Manchester City Council has revealed that the majority of Stevenson Square will be permanently pedestrianised.
Following a series of consultations discussing the future use of the square, which have been taking place since 2019, all with the aim of improving the space for walking and cycling, the Council has now confirmed the “key milestone” for the central Northern Quarter area.
The decision to permanently pedestrianise the area comes after the square originally closed back in 2020 under temporary COVID-19 powers in a bid to encourage people back into the city centre.
The Council explained that its experience with the temporary pedestrianisation of the square had shown that giving more space for pedestrians and cyclists was “incredibly positive” and “signalled a shift in how people want to interact and engage with the city”.
However, the latest consultation held back December 2021 highlighted that there is a need to balance access to the square for all users – including those travelling into the city centre on public transport.
So, in a bid to meet this need, the Council has now set out a list of proposals to update the draft plans and close three quarters of the square to vehicles, while still providing limited access via Lever Street for buses and taxis to link up with Oldham Street and Piccadilly connections.
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Manchester City Council has revealed that the majority of Stevenson Square will be permanently pedestrianised / Credit: David Dixon (via Geograph)
The permanent improvements to the square will include:
The pedestrianisation of most of Stevenson Square.
A two-way cycle lane through Stevenson Square at carriageway level, with cycleway demarcation blocks on one side, and tactile crossings put in place and new signage for cyclist.
Pedestrian and cyclist crossings installed at the junctions of Oldham Street/Hilton Street, and Newton Street/Hilton Street.
Footpaths will be widened in the area to give more space over to pedestrians.
Pay and display bays in Hilton Street removed.
The Council explains that some loading bays in the area will be relocated to allow for these changes to be made, but this will still retain important space for businesses to trade.
“For a long time, the Council has been committed to the full pedestrianisation of Stevenson Square and we remain so but for now we will provide limited access for buses and taxis in a small area of the square,” said Councillor Tracey Rawlins – Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council.
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The Council has called it a “key milestone” for the central Northern Quarter area / Credit: David Dixon (via Geograph)
“We are pleased that the vast majority of the space in the square has been preserved for pedestrians and cyclists, and we will be working with businesses to ensure they can maximise the benefits of these changes.
“For the Council, our bigger picture is being at the forefront of a switch towards walking and cycling in the city centre and turning places like Stevenson Square into vibrant and economically strong neighbourhoods.”
Manchester City Council says the timeframe for when thee planned improvements are to be implemented will be confirmed “at a later date”.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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North West water bills to see the biggest average increase of anywhere in the country in 2026
Emily Sergeant
Water bills in the North West are set to see the biggest increase in 2026 on average.
It has been announced that household water bills in England and Wales will rise by an average of 5.4% overall – which works out to around £33 a year, or approximately £2.70 per month – from April, which is said to be two percentage points above December’s official inflation figure… but when you look closer at the North West, that percentage rises from 5.4% to 9%.
The average United Utilities water bill is set to sit at £660 annually in 2026-27, with that being an increase of £57 from the previous year – the largest increase of anywhere else in the country.
Water UK says the nationwide rise in bills reflects the ‘significant investment’ being put towards upgrading water infrastructure.
More than two million households currently receive help with their water bills. An extra 300,000 households are expected to receive support in 2026-27. Find out more: https://t.co/DSDpAmawX8pic.twitter.com/N2LFpjxEQE
Water companies are said to be currently in the process of delivering a £104 billion investment programme to secure the nation’s water supplies, support economic growth, and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.
The money raised by water bills can only be used to fund infrastructure that is independently determined to be ‘new, necessary, and value for money’.
The regulator says United Utilities will begin a £3 billion upgrade in 2026 of the 110 km Haweswater Aqueduct, which carries 570 million litres of water every day to 2.5 million people in Cumbria, Lancashire, and Greater Manchester (or nearly 5% of England’s population), hence water bills increasing at a higher rate to other areas.
North West water bills are set to see the biggest average increase in 2026 / Credit: Raibeart MacAoidh (via Geograph)
“We understand increasing bills is never welcome, but the money is needed to fund vital upgrades to secure our water supplies, support economic growth and end sewage entering our rivers and seas,” explained David Henderson, who is the Chief Executive at Water UK.
“While we urgently need investment in our water and sewage infrastructure, we know that for many this increase will be difficult.
“That is why we will help around 2.5 million households – more than ever before – with average discounts of around 40% off their water bill.”
More than two million households currently receive help with their bills through social tariffs, the WaterSure scheme, and other affordability measures, and an extra 300,000 households are expected to receive support in 2026-27, taking the total number to around 2.5 million.
Those who are struggling should contact their water company to see what help is available, as support can often be tailored to individual circumstances.
Featured Image – Sora Shimazaki (via Pexels)
News
Deansgate bar Simmons closes just over a year after opening
Danny Jones
London-born bar brand Simmons has closed their Manchester site just over a year after opening their first Northern location.
They’ve lasted roughly 15 months on one of our busiest nightlife strips.
Opening on Deansgate back in October 2024, Simmons Manchester wasn’t just their first foray here up in this half of the country but their only other venue outside of the capital.
An otherwise well-established and popular chain down south, they have a total of 15 different bars in central London, but things clearly haven’t quite taken off as planned here in Manchester.
Placing a poster in the unit’s shopfront besides the likes of Be At One, Yours, The Moon Under The Water Spoons and the Deansgate branch of Slug and Lettuce, as you can see, the fellow franchise founded over a decade ago said: “After much consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our doors.
“It’s never easy to say goodbye”, they add, “We’re incredibly proud of what the team built here and so grateful to them, as well as everyone who joined us over the past year.
“We’ve had some unforgettable nights. We love Manchester, and we hope to be back under the right conditions.”
They go on to thank everyone for being “part of the journey”, but for now, it looks like the room has closed effective immediately.
Simmons started back in 2012 when founder Nick Campbell opened the first bar below his flat in Kings Cross, and their presence has grown hugely since then. The closing sign was spotted and shared on social media earlier this week.
Offering everything from stylish cocktails to New York-style pizza, live music and even private karaoke booths, the place had plenty going on.
With rising business rates, energy bills and more dovetailing with the continuing cost of living crisis that is still hampering both hospitality and the nightime economy, they are just one of many to unfortunately close their doors of late.
For instance, it was only earlier this month that we saw multiple well-known names shut up shop here in the city centre or elsewhere in Greater Manchester, including another long-standing late-night favourite, Revolution.
It’s a shame for any business to close, and we certainly hope they’ll return someday with a model that can be sustained in the current climate.
Emily Sergeant -
26th July 2022 
