Manchester

Demolition work begins on the iconic Showcase Cinema and Belle Vue Stadium

Planning permission has been granted for the Gorton landmarks to make way for a new state-of-the-art high school and housing estate.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 25th May 2021

Demolition work has officially begun to pull down two of East Manchester’s most memorable landmarks.

It comes after it was announced that the Gorton landmarks would make way for a new state-of-the-art high school and housing estate, with planning permission for the scheme granted in December 2019.

Despite it being reported last September by the MEN that campaigners had launched an 11th hour bid to save the venue, the former Belle Vue Stadium – which opened in 1926, and was seen as a crown jewel of the community as the first purpose-built greyhound racing stadium in the UK – is set to be replaced by 167 houses and 80 apartments.

Due to its listing as an ‘asset of community value’, campaigners were given a six-month window to try and raise enough money to make a bid for it, but that window has now sadly passed and developers have now acquired the 12-acre site.

Local residents and passers-by have noticed that the stadium has now been fenced off, with demolition work underway and that is set to last around 26 weeks.

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Speaking on the start of demolition work, Gordon Innes – Managing Director at Countryside Properties – said: “We’re making great progress in our regeneration of this important site and have now commenced a delicate demolition and remediation process following the detailed archaeological excavation of the land.

“It is extremely important to us to recognise the heritage of Belle Vue and pay homage to its iconic status.

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“We have taken great care to record original parts of the stadium during the soft strip of the structure so that its history will be preserved while we strive to deliver much-needed affordable housing in East Manchester”.

Diggers were also reported to have moved in on the site of the iconic Showcase Cinema – which was confirmed to have closed for good in October 2020 – towards the end of April.

Showcase Cinema – which occupied the site of the famous Belle Vue entertainment complex – was unlike anything the area had ever seen before when it first opened on Hyde Road back in 1989, and it was one of the first multi-screen venues to open up in Manchester – bringing blockbuster flicks, quick queues, and car parks to fit a 1,000 cars along with it.

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A series of photos captured by local urban explorer Exploring with Jake – known to his 47K+ followers for “exploring abandoned buildings and old work places in the UK” – went viral back in February, and showed the cinema’s well-known frontage appearing rather run-down, with the inside also looking like a shell of its former self.

It was a pretty eerie sight for anyone who has fond memories of the place, but it wasn’t set to be an eerie sight for long as Showcase Cinema agreed to sell the land to Manchester City Council last year.

A formal planning application to redevelop the extensive plot was officially lodged in January.

This news also gave Mancunians a glimpse at plans for The Co-Op Academy Belle Vue – which will be a free school for 1,200 pupils – for the first time, before it will welcome its first set of 120 Year 7 students this September.

The plans released to the public showed a modern L-shaped building split into three ‘zones’.

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It starts with a two-storey sports block, which will boast a sports hall, auditorium, and a drama studio, and the central three-storey building includes the school’s reception, a community hub with a library on the floor above, and a dining hall.

Sir Robert McAlpine / Space Architects
Sir Robert McAlpine / Space Architects

An adjoining sports hall also has a separate entrance for out of hours use by the wider Belle Vue community, alongside a 140-space car park.

To the rear of the proposed building – which is currently a car park – two large playing fields will be provided, along with a multi-use games area (MUGA) and training grids, which would have three courts to accommodate tennis and basketball courts, a five-a-side football pitch, and practice areas for netball and hockey.

Things are going to look very different, that’s for sure.

“We are very excited about this new school for East Manchester,” said the Head of The Co-Op Academy Belle Vue, Benjamin Barker – who started in the role in January.

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“Being able to build and help develop the Belle Vue area and help provide much-needed school places is very important and we are very pleased that Manchester City Council chose Co-op Academies Trust to help make this goal a reality.”

He added: “We’re here to improve the whole community, not just those who attend our new school.”

Councillor Garry Bridges – Executive Member for Children and Schools at Manchester City Council – also added: “We’re fully committed to ensuring there are enough school places right across the city in the areas where they’re needed, and that all children and young people in Manchester, regardless of where they live, benefit from the best education in the best buildings.”

