Salford

MediaCityUK makes huge pledge to Salford Youth Zone

Exciting times for Salford and their next generation.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 12th May 2025

MediaCityUK has committed a sizeable new pledge to nearby Salford Youth Zone, becoming a key patron for the increasingly important community cornerstone.

Initial work on Salford Youth Zone (SYZ) only began back in 2023 but is already promising to become an important outlet for so many through the borough.

Set to open later this summer and now with backing from none other than the hugely influential entity that is MediaCityUK, SYZ’s inaugural year will hopefully get off to a wonderful start.

As its own city with the national media hub boasting a huge reputation of its own, its great to get more eyes on and profile behind the project.

Teaming up with Salford Council and Empower Youth Zone (EMPOWER) – the youth work charity behind the already established HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton and the soon-to-open SYZ – MediaCity has become the latest and one of their most generous patrons yet.

Pledging a huge donation of £100,000, MediaCity will be supporting the charity at large with an extensive volunteering and business support programme over the next four years at the very least.

As a Landsec Futures employability partner and influential hub for the creative industries in the UK, MediaCity are looking to work closely with SYZ and its partners to provide greater access in creative spaces and with local businesses.

Landsec (who have recently acquired full ownership of the MediaCity brand) are equally committed to creating places that deliver lasting positive impact for both communities and the environment.

As per an official announcement of the partnership, “It joins the growing EMPOWER patron community, funding vital services that enable young people to break down barriers, unlock potential, and build brighter futures.”

Salford Youth Zone – situated adjacent to Belvedere Road and Broadwalk in Pendleton – is set to open seven days a week, deliver more than 200 volunteering days each year, as well as offer completely free membership to support thousands of young people in the city and across Greater Manchester.

For those who have come across the exciting new ‘FRAMELESS’ exhibition over in Salford Quays, this comes not only in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery but SYZ itself in one of its first big activitations for 2025.

Here’s a whistle-stop tour of the £6.2 million youth centre and activities space.

Speaking in an official statement, MediaCity Managing Director Martin Chown said of the welcome new partnership: “Salford is an important part of our journey, and deepening our roots here reflects our commitment to enriching the communities we’re part of.

“Partnering with EMPOWER will help us continue to drive forward a thriving creative community while s upporting talented young people. MediaCity has become a cornerstone of Salford’s identity, helping the city attract leading businesses and driving investment into the city.

“It’s a bridge between Salford and the creative industries, and we want to ensure local people feel like a career in the creative industries is within their reach. EMPOWER’s arrival in Salford will make a material difference to young people and the wider community, so we’re proud to be supporting the team.”

Adam Farricker, CEO of Empower, went on to add: “Our partnership with Landsec is another powerful step towards our mission to support young people across Greater Manchester. MediaCity sits at the heart of the city, and we want our young people to feel connected to its energy and community spirit.

“Young people are full of potential but often need the right support to overcome the barriers they face and truly believe in themself. Together, with the MediaCity team and Landsec, we’re working to ensure every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to grow, succeed, and move towards a better future.”

With the recently unveiled ‘Content Studio’ to boot, it’s happening in Salford and another exciting event is also heading back to MediaCity this season.

Popular outdoor dining event returns to MediaCity waterfront this summer
Salford Youth Zone isn’t the exciting collab with MediaCity this year.

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Featured Images — Arran Bee (via Flickr)/Salford Youth Zone/Sophia J Carey (supplied)

Salford

Salford Lads and Girls Club to receive lifeline funding grant for ‘essential repairs’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Outside Salford Lads and Girls Club

Salford Lads and Girls Club is set to receive a lifeline funding grant for essential repairs merely months after facing closure.

The £400,000 grant will be helping to secure a long-term future for the iconic youth club.

Established in 1903 as a purpose-built club for boys, but now open to girls too, Salford Lads and Girls Club nowadays works to provide new generations with access to sports, creative workshops, fitness, music, drama, and ultimately, life skills.

The building is, of course, forever linked with legendary Manchester band The Smiths, through Stephen Wright’s iconic photo of the band outside the front doorway.

For this reason, the venue has become a worldwide landmark and pilgrimage site for music fans, and it even has a dedicated Smiths room.

Salford Lads and Girls Club will receive a lifeline funding grant for ‘essential repairs’ / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The venue’s funding grant is part of £2.4 million awarded to six historic places in the North West from Historic England’s Heritage at ‘Risk Capital Fund’.

Other sites in the region include the restoration of the upper seating areas at Morecambe Winter Gardens, and the conservation of the Grade II listed pumphouse at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port.

Some of the essential repairs set to be carried out with the funding include roof slate replacements, and brick and terracotta masonry repairs to ensure the long-term sustainability of this famous community building in Salford.

“Thanks to the extra funding from the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, we are able to breathe new life into neglected historic buildings in the North West that we haven’t been able to help through our existing grant schemes,” commented Louise Brennan, who is the Director of Regions at Historic England, as the funding grant was announced.

“This initiative will not only boost economic growth but also create amazing opportunities for people in some of the region’s most disadvantaged areas.

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“We’re thrilled to support projects that harness the power of heritage to make a real difference where it’s needed most.”

Featured Image – Travel Mag (via Flickr)

Salford

Cult Manchester food brand Brewski to launch new BBQ concept at MediaCity

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The creators of Manchester’s viral restaurants Brewski, American Pies, and Foldies are set to launch another new exciting concept.

Spanning 5,235 sq. ft and inspired by Brewski’s ongoing culinary tour of the US, the new concept at Quayside MediaCity will be called BIG TRAY BBQ and will be setting up shop at the bustling new food hall Kargo MKT this autumn, adding another exciting offering to the destination’s lineup of tasty food brands.

BIG TRAY BBQ is set to bring a counter-service smokehouse to Quayside, serving up BBQ by weight, alongside homemade sides and standout sauces, with inspiration from across the 52 states of the US and cutting-edge smoked meats and flavours.

With ‘smoke and spice’ set to be at the heart of the new concept, foodies can expect Brewski’s famous crowd-pleasing portions – but this time, with a twist.

New dishes to look forward to include 16-hour brisket, hot honey jalapeño cornbread, loaded trays of jerk chicken sausage, and smoked birria lamb shanks and ribs – with counter-side carving to give a true authentic experience.

“We’re delighted to be launching our latest concept BIG TRAY BBQ at Quayside later this year,” commented James Daly and Steven Stockton-King, who are the co-founders of Brewski.

“As a Manchester-based brand, it was important that our next chapter stayed true to our roots. We’re excited to bring something completely new to Quayside’s growing food scene and be part of what’s to come at the destination for the local community.”

Ben Hey, who is the Asset Director at Quayside, added: “We’re excited to welcome one of Manchester’s most loved food brands to Quayside.

“Their decision to open their new concept here is a real testament to the growth of the area and our exciting plans for the future. We know they’re going to bring something completely unique to our visitors, and we can’t wait to see the new concept thrive here at Quayside”.

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There is no confirmed opening date for BIG TRAY BBQ just yet, but what we do know is that it’ll be opening in the autumn, so keep your eyes peeled.

Featured Image – Supplied

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