A Metrolink tram has derailed just outside Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre, with significant disruption to regular service now expected.
Despite labelling the incident as a “minor derailment”, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has warned passengers that their usual tram service will be affected as a fleet of engineers have been sent out to resolve the issue.
As seen in the pictures, the tram came off the rails just next to Piccadilly Bus Station whilst heading in the direction of Market Street. The incident was first reported around 9am on Monday, 26 September.
⚠️ Due to an incident near Market Street, services are operating as follows:
– Ashton to Piccadilly – Bury to Deansgate-Castlefield & Altrincham via Victoria & Exchange Square – Altrincham to Victoria & Bury via Exchange Square – Airport services will run via Exchange Square
Thankfully, no injuries were reported and there looks to be no significant damage. Metrolink maintenance vans were deployed to the scene shortly and are currently working to get the tram back on the rails.
Danny Vaughan, head of Metrolink at TfGM, said: “Tram services on all lines are getting to and from the centre, however, this incident will impact services across the city – with services currently unable to serve Piccadilly Gardens of Market Street stops – and I’d like to apologise for any disruption caused to passengers today.
“Engineers are at Piccadilly Gardens to inspect the damage before commencing repairs, but this is likely to take most of the day and I’d encourage people to check before they travel and plan their journey accordingly.
“I’d like to reassure Metrolink customers that incidents like this are extremely rare and we will work with the operator and other industry bodies as required to ensure a thorough investigation is carried out.”
Once again, despite insisting that the derailment is only a minor issue, the central location of the tram between two busy stops will undoubtedly prove problematic for those travelling in and out of the Greater Manchester area today.
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Plans for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have been green-lit
Danny Jones
Proposals for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have officially been approved, with the overall regeneration plans valued somewhere in the region of £500 million.
The Greater Manchester town has long been accused of being neglected by local authorities and investors, but now natives and those living in and around the area are being asked to consult on what has the potential to be a huge transformation.
Wythenshawe town centre could look almost unrecognisable should everything go according to plan, not to mention inject a much-needed boost to the arts and creative industries in the area.
Put simply, this could be huge for a place long overlooked and deserving of some TLC.
Credit: Manchester City Council
The simply titled ‘Culture Hub’ will aim to create a new community outlet and environment for everyone to enjoy, allowing them access to professional facilities and support, as well as further tap into that vital grassroots culture and creativity.
While the UK government has a total of £4.8bn set aside for infrastructure and regional disparity works that fall under the initiative, the Culture Hub was set to cost £20m back then, though Wythenshawe is looking for an estimated half a billion to upgrade their town centre.
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As per an official press release, the hub is set to sit within Civic – Wythy’s much-loved shopping complex – and will include space for food and drink on the ground floor, as well as a mix of artist studio spaces and flexible areas for workshops, exhibitions, classes or local events on the first floor.
The Council itself is set to contribute a further £11.9m, as they hope to back future plans for a bustling new food hall spilling out onto an updated public square, with new workspaces for independent start-ups and growing Manc businesses.
Credit: MCC
Meanwhile, a new 200-seater performance space will be created on the second floor, “providing a backdrop for a diverse range of performances, whether it’s dance or drama, music or modern art, there’ll be something for everyone.”
As touched upon, a larger public square will also be included, with improved outdoor areas, new paving and, crucially, more trees, plants and green spaces to make the town centre a much more natural, vibrant and welcoming space.
Private construction company Muse was appointed as the development partner for the new cultural hub and further Wythenshawe town centre regeneration initiative back in August 2024; as a local firm, they have a heavily vested interest in the 30,000 sq ft site and the surrounding area.
Work on the Culture Hub is due to commence this autumn, with the opening scheduled for some time in early 2027 – touch wood.
Credit: Manchester City Council (MCC)
Councillor Gavin White, who serves as an executive member on Manchester City Council’s executive housing and development team, said:“The Culture Hub planning approval is a really exciting milestone in the long-term regeneration of Civic.
“This is a statement of intent of how serious we are about investing in Wythenshawe’s town centre – and this is an early sign of what is to come. We want to build on the destination potential of Civic, create opportunities for local people and visitors to spend time in the area, and widen the offer for our residents to enjoy and participate in the arts right on their doorstep.
“High streets are the soul of our communities and we are investing heavily in our town centres across the city, including Gorton and Moston, to celebrate how they bring people together, support businesses and help grow local economies.
“This is just the start for Wythenshawe, and the conversation we are having with local people is ongoing to make sure we can be guided by the very people who live and work in this community. I’d urge as many people as possible to tell us what they think about the future of their area.”
Joe Stockton, senior development manager at Muse, added:“Getting the green light for the new Culture Hub is a major milestone in our once-in-a-generation plans to work with local people to transform Wythenshawe town centre.
“The feedback that we’ve received so far for the hub has been really positive with many seeing it as a creative space where people and groups of all ages can spend time, learn new skills and explore culture in a positive way.”
“We look forward to getting started on construction later this year, which we hope the people of Wythenshawe will see as a significant sign of our intent to drive this project forward with their ongoing support.”
Featured Images — CGIs via Manchester City Council
News
Medlock Canteen confirms gutting closure after just 18 months
Danny Jones
Relative Manchester newcomer and city centre gem, Medlock Canteen, has announced that the business has now closed, sharing a lengthy statement on their social media.
The Deansgate Square favourite, which looked tipped to be one of the founding members of the emerging New Jackson foodie district, has sadly confirmed its immediate closure, with all existing bookings being unfortunately cancelled.
Medlock only opened back in March of 2024 and left a big impression on its many diners during that time, but sadly, the ever-present pressures of the hospitality industry don’t discriminate.
Writing on Instagram, the restaurant said: “With heavy hearts, we’re announcing the closure of Medlock Canteen. When we opened our doors 18 months ago, our dream was simple: to build a neighbourhood spot where everyone felt welcome, serving proper good food you know, love and can’t wait to eat.
“But the current climate has made that dream a tough one to sustain. Rising costs, increased taxes, and tighter spending have created challenges we’ve fought hard to overcome but, sadly, they’re ones we just can’t compete with.
“We’re proud to say our amazing team has been looked after, with payroll up to date and everyone offered roles elsewhere in our family of venues. If you’ve got opportunities going, drop us a message – we’d love to pass them on to anyone ready for their next chapter.”
Owned by the same group behind Belzan in Liverpool and Manchester’s Madre over in Kampus, the team led by co-owner Owain Williams has offered replacement reservations at their other venues by way of an apology to their loyal customers.
It was only back in April last year that renowned food writer Jay Rayner described it as “special” and dubbed the admittedly swankly skyscraper location a “welcome haven for all.”
Couldn’t agree more. Few could’ve seen Medlock Canteen closing barely a year on from such a glowing write-up.
They signed off by adding: “To everyone who dined, left us a rave review, shared a laugh, or came back for seconds: thank you.
“You made this little place feel truly special. And yes, we promise, one day, somehow, we’ll get that rhubarb pie back to you!”
We’ve lost another impressive little spot far too soon, but we’ll always have the unbelievable scran, and it goes without saying that while Medlock Canteen may have closed, there’ll still be plenty of continued support for the likes of Madre and its sibling down the Mersey.
Fingers crossed we get a comeback one day, but until then, let’s just stop and appreciate how stunning their food truly was.
Danny Jones -
26th September 2022 
