A long-awaited Manchester city centre primary school has got the go-ahead following years of campaigning by residents in the Piccadilly and Deansgate wards.
The plans have at last been given the nod of approval by council bosses, in a move that is sure to be welcomed by local parents living in the area.
The new school will serve the growing number of families already living in the city centre as well as helping to attract more families to the area.
It has also been revealed the school will have 210 places for primary school-age children, as well as a 26-place nursery. The school is expected to open in September 2023.
Plans for the school were first agreed by the Council’s Executive in February 2020 with a decision to proceed with a free school presumption to develop a new primary school for the city centre.
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Since then, the council has been working in partnership with developer Renaker on plans for the school, which is being delivered as part of a wider residential development.
Additional capital funding of £2.45m in the 2022/23 financial year and £0.25m in the 2023/24 financial year, funded by external contribution, was unanimously agreed by councillors, along with a further £0.250m in 2021/22 and £3.250m in 2022/23 from the approved Education Basic Need unallocated budget.
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Councillor Garry Bridges, Executive Member for Children and Schools, Manchester City Council, said: “This is a big moment for Manchester and a big statement on what we want our city centre to be – a family friendly place with lots of homes and jobs for all.
“People want to make the city centre their home and so it’s important for us to provide the infrastructure they need to enable them to do this through every stage of their lives.
“Having a good local school on their doorstep is what every family wants and our city centre residents deserve no less.
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“In just under two years they’re now set to benefit from a brilliant new school, a mere stroll away from where they live, that will serve them and future generations of children in the city centre for years to come.”
A public consultation on the new school is currently underway and is open until 15 November, after which the Council will seek proposals from potential sponsors for the school.
A recommendation of a preferred sponsor will then be made to the Regional Schools Commissioner who will decide on the most suitable proposer to take forward the school.
Feature image – Renaker/SimpsonHaugh
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Work begins on new £500m ‘culture hub’ with a cinema and performance spaces in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Work is finally beginning on a new £500 million culture hub in Manchester.
The first phase of plans to transform Wythenshawe Civic has entered an exciting new chapter, with Manchester City Council and placemaker Muse officially commencing construction of the new Culture Hub – which is tipped to provide a ‘major boost’ for budding artists, and creative groups and organisations in the area.
The hub is set to include space for food and drink on the ground floor, while the first floor is home to a mix of artist studio spaces and flexible areas for workshops, exhibitions, classes, and community events.
Locals can also expect a brand-new 40-seater cinema, which has been included following feedback given during a public consultation, and 200-seater performance space for a diverse range of performances.
Everything from dance and drama, to music and modern art will fill the performance spaces once the hub opens.
Expected to be completed in 2027, the Culture Hub sits within the first phase of a wider plan to ‘refresh’ Wythenshawe Civic, and will come to life thanks to £20 million of funding from the UK Government and a further £11.9 million from the Council.
What Wythenshawe Civic Centre looks like currently, before being transformed / Credit: Wikipedia Commons
“Listening to local people over the last year and more, we know that Wythenshawe residents want more from their town centre – more things to do, opportunities to spend time in Civic and night time attractions that give the area a lift and attract visitors,” explained Cllr Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
“This is the drive behind the Culture Hub – a place for local people with an interest in the arts to take part in creative activities, see a show, or enjoy the cinema space, right in the heart of their community.
“This is another exciting chapter in the transformation of Wythenshawe town centre.”
Joe Stockton, Development Director at Muse, called the construction of the new Culture Hub an ‘exciting moment’ for Wythenshawe.
He added: “Our aim is to create a space for the town’s talented artists and creatives to come together and give them the facilities and the space they’ve asked for, to put on amazing shows, live performances, and workshops.
“It’s all part of the wider plan to create opportunities for residents, new homes and jobs, as well as a thriving high street for people to spend time in.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Police launch investigation after man found ‘injured and unresponsive’ in Manchester road
Emily Sergeant
A police investigation has been launched after a man was found ‘injured and unresponsive’ in the middle of a road in Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called out Plymouth Grove, in the Longsight area of Manchester, at around 9pm this past Friday (30 January), and when they arrived at the scene, found a 61-year-old man lying in the road.
After being found ‘unresponsive’, the man was immediately taken to hospital, where he is currently being treated for head injuries.
At this time, it is currently unknown how than man came to be in the road.
With so many questions left to answer, and a police investigation now underway being led by GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, officers are now urgently appealing to the public for witnesses and information.
“We have an open mind as we investigate how this man became to be injured,” explained PC Megan Stockton in the appeal. “However, there is the possibility he was struck by a vehicle.
“We are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time, particularly anybody who may have dashcam footage taken in the area on Friday night.”
Can you help? If you have any information that could assist GMP’s investigation, then please contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting incident number 3421 of 30/01/26, or by calling 101 or using the LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
22nd October 2021 
