Waterloo Road has boosted Greater Manchester’s economy by a staggering £6.5 million, according to the BBC.
The British high school classic has seen strength after strength following the new BBC reboot.
Waterloo Road first reached our TV screens in 2006, where we saw Salford’s-own Chelsee Healey burst onto the scene as the fiery Janeece Bryant, a disruptive but loveable student who always found herself getting into trouble.
Since then, the school-based drama has gone on to see 14 seasons and more than 200 episodes, with an eight year interval in between, befoore returning to our screens again in 2023.
And with a new season dropping just yesterday (10 September), the love for the show certainly isn’t over yet.
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The show has been filmed in Greater Manchester since airing, with three seasons retreating to the Scottish lowlands of Greenock in Scotland.
The first seven series of the TV drama were filmed in the former Hill Top Community Primary School in Rochdale, with the filming location for the most recent season taking place at a former Manchester College building in the city centre.
In new statistics provided by the BBC, it was revealed that the production of the first three new series generated more than £9.5 million for the broader North West area, and at least £6.5 million for Greater Manchester’s economy alone.
“It’s a series that helps nurture and champion local talent and directly supports the economy in the North West,” commented Charlotte Moore, who is the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, “and it’s also part of a much bigger story.
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“The BBC now invests more than 60% of its TV budget outside of London – supporting hundreds of production companies and suppliers.”
You can catch Season 14 of Waterloo Road on BBC one every Tuesday at 9pm, or all episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer here.
Featured Image – BBC
Boroughs
10 hot properties for sale in Greater Manchester | September 2024
Emily Sergeant
Every month, we show you some of the hottest properties currently on the market in Greater Manchester.
It’s safe to say that Mancunians love a good nosey around other peoples’ houses, and after all, Greater Manchester is a brilliant place to live.
But what can your money currently get you in the area?
In our monthly Hot Property series, we scour the internet to find 10 more of the most diverse, jaw-dropping, accessible, and beautifully-presented homes currently on the market in Greater Manchester for you to take a look at.
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Chequers Road
Chorlton, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M21
JP & Brimelow
Chequers Road / Credit: JP & Brimelow
Terraced | x3 Bedrooms | x1 Bathroom
This stylishly-presented Victorian mid-terrace property is situated on a quiet street just off the ever-popular Beech Road in Chorlton, with a wide range of local amenities, cafes, restaurants and bars, schooling options, and convenient transport links right on the doorstep, making it an ideal home for first time buyers and growing families alike.
The attractive period home has been updated by the current owners to the highest of standards, and is now ready to move straight into – with spacious accommodations spread over four floors, including a useful cellar and three double bedrooms.
Offered with no onward vendor chain, the property boasts enclosed courtyard gardens to both the front and the rear.
Chequers Road / Credit: JP & Brimelow
The property is currently on the market with South Manchester-based independent estate agents, JP & Brimelow, for £550,000 (Offers in the Region of).
The Woodlands is a stunning three-bedroom detached bungalow backing directly onto Colliery Wood and Winstanley Park in the sought-after Wigan neighbourhood of Winstanley, with easy access to a wide range of local amenities, good schooling options, and convenient transport links across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Estate agents say this recently-built contemporary home has been designed and constructed to an exceptionally high standard.
The current owners have recently refurbished all the rooms in the property, and have added a luxurious open-plan orangery extension to the rear with bifold doors that flood the room with natural light and provide great aspects over the gardens and woodland beyond.
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Viewing is definitely recommended with this one.
Woodlands / Credit: Regan & Hallworth
The property is currently on the market with the Wigan-based branch of local estate agency chain, Regan & Hallworth, for £485,000 (Offers in Excess of).
Situated in the heart of Oldham’s desirable Uppermill neighbourhood, with a wide range of amenities, schooling options, and transport links on the doorstep, as well as easy access to picturesque surrounding countryside, is this stunning two-bedroom apartment in Alexandra Mill, presented to the market with no onward chain
Alexandra Mill is a sympathetically-converted former mill which saw renewed lease of life in the 1980s as a craft centre, before being repurposed into 34 apartments at the turn of the 21st Century.