Featured Image – Exploring With Jake

Manchester

Independent review into police actions during Manchester synagogue terror attack finds ‘no misconduct’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant GMP synagogue attack

An independent review into the terror attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall last week has concluded there was ‘no misconduct’ by the police.

The investigation was carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the shocking knife and car attack, which took place last Thursday 2 October on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.

Two men sadly lost their lives during the attack – Adrian Daulby, 53, who is believed to have been shot dead by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) while trying to stop the attacker from entering the synagogue, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, a worshipper who also helped stop the attacker.

The attacker has been named as 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie – a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent who lived in Prestwich – who at the time was on bail for an alleged rape, before being shot dead by police.

The IOPC says its investigation is ‘mandatory’ in situations where police use of force may have resulted in the death of a member of the public.

Their investigation looked at the actions and decision-making of the officers involved in the incident.

“Over the coming days, we will continue to review the substantial amount of evidence gathered up to now, and will begin the process of obtaining more detailed statements from police witnesses,” the IOPC said in a statment.

GMP’s Chief Constable, Sir Stephen Watson, says he ‘welcomes’ the IOPC’s finding that no misconduct is apparent in the actions required of officers in ‘bringing this dreadful attack to an end’.

GMP synagogue attack
An independent review into police actions during the Manchester synagogue terror attack has found ‘no misconduct’ / Credit: GMP

He said in a statement addressing the matter: “Our thoughts will always be with the families and loved ones of those directly affected by this tragedy together with the wider community across Greater Manchester and beyond. Our significant presence and determination to protect everyone from all faith communities across our city region will continue unabated.”

With the IOPC’s investigation into the incident still ongoing, CC Watson assured ‘GMP is committed to openness, transparency, and candour’.

“In respect of all our previous dealings with [al Shamie], and we have therefore asked the IOPC to include this aspect in their ongoing review,” CC Watson continued.

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“This includes previous reports of harassment, and an arrest for reports of rape over the past year, for which he was on bail at the time of the attack.”

Featured Image – GMP

Manchester

Manchester nightclub clamps down on no-phones policy after ‘disappointing’ rule breakers

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Manchester nightclub Amber's clamps down on no-phones policy after 'disappointing' rule breakers

Amber’s, a nightclub in Manchester with a strict no-filming policy inside, has shared a strict new set of rules to prevent people using their phones.

The venue says it’s seen an ‘increased amount of phones on the dance floor’ despite its very clear policy against such a thing.

That’s included a recent set from Fred Again, where videos of his show were all over social media the next day.

Amber’s has said it’s ‘disappointing’ to see people flouting the rules of the space, leading to the venue introducing a zero tolerance policy.

Fans who are caught filming on their phones will be asked to leave Amber’s on the spot – no second chances.

There’ll even be extra members of staff patrolling the venue, to protect the ‘vibe of the space’.

“If you are spotted at any point across the night using your phone to record, you will no longer be permitted inside Amber’s,” they shared.

Amber’s wrote in a statement today: “Since our launch back in December, we have made it very clear that we are a No Phones venue. We want to create an experience for everyone where they are present in the moment and not distracted by phones.

“While the majority of people that attend Amber’s keep their phones away, there are a select few that don’t.

“This is of course disappointing.

“Over the recent weeks and months, we have seen an increased amount of phones filming on the dancefloor and we are aware of numerous videos shot on phone appearing online.

“To those that come to Amber’s and respect our house rules, thank you, you are contributing to an incredible vibe in the room.

“For those that don’t, we ask that you think about the space and the people around you before removing your stickers.

“The rules previously have been that if you are seen filming on your phone, you are politely asked to stop, if you are seen again, you are asked to leave the venue.

“From now on, as a renewed pledge to our No Phones policy, if you are seen recording in the venue, you will be asked to leave, there will be no second chances.

“There will now be extra members of staff patrolling the venue, ensuring that the vibe of the space is protected and if you are spotted at any point across the night using your phone to record, you will no longer be permitted inside Amber’s.

“Open your mind. Honour the concept. Respect the space.”

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Featured image: Supplied

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