Thee owners of AO Arena, formally Manchester Arena, ASM Global, have said they are “wholly disappointed” in the decision to approve a new £350m arena in Eastlands.
Oak View Group have been granted planning permission to begin work on the 23,500-capacity venue – despite more than 580 objections raised in a public consultation.
ASM Global, who are currently in the process of revamping Manchester Arena to accommodate 24,000 people, have expressed concerns that the city cannot sustain two huge venues.
However, the council have given the Eastlands arena the green light – with work due to begin in November and complete in 2023.
ASM Global representatives said there was “compelling evidence that shows there is simply no market for a second major arena in Manchester.”
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“This decision will have a significantly adverse impact for our existing arena, and the wider city centre businesses and attractions it supports,” said an ASM spokesperson.
“Clear evidence has been presented on multiple occasions that demonstrates the application for an Eastlands Arena relies on flawed research, impossible market projections, is in defiance of national and local policy, and does not align with the adopted Core Strategy to support sustainable growth in the city. Why then has it been so readily approved?
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“Fundamental questions remain as to whether this is truly the right choice for Manchester, particularly in the current climate. Despite the initial plans for the area, starting with the 2017 Eastlands Regeneration Framework, emphasising any proposals should complement the city centre offer, we firmly believe, and are supported in analysis from the likes of Charles River Associates, Oxford Economics and Grant Thornton, that this second arena will instead pull visitors, footfall and spend away from the city centre.
Manchester’s AO Arena
The statement continued: “It also places plans to redevelop and transform Manchester Arena – currently submitted for approval and supported by over 7,000 in Greater Manchester – in jeopardy. There is simply no business case to support a significant investment if the market is halved.
“We are considering our position, and will review all options to ensure the future of Manchester Arena, and our city centre economy, is secured, despite the pressures posed by the approval of this application.”
By 2023, Manchester could be home to both of the biggest indoor arenas in Britain – positioned just a few miles apart from one another.
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Thunderstorms could hit Greater Manchester today as Met Office issues yellow weather warning
Danny Jones
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for parts of the country as Greater Manchester could be hit with a thunderstorm today (Tuesday, 18 June).
So much for summer getting started.
It looked like Manchester was finally being treated to some patches of sun as we approach the warmer months but it now looks as though the forecast is set to snap back into local normality with the risk of thunderstorms hitting the country this week.
Yellow weather warnings have been issued not just in our area but across the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, parts of the East Midlands and various other regions across the UK.
— Met Office – NW England (@metofficeNWEng) June 18, 2024
The warning has been officially set to last from 11am this morning until 9pm this evening across Greater Manchester, with Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside and the city centre all likely to be affected.
As stated on the Met Office website, the conditions are expected to cause disruption to public transport and travel in general, stating that “there is a good chance driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus”.
“Short-term loss of power and other services is possible”, as well as “some flooding of a few homes and businesses”, along with the chance of falling debris and damage to buildings/structures.
Delays to train and bus services are also possible.
Thunderstorms are expected to hit Manchester today. (Credit: Met Office)
The meteorologists went on to explain that “slow-moving thunderstorms and heavy showers may cause some disruption to travel and outdoor activities”, with the heaviest period of rainfall expected from around noon for most areas.
Here in Greater Manchester, however, it is thought that the most significant downpour will take place around 7pm. Meanwhile, heat-wise, they forecast that things are expected to stay “generally cool but feeling warm in any sunshine”, only reaching a top temperature of around 15C.
We hope you brought your anorak to work today.
That being said, the weather is said to improve from Wednesday onwards, with highs of around 21C predicted for Thursday and Friday.
Massive £5m cannabis farm with thousands of plants uncovered in Stockport
Emily Sergeant
Police have uncovered a massive cannabis farm with thousands of plants estimated to be worth around £5 million in Stockport.
Neighbourhood officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Stockport district were alerted by the electricity board to the possible growing of cannabis on Lower Hillgate, located in the centre of the Greater Manchester town, at around 10am last Thursday (13 June).
When police attended the premises, they discovered a huge cannabis farm inside the large unoccupied building.
A whopping 3,325 plants were recovered, with an estimated street value of £5 million.
Following the seizing of the huge haul of cannabis plants, GMP says the area was subsequently assessed and made safe by professionals, before the dismantling and removal of the plants took place over the course of last Friday and Saturday (14 and 15 June).
A police investigation has been opened, but at this time, no arrests have been made, and enquiries are “ongoing”, according to GMP.
Inspector Amreek Singh, from GMP’s Stockport district, said the uncovering of this cannabis farm is “a great find” for the neighbourhood team, and is appealing to the public to come forward with any information they may have that could assist enquiries.
Lowe Hillgate in Stockport town centre, near to where the cannabis farm was uncovered / Credit: Google Maps
“Our neighbourhood team are committed to tackling the supply and distribution of illegal products throughout the town,” Inspector Singh explained.
“Cannabis farms on this scale can be linked to serious and organised crime gangs, and the drugs they sell have a significant adverse impact on our communities. It drives violence, and can lead to vulnerable people being exploited, as well as leading to numerous problems such as addiction and health issues.
“Our work has ensured that thousands of cannabis plants will not be hitting the streets.”
Anyone with any information about drugs supply in their area is asked to get in touch with their local GMP officers, and contact police either on 101, via the Live Chat function on gmp.police.uk, or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.