Tower on stilts proposed for Manchester city centre – but people worry it will ‘squash’ historic pub
A 26-storey tower built on stilts has been proposed for Manchester city centre. If it goes ahead, it will tower over the historic Briton's Protection pub.
A new 26-storey tower built on stilts has been proposed in Manchester city centre, on a small plot of land next to the Briton’s Protection pub.
The proposed site for the new tower is currently a small car park, with space for around half-a-dozen cars.
If the build goes ahead, Apex Tower will deliver 72 apartments on the corner of Albion Street and Great Bridgewater Street.
It’s very early days yet – property development company Arrowsmith is seeking feedback from members of the local community before submitting any planning applications.
But CGIs of the tower have been released, revealing that the majority of the 26-storey tower will be positioned on stilts, towering over the Briton’s Protection building, which dates back to the early 1800s.
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The majority of the tower would be built above the pub, with the help of huge columns. Credit: Arrowsmith.
The plans also include a smaller building sandwiched between the pub and the Jury’s Inn Hotel.
Arrowsmith says it would take a ‘sensitive’ approach to preserving the Grade II-listed pub and its beer garden.
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A quote on their site states: “To respect and allow the existing Briton’s protection to be seen as a stand alone building, the taller building is cut back over three storeys, so the pub is seen in its own right.
“At the upper levels the building will overhang and create newly enhanced public realm, supported by columns.”
The plot of land the proposals cover. Credit: Arrowsmith
It continued: “The Apex Tower proposals will enhance, rather than impact, the pub.”
The Manchester Central branch of CAMRA wrote: “This proposal is absolutely horrendous! We all need to raise concerns about it. Manchester already has far too many high rise, empty buildings we do not need any more.”
The Guardian’s North of England editor Helen Pidd said: “I’ve seen some awful buildings chucked up in Manchester over the last decade but allowing this monstrosity to overshadow the Briton’s Protection would rank among one of the greatest crimes against architecture and civic history (RIP the sunny beer garden).”
On Reddit, one person said: “Shocking that are squeezing a flat into what’s essentially a wide piece of pavement.”
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Two more people arrested as investigation into Dovestone Reservoir moorland fire continues
Emily Sergeant
Two more people have been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the devastating moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir.
Yesterday (16 July 2026), a 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson and has been bailed pending further police enquiries, before a man in his 20s has today (17 July) been arrested on suspicion of arson, and remains in custody for questioning.
These follow the arrest and subsequent charging of 20-year-old Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde.
Care-Slede has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, and was remanded in custody before appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court this past Tuesday (14 July).
After the blaze broke out this past Saturday evening (11 July) at the popular beauty spot in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response, fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies have also been deployed as operations continue across multiple sectors of the incident.
To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.
With three major arrests having already now been made, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says its officers are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry and are seeking to identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
“This investigation has been progressing at pace, we are nearly a week on and the fire at Dovestones is still ongoing, and it has had devastating effects it has had on the Reservoir,” commented Detective Inspector Andrew Day, of GMP’s Oldham division said.
“As this incident continues, officers would like to thank all emergency service partners for their support and dedication.
“In particular, our colleagues at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, whose firefighters have spent countless hours tackling the fire in demanding conditions.”
Daisy Jackson -
19th November 2021 
