oxygen and helps reduce noise levels and a blue / green roof that reduces the discharge of rainwater and features wildflowers to support biodiversity and provide an additional thermal barrier.

This is Manchester’s first wildflower roof and also aims to attract a rare native blue butterfly.

Specially-created Trompe L’oeil murals by Sheffield-based artist Rob Lee and cascading greenery throughout help make Bloc an “urban oasis”.

Bloc is an environment where people want to spend time – both in and outside of work / Credit: Bruntwood Works and gushiyin.xyz
The Annexe at Bloc has also been totally transformed into three floors of flexible workspace / Credit: Bruntwood Works and gushiyin.xyz

Ciara Keeling continued: “The increased demand for spaces that support hybrid working and further flexibility has made it clear the office is still so important, just in a new way.

“Through its blend of innovative workspace, lifestyle and retail, Bloc is setting a template for the office of the future.

“We need to create places where people truly want to be.”

When it comes to workspaces itself, the Annexe at Bloc has also been totally transformed into three floors of flexible workspace, including 200 desks in a variety of serviced office suites, communal kitchens and lounge areas, with tech-enhanced meeting rooms to suit every need on the ground floor.

New additions to Bloc also include a coworking studio with 20 desks, which are available to customers on a flexible Pay As You Go basis, with day passes bookable online and monthly coworking memberships available.

Serviced offices and traditional leased spaces that range from 500 sq ft to 7,500 sq ft are also available on site.

You can find more information about Bloc here.

Featured Image – Bruntwood Works and gushiyin.xyz

Business

Petition launched to rebuild Hotspur Press in its ‘original form’ following devastating fire

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Hotspur Press aftermath

A petition has been launched to rebuild the Hotspur Press building in its ‘original form’ following the devastating fire last week.

In case you missed it, one of Manchester’s most historic landmarks has been left a shell of its former self after a huge fire erupted at the now-derelict Hotspur Press, which is on Cambridge Street beside Oxford Road train station, last Monday (23 June), destroying the iconic building that stood standing for more than 200 years.

It was subsequently declared a ‘major incident’ by authorities.

Thick black smoke clouds could be seen for miles over the city centre from around 4:30pm onwards and into the evening, as fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed that a total of 20 fire engines from across Greater Manchester were at the scene tackling the blaze – which it said had spread to three floors of the building.

At the height of the blaze, two aerial units and more than 100 firefighters were working at the scene in warm and humid conditions.

But for the past couple of years now, before the building went up in flames, Hotspur Press was at the centre of redevelopment controversy, where planning permission was being sought to transform the building into high-rise student accommodation – and it’s these proposals that prompted the petition calling for an authentic rebuild to be set up.

That and the fact that it was announced towards the end of last week that Hotspur Press was to be part-demolished.

Hotspur Press aftermath
A petition has been launched to rebuild Hotspur Press in its ‘original form’ following the devastating fire / Credit: The Manc Group | Jonathan Boswell (Submitted)

Already racking up more than 400 signatures and counting, the petition calls for the historic building to be restored ‘faithfully and fully’.

“The recent fire has robbed Manchester of one of its most iconic and historic buildings, a cornerstone of the city’s skyline and industrial heritage,” the petition reads. “Hotspur Press was not just bricks and mortar, it was a living reminder of the city’s printing legacy, a symbol of Manchester’s character and soul.

“What we don’t need is another anonymous block of luxury flats that serve investors over residents.

“We are tired of seeing our history erased for profit. We demand that what is rebuilt reflects the identity, memory, and voice of the people who actually live here.”

Read more:

The petition concluded: “Buildings like Hotspur Press carry the stories of the people who built this city – and they deserve more than neglect, fire, or demolition. Let this be the turning point. Rebuild Hotspur Press, and set a precedent for putting people, history, and place before profit.”

If you’re in support, you can find out more and sign the petition here.

Featured Image – Jonathan Boswell (Submitted)

Business

The latest on Salford Red Devils’ financial situation as ‘winding-up’ petition is adjourned

Danny Jones Danny Jones Salford Red Devils finances problems explained

The current situation at Salford Red Devils is far from ideal, with the rugby league team currently owing hundreds of thousands of pounds in debt, not to mention facing further stress over finances with players owed wages, key personnel leaving and remaining uncertainty over future ownership.

So, why is the board expressing reassurance among supporters following the recent adjournment of a ‘winding-up’ petition, and what exactly does this mean?

It is no doubt a complex issue, but with the season concluding in October and the Greater Manchester club essentially being given a stay of execution, for lack of a better phrase, it’s possible that a corner could hopefully be turned soon.

Here’s everything we know so far about the situation in Salford and where the Red Devils’ finances are currently at.

Salford Red Devils’ finances and more – explained

For a start, they’re late on payroll again this month.

How much do Salford Red Devils owe and why?

According to recent reports, Salford Red Devils owe more than half a million pounds to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) at present, with current estimates said to be in the region of £600,000.

The Super League side has fallen into debt due to a number of factors: their own performance as a business, cuts to local funding and a period of spending in terms of recruitment and pre-season preparation under the assumption of a subsidy from Salford City Council (SCC).

However, this would-be uplift – despite it being promised late last year – never came as the Council (having already provided £315k in ‘immediate’ financial aid back in March 2024) U-turned on the decision after it was revealed further backing was not in the budget.

SCC ended up owing around £2 million itself after stepping in to save both SRD and fellow rugby league outfit Swinton Lions, handing out loans to both clubs even prior to purchasing Salford Community Stadium and the surrounding area.

The Council ultimately shelled out north of £7.7m to buy the ground and sever commercial ties with previous owners, Peel. They had hoped to further alleviate pressure on the club, but Salford Red Devils (SRD) had already spent the money they were expecting to receive on new players, training and more.

SRD were then told to sell off a number of players by the league.

Salford Red Devils issue statement after being ordered to sell players by Rugby Football League
Former CEO Paul King was also parachuted back in to try and save the club after his predecessor left almost as quickly as he came.

What is the ‘winding-up’ petition?

With all this in mind, something called a ‘winding-up’ petition – basically a document sent by creditors that demands the immediate liquidation of a company/organisation that owes them money – was filed by HMRC back in May, with the tax authorities demanding payment of the outstanding sum.

However, special dispensation appears to have been made not only due to the complicated and unforeseen circumstances Salford have faced along the way, but also for the sake of the Rugby Football League (RFL) itself, with the Red Devils still seen as a valuable sporting and community asset.

One of those unexpected twists was the takeover by a new consortium led by Dario Berta, whose investment failed to clear in time and resulted in the club being hit with the financial sustainability problem that saw them cutbacks.

In a small bit of good fortune, it has now been decided that the petition to liquidate the SRD has been postponed, though not indefinitely.

What could happen next?

The date for coughing up what debt they owe to the tax authorities has now been pushed back to September, meaning they have until then to find the finances, or else they could very well be made insolvent in a matter of months.

However, as per BBC Radio Manchester, those involved in the ongoing process are “confident” that bridging loans will be put in place over the coming days to keep HMRC at bay.

And, nevertheless, head coach Paul Rowley has insisted that he can see “green shoots” starting to emerge around the club, despite still sitting bottom of the table with just one win to their name.

What’s for sure is that the local area isn’t giving up on them, with numerous fundraisers and charity events being set up to help support the club via the official Salford Red Devils Foundation.

Fingers firmly crossed that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Read more:

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Featured Images — Antony Parkes (via Geograph)/Salford Red Devils (via website)

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