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First look pictures of Midland Hotel’s refurbishment and relaunch date revealed

The full refurbishment is due for completion at the end of September.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th September 2020
The Midland Hotel

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.

News

Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s official… Chester Zoo has been named to best zoo in the UK for 2024.

Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world – but now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.

The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.

Based on millions of online reviews, the new ranking puts the beloved Cheshire-based attraction ahead of the country’s other zoos after earning consistently good feedback from its visitors.

Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024 / Credit: Chester Zoo

According to Chester Zoo, the “wonderful news” means that, as a conservation charity, it can continue its work with countries across the world to “help all animals survive and thrive”, as well as provide expert care to the 37,000 animals who currently call the zoo their home.

The zoo has also thanked its visitors for all their continued support each year, as this allows to “keep making a difference”.

“With every admission ticket, membership, animal adoption, or experience purchased, you are contributing to our mission of preventing extinction,” Chester Zoo said in a statement.

Speaking on the coveted new TripAdvisor title, Jamie Chirston, who is the CEO at Chester Zoo, says he’s “over the moon to be named the best zoo in the UK”, adding in a statement that: “It’s an incredible achievement and especially pleasing given it’s based on thousands upon thousands of genuine reviews and opinions.

“It’s a real seal of approval from our visitors, and testament to every single one of our dedicated, hardworking, and talented staff that make our conservation zoo the wonderful place it is.

“Every time someone walks through our gates, not only do they enjoy all kinds of wildlife experiences and a have great day out, but they’re also contributing to the vital conservation work we carry out here and around the world, and that’s why, as a not-for-profit conservation zoo, this top TripAdvisor ranking means such an awful lot to us.

It’s all thanks to more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings by visitors on TripAdvisor / Credit: Chester Zoo

“It’s confirmation that we’re getting things right for our visitors, [which is] especially important as, together, we’re preventing extinction and making a real difference for wildlife.”

The UK’s best zoo isn’t the only title Chester Zoo has claimed this month either, as TripAdvisor has also listed it as the eighth-best zoo or aquarium to visit in the whole of Europe too.

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So it double congratulations are in order – and they couldn’t be more well-deserved, right?

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

News

Football fan handed ban and hefty fines for ‘tragedy chanting’ during Man United v Liverpool match

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A football fan has been handed a football banning order and some hefty fines for ‘tragedy chanting’ at Old Trafford last month.

Michael Avery, from Manchester, was in attendance at Manchester United‘s home ground last month as the Red Devils took on fierce local rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter final on Sunday 17 March, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

But due to his actions at the hotly-anticipated match, the 49-year-old has now been “successfully convicted”.

His convictions come after GMP’s Specialist Operational football investigation team carried out enquiries following obtaining video footage of a man in the home section of the Old Trafford crowd making gestures – which was also widely-shared on social media.

Avery was subsequently charged with Section 4a of the Public Order Act 1986, and this was in addition to arrests and charges made to other supporters relating to pyrotechnics.

Avery pleaded guilty to the offence yesterday (Monday 22 April) at Salford Magistrates Court, and for this, received a three-year Football Banning Order (FBO) alongside costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £320, and a fine of £800, which was reduced due to an early guilty plea.

GMP says it’s keen to continue taking “proactive action” against football supporters who take part in behaviour of this type of behaviour.

A football fan has been banned and fined for ‘tragedy chanting’ during a Man United v Liverpool match / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Reflecting on the case, following Avery being convicted earlier this week, Chief Inspector Jamie Collins, from GMP’s Specialist Operations Branch, commented: “Following the understandable concern raised online following the video being shared of Avery’s actions, we undertook an investigation into this to ensure justice was brought.

“We are continuing to take a proactive action against those engaged in this type of behaviour that is intent on causing distress to victims and supporters impacted by terrible football tragedies of the past.

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“Any kind of gesture or comments in relation to tragedy chanting will not be tolerated and is totally unacceptable.”

Featured Image – GMP

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