New CGI and artist impression images released by the UK’s third largest airport this week show an extended departure lounge featuring a food market that’s set to serve up a variety of world cuisines and quick eats for those who prefer a more casual dining experience.
This will be alongside a new boutique high street-style shopping area, known as ‘The Avenue’, which will have a “vibrant and airy feel”, and will come complete with a champagne bar, as well as premium brands, artisan cafes, and a brasserie.
Each store front in the new shopping zone will open onto airfield views, the Airport has explained, with plenty of passenger seating around it for “added comfort”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester Airport reveals plans to open 27 new shops and restaurants in Terminal Two / Credit: Manchester Airport
According to the plans unveiled by Manchester Airport this week, a blend of regional and national brands are expected to operate the new units – which is designed to be in-keeping with the areas of Terminal Two that are already open to passengers.
“We are well aware that our guests’ holidays start at the airport,” admitted Richard Jackson, Retail Director at Manchester Airport.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We want people to enjoy their time here, whether that means sipping craft beer brewed at the airport in a bar overlooking the airfield, or eating an artisan pizza.
“We already have a great range of food and drink options in Terminal Two, with local brands which create a strong sense of place, but we’re looking to build on that with all-new offerings, including a champagne bar and a market hall style food court.”
Aside from the plans to open the 27 new shops and restaurants, bosses at Manchester Airport say they are also searching for retailers selling toys, fashion, accessories, and travel essentials to take up units in the new ‘The Avenue’ area.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Airport is seeking out partners who will “showcase the best of the North in their units”.
“We’re also seeking retail partners who will bring a high-class offering, tailored to the needs of the travelling public,” Mr Jackson continued.
“The first phase of the project saw some exciting brands come on board, but we’re now keen to build on that and provide a more varied and comprehensive retail experience to cater for the tastes of the millions of passengers who will pass through the terminal’s doors.”
It’s part of a wider £1.3 billion transformation programme / Credit: Manchester Airport
As mentioned, the expanded retail and restaurant offering forms part of the second phase of the wider £1.3 billion transformation programme of the Airport’s original Terminal Two.
The first phase of the transformation project saw a number of Mancunian favourites taking up residence inside Terminal Two – such as burger and shake chain Archie’s, Italian restaurant San Carlo, coffee brand Pot Kettle Black, and Manchester-based brewers Joseph Holt and Seven Bro7hers.
ADVERTISEMENT
They were joined by household names like Costa Coffee, WHSmith, Pret a Manger, and Wagamama.
The second phase is seeing Terminal Two remodelled and upgraded in sync with the recently-opened terminal extension.
All work is expected to be completed by 2025.
Featured Image – Manchester Airport
Business
Manchester streaming platform StreamGM unveils four-part creative industry careers podcast
Thomas Melia
A new four-partpodcast by StreamGM featuring some of Greater Manchester’s top creatives has launched with the aim of powering creative careers.
Produced by Rebecca Swarray, a.k.a. ‘RebeccaNeverBecky’ – the founder of the Manchester events and arts collective – this podcast is designed to “ignite and elevate creative careers in music.”
Swarray deep dives into the current Manc music scene and beyond with the help of fellow insiders who vary upon each episode.
There are four parts in this latest series and there’s lots to cover, especially in an industry that’s ever-changing and ever-challenging.
Some of the guests and speakers you can expect to listen to on ‘ICAM’ (In Conversations and Masterclasses)Credit: StreamGM/The Manc Group
Listeners can expect to learn all about ‘Women Behind The Music’ as part of the In Conversations and Masterclasses series with Sophie Bee, Sara Garvey and Kat Brown.
The next episode delves into another key music industry area, ‘Promoters, Venues And Events’, which is broken down by Baz Plug One, Strutty, Tashadean Wood and Liv McCafferty.
‘Artist Development And Management’ features Karen Boardman, Karen Gabay, Damian Morgan, and Via Culpan deep in discussion.
The final episode in this four-part series is ‘Videography And Photography In The Creative Industries’, which sees Johan Reitan, Alice Kanako and Ahmani Vidal talking all things visual.
These four features will be an incredible resource for any creative talents as it put together by professionals for upcoming professionals of any age from any background, race, gender and walk of life.
After all, that’s what is all about, right?
Abbreviated to ‘ICAM’, the podcast is certainly one to check out, with for aspiring artist managers, producers, photographers, promoters—anyone driven to make their mark in music and events.
These podcast sessions understand industry challenges, explore career journeys, creative influences, crisis management and lots more creative field concerns.
You can find the first episode in full down below:
The first episode of the new limited StreamGM podcast.
This run of shows is the second instalment by StreamGM: Greater Manchester’s phenomenal streaming platform dedicated to all things music, nightlife and culture.
Whether you’re a budding creative arts talent or just curious to find out insights into this wonderful innovative industry, you can listen to all the episodes from the series directly on StreamGM HERE.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester music news, another very special event is kicking off very soon:
Featured Images — Publicity Picture (Supplied)/The Manc Group
Business
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 -
4th May 2023 
