Plans have been submitted to create a new market food hall and a cluster of restaurants inside shipping containers at Salford Quays.
The proposals would transform Quayside MediaCity – formerly known as The Lowry – into a waterside food and drink destination.
Developers Peel L&P, who have submitted the plans, want the area to champion local and regional operators.
If plans are approved, it would see outdoor terraces, an independent food hall, and a network of pop-up restaurant spaces added to the shopping centre’s southern canal side walkway.
Quayside MediaCity, part of Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. Credit: Unsplash
The latest submission follows the recent ‘Salford Quays: A New Vision 2030’, which outlines an aim for Quayside MediaCity to function as the town centre for the area.
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Peel L&P want it to be ‘a place that puts people at the centre, works for everyone, where creativity brings people together, that’s dedicated to wellbeing and that celebrates its past’.
A £5m investment plan is already in place with a five-year vision to revitalise the shopping centre and add in a medical centre and community event space.
Stephen Wild, Peel L&P’s director for strategic investment and growth, said: “Planning permission was granted in 2019 for a remodelled southern waterfront for a scheme known as the Watergardens.
“However, since then, we have lived through a pandemic which has refocused our minds on what our local community needs.
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“Following extensive consultation with those who live and work within Salford Quays during 2021 it identified an appetite for an enhanced provision of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, markets or a market hall and a medical centre.”
Featured image: Peel L&P
Salford
A Salford student has made history as BBC Radio 1’s newest presenter
Danny Jones
A University of Salford student has made history after becoming the latest radio presenter for mainstream national station BBC Radio 1.
And he’s only 20 years old.
Matt Hallsworth from Harleston in Norfolk has become the first ever Salford student to sign a contract with the station whilst still studying, and is now set to join fellow alumni such as Vicky Hawkesworth and Katie Thistleton in working for the BBC’s biggest radio station.
If that isn’t hitting the ground running in your career, then we don’t know what is.
👏 We are delighted to share that BA Television and Radio Production student Matt Hallsworth has made history as our first current student to sign as a presenter for @BBCR1!
— School of Arts, Media & Creative Technology (@UoS_ArtsMedia) March 27, 2025
Set to host the spin-off online stream ‘Radio 1 Anthems’ – available via BBC’s digital Sounds platform, which hosts live and pre-recorded broadcasts, podcasts, music playlists and more – Hallsworth will be taking charge of several shows in the coming weeks.
The BA Television and Radio Production student, who is currently Head of Radio at the University’s in-house station Shock Radio, has already won a number of awards in his fledgling broadcast career and is now set to present a total of 16 shows through next month, starting from 8am on Tuesday, 2 April.
Matt has already had a glimpse of life at the BBC, having joined in as one of their Christmas Presenters back in December; he won the coveted slot after being crowned winner of ‘Best Presenter’ at last year’s Student Radio Awards (SRAs) and was the youngest out of a total 27 guest hosts that got the chance.
In addition to that accolade, he also collected the Gold Award for ‘Best Chart Show’ at the 2024 SRAs, with his on-air partner and fellow student Issy Brand also joining him in earning the title of ‘Best On-Air Team’ for the second year in a row in the International Student Broadcasting Championship.
Since then, he’s already enjoyed experience as a freelance presenter for nearby Hits Radio, working and is now the lead host officer for The Student Radio Association’s annual conference over in Salford.
Speaking on the unbelievable opportunity, the rising radio star said: “I am so excited to be joining the BBC Radio 1 Anthems family across April! Since the stream’s launch in October, it’s been evident the BBC is using it as a platform to nurture new presenters, and I feel thrilled to be able to join that.
“I was working on some university assignment work in January when I got the text and call from Aled [Hayden Jones, Head of Station at BBC Radio 1], with feedback from my Christmas show and offering the opportunity.
“The shows have the best playlists, full of songs that I grew up with, forgot about, and play anyway. I can’t wait for people to hear them.”
As for UoS‘s Programme Leader for BA TV and Radio Production, Louise Ready-Syrat, she says: “I’m hugely proud and pleased for Matt, he is such a lovely person and a huge talent that will be amazing in every capacity.
