Plans to redevelop Lancashire’s iconic Botany Bay and turn it into an “industrial and commercial space” have been resubmitted.
Developer and asset management company FI Real Estate Management (FIREM) has this week revealed that it plans to push forward with former proposals to transform the former shopping mill just off the M61 near Chorley.
It comes after the outlet village scheme was first scrapped at the end of 2020.
Back in January 2019, FIREM unveiled the plans for a new development on the historic site set to redefine the borough involving a 37 hectare mixed-use scheme providing 300,000 sq ft of employment land, 288 luxury new homes, and a brand new 300,000 sq ft fashion and lifestyle outlet village – but in November 2020, FIREM said these plans had been axed “due to the continued decline in the retail sector”.
This was something it says has been “further compounded by the pandemic”.
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Now, following a virtual public consultation event in November, the developer has decided to resubmit the proposal for the 21-acre site, which is said to remain “largely unchanged”.
The plans for the scheme – which has been designed by MCAU and planning consultants, John Francis Planning – propose 405,386 sq ft of industrial and commercial space, which will deliver a total of 33 individual units for employment and commercial uses.
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FI Real Estate Management (FIREM)FI Real Estate Management (FIREM)
Within the plans, it’s said that 36,996 sqm of commercial floorspace will be designated for “light industrial uses”.
The wider space has then been allocated for landscaping, pedestrian routes, and onsite parking.
On top of all that, FIREM has also said that the regeneration plans for Botany Bay Business Park have the potential to bring hundreds of jobs to the local and surrounding areas.
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Speaking on the resubmitting of the plans this week, a spokesperson for FIREM said: “We’re confident that our proposals for the redevelopment of Botany Bay are not only consistent with the site’s heritage but will also deliver a host of new job and commercial opportunities in Chorley.
“This sector in the North West has seen continued growth for a sustained period, even throughout the pandemic.
“We’ve already witnessed a growing interest in the business space offered by these units since our last announcement, having received a number of inbound enquiries from a variety of businesses”.
Featured Image – Geograph / Ian S
Business
A £1m health optimisation hub with breakthrough ‘brain health technology’ is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new £1m health optimisation clinic is set to open near Manchester Airport this month, with a North West-first breakthrough ‘brain health technology’ offering.
Projuvenate will be a flagship 3350 sq ft medically-led clinic, with ExoMind™, offering non-invasive treatment for mental wellness.
The space will be bringing cutting-edge treatments to Greater Manchester that are normally associated with high-end private wellness clinics in London.
Projuvenate promises three key wellness pillars – health optimisation, physiotherapy, and aesthetic wellness.
Part of its health optimisation pillar will be ExoMind, a breakthrough treatment that uses targeted electromagnetic stimulation to deliver precise pulses to key areas of the brain linked to emotional regulation, focus, and motivation.
Early trials of this FDA-approved treatment show 88% of patients report improved mental wellness, with 78% experiencing better mood, sleep, and emotional regulation.
Other health optimisation treatments include HaloRed™ salt and red light therapy, longevity treatments, and intimate health solutions such as electromagnetic pelvic floor training.
There’ll also be elite physiotherapy as part of Projuvenate’s offering, with rehabilitation and injury prevention from experts in elite sport.
Advanced equipment patients will be able to access includes the R-Force™ anti-gravity treadmill, targeted cryotherapy, and more.
It’s open now at Manchester GreenThe new Projuvenate wellness centreProjuvenate is the first North West clinic to offer ExoMindProjuvenate will offer physiotherapy in a state-of-the-art gym
And the final pillar, aesthetic wellness, offers non-invasive treatments to enhance appearance, strength and confidence, from skin and face therapies to injectables, body sculpting, and hair vitality.
Projuvenate is founded by Dr Libby Artingstall, a former consultant psychiatrist, and her brother Rob Artingstall, an experienced performance physiotherapist and Head Physio with England Rugby League.
They hope to bridge the gap between healthcare, rehabilitation, and proactive wellbeing.
Dr Libby Artingstall said: “Throughout medical school and much of my career as a doctor, the focus was on what happens when the body or mind goes wrong. But I became increasingly compelled by the question: how do we help people stay well, not just now, but long into the future? That’s what led to Projuvenate.
“Wellness isn’t one-dimensional. At Projuvenate we bring together advanced aesthetic wellness, expert physiotherapy, and science-backed health optimisation to support the skin, body and mind in a fully integrated, medically led environment. ExoMind™ is the perfect example of this philosophy—giving people an evidence-based way to support clarity, focus, and emotional strength.”
She added: “This opening marks a new era for health in the North West. People no longer need to travel to London for these preventative therapies. We’re proud to be putting Manchester on the map for clinical excellence and proactive care that supports every dimension of wellbeing.”
