The first images of plans to redevelop the iconic Great Northern Warehouse complex in Manchester city centre have been released.
After Manchester City Council’s Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) laid 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, the owners of Great Northern have unveiled their plans to bring the building “back to vibrant life”.
Owners Trilogy Real Estate and Peterson want to “make best use of the six-acre site”.
They have set out plans for this to be done by improving Great Northern’s pedestrian connections to the rest of the city, removing the “unsightly” 1990s additions of car park ramps and the ‘leisure box’ which houses the cinema, and looking to add medium-scale residential buildings at the south of the site.
The development proposals include a redesign of the public square in front of the Warehouse to create a green oasis for the city with spaces designed for “work, rest and play”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Upper floors would also be turned into high-quality office space that “respects and upgrades” the existing architecture and structure.
Owners of Great Northern have unveiled plans to bring the Grade II-listed building “back to vibrant life” / Credit: Trilogy Real Estate
New pedestrian routes through the site would also be opened to improve connectivity to the wider city centre and create more spaces for community activity and greenery
ADVERTISEMENT
Retention, refurbishment, and access improvements to Deansgate Mews would also be made, with space for local independent businesses to flourish, on top of refurbishment and updates to the Deansgate Terrace, with 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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Each building will have shared amenity space, outside terraces, and access to green space.
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 unveiling of the redevelopment plans, Robert Wolstenholme – Founder & CEO of Trilogy Real Estate – said: “I’m hugely proud of our local team who have worked so hard to get us to the point where we are able talk to the public about the potential for this much-loved site in Central Manchester.
“Our proposals put community, sustainability and local business at the heart of plans for The Great Northern.
“We look forward to progressing the scheme to achieve the best outcome for the city.”
Mancs and the local community are now invited to attend one of four public consultation events on the plans whicb are being held at The Village Hall on Deansgate Mews today, Saturday 10, Thursday 15, and Sunday 18 September.
Trilogy is looking to submit plans to Manchester City Council later in the year, and you can find out more about them here.
Featured Image – Trilogy Real Estate
News
Salford RLFC issue statement as head coach Mike Grady departs after less than three months
Danny Jones
Salford Rugby League Football Club have issued an official statement following the departure of head coach Mike Grady, who has left the role after less than three months in the job.
It has been insisted that this is not a sacking, but rather a joint decision to terminate his contract.
Grady, who took up the mantle at the start of this project following the end of the Salford Red Devils era, was only appointed on 5 January.
He had previously been in charge of the Red Devils’ women’s side over the past couple of years, but moved over to hopefully lead this new era forward.
As you can see, the club confirmed in a statement that they and Grady have “mutually agreed to part ways due to changes in his personal circumstances.”
They go on to write: “We are forever indebted to Mike for his unwavering commitment to the club. We want to thank him for all his hard work since taking on the role as Head Coach in very challenging circumstances in December.”
Also sharing a comment from former player turned CEO, Ryan Brierley, he said: “Mike came in as Coach at a time when the club had just come through one of its toughest times with the double impact of relegation and liquidation.
“He was willing to roll up his sleeves and bring stability to the club on the pitch. The fact we were able to field a team against Oldham in January, after only three weeks, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination. To beat Hunslet at home only four weeks later was a fantastic achievement.
“Mike will always be remembered as the person [who] strived and achieved the objective of sending out the first Salford team of this new era. A team running onto the pitch, after so much hard work, gave us all something to cheer about. We also remember how well he successfully guided our women’s team to third and fourth place finishes in the Championship.”
Sharing his own farewell message, he went on to add: “I want to thank Ryan for the opportunity to represent this great club and fan base. What we created at the start of the year was pretty special, and I’m proud to have built that.
“I’m happy to leave the club in a better place than I found it and wish the club all the best for the future.” Salford RLFC have already assured that they are now recruiting for his replacement.
Price caps and standardisations to be introduced for vet care in UK following major investigation
Emily Sergeant
Reforms to the veterinary industry to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market are set to be introduced this year.
After an independent inquiry group recently found that the current system is leaving pet owners ‘in the dark’, with a lack of information to help make informed decisions leading to weak competition and high prices, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has this week concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK.
The final report green-lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate, and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.
It outlines the final remedies and recommendations, which together, will transform the market.
Remedies and recommendations in the report range from price caps and standardisations, through to upfront cost transparency.
We’ve set out major reforms to the UK’s veterinary sector now our market investigation is complete.
Our reforms will help pet owners better navigate the vet services market and will start coming into force later this year.
— Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) March 24, 2026
Practices will soon be required to publish a comprehensive price list for standard services – including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, written prescriptions and cremation options – so pet owners know up-front how much certain services are expected to cost.
They’ll also have to make it clear whether they are part of a group or an independent business, and provide a written estimate in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more (including aftercare costs), plus an itemised bill.
Written prescription fees are set to be capped at £21 for the first medicine, and then £12.50 for any additional medicines.
Price caps and standardisations are set to be introduced for vet care in UK / Credit: Pxhere
There’s also set to be changes to the complaints process, as practices will now be required to follow a transparent, accessible, in-house complaints process, and engage in mediation where disputes cannot be resolved.
The CMA says an ‘unprecedented’ response from both the public and the sector has helped to shape the final report.
The next step is for the Government to respond to the report formally – with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, commenting: “We are grateful for all the work of the Competition and Markets Authority, and we will respond to the report and set out next steps for our proposed reforms in due course.
“This Government is focused on helping families save money on vet services by improving transparency and choice around pricing, so the public can make informed decisions about their pets’ care.”
Emily Sergeant -
7th September 2022 
