Manchester is a city that’s evolved so much, and is still changing to this day.
Sure, it might be a city with “so much to answer for”, as the famous quote goes, but with a history that’s as rich, vibrant, and culturally-diverse as Manchester’s is, it’s no wonder Mancunians are happy to answer for it.
From iconic music and sporting achievements, to groundbreaking inventions, political movements, world firsts, and so much more, there’s no end to list of things that Manchester has gifted the world over the years.
We should have no shame in shouting that from the rooftops with pride.
And one company that’s had its hand is shaping the way this proud city has evolved in recent years, and has a clear vision for the change it’d like to help come to be in the future, is Armstrong Projects.
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Armstrong Projects is a construction specialist with industry expertise in a wide variety of sectors.
When co-founders Chris Hamlett and Paul Armstrong discovered a shared ambition to create a construction company that provides a tailored, comprehensive, and turn-key solution for a range of clients, they joined forces to found Armstrong Projects back in 2018.
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Offering a number of different services that can be individually-tailored to meet clients’ specific requirements, alongside a collection of partnered design teams, a healthy database of approved supply chain partners, and effective project management, Armstrong Projects ensures that all client expectations of quality, programme, and budgets are met.
The team has experience in various building projects, with values ranging up to £10 million across sectors such as commercial, retail, education, industrial, residential, and more.
Armstrong Projects is a construction specialist with industry expertise in a wide variety of sectors / Credit: Armstrong Projects
“After suffering from a failed business in 2017 and the subsequent difficult times that I faced,” co-founder Chris Hamlett explains on the beginnings of the thriving company, “Paul [Armstrong], came to me to offer his support, which was integral in the formation of the business.”
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With Chris’ background in main contracting, having spent several years working for a family-run blue chip construction company to gain the experience needed to create his own vision, combined with Paul’s success as a subcontractor in the ceilings and partition trades, the duo came together to ensure that they delivered a series of varied schemes which were both within their capabilities, and importantly, exciting to be a part of.
“Those we would be proud to showcase, and that we enjoyed coming to work and being involved with,” Chris added.
Following the company’s inception, in late 2018, Chris Greenall joined the business as Operations Manager – bringing with him experience to broaden the businesses’ strengths and provide further process and procedures that were important to delivering successful schemes as seamlessly as possible.
And the company has been steadily growing ever since.
“Our staff are trained and qualified to the latest health and safety standards, and relevant management qualifications,” Chris continues.
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“But we are not a typical corporate business – we employ people, not numbers, and our clients have visibility of our directors right from the start and through to completion of works to give them peace of mind, should they ever need to talk to us.
“Our service to them is at a personal level.
“We engage with our clients on a one-to-one level to better understand their objectives, any constraints, and any special requirements, and our honesty and openness guides them through the construction process to ensure that we always deliver to our promises and commitments.”
Armstrong Projects ensures that all client expectations of quality, programme, and budgets are met / Credit: Armstrong Projects
It’s that honesty and openness that has lead to a series of recent successes for the ambitious company, most-notably including the delivery of an office-to-residential conversion scheme in the centre of Manchester, Barclay House, which allowed the team to build some worthy relationships – “both in terms of client and suppliers” – and become a project Chris says they will “always be proud to have been a part of.”
Then, in early 2021, when the company’s workbook was heavily-weighted towards a series of residential projects, the team took the decision to expand their network and focus on winning schemes from other sectors, and within three months, they had been successful in clinching two high-profile projects – the first being the delivery of a new Masjid and Community Centre in Cheadle, and the second being the redevelopment of a town centre in Sale.
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“Both very different schemes, however the experience within the business gave us the confidence to present ourselves,” Chris admits.
These two schemes are expected to be completed by the end of next year.
“More recently, we have secured relationships with several Housing Associations and retail partners to help grow and move our business forward into 2022.”
“We are not a typical corporate business – we employ people, not numbers,” / Credit: Armstrong Projects
So it’s safe to say that the future is looking bright for Armstrong Projects – and Manchester too.
You can find out more about Armstrong Projects here, and follow the company on its social media pages – Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Featured Image – Armstrong Projects
Business
Inside Cat Cafe Manchester, as a dozen fluffy felines pounce into their new palace
Emily Sergeant
Cat Cafe Manchester will soon be ready to open the doors to its new home in the city centre, and we’ve got a sneak peak for you.
Get ready to meet your 12 new best friends.
Barton Arcade was already one of Manchester‘s most stunning buildings as it is, but now a dozen new fluffy felines have moved in too, taking over the old Classic Football Shirts site on Deansgate with climbing frames, scratch posts, cat trees, squishy sofas, and plenty (emphasis on the plenty) of ledges that are perfect for perching on.
You may remember that Cat Cafe Manchester was a beloved venue in the Northern Quarter, opening all the way back in 2016 before sadly having to close in 2021 following unavoidable economic struggles brought about by the pandemic.