With both stair and lift access to the first floor, the apartment boasts spacious accommodations throughout, while externally, residents can access the communal garden spaces – which estate agents say are “meticulously upkept”.
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Two secure storage areas also come with the property for residents to house personal items.
Alexandra Mill / Credit: Kirkham Property
The property is currently on the market with Uppermill-based independent estate agents, Kirkham Property, for £190,000.
Situated in the prestigious Salford residential area of Worsley, and nestled behind secure electric gates in a quiet cul-de-sac, is this magnificent detached four-bedroom period property that has been extended and renovated by the current owners to an exceptionally-high standard, making it ideal for modern-day living while still radiating plenty of traditional character and charm.
The property boasts stunning spacious accommodations throughout, with some of the stand-out features being the cosy living room with a log-burning stove, a well-equipped modern kitchen, and several double bedrooms.
Externally, the property occupies an expansive corner plot with breathtaking wrap-around gardens to the side and rear, as well as a large detached double garage housing a private gym, and off-road driveway parking for several vehicles – as well as an electric charging point.
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Greenbank Avenue / Credit: Hunters
The property is currently on the market with the Worsley branch of estate agency chain, Hunters, for £825,000.
Another property that’s conveniently offered to the market with no onward chain, meaning it’s ready for any prospective new owners to move straight in to, is this impressive four-bedroom Victorian end terraced property in the heart of Hale – which is by far one of Greater Manchester’s most affluent and sought-after neighbourhoods, thanks to the wide range of amenities and excellent local schooling options in has on offer.
The property has been renovated by the current owners to the highest of standards throughout, and now boasts light and spacious living accommodations set over three floors that are perfectly-flexible and suitable to modern-day family life.
Externally, there is generous off-street parking for at least two vehicles to the front of the property, as well as an attractive rear garden area with a large external garden room.
Albert Road / Credit: Watersons
The property is currently on the market with the Hale-based branch of independent estate agents, Watersons, for £950,000.
Looking for a spacious modern home that estate agents say is “filled with desirable features” and is ideal for growing families of all sizes? Well, this four-bedroom detached property in the popular town of Prestwich could be just what you’re after.
As well as being conveniently-close to plenty of local amenities, good local schooling options, and transport links directly into Manchester city centre, this property is presented to a high standard throughout – with newly-renovated living spaces, such as the fitted modern kitchen and bathrooms, being a credit to the current owners.
Outside is just as impressive as the inside of the property, as there easy-to-maintain lawned gardens to both the front and rear, and off-road driveway parking with an integral garage.
Park Road / Credit: Normie Sales & Lettings
The property is currently on the market with local independent estate agents, Normie Sales & Lettings, for £795,000 (Offers in Excess of).
Set behind large automated gates at the end of a large paved driveway within an acre of recently-landscaped private grounds is a rare opportunity to purchase an eight-bedroom detached family home in the popular Bolton residential area of Westhoughton – which benefits from plenty of amenities in its own local village centre, as well being close to Middlebrook Retail Park and Bolton town centre.
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Described by estate agents as being an “exquisite” property, Rogers Hall Farm is a perfect buy for those seeking spacious high-end living in a beautiful setting.
Internally, each room within the property has been designed to the highest of specifications to ensure style and sophistication throughout, while externally, the new owners will get to benefit from immaculate gardens to the front and rear, as well as an integral double garage and plenty of off-road parking.
The property is also being offered to the market with no onward vendor chain.
Rogers Farm Cottage / Credit: Entwistle Green
The property is currently on the market with the Westhoughton branch of estate agency chain, Entwistle Green, for £1,249,950.
Is this the most impressive property currently on the market in Greater Manchester? Well it can’t be far off, that’s for sure.
Boasting an absolute abundance of character and charm, with each room filled with history and original features, Staveleigh is an 11-bedroom detached residence close to the popular Tameside town of Stalybridge – which offers a everything needed for a growing family, including amenities, good local schools, and transport links – and it’s basically your chance to own your own piece of local history.
