The owners of Manchester Arena have published images showing their ambitious plans to revamp the city centre’s iconic performance venue.
ASM Global has announced they intend to transform the Arena with a new exterior, remodelled entranceway, and added concourse levels.
If complete, the capacity of Manchester Arena would be increased to a whopping 24,000.
Earlier this year, American development and investment company Oak View Group (OVG) announced plans to build a second arena in Manchester’s Eastlands area – which would cost £350m and be the largest of its kind in Britain.
This has prompted ASM to look at future-proofing their own venue and preserve its status as the go-to performance centre in Manchester.
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Tom Lynch, Director of Business Development, ASM Global, commented: “Our plans will reimagine the whole customer experience at the venue, with a new exterior, a completely remodelled entrance sequence, additional concourse circulation space and some great new VIP experiences.
“We plan to embed sustainability into every aspect of the redevelopment, as part of our mission to become one of the lowest carbon venues in Europe. We’re currently consulting with our neighbours and the City Council, and we look forward to launching public consultation to welcome input from the rest of the city.
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“We will increase capacity of the venue to 24,000 by creating new entrances and exits, to bring more people to shows while ensuring safe and speedy entry and exit to events.
“Our plans are consistent with existing planning policy and support regional economic strategy, including many of the recommendations made within The Greater Manchester Music Review.”
Manchester Arena is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2020 and has continued to find a way to host shows despite the pandemic.
The event featured performances from Lionel Richie, Alice Cooper, Badly Drawn Boy, Tim Burgess, Emeli Sande, Everything Everything, Kelli-Leigh, Kodaline, Slow Readers Club and The Hoosiers.
Funds raised are being shared amongst The Booth Centre, The Christie, Forever Manchester and Nordoff Robbins charities (you can view the performances and still donate here).
Whilst OVG has repeatedly reaffirmed its belief that Manchester can sustain two major venues, companies working closely with Manc Arena have expressed concern.
These include Manchester Arndale; Aviva Investors; DTZ Investors; Living Ventures; the Manchester Hospitality Network; San Carlo Restaurant Group and Prestbury Investments.
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The strain placed on the economy by coronavirus remains a significant concern for Manchester Arena – with most live performances still on hold.
But many also fear a second arena could detract footfall away from the city centre.
Jeremy Roberts, co-founder of Living Ventures, owners of Australasia, Grand Pacific and founders of The Oast House and The Alchemist: “Now is not the time to destabilise our city centre’s hospitality trade, and I, along with many other local business owners, are deeply concerned by the proposal’s inclusion of significant food & beverage space.
“We were assured this proposal would encourage more visitors and trade. Instead, it is clear it will simply act as an out-of-town competing offering.
“Manchester Arena plays a key role in our city’s ecosystem, providing footfall for many local businesses. Right now, the city centre needs confidence and must protect its existing bars and restaurants.”
More information on Manchester Arena’s development plans can be found here.
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Manchester United’s Old Trafford regeneration project backed by UK government
Danny Jones
Manchester United have officially received government backing for the redevelopment of their stadium and the wider regeneration of the surrounding Old Trafford area.
One of the first things that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Group made a priority after acquiring their minority stake in the club was to bring the home ground up to standard and it looks as though that rather large task is now moving in the right direction.
With Chancellor Rachel Reeves dubbing the Old Trafford Regeneration Project as “a shining example” of the Labour plans to promote economic growth, Man United now have the full blessing of the government ahead of the real work beginning.
Liaising with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Trafford Council specifically to bring plans to fruition, the Old Trafford area as we know is set to be transformed significantly, with a new ‘Wembley of the North’ being the key component of the project.
ℹ️ The Old Trafford Regeneration Project has been backed by the government.#MUFC
The backing of the government means that beyond the club simply paying to redevelop the stadium itself, this will allow for other aspects such as improved transport infrastructure, housing and new businesses to be created as part of Old Trafford’s regeneration.
It’s also worth noting that no public money is on the table at present, with Ratcliffe, the Glazers and co. expected to foot the bill for all facets.
Reacting to the official statement by the UK Treasury, CEO Omar Berrada said: “The delivery of a world-class stadium can be the catalyst for major regeneration of an area of Greater Manchester which requires new investment to thrive again.
“We cannot achieve that wider aim on our own, which is why we welcome the announcement by the Chancellor and the ongoing support of the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Trafford Council.
If we work together, there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a landmark project around Old Trafford that the whole region can be proud of.”
This might not be Man United’s home forever. (Credit: The Manc Group)
As for the Mayor of Greater Manchester Mayor himself – who was appointed as a key figure on the Old Trafford Regeneration Taskforce – Andy Burnham went on to add: “With our devolved powers we’re mobilising the whole Greater Manchester system to lock in growth for the next decade and reap the rewards for our city-region and UK plc.
“We look forward to working with the Government on moving freight away from the site around Old Trafford to new locations to open up capacity for our rail network and unlock massive regeneration potential”, he continued, insisting that it will lead to “benefits across the whole of the North.”
Although it still remains unconfirmed whether or not the existing Old Trafford structure will be renovated – which would see an increased capacity of around 87,000 – or whether an entirely new 100k-seater stadium will be built instead, though the most recent fan survey seemed to favour the latter.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Manchester United (via website/X)
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You can now own a two-bed barge in a Greater Manchester marina
Thomas Melia
A new property has gone up for sale in Greater Manchester but you’ll have to act fast otherwise it’ll sail right past you – literally.
Ever fancied living on a yacht in Sicily or a cruise ship in the Caribbean? Well, now you can live your nautical dreams right here in the heart of Greater Manchester.
I hope blue is your favourite colour because this barge is decked out floor to ceiling in this deep maritime tone, even the kitchen cupboards are blue, pastel to be specific.
The main living area and kitchen are open plan with walls that span three-quarters of the property‘s width creating a corridor between the two bedrooms and bathroom.
The living room interior with a gorgeous fluffy rug.The view of the living area with the dual fuel log burner.Credit: On The Market
In terms of the cooking space, the kitchen is fully fitted with all the appliances you could ever need, perfect for a lazy Sunday when all you’re after is a full English and a nice comforting view.
As you can see, there’s also a cute skylight window above the kitchen which brings in more natural light and broadens perspectives within this area, although it’s quite roomy anyway.
Both bedrooms are quite sizeable meaning you don’t have to downsize or reduce your wardrobe and your other half can stop insisting you do (just us? Never mind).
Now, sit back, relax and just imagine drinking a prosecco while perched under the British sun on your new barge balcony.
If this barge wasn’t snug enough how about a log burner to go with it, and not just any log burner, a dual fuel log burner, that’ll keep you toasty.
Situated on Pennington Marina in Leigh, there’s a small collection of amenities nearby including a chippy and restaurant just a seven-minute walk away, I know where I’m off for tea.
That stunning kitchen with matching all blue decorum.The cozy main bedroom pefectly covered in rugs and blankets.Credit: On The Market
And if you’re ever in the mood for a walk, just hop off your cruiser and let your feet lead the way along the canal to the interesting and quirky Lock Gates Monument, only eight minutes away.
Overall, this houseboat is 70ft she’s definitely not small, this really is like a home away from home, the only difference is this one’s on water.
Interested in ditching land in favour of water or just feel like having a nosey, you can find the two-bedroom houseboat listing with all its pictures and floor plan HERE.
The Manc -
23rd July 2020 
