More than 3,000 new homes, and “unparalleled access” to employment, retail, leisure, and recreation could be on its way to Salford.
That’s because “ambitious” plans to regenerate Salford Quays and MediaCity have just been unveiled.
Building on the ‘Salford Quays 2030 Vision’, and outlining what are said to be “four key aspirations” for the waterfront neighbourhood, artist impression images of what the area could look like if the plans are approved by Salford City Council‘s planning committee following a consultation starting next week, have also been released.
The plans and images show what would be a more “vibrant and convenient” town centre – with additional commercial office space, high-quality and affordable homes, and new public areas and green spaces.
Ultimately, developers say they just want to “enhance” the current waterfront space.
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‘Ambitious’ plans to regenerate Salford Quays and MediaCity have been unveiled / Credit: MediaCity
The vast scale of the proposed regeneration project would stretch MediaCity’s current site and double it in size to include the area around Quayside too
Developers say the plans are “defined” by four quarters each characterised by a specific purpose.
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These four areas include ‘The Media Quarter’, which encompasses the current cluster of creative, tech and digital companies positioned around the main Piazza and along the Manchester Ship Canal, and ‘The Waterfront and Gateway’ zone, which will “maximise” the unique waterfront setting with a new pedestrian link bridge from MediaCity to The Lowry and Quayside, and some new all-weather pavilions.
There’ll also be ‘The Living Hub’, which is where the more than 3,000 new “highly sustainable” homes would take shape, as well as new businesses and convenience retail.
Finally, there’d also be ‘The Culture and Community Hub’, which is centred in and around Quayside and The Lowry Theatre, and is described as being the “vibrant cultural, leisure, and retail heart” of the whole destination.
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What MediaCity and Salford waterfront currently looks like / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
MediaCity’s Managing Director Stephen Wild said the proposed plans are a “once in a generation” transformation for the area of Salford and its future for the next decade.
He added: “We want to deliver an unrivalled destination which will provide more quality homes, employment opportunities, community facilities, a rich cultural and leisure scene while making the most of The Quays greatest assets.
“We’re creating a place for the people of Salford to be proud of, which is why feedback on the proposed framework from our local community is so important.”
Keen to have your say on the plans? A drop-in event is taking place on Wednesday 18 October between 12-6:30pm on the 6th floor of Orange Tower in MediaCity.
After the launch event, the information boards will then be on display to review for six weeks in the Customer Service Centre – which is on the upper level of the Quayside shopping centre.
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Feedback on the plans can be submitted online from 18 October here.
Featured Image – MediaCity
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2024 Manchester Marathon raises £29 million for local economy and over £3.7m for charity
Danny Jones
Just under a fortnight on from the 2024 Manchester Marathon and the numbers are finally, with the annual race generating nearly £30 million for the local economy and raising over £3.7m for charity.
This year’s Adidas Manchester Marathon saw record numbers of runners and spectators as over 30,000 took part in the popular race, up by roughly 6,000 from 2023, and more than 125k turned up to line the streets of Greater Manchester.
As a result, these huge crowds spent upwards of £29.2 million at business around the city centre and around the 10 boroughs last weekend, serving as one of the most significant contributions to the local economy on the annual calendar.
Not only was this an approximately £8m increase on last year’s tally but, most importantly, a sizeable chunk of that went straight into both regional and national charities.
The 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon was a spectacular day for the city and its economy.
Beyond the boost to local vendors, the hospitality sector and retail businesses, over £3.7 million were allocated to charities such as Alzheimer’s Charity, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and The Christie.
Over £32,000 was also raised for the Trafford Active Fund, with £1 from every paid entry to the Adidas Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half donated directly to the initiative that benefits local sports clubs and organisations through Trafford Council.
Better still, with City of Trees selected as the chosen ‘Green Runner’ charity, the eco-friendly drive saw roughly 7% of participants opt out of receiving either a finisher t-shirt, medal or both.
The money saved in production goes towards maintaining woodlands and wildlife across Greater Manchester.
Together you have raised over £3.7 million for charitable causes, adding even more meaning to those 26.2 miles 💕 Well done and thank you to all those who fundraised and donated! 🌟Tag us in those charity top pictures from last weekend 😍😍#ManchesterMarathonpic.twitter.com/5gsi6NtFzB
This year’s Manchester Marathon also helped produce some of the highest number of passengers on public transport in the city’s history, with a over 175,000 journeys made on Metrolink alone – the highest number of journeys ever recorded on a single day.
This was a 20% increaseon 2023’s race day (145k), spotlighting how the event continues to be more environmentally conscious as years go by.
With the 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon confirmed to be taking place on Sunday, 27 April next year – and over 12,000 places already sold – the city can already look forward to reaping the economic and social benefits of hosting one of Europe’s largest, flattest, friendliest and most-loved marathons.
Featured Images — Adidas Manchester Marathon/The Manc Group
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Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade
Danny Jones
We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.
Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.
The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.
Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…
Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.
As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.
You already know the rest.
Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.
Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.
If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.
All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.
Emily Sergeant -
12th October 2023 