A medical consultation is £75, redeemable against treatment within three months, is required before starting any treatment or programme.
Treatments start from £45 for HaloRed™ therapy, and a six-session ExoMind™ package is priced at £2,200.
Projuvenate will open on 18 September at Manchester Green.
Manchester United announce record revenue despite on-pitch struggles
Danny Jones
Manchester United have declared a record revenue figure for the full 2025 fiscal term, even with their poor performances on the pitch over the past 12 months.
They may still be a continually struggling Premier League side who seem to be in a perpetual state of transition, but they remain nothing short of a global giant in terms of sporting brands.
Yes, despite Man United recording two of the worst finishes in domestic history in the previous two campaigns and head coach Ruben Amorim having already overseen the worst start to a top-flight season in the modern era following the defeat on derby day, the football club has reached a monetary milestone.
According to their official reports for the fourth and final quarter of the financial year, they brought in a record-breaking £666.5 million throughout 2024/25 – but, as always, it’s more complicated than that.
"There are some tough decisions to be made"
BREAKING: Manchester United have announced record revenues for 2024/25 of £666.5m – but the club still made an overall loss of £33m 🚨 pic.twitter.com/jlQS7SMjJ8
Released on Wednesday, 17 September, Manchester United PLC confirmed that they had managed to record the biggest revenue figures on several fronts despite crashing out of the Europa League, finishing 15th in the table overall and failing to secure a place in any European competition this season.
The first half of Amorim‘s tenure at Old Trafford saw the club’s worst competitive placing since 1973/74, a.k.a. the last time the Red Devils were relegated from the first division.
Nevertheless, a fresh shirt sponsorship agreement with Snapdragon, new brand partnerships with the likes of Coca-Cola, an extension of their contract with travel experience company, SportsBreaks, and numerous other deals saw United achieve a record commercial revenue of £333.3m.
Elsewhere, match revenue was also up and reached new heights, tallying approximately £160.3m in the 12 months leading up to 30 June 2025 – the most they have ever registered when it comes to ticket sales, concessions, and other transactions in and around game days.
Although this number is a reduction of more than 70.8% what they lost last year (£113.2m), there is still plenty of concern among supporters over how money is still not only being spent but moved around.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS board did pay sizeable chunks of MUFC’s debt, which has piled up at an alarming rate in the two decades since the Glazer takeover, but there has still been plenty of borrowing.
In addition to a number of shorter-term loans, there has also been an increased level of amortisation and significant transfer spending this summer, despite being admittedly cash-strapped.
As well as actually having less money to play with over the past 12 months, they are also set to receive less in TV rights and broadcasting revenues this season due to not making it into any European competition, hence why they went on a post-season Asian tour to try and make up for funds lost.
It’s estimated that the business earned a further £8 million from these games, but it’s also worth noting that significant sums have been spent not only on new signings but also on severance fees and redundancy packages, so it’s hard to assess how much this extra injection helped with the fine margins.
While it's good to see that we're paying down our long-term debts, I'm a bit worried about how the club have maybe over-leveraged short-term borrowings. Debt restructure needed imo. pic.twitter.com/LQuUdbzK1h
Divisive CEO and former City Football Group exec, Omar Berrada, wrote in the comments section of the full findings and financial report: “As we settle into the 2025/26 season, we are working hard to improve the club in all areas.
“On the field, we are pleased with the additions we have made to our men’s and women’s first team squads over the summer, as we build for the long term. Off the field, we are emerging from a period of structural and leadership change with a refreshed, streamlined organisation equipped to deliver on our sporting and commercial objectives.”
He adds: “We are also investing [in upgrading] our infrastructure, including completion of the £50m redevelopment of our men’s first team building at Carrington, on time and on budget, following prior investment in our women’s team facilities, to create a world-class environment for our players and staff.
“Meanwhile, planning continues to meet our ambition of developing a new stadium at Old Trafford as part of a transformational regeneration of the surrounding community.
Total Manchester United revenue may be up but they’re about to shell out seismic outlay for their new stadium costs.
Berrada signs off by insistig that for the club to have “generated record revenues during such a challenging year for the club demonstrates the resilience which is a hallmark of Manchester United.
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“Our commercial business remains strong as we continue to deliver appealing products and experiences for our fans, and best-in-class value to our partners.”
“As we start to feel the benefits of our cost reduction programme, there is significant potential for improved financial performance, which will, in turn, support our overriding priority: success on the pitch.”
What do you make of Manchester United’s 2024/25 annual report and how it fits into the wider picture/struggles elsewhere around the club?
The Manc -
20th April 2021 
