Property

You can now own a two-bed barge in a Greater Manchester marina

'Cake by the Ocean'? More like cake by the marina.

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 25th January 2025

A new property has gone up for sale in Greater Manchester but you’ll have to act fast otherwise it’ll sail right past you – literally.

Ever fancied living on a yacht in Sicily or a cruise ship in the Caribbean? Well, now you can live your nautical dreams right here in the heart of Greater Manchester.

I hope blue is your favourite colour because this barge is decked out floor to ceiling in this deep maritime tone, even the kitchen cupboards are blue, pastel to be specific.

The main living area and kitchen are open plan with walls that span three-quarters of the property‘s width creating a corridor between the two bedrooms and bathroom.

live on a barge in greater manchester
The living room interior with a gorgeous fluffy rug.
live on a barge in greater manchester
The view of the living area with the dual fuel log burner.
Credit: On The Market

In terms of the cooking space, the kitchen is fully fitted with all the appliances you could ever need, perfect for a lazy Sunday when all you’re after is a full English and a nice comforting view.

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As you can see, there’s also a cute skylight window above the kitchen which brings in more natural light and broadens perspectives within this area, although it’s quite roomy anyway.

Both bedrooms are quite sizeable meaning you don’t have to downsize or reduce your wardrobe and your other half can stop insisting you do (just us? Never mind).

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Now, sit back, relax and just imagine drinking a prosecco while perched under the British sun on your new barge balcony.

If this barge wasn’t snug enough how about a log burner to go with it, and not just any log burner, a dual fuel log burner, that’ll keep you toasty.

Situated on Pennington Marina in Leigh, there’s a small collection of amenities nearby including a chippy and restaurant just a seven-minute walk away, I know where I’m off for tea.

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live on a barge in greater manchester
That stunning kitchen with matching all blue decorum.
live on a barge in greater manchester
The cozy main bedroom pefectly covered in rugs and blankets.
Credit: On The Market

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And if you’re ever in the mood for a walk, just hop off your cruiser and let your feet lead the way along the canal to the interesting and quirky Lock Gates Monument, only eight minutes away.

Overall, this houseboat is 70ft she’s definitely not small, this really is like a home away from home, the only difference is this one’s on water.

Interested in ditching land in favour of water or just feel like having a nosey, you can find the two-bedroom houseboat listing with all its pictures and floor plan HERE.

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

Featured Images — Supplied via On The Market

Property

A massive bowling, games and entertainment bar is coming to Manchester next year

Danny Jones Danny Jones New social club and games bar coming to Manchester

A popular bowling and table games bar that has already proved a hit in Liverpool is coming to Manchester for the very first time next year.

If you’re from the North West, PINS Social Club may not be a new name to you; nevertheless, this will be its Manc debut, with the location not only their first beyond Merseyside but just their second site to date.

As the name would suggest, PINS is primarily about bowling and socialising, but there is plenty more going on at this social club as you’ll find out soon enough.

Scheduled to open in late spring 2026, Manchester and our nearby neighbours in Liverpool are about to strike up a firm party partnership.

new PINS bowling alley coming to Manchester city centre
prviate games lounge manchester
roccos bar area pins social club
CGIs of PINS Social Club Manchester (Credit: Supplied)

Selecting the shifting face of Sunlight House for the space – already home to the likes of Schofield’s Bar – the 25,000 sq ft unit will span three whole floors, offering a next-generation social and entertainment experience in one of Manchester’s most stunning buildings.

A Grade II-listed, Art Deco structure, Sunlight House is undergoing a major £35 million refurbishment, with ‘grade A’ offices set to take up a significant chunk, but it’s soon set to house the latest PINS venue.

Sitting on Quay Street, just off the main Deansgate strip, the busy Peter St corner, and adjacent to Spinningfields, PINS Manchester is springing up right in the midst of arguably the city’s busiest stretches for nightlife.

Promising not only bowling, darts, and table games like pool, shuffleboard and beer pong, but karaoke, live music and all the biggest sporting events on the box, PINS Social Club really does aim to be a one-stop shop for all your needs on a night out.

For instance, their food offerings will run all the way from breakfast through to the late evening, and PINS Manchester is also set to feature a main stage on the ground floor for “electric half-time shows”, with the gaming mezzanine looming just above.

Not only is this going to be PINS’ biggest venue yet, but it’s well and truly on track to be one of the biggest hospitality openings coming in the next 12 months.

Headed up by MD Daniel Kelly, who has also been helping run the resurrected Almost Famous brand here in Manchester, the team knows all about this city. Speaking on the announcement, Kelly said: “Manchester is a city that thrives on energy, culture, and community – everything that PINS is about.

“This new venue will be our biggest yet, offering a bold and exciting social space that’s purpose-built for entertainment, competition, and ultimately, having a great time. We can’t wait to bring our concept to Manchester’s incredible social scene. Keep an eye out for more details coming soon.”

Julien Buronfosse, Managing Director at Karrev (the estate company who have leased the building to the business) added: “The PINS offering is diverse, dynamic and will provide tenants and the local community with an unparalleled leisure experience.

“We wanted to work with an operator that understood our vision of breathing new life into a historic building, contributing to the new era that Sunlight House is entering. The building has ambitions to be much more than Grade A office space, with a specific emphasis on community building. The addition of PINS to Sunlight House will contribute greatly to that.”

Consider us here at The Manc Group VERY excited for this one.

Sunlight House redevelopment Manchester.
As you can see, they’ve got plenty of room to work with. (Credit: Calmafftaylor via Wikimedia Commons)

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

Featured Images — CGIs (supplied)/Wikimedia Commons

Property

An incredible boat house right on the water’s edge in the Lake District has gone up for sale – for a whopping £2.25m

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson An incredible boat house right on the water’s edge in the Lake District has gone up for sale - for a whopping £2.25m

A rare chance to buy a house that isn’t just waterside, but literally on top of the water, has hit the market – and this piece of Lake District history could be yours for a cool £2.25m.

The Boat House is a charming two-bedroom house that stands on top of the mighty Lake Windermere, with its own wet dock beneath heading right out onto this iconic lake.

The home’s main attraction is, obviously, its setting, at the heart of one of the UK’s most treasured national parks.

The house has massive windows that offer panoramic views of the lake itself and the surrounding fells.

The Lake District boat house stands in the grounds of the Pullwoods Bay Estate, where there are also mansion house apartments and a gatehouse along with this converted boat house.

While the outside is in keeping with the property’s age, inside is a much more modern story.

Views across Lake Windermere from the boat house
Views across Lake Windermere from the boat house
Inside the Lake District boat house for sale
Inside the Lake District boat house for sale
The wet dock at the Lake District boathouse
The wet dock at the Lake District boathouse
Credit: Fine & Country Windermere

Expect two double en suite bedrooms, a modern open-plan kitchen and living room, and a contemporary interior.

It’s a compact home but the location and character go some way to justifying its £2,250,000 price tag.

The Boathouse is currently used as a holiday let, and can be sold fully furnished with all advance bookings.

It’s located between the hotspots of Ambleside and Hawkshead and on the north western shore of Lake Windermere.

You can see more on this amazing Lake District boat house HERE.

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Featured image: Fine & Country Windermere

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