Exciting plans to redevelop the Great Northern site in Manchester have today been approved by Manchester City Council.
After the Council’s Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) set out ambitions back in 2017 for the historic Grade II-listed leisure complex to be established as a “cultural, business and residential” destination for the future, developers have announced that plans to bring the building “back to vibrant life” have today been approved.
Owners Trilogy Real Estate and Peterson want to “make best use of the six-acre site”.
Today’s approved plans will see Great Northern’s pedestrian connections to the rest of the city improved, by removing the “unsightly” 1990s additions of car park ramps and the ‘leisure box’ that houses the cinema, as well as adding medium-scale residential buildings at the south of the site.
A redesign of the public square in front of the Warehouse to create a green oasis for the city with spaces for “work, rest and play” has also been approved.
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Manchester City Council has approved plans for the ‘reinvention’ of Great Northern Warehouse / Credit: Trilogy Real Estate
Upper floors are to be turned into high-quality office space that “respects and upgrades” the existing architecture and structure.
New pedestrian routes through the site will be opened to improve connectivity to the wider city centre and create more spaces for community activity and greenery
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Retention, refurbishment, and access improvements to Deansgate Mews will also be made, with space for local independent businesses to flourish, on top of refurbishment and updates to the Deansgate Terrace, and more offices on the upper floors above retail and leisure.
That’s not all either, as redevelopment plans also include 750 apartments across two taller buildings and a lower-scale podium building.
Each building will have shared amenity space, outside terraces, and access to green space.
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Trilogy Real Estate and Peterson want to “make best use of the six-acre site” / Credit: Trilogy Real EstateRedevelopment plans “respect and upgrade” the existing architecture and structure / Credit: Trilogy Real Estate
Speaking on the approval of redevelopment plans today, Robert Wolstenholme – Founder & CEO of Trilogy Real Estate – said: “A huge team has worked tirelessly and with huge passion for over eight years to listen, design, and refine to arrive at a proposed scheme we hope Manchester will proud of.
“There is much still to do and we will continue to work hard to bring to life what has been in our imaginations for so many years.
“We greatly look forward to continuing to build a community of the best of the north at the Great Northern.”
Work is expected to begin as early as 2024 / Credit: Trilogy Real Estate
“We are delighted that the proposals for the Great Northern have been approved,” added Nick Owen, partner at architects SimpsonHaugh.
“We now look forward to delivering on our vision for this important site, creating a thriving and sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood, celebrating the site’s unique built heritage, and creating a place for everyone to enjoy.”
Met Office gives verdict on how Storm Boelo aftermath will affect Greater Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
Storm Boelo is finally on his way out, and now the Met Office has given its verdict on what we can expect from the rest of the week.
In the aftermath of two successive storms, Storm Austen followed by Storm Boelo – the latter of which affected Greater Manchester – the UK is now able to begin recovering from the effects of the adverse weather.
But the Met Office has warned that, although there is no named storm, strong winds and heavy rain will continue to affect parts of the UK early this week, before high pressure brings calmer conditions.
Yellow national severe weather warnings are in place for parts of Scotland and western areas of the UK today (Tuesday 27 October), including areas of the North West, as gales and spells of rain bring the potential for ongoing disruption around the region, particularly on exposed coasts and higher ground.
“The continued winds could hamper recovery efforts in some places,” forecasters also unfortunately confirmed.
⚠️ Strong winds and heavy rain continue across parts of the UK early this week with a yellow weather warning in place, before high pressure brings calmer conditions for many from Wednesday ⛅
Read our news release to find out more 👇
https://t.co/EQU4vvaA3B https://t.co/hpvTd8v7EZ
As rest of the week pans out though, conditions will begin to settle down and showers are expected to become ‘less frequent’, while winds also ease for most, although gales could continue for a time in the far north.
Thursday is expected be ‘largely dry’ with lighter winds and variable cloud, with a touch of mist and fog likely across parts of England and Wales during the morning.
From Friday and into the weekend, light rain will team up to potentially affect northwestern areas of England, but for the most part, temperatures are expected to remain close to, or slightly above, average for the time of year.
“From Wednesday, high pressure will start to build which will ease the winds and bring a quieter and largely drier end to the week for many, although some rain is still possible in the North and West,” explained Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Steven Keates.
“However, with wind warnings in place, those in warnings areas, particularly in northern Scotland and western high ground, continue to be exposed to strong winds and heavy rain before the more settled weather arrives.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Popular pumpkin patch attraction describes ‘catastrophic’ impact of Storm Boelo
Daisy Jackson
Bates Farm, one of the most popular pumpkin patch attractions in the North West, has shared its heartbreak after Storm Boelo forced its closure on the busiest day of the season.
The Warrington-based family farm said the financial impact has been ‘honestly catastrophic’, after they had to cancel all tickets for Sunday.
Sisters Ali and Fiona Wilshaw, who run the farm, said it was simply not safe to allow members of the public onto the farm in the storm, with ‘crazy’ gusts of wind.
They later shared a video that showed their marquee was badly damaged and many footpaths turned to deep mud.
The sisters said they were ‘heartbroken’ to have to close at such a busy time, but stressed to followers that ‘your safety and our integrity will always come first’.
On Saturday, as Storm Austen and Storm Boelo chased each other across the UK, several people shared videos of themselves getting battered by the weather at Bates Farm.
And it’s pretty clear from that why Ali and Fi decided to cancel all tickets and close for the day on Sunday.
They wrote: “We have put in so much love, energy and investment putting on this event at this scale. The cost to cancel and refund everyone today on our busiest day of the season is honestly catastrophic, but business aside, your safety and our integrity will always come first.
“To think last night we were running round Tesco trying to stock up on milk and now we are in the depths of recovering the site to go again tomorrow. All emails and enquiries are being responded to as quickly as possible and we are doing our best to open up more available slots next week.
“We are being tested like never before, but pulling together in true force. Huge shout out to the whole team and Farmer Fi the absolute queen in any crisis.
“Thank you all for your patience and especially thank you to those who have sent such kind words and support, we are so grateful to have customers like you.
“We will be back tomorrow to enjoy the remaining of this tough season, we are putting in so many provisions with wood chip paths, undercover seating and an indoor barn to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Ali & Fi.”
Anyone who had tickets to visit Bates Farm on Sunday will be refunded, and can book in for another date.
Bates Farm has safely reopened its autumnal experience and pumpkin patch today.
Emily Sergeant -
16th February 2023 
