It’s been a long time coming… but work has now finally begun to transform Ancoats Green into the “green heart” of the neighbourhood.
Manchester City Council has confirmed that major investment is now underway to create a much-improved city centre park space as part of “the closing chapter” of the regeneration of the Ancoats area that began more than 20 years ago.
Developers say the new park will act as a “focal point” for the popular Manchester neighbourhood as part of a wider public realm investment in that’s aiming to “celebrate the industrial and manufacturing heritage” of this part of the city centre.
New walking and cycling routes also form part of the project to “encourage active travel”, as does “significant” planting of new wetland areas and wildflowers to add colour all year round.
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Work begins on ‘closing chapter’ of £32m Ancoats Green regeneration project / Credit: Manchester City Council
On top of this, given the fact that ‘community’ is said to be right at the heart of the project, along with the ambition to make a high quality and multi-functional greenspace for both existing and future generations, new play areas with accessible equipment, open grassed areas, generous footpaths, and spaces for hosting small events will also be created.
Funds for the project are being provided through Homes England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to create the “necessary infrastructure” so that 1,500 new homes can also eventually be built.
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Homes England has committed £28.1 million to the overall project, along with £4.7 million allocated by GMCA, to bring the total budget to £32.7 million.
The first artist impression images of the project have been released this week / Credit: Manchester City Council
Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council, said she’s pleased that work is now underway on the final part of the regeneration to what is now one of Manchester city centre’s most sought-after and popular residential areas.
“We know that more and more people are choosing to have families in the city centre,” Cllr Craig continued, “and we have an opportunity, through this investment, to create a new green heart for Ancoats with open grassed spaces and new play park that will allow the community grow and knit around it.
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“This is part of a long-standing and long-term commitment that we have to make Manchester a greener, more attractive, and cleaner place to live.
“We are committed to creating more high-quality green spaces for residents and visitors.
“Ancoats Green will be the focal point that this neighbourhood needs, becoming the lynchpin of the ongoing development in the area, and the final chapter on the regeneration of Ancoats over the last two decades.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Canal Street cordoned off after ‘suspicious chemicals’ reported at hotel
Daisy Jackson
Canal Street and several other streets in the Gay Village in Manchester have been cordoned off this afternoon.
Greater Manchester Police are attending reported of a smell that’s believed to be chemicals coming from a hotel room in the area.
There’s a huge emergency services presence in the area, including vehicles from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, and the North West Ambulance Service.
Police have confirmed that they have detained a man who is believed to have been the occupant of the hotel room.
The hotel itself has been evacuated while the material is examined.
Thankfully, no one has been injured in the incident that has shut down part of Canal Street today.
Emergency services vehicles at the scene on Canal StreetThe cordon in place on Canal Street
GMP said in a statement: “We are currently searching a hotel room at a premises on Canal Street, Manchester. This follows a report of a smell – currently believed to be chemicals – causing suspicion.
“A man, believed to be the occupant of the room, has been detained and is currently in custody.
“As a precautionary measure, the hotel has been evacuated while specialist resources examine the material and conduct further enquiries.
“No-one has been injured and we are working to establish the full circumstances. We thank people for their patience as we continue with our work.”
England football fans warned as ticket scams skyrocket ahead of World Cup
Emily Sergeant
England football fans are being warned to remain vigilant, as ticket scams skyrocket ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup merely weeks from officially kicking off in the North America and Mexico on 11 June, football fans are being urged to guard against scams, as newly-released data from Lloyds has revealed that football ticket scams increased by more than a third (36%) during the current Premier League season.
The findings – which are based on thousands of scam cases between October 2025 and March 2026 – showed that fraudsters focused heavily on popular teams such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea.
Fraudsters also repeatedly targeted supporters looking for tickets to some of the most in-demand football matches in the UK, which is why, with the upcoming World Cup set to be one of the most speculated sporting events of the year, scam warnings are being issued.
It’s anticipated that fraudsters will target the big-name fixtures and attempt to exploit international demand, according to Lloyds.
England football fans are being warned as ticket scams skyrocket ahead of the World Cup / Credit: Picryl
On average, it was revealed that victims lost £215 during the current Premier League football season, but some fans even paid thousands of pounds for ‘season tickets’ or VIP seats that never existed.
Hopeful football fans are expected to pay much more for expensive World Cup tickets, meaning the potential loss for victims could be ‘devastating’.
As scammers know demand for World Cup tickets will be huge, it’s expected that they will mimic the methods seen in club level scams – including fake listings on social media, pressure to act fast, and requests for bank transfers.
“Fraudsters thrive on urgency and target fans looking for hard to get tickets for big name fixtures,” explained Liz Ziegler, who is the Fraud Prevention Director at Lloyds.
“Most of the football ticket scams we see start on social media, before the criminal moves the buyer onto WhatsApp and insists on a bank transfer to pay. It’s incredibly convincing, and we don’t want fans to lose their money trying to support their team.
“We’re urging supporters to stay alert and stick to official ticketing channels.”
Ahead of the World Cup, Lloyds and the Home Office have teamed up to take action to protect fans by highlighting how criminals will try to exploit the excitement – with Lord Hanson adding: “Our new fraud strategy sets out how we will use every tool at our disposal to disrupt and dismantle criminal operations, bring fraudsters to justice and strengthen support for victims.”
Emily Sergeant -
19th January 2024 