The grand Victorian mansion may date back to the 18th century, but estate agents say there is “with plenty of scope for renovation and modernisation” while still keeping lots of the original details like high ceilings, bay windows, and more.
To the outside of the property, there is nearly five-acres of land to enjoy – with large lawned gardens to the rear, as well as off-road parking for several vehicles.
Staveleigh / Credit: Fine & Country
The property is currently on the market with the Derby-based branch of estate agency label, Fine & Country, for £2.5 million (Offers Over).
Gelder Clough Farm is an immaculately-presented farmhouse in the sought-after Rochdale residential area of Bamford that dates back to the 17th century.
Set in almost one acre of landscaped grounds overlooking the stunning countryside of Ashworth Valley, and described by estate agents as being one of the most unique properties currently on the market within the whole of Greater Manchester, this four-bedroom detached property seamlessly combines character and charm with all the features needed for modern living.
Externally, the property is surrounded by well-maintained paved and lawned garden areas, as well as boasting a detached double garage and off-road driveway parking for several vehicles.
Internal viewing is recommended to fully appreciate everything this stunning property has to offer.
Set within impressive private grounds of around three-acres on the outskirts of Marple – which is one of Stockport’s most-popular residential areas, thanks to all the amenities, good local schooling options, and transport links that it offers across Greater Manchester and beyond – is this detached five-bedroom family home that has been updated and improved by the current owners to a very high standard.
Described by estate agents as being a “most impressive” property, some of the home’s stand-out features include modern open-plan living spaces to the ground floor, and five large bedrooms, two of which have and en-suites and one with access to a small balcony overlooking the garden.
The star of the show, though, has to be the large heated indoor swimming pool.
Externally, the property is close-by to the stunning local beauty spot of Marple Dale, but also benefits from its own large lawned gardens, and off-road driveway parking for several vehicles.
Dale Road / Credit: Gascoigne Halman
The property is currently on the market with the Marple Bridge branch of local independent estate agents, Gascoigne Halman, for £1,695,000.
Featured Image – Gascoigne Halman | Regan & Hallworth | Fine & Country
Boroughs
A giant street art festival is coming to Stockport with over 50 of the UK’s top artists
Thomas Melia
As a nation we love things involving jam. Whether it’s jamming out to our favourite song, jam on toast, and now Stockport’s inaugural Paint Jam.
This huge event covers a 1km walking tour from Merseyway to GRIT Studios on Canal Street, with four different locations hosting their own taste of Stockport culture.
There’ll be a variety of activities taking place across the walk, with breakdancers, food and drink options, and DJs keeping you company as you immerse yourself in everything the Greater Manchester borough has to offer.
Akse P19, Qubek, Hammo, Liam Bonini, Caroline Daly, and Kelzo are some of the artists involved.
All the four spaces will feature street artists, with the Canal Street boasting more than 20 creatives alongside music and refreshments.
Manchester‘s-own Inspiral Carpets keyboard player, Clint Boon, will be part of the DJs on site providing ambience for the festival, perhaps incorporating sounds of the 90s ‘Madchester’ movement.
Radio 5 Live’s Nihal Arthanayake will also be attending as one of the event’s resident DJs.
This time last year, Stockport invited Argentinian artists to transform a 70 metre wall into a vibrant art installation called ‘La Boca to La Stocka’, depicting stories from the respective cultures, and more than 1,000 people attended with just less than six days notice.
This year’s event though is set to be on a much larger scale.
A giant street art festival is coming to Stockport with over 50 of the UK’s top artists / Credit: Richard Meftah
“This project is about knitting together, building on, and extending the Creative Quarter linking Canal Street to Hopes Carr,” says John Macaulay, who is the co-founder of GRIT Studios and Art Battle Manchester.
“Last year, 1,400 people attended with only six days’ notice, which was fantastic. We’re aiming to make this year’s Paint Jam bigger, better, and more vibrant, creating a well-defined cultural corridor that bursts with world-class street art.”
Thomas Melia -
11th September 2024 
