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UK’s first ‘all-season’ beach is coming to new £250m Manchester waterpark resort

Developers say the beach will include "lapping waves" and "soft sands" when it opens in 2025.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 4th April 2022

Plans for the UK’s first all-season beach with real lapping waves has been unveiled for the new £250 million Manchester waterpark resort.

After it was revealed late last year that the upcoming Therme Manchester resort and spa at TraffordCity- which has been dubbed an ‘urban oasis’ – will feature a whopping 35 water slides, 25 pools, and 30 saunas and stream rooms across its 25-acre site, new CGI images have now been released to show the vision of the country’s first indoor all-season beach.

The beach is billed to include “lapping waves” and “soft sands”.

Developers say the ‘urban beach’ element of the new highly-anticipated resort will form part of Therme’s “next generation waterpark”, that’s also set to include thermal bathing, a wellbeing spa, an on-site urban farm, botanical gardens, and “immersive digital art features”.

Bosses say the new aims to be “far more” than a waterpark and spa, and will “create an integrated experience to benefit physical and mental health”.

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Plans for the UK’s first all-season beach have been unveiled for the new £250 million Manchester waterpark resort / Credit: Therme Manchester

Therme’s updated plans – which are being delivered in partnership with Peel L&P – are said to adopt the very latest technology to make the development even more sustainable and deliver additional exciting features for visitors.

It includes the world’s first ‘living waterslides’ with a 3D printed superstructure to house thousands of plants.

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Read more: A sneak peek inside the waterpark resort with 25 pools and 35 slides opening in Trafford

Therme has also announced that the resort will also include a visitor and education centre where school and community groups can learn about sustainability, food and nature.

“Our commitment to bring Therme Manchester to the UK is as strong as ever,” said Stelian Iacob, Senior Vice President of Therme Group and CEO of Therme Group UK.

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“Expert independent studies have shown the hugely positive economic and social impact that Therme Manchester will have, helping to create jobs, economic prosperity and bringing health and wellbeing to the daily lives of millions of guests.”

James Whittaker – Executive Director of Development at Peel L&P – added: “We are proud to be working in partnership with Therme Group to develop this exceptional wellbeing resort in TraffordCity.

The beach is billed to include “lapping waves” and “soft sands” when it opens in 2025, according to developers / Credit: Therme Group

“Therme Manchester will lead the way in health and wellbeing.

“With the updated plans now including the UK’s first all-season urban beach and the world’s first living waterslides, we are excited to continue working with Therme Manchester to deliver this innovative health and wellbeing experience in TraffordCity, the UK’s foremost retail, leisure and commercial destination.”

Construction on Therme Manchester is still expected to begin in 2023, with a build time said to be of around two years.

Featured Image – Therme Manchester

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Plans for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have been green-lit

Danny Jones Danny Jones plans for new cultural hub in wythenshawe town centre approved

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.

wythenshawe culture hub
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.

Discussions surrounding the project actually date back to 2022, when the idea was first pitched to Manchester City Council as part of a wider bid for a slice of Britain’s Levelling Up Fund.

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.

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.

wythenshawe town centre redevelopment
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.

wythenshawe town regeneration
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.” 

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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.”

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Exciting times ahead.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — CGIs via Manchester City Council

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Medlock Canteen confirms gutting closure after just 18 months

Danny Jones Danny Jones Medlock Canteen Manchester closed

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.

Boasting brilliant breakfasts, big portions, the accessibility of an all-day American-style diner as well as the charm of a classic French bistro when service rolled into the evenings – just to mention a few of many highlights – we were among their many firm fans since day one.

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.”

Medlock Canteen receives rave Guardian review from Jay Rayner just one month after opening
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.

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Featured Images — The Manc Eats

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