The former home of the BBC on Oxford Road is now home to Manchester’s highest private dining space.
Boasting stunning views across the city, at 35 storeys high Circle Square’s top-floor Astronomer private dining space is officially the highest private dining space in Manchester – sitting a staggering 14 floors above the dining room at Spinningfields’ restaurant 20 Stories.,
Inside The Astronomer, Manchester’s new highest private dining space and roof terrace / Image: Vita Group
Housed at the top of the new residential development, the dining space also features a bookable private roof terrace, which stands tall at over 110 metres above city level and celebrates breath-taking views across the city.
It has been built as part of the huge regeneration project Circle Square, a joint venture between Vita Group and Bruntwood SciTech that is currently one of the north’s largest urban regeneration projects.
The development will also bring the first and largest public park created in the city in a decade, by way of a beautifully designed new green space created to be enjoyed by residents and passers-by.
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Called Symphony Park, the new green space is open to the public and brings some much-needed greenery to the busiest bus route in Europe.
Inside The Astronomer, Manchester’s new highest private dining space and roof terrace / Image: Vita Group
As the joint venture nears completion and heads into its final stage, tenants are now being welcomed to take residence in the building’s luxury apartments designed by Vita Living.
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As well as the breathtaking top floor dining room, the snazzy new building also features three more private dining rooms which have been purpose-built for the enjoyment of residents.
First launched in January 2021, Vita Living East is now nearing full occupancy with only a handful of the 266 apartments still available.
Vita Living North also boasts 417 design-led apartments across 35 storeys, with class-leading amenity space over three floors, bookable suites, a 24-hour gym, communal lounges, and casual workspaces.
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Inside The Astronomer, Manchester’s new highest private dining space and roof terrace / Image: Vita Group
Boutique fitness studio TRIB3 has also now to officially opened its doors to the public, alongside a host of retail and leisure brands such as Canvas and Hello Oriental all heading into their final stages of fit-out ready to open.
They join Circle Square’s thriving urban village of quirky independent retailers at Hatch, which has been bustling since it first opened in 2017 and now welcomes over 55,000 visitors each month.
Inside Circle Square, the home of Manchester’s new highest private dining space and roof terrace / Image: Vita Group
Vita Group’s Mark Stott said: “The sheer sense of occasion really hits you when you arrive at Circle Square now that park is open, and work draws to a close. Symphony Park, Manchester’s first public park to open in decades creates a harmonic escape from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Road.
“Vita Living North completes the puzzle, boasting some of the very best luxury apartments in the city with unbeatable views. The scale of investment which has gone into Manchester’s Circle Square is something which hasn’t been delivered in a city outside of London and Vita Living North apartments offer the very best in terms of place, amenities, and location. As such, we’re expecting unprecedented demand as these apartments launch to market for the first time.”
Feature image – Vita Group
Manchester
Sale Sharks are pioneering an inclusive rugby programme for people with Down’s Syndrome
Danny Jones
Sale Sharks are currently pioneering a heartwarming and, crucially, inclusive rugby programme for people with Down’s Syndrome.
The native organisation has always been good at working across the local community, but this is the kind of grassroots sports backing that we want to see more of across the region.
Working in collaboration with PREM Rugby and the Premiership Women’s division, Sale Sharks spawned the important scheme just a few short years ago, dubbing it the Crusaders Fins Club (CFC).
Driven by the overarching theme of ‘belonging’, these sessions are now happening every other Sunday at the club’s High Performance Training Centre over in Carrington.
Today we’re celebrating World Down Syndrome Day
This year’s theme, Together Against Loneliness, is a powerful reminder of the role we all play in creating social connection
— Sale Sharks Foundation (@SaleSharksFdn) March 21, 2026
In its simplest terms, this increasingly popular and important bi-weekly programme is a dedicated tag rugby team for individuals with Down’s Syndrome who love the sport.
Not just inspired by but named in memory of Sean Browne – a beloved player and Sharks fan whose favourite team was the New Zealand Super Rugby side, the Crusaders – isn’t just about playing, but fundamentally helping those involved “become more active and increase their confidence and life skills.”
Sean sadly passed away at the age of just 32, but he touched so many people’s lives in and around the club, as well as across the Greater Manchester rugby scene, and now his legacy lives on through CFC.
Prior to it being founded back in 2020, there wasn’t any accessible provision to deliver Down’s Syndrome specific rugby sessions, but now families from all over the North West and even beyond travel to take part, with at least nineteen regular participants attending each and every session.
One of those is 27-year-old James, who said of CFC: “I love it here! We’re a family of Sale Sharks. Playing here makes me feel excited. The coaches are lovely and kind.”
It also goes without saying that, besides serving as a key outlet and extended support network for those involved, it also provides them with purpose, a safe space to be themselves and enjoy the game, as well as the opportunity to build lasting friendships.
Sharks Foundation CEO, Abi Dean, added: “The programme continues to be a joyful, inclusive space where young people with Down’s Syndrome thrive through sport, and where families can come together to form a powerful support network rooted in shared experience and belonging.”
“With regular sessions growing confidence and friendships beyond the pitch, Crusaders Fin Club shows that rugby is a place where everyone can belong.”
This weekend, specifically (27–29 March), round 12 of the Gallagher PREM and round 16 of the PWR will see their clubs unite for the first time to celebrate inclusivity across the game, celebrating work like that done by the Sale Sharks Foundation with the Crusaders squad.
It also served as a reminder to fans that in the world of rugby, “everyone is welcome, and anyone can play”. You can find out more right HERE.
Stretford’s free neighourhood festival returns this weekend
Danny Jones
Stretford’s still fledgling and completely free all-day festival is BACK for 2026 and is happening this coming weekend.
So, if you didn’t have plans this Saturday, you do now.
Simply named StretFest, this is the third edition of the now annual celebration in one of Manchester’s fastest growing neighbourhoods – and an increasingly up-and-coming one at that.
Kicking off in the morning and running right into the wee small hours thanks to a healthy dose of varied daytime activities, evening events and de facto afterparties, there’s plenty on the cards.
🎉 It's the big one on Saturday! Stretfest is back & we're thrilled to have a fab selection of LIVE Music on from 3pm – 8pm for it!
We can't wait to greet loads of faces, old and new. #Stretford will be buzzing with activity so come on down & make a day of it ! 🍻 pic.twitter.com/16Rnn5w1qj
StretFest only started back in July 2024, but it has quickly grown into a cult favourite not only among locals living in and around the Trafford town, but also among plenty of people from all over Greater Manchester, with last year seeing more visitors than ever.
Based not just over at Stretford Mall but the surrounding parks, Public Hall, across the bridge and an area they dub ‘The Beach’, there are several distinct but equally vibrant hubs, all offering something different.
For instance, venues like Longford Tap, Head Bar and Stretford Canteen are all involved, as are the likes of the Library and Martin Luther Church, but also recently opened cafes like Swig and Cuppello’s, as well as many, many more.
To be honest, we’ll probably be popping over for all the food and drink alone.
And, of course, there’s going to be plenty of live music, DJ sets, other bits of entertainment, and all-around fun to be enjoyed; there’s even going to be everything from arts, crafts and workshops, to pirates and boat rides.
Getting underway from as early 9am – thanks to the likes of the regular Stretford parkrun crew teaming up with the festival, and Mr & Mrs hosting a coffee morning for their first birthday – there really is going to be something for everyone from start to finish.
You can see the full StretFest schedule or build your own personal day-into-night programme HERE.
As for what else is on the cards for the final few days of March (give or take a couple), you can find out what else is on in and around the ten boroughs down below.
Georgina Pellant -
26th October 2021 
