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.
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.
A full series of The Celebrity Apprentice is coming to UK screens for the first time ever
Danny Jones
Britain’s much-loved version of The Apprentice is getting its first-ever full celebrity season next year as the series is set to copy the spin-off format seen in the US.
The popular reality TV show competition, where game-show meets the world of business, has been running here in the UK since 2005.
Now coming up 20 seasons and already well over 200 episodes, including specials, the producers have just as much of a challenge coming up with fresh ideas as the contestants do.
With that in mind, the BBC has now ordered the first dedicated The Celebrity Apprentice series, separate from the mainline show and set to run longer than previous iterations.
The I'm a celebrity of the business world. Can't wait. Didn't watch the apprentice earlier this year for obvious reasons but really excited about this. Hope LS isn't soft on them because its charity. https://t.co/o7PK5e2N0w
As confirmed by multiple sources – including one of renowned businessman and host Alan Sugar’s own advisors, Andrew Bloch – the first proper Celebrity Apprentice season will air in 2026.
Bloch explains that it’ll come in the form of a six-episode series that “will see a new line-up of famous faces take on weekly business challenges set by Lord Sugar, competing to avoid the words ‘You’re fired’ and ultimately be crowned The Celebrity Apprentice winner.”
While previous instalments in the celebrity version have either been attached to Christmas specials or the likes of Comic Relief/Red Nose Day in March, this inaugural fully-fledged chapter is set to take place sometime early next year, though an official release date is yet to be announced.
Speaking of seasonal episodes, any viewers who’ve never seen the show or at least not with recognisable household names starring in it, the 2025 festive special will be airing across two parts later this month.
Speaking on the commission, BBC’s Head of Entertainment, Kalpna Patel-Knight, added: “The Apprentice is a much-loved part of the BBC’s entertainment offering, and we can’t wait to see how the celebrity candidates rise to the challenge when the series launches later in 2026.”
The lineup of special guests for next year’s series is yet to be confirmed, but the lineup for the upcoming Xmas episodes is as follows: AJ Odudu, Angela Scanlon, Charlie Hedges, Eddie Kadi, Jake Wood, JB Gill, Kadeena Cox, Matt Morsia, Rob Rinder, Sarah Hadland, Shazia Mirza and Tom Skinner.
Skinner actually took part in the regular show back in 2009, helping launch his public persona, before going on to get involved in social media, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and even politics.
Have you seen the celeb version of The Apprentice before, and/or will you be watching this one?
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (via BBC Media Centre)
Business
Developers share new look at Stockport’s newest indie neighbourhood at Weir Mill
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester has been given another peek at the new neighbourhood and hangout spot in Stockport, Weir Mill.
Situated on the banks of the River Mersey, which runs through the heart of the old Cheshire town, Stopfordians will be more than familiar with the old building, which sits in the shadow of the Hat Works Museum tower.
The familiar North Western red brick is set to remain a noticeable structure below the recognisable Victorian Viaduct, but beneath it is set to become the home of at least new independent businesses.
Now, developers Capital and Centric have shared further glimpses at what they’re hoping the mini-district will look like when finished…
We visited the site back in 2023 not long after work begun.They have big plans to make it a suburban destination.Credit: The Manc Group/Capital and Centric
As you can see, besides the new homes and other buildings popping up in and around SK, this particular development (which will hopefully replicate the success of similar canalside regenerations such as those in Manchester city centre’s New Islington Marina) spans a whopping 65,000 sq ft.
Revolving around a new village epicentre, of sorts – simply known as Weaver Square – will see an influx of at least 10 new bars, restaurants, cafés and more indie traders spilling out of Weir Mill’s soon-to-be transformed ground floor onto what they hope will be a bustling new terrace.
Come the summer, this could be a great suntrap spot, too.
Aiming to bring these varied, open, social spaces to life with both local businesses and residents in mind, they’re promising live music, street food pop-ups, parties and al fresco eats under the iconic arches.
Pictured below, the space will not only include the aforementioned riverside terrace but a central courtyard with a lush, green, plant-laden sunken courtyard in the middle, plus plenty of other nooks teeming with character.
After being greenlit by Stockport Council, the project itself has actually been moving forward since 2022, but it now appears like it’s starting to take real shape.
Credit: Supplied
Cllr Micheala Meikle, Stockport‘s cabinet member for economy, skills and regeneration, states: “Our UK-leading town centre regeneration is about more than building new homes, it’s about creating vibrant neighbourhoods and breathing new life into Stockport’s heritage, giving our historic buildings a future.”
“While the Grade-II listed former mill is being carefully restored for residents, the new public square will create opportunities for independent businesses to thrive and for people from across the borough to come and enjoy our buzzing town centre.
“It is incredibly exciting to see how our riverside will soon be opened up into an inviting outdoor space where local communities can come together over great food, live music, and creative events from day into night.”
Better still, with Stockport’s growing transport links as part of the Bee Network only set to be extended further in the coming years, Weir Mill will be a simple train/tram ride away soon enough.
Emily Sergeant -
1st June 2021 
