Plans to build a second Hilton hotel site in Manchester city centre have now been formally submitted by developers.
The city centre‘s ever-changing skyline could be set to see another new addition in 2023, as plans for to build a brand-new 20-storey hotel inside a 112m-tall tower on Great Ancoats Street have been formally submitted to Manchester City Council by developers – and if they are accepted, the glitzy new premises would be operated under Hilton’s Motto brand.
The 154-bedroom hotel would be the first Motto hotel in the UK – with sites currently already in New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and in Rotterdam in the Netherlands too.
Plans for the new hotel premises have been formally submitted to the Council this week by architects SimpsonHaugh and planning consultants Deloitte after a consultation was held last month.
Artist impression image of what Motto by Hilton on Great Ancoats Street could look like / Credit: SimpsonHaugh
Aside from the hotel itself, planning documents show that there’s also a variety of other leisure facilities lined-up alongside.
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Some of these facilites include a cafe and bar, several conference rooms, a state-of-the-art gym space, plenty of cycle storage, and a raft of other public realm works too – with some of the improvements to set to include landscaping and “narrowing of the crossing across Laystall Street”, which is the side road that the hotel itself will be situated on.
Architects SimpsonHaugh said Great Ancoats Street is “an ideal location for a new hotel” in a statement as the plans were submitted, the MEN reports.
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An example of what a Motto by Hilton hotel looks like in Atlanta / Credit: Hilton Hotels
“As a result of the rapid pace of transformation of Piccadilly, Ancoats, and New Islington in recent years, the number of people visiting this part of the city has been increasing year-on-year,” the statement continued.
“This is anticipated to continue thanks to further planned developments in East Manchester, such as the opening of the Co-op Live Arena at the Etihad Campus, as well as attractions such as The Factory and the expanded AO Arena [and] this success has created a sustained demand for hotel accommodation, which is currently underserved in this part of the city centre.
“Known around the world for its high-quality, well managed hotels, Motto by Hilton will help to meet this demand through the provision of affordable, yet stylish accommodation.”
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If the plans are accepted, Motto by Hilton Manchester could be set to open doors in 2023.
Featured Image – SimpsonHaugh
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New landmark chickenpox vaccine begins UK rollout to protect thousands of children
Emily Sergeant
A new landmark chickenpox vaccine is beginning its rollout across the UK in a bid to help protect hundreds of thousands of children.
Chickenpox is a common infection in children that spreads easily.
It is usually mild but it can lead to serious complications which need hospitalisation, including chest infections and fits. The latest Government data indicates that half of children will contract chickenpox by the age of four, and 90% by the age of 10.
Currently, children who catch chickenpox are typically advised to stay off school until all spots have formed a scab – which is usually five days after the spots appear.
But now, this new vaccine will mean children can miss fewer days in nursery or school, and reduce time parents need to take off work to care for them.
Hundreds of thousands of young children are now being offered the chickenpox protection as part of routine NHS childhood vaccinations.
The combined vaccine adds chickenpox protection to the existing measles, mumps and rubella schedule.
Surprisingly, it’s estimated that around £24 million is lost in income and productivity every year in the UK due to childhood chickenpox, so not only will the new vaccine rollout save money this way, but it is also expected to save the NHS a whopping £15 million a year in costs for treating the common condition.
The new vaccine comes following a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations – with a combined MMRV vaccine replacing the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox (varicella).
From now on, GP practices on the NHS will start to offer children the combined MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months of age.
Dr Claire Fuller, who is the National Medical Director for NHS England, called the rollout a ‘hugely positive moment’ for children and their families.
“From now, the combined vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox will be available at children’s routine vaccination appointments to keep children healthier and prevent sickness from these highly contagious viruses,” commented Dr Fuller.
“The new vaccine will also help the health service move its focus from sickness to prevention, and keep more children safe and in school.”
Featured Image – Jonny McCullagh (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Greater Manchester hit with snow and ice weather warning to welcome in new year
Emily Sergeant
Weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued across much of the UK, including here in Greater Manchester.
As the country wakes up to the first working day of the new year, cold Arctic air now covers most of the UK, according to the Met Office – with temperatures being well below average, widespread frost and ice, and an increasing risk of snow showers.
Snow is expected to settle on the ground in some areas, particularly in northern and some central areas, while the risk of widespread ice could make travel ‘hazardous’.
While much of Greater Manchester falls under the yellow weather warning for snow and ice issued by the Met Office – which is now in force, and expected to end around midday today (2 January) – it will primarily be more southern and western parts of our region that are likely to see snowfall, if any.
Forecasters say an area of sleet and snow is expected to move southeastwards across parts of England and Wales, lasting approximately two or three hours in any one place, and where snow does fall, only one or two cm is likely for some and perhaps as much as five cm in a few spots, especially higher ground of north Wales, north west England, and perhaps the north west Midlands.
Some ice may form as a result of snow frozen surfaces, and icy patches will also develop quickly as sleet and snow clears.
Greater Manchester braces for snow as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning / Credit: Geograph | Pexels
Under the yellow weather warning, you should expect some roads and railways to be affected with longer journey times, some injuries may occur from slips and falls on icy surfaces, and there are likely some icy patches on untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths.
“With Arctic air now covering most of the UK, very cold weather will continue through the weekend, with minus double figures overnight in places and daytime temperatures struggling to rise above 0°C for some,” explained Chief Met Office Forecaster, Neil Armstrong.
“It looks like this cold spell could last well into next week and wintry hazards will continue with more weather warnings likely. It is therefore important people keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings and plan ahead.”
You can keep up to date with weather warnings on the Met Office website here.
Emily Sergeant -
26th December 2022 
