The first images of the brand new £250m waterside garden neighbourhood ‘KAMPUS’ have been published.
A joint project by Capital & Centric and HBD, the city centre development boasts over 500 fresh apartments – including 1 and 2-beds built with high ceilings, panoramic views across the city and huge suntrap terraces.
Described as a “bold new addition to Manchester’s skyline”, the KAMPUS North Block has been built with distinctive pixel windows, Lancashire red brick and exposed concrete features.
Interior design work has been crafted by the award-winning YOUTH Studio.
Sat alongside two beautiful Victorian shipping warehouses and a 1960s brutalist tower, the KAMPUS complex is set to become a new home for the city’s creatives and independents – featuring two floors of independent bars, restaurants and shops.
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A canal-side garden full of trees, plants and flowers sits at its centre.
Residents can access a gym, yoga terrace, private cinema and dining room on site.
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KAMPUS also occupies land once owned by the famous ‘Spanking Roger Aytoun‘ – who remains one of Manchester’s most peculiar cult characters from history.
Adam Brady, Executive Director at HBD, said that “each building at KAMPUS has its own distinct character”.
“Whether you fancy living in a rooftop village with unbeatable views across the city or an exposed brick loft is more your thing, we’ve got something for everyone,” he explained.
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“There’ll be loads of places for you to meet your neighbours. As KAMPUS grows you’ll find independent shops, bars and eateries by the lush garden.
“You can catch a film in the rooftop cinema, host a dinner party or have drinks in the lounge or join in a yoga class on the terrace. We’ve even got the Bungalow – an ex-security cabin on stilts overlooking the canal which is our village hall.”
Liam McGroarty, co-Founder at YOUTH, said his company designed KAMPUS interiors to “make them to feel like home”.
“The design is understated with simple details,” he explained.
“Wall colours that add warm tones, floor colours that don’t dictate what you do with the space, furniture made from natural materials. It’s not a white box, but neither is it too much.
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“You bring your own style.”
KAMPUS apartments are described as having ‘no deposit or hidden fees’.
The complex is pet-friendly with a 24-hour on-site team and superfast broadband access.
Tenancies are available from 12 months to 3 years.
Prices begin at £1,125 for a 1-bed apartment and £1,605 for a 2-bed.
Apartments in North Block are available to view from April. To book a viewing visit the Kampus website.
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Two brothers from Oldham are beating out the likes of Taylor Swift in the iTunes charts
Danny Jones
A pair of brothers from Oldham who simply go by Two Connors are now holding on to the top spot in one of the biggest iTunes charts, and they’re beating the likes of Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Bad Bunny and many more.
Stuff your global music stars, we’ll back a duo from Greater Manchester all day long.
Danny and Callum Connor, a couple of blokes from Oldham in their mid-30s, are currently number one in the iTunes singles charts with their latest song, ‘Familiar Faces’, but this isn’t the first time they’ve gone big with a release online.
Carving out their own little corner not only in the old Lancashire borough but a small pocket in the UK’s wider grime, drill, rap and hip-hop scene, they’ve only gotten bigger over the last 18 months or so.
After releasing their first two tracks back in 2024, Callum and Danny have been on a very gradual rise, but they quickly gained a cult local following in and around Oldham.
Writing about life and around the area, with high personal and anecdotal lyrics that feel like niche references and in-jokes specifically for‘Roughyed’ residents – it’s not just music by them but FOR them.
In addition to recording their own unique cover of ‘Bad Habits’ by Ed Sheeran, they also went fairly viral for releasing a music video featuring crowds of local children.
Putting their own chant-based chorus slant on ‘Hi Ho, Hi Ho, “It’s off to Work We Go”‘, written by Mitch Miller and The Sandpipers (yes, as in the main theme from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), it was a fairly radio-friendly tune that was easy for kids and more to sing along with.
With various other natives getting involved in the music video, joining them on the town centre streets and lip-syncing the lyrics, it was circulated online all over Britain and beyond.
You can watch it in full down below.
Fast forward to February 2026, and not only have they grown their following across the region, but even further afield now, as it turns out; currently sitting ahead of ‘Opalite’ from worldwide smash-hit album, The Life of a Showgirl, who needs big label backing, eh?
Bringing smiles to even more Greater Mancs by quite literally shining the spotlight on ‘Familiar Faces’ and punters from nearby pubs such as The Up Stepps Inn and former nightclub Sruples, it is a real tribute to their homeland.
Only time will tell how long they’ll cling to that iTunes top spot, but with nearly 73,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and counting, they might be one of the biggest music names to come out of OL in some time.
In other big news over in Oldham, on the sporting side of things, RLFC are staring down yet more uncertainty, with local hero Bill Quinn also wrapping up his time at the club.
Featured Image — GRM Daily (screenshot via YouTube)
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Manchester urged to ‘come together against hate’ ahead of Britain First march in the city this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is being urged to ‘come together against hate’ ahead of the Britain First march planned in the city centre this weekend.
Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council, has addressed the local community directly, asserting Manchester’s core values as a welcoming city with ‘diversity and respect’ at its heart, and reaffirming that the message from the region’s leaders is one of ‘unity’ and togetherness against hatred ‘in all its forms’.
“Manchester does not welcome Britain First to our city because they seek to divide our communities and spread hatred,” Cllr Craig declared.
We are stronger together…
Which is why we are making a poster available for residents, communities and local organisations to download, share and display.
Founded by anti-abortion campaigner, Britain First is described as being a far-right British fascist and neo-fascist political party and hate group formed in 2011 by members of the former British National Party (BNP).
The party itself, however, states on its own website that it is as a ‘patriotic political party that will put our own people first’.
In an emphatic statement speaking out against Britain First’s views and their intentions to march through the city centre this weekend, Cllr Bev Craig said: “We understand the alarm and distress that comes when a group like Britain First, which is widely regarded as a far-right hate group, chooses to gather in our city.
“However, UK law protects the right to freedom of expression and assembly, and this means that protests are allowed on the condition they engage fully with the local police force.
Cllr Bev Craig urges Manchester to ‘come together against hate’ / Credit: Manchester City Council
“GMP have given assurances that they will be policing this protest seriously, robustly and with public safety as their top priority.
“At a time when groups promoting division seek attention, our strength comes from standing united – celebrating our diversity and supporting one another. Let’s come together and send a clear message that hate has no place in our city.”
Cllr Craig closed out her statement declaring that Manchester ‘stands together’.
“Our unity is stronger than hate and the values that unite us will always hold firm.
“We are a welcoming and friendly city, with a proud history of tolerance, fairness and respect. But the hate and division that Britain First foster has no place here. We have no time for racism or hatred.”
The Manc -
15th March 2021 
