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‘When will it end?!’ – Manchester theatre left devastated after having to cancel shows again

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 11th January 2022

One of Manchester’s best-loved theatres has been left ‘devastated’ after once again having to cancel performances.

The directors at Hope Mill Theatre say the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic has left them feeling ‘sad’ and ‘gutted’ for almost two years, asking: “When will it end?!?”

The independent venue in Ancoats had to cancel 15 sold-out shows of The Wiz over Christmas, usually the busiest time of year for the theatre industry.

Performances had to be called off due to Covid cases within the company, though tonight’s show is scheduled to go ahead as planned.

The theatre has also revealed plans to stream the production online, but the couple behind the theatre say they’ve ‘tried so hard to keep going’.

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Hope Mill Theatre’s production of The Wiz. Credit: Pamela Raith Photography

Artistic director and Hope Mill Theatre co-founder Joseph Houston said, when sharing the update on The Wiz: “Truly devastated! We’ve tried so hard to keep going.

“I have to say, I feel sad for the company & crew, I feel sad for the venue team and bar staff and I feel so sad for the audiences.

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“And I’ve felt like this for almost 2 yrs! When will it end?!? It’s just too hard!”

William Whelton, co-founder, added: “Absolutely gutted but it’s just so difficult at the moment, for everyone in the arts.

“3 shows down as DSM, today would have been my 4th show, we will do what we can in order to open again.”

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Hope Mill Theatre posted: “We are completely gutted to be back in this position.”

Read more: Energy company apologises after telling people to ‘cuddle pets’ and ‘eat porridge’ to keep warm in the winter

To make up for all the lost shows, Hope Mill Theatre will instead stream a limited run of the production, with tickets limited to the number of seats inside the intimate venue.

The Wiz is a retelling of the classic children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in a contemporary Black British setting.

Tickets for The Wiz online are available at hopemilltheatre.co.uk/whats-on.

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Manchester City start work on next phase of stadium expansion, hotel, museum and more

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester City new stadium expansion next phase

Manchester City have officially started work on the next phase of their ambitious stadium expansion plans which will see their capacity increase and the wider Etihad Campus transformed into a ‘best-in-class entertainment venue’.

Planning permission for the Etihad Stadium update was secured back in July 2023 and the club has confirmed that the first steel beams have now been installed after arriving in recent weeks.

The £300 million project will not only see the Etihad’s capacity climb from 53,400 to over 60,000 but, as previously detailed, the City Football Group‘s plans also entail the creation of a brand new club shop and museum, an integrated 400-bed hotel as well as an updated fan zone set to house around 3000.

With the initial steel framework now in place, not only has ground now been broken 12 months on from full arrival and just in time for the club’s 130th birthday, but they’re already making fast progress.

Man City and CFG issue update on £300m stadium and Etihad Campus expansion.

Man City fans can expect to see the number of seats jump up in time for the 2025/26 season, with the bulk of the stadium expansion and other renovations taking place around the North Stand – the tier facing opposite the brand-new Co-op Live Arena, which faced setbacks this week.

In addition to the other main leisure attractions, once completed, the newly expanded stand will also boast a sky bar and stadium roof walk above the upper tier, giving fans and tourists the chance to enjoy unique views of the pitch and the Manchester skyline.

Drawing parallels to Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, which was finally completed back in 2019, this will see City once again trying to assert themselves at the forefront of modern football experiences.

Moreover, with neighbouring Co-op Live arriving as a joint venture between the CFG and Oak View Groups, the Etihad Campus is perfectly poised to achieve the owners’ goal of becoming a “world-class, all-year-round entertainment venue”.

man city museum sky bar
man city new hotel
Those working on the Manchester City stadium expansion (Credit: Tom Barton via Man City)

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Importantly for the East Manchester district, the stadium infrastructure project will also bring job opportunities and economic growth to the area, with the club insisting they want to build on their “long-standing investment and commitment to its local community”.

As per an official press release, it is estimated that approximately 890 full-time roles will be created during the construction phase alone and even more are expected to be delivered once Manchester City’s new hotel, museum, sky bar and dedicated fan zones are finished.

Speaking at the site, Managing Director of Manchester City Operations, Danny Wilson, said:
“It’s been an exciting few months with the arrival and installation of the first steels and
fantastic to see the development and progress of the build in recent weeks.

“This project has been designed with our fans at its heart and demonstrates our commitment
to creating one of the most memorable fan experiences in world sport. Fans will have the
opportunity to extend their matchday by joining us at the new covered fan zone, visiting the
museum, or staying at the hotel… The next evolution of the campus is well underway and it’s great to mark the progress being made.”

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

Featured Images — Manchester City (supplied)

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Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s official… Chester Zoo has been named to best zoo in the UK for 2024.

Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world – but now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.

The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.

Based on millions of online reviews, the new ranking puts the beloved Cheshire-based attraction ahead of the country’s other zoos after earning consistently good feedback from its visitors.

Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024 / Credit: Chester Zoo

According to Chester Zoo, the “wonderful news” means that, as a conservation charity, it can continue its work with countries across the world to “help all animals survive and thrive”, as well as provide expert care to the 37,000 animals who currently call the zoo their home.

The zoo has also thanked its visitors for all their continued support each year, as this allows to “keep making a difference”.

“With every admission ticket, membership, animal adoption, or experience purchased, you are contributing to our mission of preventing extinction,” Chester Zoo said in a statement.

Speaking on the coveted new TripAdvisor title, Jamie Chirston, who is the CEO at Chester Zoo, says he’s “over the moon to be named the best zoo in the UK”, adding in a statement that: “It’s an incredible achievement and especially pleasing given it’s based on thousands upon thousands of genuine reviews and opinions.

“It’s a real seal of approval from our visitors, and testament to every single one of our dedicated, hardworking, and talented staff that make our conservation zoo the wonderful place it is.

“Every time someone walks through our gates, not only do they enjoy all kinds of wildlife experiences and a have great day out, but they’re also contributing to the vital conservation work we carry out here and around the world, and that’s why, as a not-for-profit conservation zoo, this top TripAdvisor ranking means such an awful lot to us.

It’s all thanks to more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings by visitors on TripAdvisor / Credit: Chester Zoo

“It’s confirmation that we’re getting things right for our visitors, [which is] especially important as, together, we’re preventing extinction and making a real difference for wildlife.”

The UK’s best zoo isn’t the only title Chester Zoo has claimed this month either, as TripAdvisor has also listed it as the eighth-best zoo or aquarium to visit in the whole of Europe too.

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So it double congratulations are in order – and they couldn’t be more well-deserved, right?

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

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