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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.xyzThe 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.”
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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.
🌿 Bloc is reborn 🌿
Our most innovative #Pioneer redevelopment to date, Bloc’s transformation to an urban oasis is a game changer for #Manchester.
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.
Eyebrows raised as key coach and director of the company set up to buy Salford Red Devils resigns
Danny Jones
Serious eyebrows and questions are being raised as the director of Jacobsen Venture Group (JVG), the company set up to buy local rugby league side Salford Red Devils, has now seemingly resigned from his position.
Krisnan Inu, who is also employed as an assistant coach at Salford Red Devils, appears to have stepped down from his role within the investment group this week, effectively immediately.
This latest development only spells more concern for supporters as yet more uncertainty circles around the Salford Community Stadium that is edging ever closer to the brink.
Reacting to the news on social media, fan organisation The 1873 is now looking for further clarity as to what this means for the future of the club.
Krisnan Inu resigns as director of Jacobsen Venture Group Ltd – the company set up to buy Salford Red Devils.
A major development that raises serious questions about the ownership group, the promised funding, and the people behind it.
Sharing a lengthy open letter of their own, as well as a screenshot of the former New Zealand and Samoan international’s official resignation papers via Companies House, the supporters group have now reiterated their “call for transparency.”
Aside from urging for assurances regarding “stability, and above all else, the safeguarding of Salford Red Devils’ future”, The 1873 have also stated their belief that this signals more key movements behind the scenes that the fan base has not yet been made privy to.
The statement goes on to read: “This is a significant development, given Inu’s longstanding relationship with, and evident support for, Saia Kailahi – Jacobsen Venture Group’s other, and now sole, director.
“Inu has not only been a public backer but, by his own choice, a private supporter of Kailahi’s efforts to assume control of the club. His departure, therefore, raises serious questions.”
It was only back in August that fans, who have already mobilised multiple times in protest of the increasingly shadowy and tight-lipped consortium, slammed the 38-year-old ex-pro for defending the owners and clearly aligning himself with Kailahi, investor Dario Berta and others pulling the strings.
Hundreds marched through the streets before the game against Wakefield Trinity
They go on to speculate: “Would Inu, who also serves as the club’s assistant coach, step away from his role within Jacobsen Venture Group if he retained any confidence that the long-promised bridging loan was about to land, or indeed would ever materialise?
“Or has he now concluded that his trust and support have been misplaced, and simply had enough?”
They also noted that JVG has now moved its registered office from central London to Miles Platting here in Greater Manchester, though this is not the same address as Salford Rouges Diablo Ltd itself.
Continuing, they write: “This has all the hallmarks of the involvement of Steven England [former director], whose name has been linked to previous entities and involvement.”
England joined ex-CEO Paul King in quitting Salford earlier this year; however, the latter ultimately returned to try and help with the ongoing financial crisis.
As they see it, “Inu’s resignation feels like a highly significant indicator of his dwindling confidence in the ownership and by extension, the likelihood of the current financial crisis being resolved under Kallah’s leadership.” Neither the club nor Inu has yet to address the resignation publicly.
Only time will tell if the crucial funds promised so long ago will ever arrive and, more importantly, what this latest development ultimately spells for Salford Red Devils’ fate.
J.W. Lees is celebrating the return of Boddingtons by giving away 500 FREE pints
Danny Jones
Local brewery J.W. Lees is celebrating the return of Boddingtons in the best way possible: by giving away 500 FREE pints of ‘the Cream of Manchester’ this weekend.
We can’t lie, you had us at free pints.
In case you hadn’t heard the news – and what we consider a bit of an early Christmas present – legendary Manc beer Boddingtons is back in a very big way, with the beloved beer returning to the taps in various pockets around Greater Manchester.
Better yet, ‘Boddies’ has also returned just in time for Britain’s National Cask Ale Week, and let’s just say we’ve been spreading that all-important awareness by necking as many as possible. Now it’s your turn.
You heard the man/saw in the big beer costume; Boddingtons and their life-sized pint impersonator will be touring Manchester city centre to help toast the region’s most legendary drink (sorry, Vimto) as it makes its glorious comeback.
More importantly, his presence also accompanies a huge giveaway, as the brand is giving away a whopping 500 pints this Saturday. Yes, five bloody hundred.
Let it be known that this offer is for one day only, though, so if you fancy a freebie so frothy you practically stick a flake in it, you’d best keep your eyes peeled for the bloke who looks so good you could drink him.
So this is how it works: punters must approach the walking, talking pint of ale to claim their voucher, which can then be handed into select locations in exchange for a free beer. We’re sure that grabbing a quick selfie won’t hurt your chances either.
Along with some help from Budweiser, the native beer-masters are the equally iconic brand behind the grand Boddingtons renaissance, so you have J.W. Lees to thank.
The Manc must confess that we had the honour—nay, the privilege of sampling ‘Boddies 2.0’ before the rest of you, and the revival recipe is even better than we dreamed of.
We even saw the world’s first ‘split the B’ by David Boddington, a descendant of creator Henry himself, as famous faces like artist Stanley Chow, chef Simon Rimmer, presenter Matty White and more cheered him from the other side of the bar.
The beers were free-flowing at the official relaunch party at Founder’s Hall on Albert Square on Tuesday, 23 September, where quite literally hundreds piled into the pub to get a taste of the Northern nectar, which is sure to branch back out of 0161 soon enough.
It’s just a matter of time, if you ask us.
Once again, be on the lookout for the man in honey yellow fancy dress this Saturday, 27 September, from 12 noon until approximately 4pm to score your complimentary beer, and you can find the full list of pubs taking part in the Boddingtons free pints giveaway down below. Cheers!
Emily Sergeant -
1st June 2021 