But now they’re back, and they’re cuter than ever… you can absolutely take our word for it.
Cat Cafe Manchester is getting ready to open at the end of this month / Credit: The Manc Group
After announcing in January 2025 that they would be making a grand return to the city, the Cat Cafe staff have been spending the past year making sure their new home is perfect (purrfect… if you will) ready for the cats to begin moving in – which they have been doing over this past week, gradually being introduced to each other in intervals to make sure they all get on.
From Maine Coons Ottie and Heathcliff, and fluffy sisters Yumi and Yoki, to Uno the adventurous Bengal, beautiful Gracie the Ragdoll, and Emerson the proud British Shorthair, it’s clear to see that all 12 residents have been making themselves at home ready for the official opening on Saturday 30 May.
“Our mission is to make animal assisted therapy accessible on the high street,” Cat Cafe says in a mission statement on its website.
“We aim to support urban communities by offering inclusive, calm and relaxing spaces in what can be a busy, crowded and over-stimulating world. The purpose of Cat Cafe is to help people feel better.”
The 12 fluffy felines have all started making themselves at home / Credit: The Manc Group
All the cats are still considered kittens at this point, and they will be ready for retiring and settling down once they turn five.
And of course, let’s not forget the ‘cafe’ part of the Cat Cafe too.
When you book your one-hour time slot from £14 per person, you’ll also get unlimited free hot and cold drinks included in your ticket price, and be able to order from a menu that includes everything from toasted teacakes and bacon sandwiches, to paninis, cakes, and ice creams – with options for a variety of dietary requirements.
As well as the general admission – which is open to children aged 10 and over – Cat Cafe Manchester will also be offering adult-only sessions, child-friendly hours for those between the ages of four and nine, and will even host book clubs, film nights, and craft nights too.
Dedicated subsidised hours for the SEN community and their carers are now open to book, so they have the opportunity to attend on a weekly basis, and birthday packages, celebration packages, afternoon tea, and private hire are also available.
Cat Cafe Manchester officially opens on Saturday 30 May, and you can find out everything you need to know and book your slot to visit online here.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Business
Dujour Bakehouse: yet more proof of why tiramisu and banana pudding are having ‘a moment’
Danny Jones
Banana pudding and tiramisu might be two of the biggest foodie phenomena around right now, and while each has a long history of its own, Greater Manchester’s fascination with them seems to be only just beginning, to the point where you have places like Dujour dedicated entirely to the duo.
Dujour Bakehouse, to give them their full name, is a story that started a few years ago, and whose latest chapter has seen them open up over at The Trafford Centre.
And upon paying our first visit, they had such a strong few hours that they were already running low on stock by the time we turned up.
Opening a simple stand within the Selfridges Foodall, the name might be a play on the French phrase for ‘of the day’, but make no mistake: this isn’t just here today and gone the next – they’re of the moment as these two ubiquitous desserts continue to dominate.
Popping up on the first floor of the large department store within the already giant collection of stores, Dujour is probably one of the smallest vendors within the entire shopping centre, but the somewhat unassuming yet classic-looking kiosk easily catches the eye.
In truth, it looks like a taste of France – what with the font and the striped canopy and signage that almost puts you in mind of a Parisian patisserie – and then you see the menu with just two items on it: banana pudding or tiramisu.
This makes for a relatively small operation, but the real fun is to be had with the toppings.
From all the sauces and toppings you’d usually expect with this sort of thing, to pretzels and even red velvet crumbs, this is about that extra little bit of decadence without going overboard.
There aren’t dozens of extras to choose from, so as to risk overindulging yourself and straying into sickly territory, but it easily satisfies any sweet tooth.
Being served in the takeaway, iced coffee-style cups also make it feel more grab-and-go, but don’t worry, the serving you get is plenty.
It’s also worth noting that this is very intentional, too; they have lots of experience running large-scale stuff, what with their dark kitchen in Bolton (where this all started back in November 2023) and their sadly short-lived setup in Leigh, but this feels like a conscious walk before running step.
They’ve clearly learned lots from both, and this latest venture does feel like it’s pitched perfectly, not only for the location but timing-wise, as well.
Yes, they may do way more at their OG unit, but this kiosk is very much capitalising on the ever-increasing craze and is already proving a hit even just with busy shoppers passing by.
Like with any trend, some people can’t stomach that saturation of a market, but we can safely say this Selfrigdes stand is one, well, we can more than comfortably stand.
If this sort of thing is right up your street, you’ll also be glad to know that they do wholesale and delivery across the region.
Once again, only a short trip out of the city centre or an easy option when you’re spending the day out shopping, this serves as yet another reminder that you should always venture out to the boroughs and find out what else Greater Manchester has on offer.
For instance, Rochdale Food and Drink Festival returns once again at the end of May to mark 10 years of the annual street eats celebration.
Emily Sergeant -
5th November 2021 
