Finally, Manchester’s historic Campfield Market is being brought back to life, set to turn into a creative tech campus.
The huge space – part of which was previously the Air and Space Hall at the Science and Industry Museum – will soon reopen as a ‘mega campus’ for the city’s creative and tech businesses.
The plans revealed by Allied London show a whopping 130,000 sq ft campus across three buildings, including the two landmark Victorian market halls.
Set to launch this June, Campfield will be home to flexible workspaces, cafes, media studios, a bar, and plenty more.
A highlight will be Campfield House, ‘the city’s newest destination for socialising and entertainment’, home to a cafe, event space, the Campfield House Bar, and weekend craft markets and food stalls, all set beneath the building’s iconic glass roof
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At the heart of the mega campus will be Department at Campfield, with a range of cutting-edge facilities and flexible workspaces from private offices to creative studios to co-working areas.
There’ll also be mixed media studios, workshops, meeting rooms, all based on the success of existing Department workspaces established in 2020 across Manchester and Leeds.
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Elsewhere, the creative tech-specialising Exchange will provide critical resources, coaching and community to businesses – it’s already supported more than 1000 individuals and 200 businesses.
The vision for Campfield in Manchester
Of the two listed former market halls, the smaller will become Campfield Studios, with production spaces and studios around a dramatic central atrium available for hire.
And completing the Campfield campus will be Castlefield House, where members will find a dynamic media workspace and hospitality hub, with a Bauhaus-inspired design and a spacious courtyard cafe.
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Campfield will join other restored, repurposed and revolutionary landmarks in St John’s, like Aviva Studios, Bonded Warehouse and Manchester Goods Yard.
Michael Ingall, Chief Executive of Allied London, said: “Campfield will provide creative, tech and media businesses with the infrastructure and facilities they need to grow and develop. Importantly, it will once again be open for social gatherings and for the public to enjoy.
“The project will see these historically significant buildings given a new life and fully equipped to play an integral part in the next generation of artistic and creative output from the city’s new creative district.”
The vision for Campfield in Manchester
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Campfield is a much-loved historic site that has sat empty and underutilised for so long. We’ve been supporting this project from the start, bringing these important heritage buildings brought back into active use, supporting the city’s ongoing growth and boosting employment opportunities in some of the city’s key emerging sectors.
“Manchester’s reputation is growing globally as a leader in the creative, tech and media industries, and this new hub is another example of creating a supportive ecosystem where businesses can start-up, scale-up and thrive. It’s great to see this scheme come to life, bringing a renewed energy to Campfield.”
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Tanya Grady, Commercial Director of Allied London, said: “The sustainable reimagination of the historic Campfield campus will become a catalyst for a new creative community. We recognise that a place for creative, tech and media companies needs a diverse set of amenities to enable innovators to produce their best work.
“Campfield will maximise the number of businesses and founders we can support in fulfilling their creative potential. Campfield possesses everything founders need to take their tech, media and creative businesses to the next level.”
Abigail Gunning, Operational Director of Department, said: “Department Campfield will offer thoughtfully designed, service-led workspaces that enable businesses to succeed.
“The new campus represents our commitment to providing amenity-rich environments where people feel fulfilled, and businesses can attract the best talent. We’re excited to continue growing our community and support businesses shaping the future of Manchester’s creative and tech landscape.”
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.
Daisy Jackson -
16th April 2025 
