The first pictures of showcasing the extensive refurbishment of Manchester’s iconic Midland Hotel have been revealed and a date for relaunch has also been announced.
The £14m refurbishment features a stunning transformation of all bedrooms and public areas in the hotel.
The most striking change is to the hotel’s main foyer – which now features a brand new, split-level bar built on a raised platform in the heart of the hotel’s lobby – and provides a spectacular space for both guests and non-guests to enjoy.
The Midland Hotel’s food and beverage offering has also received a brand-new look as part of the transformation and the hotel will now be home to two new venues.
New restaurant concept, Mount Street – which is a modern British style brasserie – combines Northern hospitality with an all-day menu offering, and The Midland’s on-site restaurant, The Midland Lounge, also has an all-day menu serving classic dishes with a modern twist.
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The Midland Hotel
Jason Carruthers – Managing Director of Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland – said: “We are thrilled to have completed The Midland’s extraordinary transformation and look forward to unveiling it to the public, allowing guests to once again experience this iconic building.
“The acquisition of The Midland hotel back in November 2018 marked the start of an extremely exciting chapter for Leonardo Hotels in the UK. The Midland’s £14m investment has allowed us to make our own mark on this famous Manchester property, whilst maintaining the hotel’s historical status.
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“We can’t wait to see the finished product and look forward to welcoming guests, old and new to experience the stylish new surroundings of The Midland.”
The refurbishment follows the full rebrand of the award-winning on-site spa – which transitioned into Rena Spa at The Midland in November 2019 – and offers a wonderful selection of specialist treatments, all using renowned French beauty brand, Caudalie.
Rena Spa at The Midland is also particularly proud to offer a range of Wellness by Germaine De Cappuccini treatments specially designed for those who have or are recovering from cancer.
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The full refurbishment is due for completion at the end of September.
For bookings and more information, you can visit the Midland Hotel website here.
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
17th September 2020 