“Watching his development over his time with us on the BA Television and Radio Production course has been a privilege and a real inspiration to his fellow students.
“Always quick to help out on our Open Days, award shows and as Head of Shock Radio, he has proven himself to be a true professional and a genuinely great guy! Super pleased for him, he will smash this!”
Lyndon Saunders, Senior Lecturer and Subject Group Head for Broadcast Media, went on to add: “As soon as we heard Matt take to the student airwaves at Salford, we knew he would be snapped up by somebody big before too long. It’s just amazing to discover that he’s going national on BBC Radio 1.
“He’s so hard working, so determined, but so humble about his on air talent. I’ve worked with Matt in a producer capacity as well and he has an incredible work ethic – a gift for the journalism and storytelling side of radio too. In short, radio is in his veins, and we’re thrilled he’s making his dream a reality.”
You’ve done your department, Salford and Greater Manchester as a whole proud, Matt – we look forward to hearing you on the airwaves for years to come!
As far as universities go, UoS continues to be a brilliant proving ground for up-and-coming media talent.
Consultation begins for plans to regenerate Strangeways neighbourhood and beyond
Danny Jones
The consultation for the potential plans to regenerate districts around Greater Manchester’s Strangeways prison has officially begun.
Known these days as simply HMP Manchester, the areas surrounding what was once known as ‘the UK’s most dangerous prison’ are the latest to have been eyed up for some serious TLC, with both Manchester and Salford City Council currently working on the “ambitious proposals”.
Artistic impressions of what the redeveloped region could look like have already been released, but now both members of the public, local businesses and stakeholders are being invited to share their feedback.
We have opened a consultation this week about the ambitious plans for Strangeways and Cambridge where we want to support existing businesses to thrive, create new jobs and build thousands of new homes – including lots of affordable housing.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) March 26, 2025
Focusing on the ‘fringe’ communities of Strangeaways and Cambridge, the councils’ joint consultation process is underway and is set to last eight weeks
While Manc, Salfordians and more can share their thoughts online, a number of in-person discussions will be taking place between two venues – one in Salford and another in Cheetham Hill.
The first of these meetings is being hosted at the Broughton Community Centre this Saturday, 29 March from 10am to 3pm, with the second scheduled for the following Tuesday (1 April).
Aanother series of assemblies will begin at The Yard on Monday, 7 April from 3-7pm. You can find the other dates below:
Thursday 24 April, 3-7pm – Salford
Tuesday 29 April, 3-7pm – Salford
Thursday 1 May, 3-7pm – The Yard
Tuesday 6 May, 3-7pm – The Yard
Manchester City Council Leader, Bev Craig, said of the plans’ progress thus far: “This framework is our shared long-term vision, alongside our colleagues in Salford, to deliver a transformation in the Strangeways and Cambridge communities.
“We have an opportunity to create a platform for development and investment, enabled by the successful work carried out by the ‘Operation Vulcan‘ partnership, to support businesses to grow and prosper in these neighbourhoods – creating thousands of new jobs and support the ongoing growth of our city – alongside a major new public park and new homes, including Council, social and genuinely affordable housing.
“We know this area has challenges, including the prison that presents a key barrier to the regeneration of the area, but we also know that there is energy and a community brimming with potential.
“We will deliver huge change in Strangeways in the coming years, working alongside the people who live and work there, and as we move to consultation in the coming weeks, we want to speak to local people and businesses about how we can make this part of the city thrive.”
What the area could look like compared to its current appearance. (Credit: Manchester City Council/David Long via Geograph)
The consultation process will end officially close on Monday, 26 May and the results will then be reported back to the both councils’ relative cabinet committees, as The Draft Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) has already been reviewed by both.
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, went on to add: “We’ve been on a journey of growth and regeneration in recent years, and our work has changed the landscape in different parts of Salford for the benefit of our residents…
“This framework proposes options for the Salford part of the SRF, taking into account the requirements of residents and local businesses, and the need for quality housing in the area. The key will be to balance these needs with what the long-term flood data is telling us and how we future-proof the area against climate change.
“The proposals in the framework seek to identify the best possible options for this area. These include the exciting opportunity to create a new city park for all, with an option for appropriate levels of mixed-use development, to continue to drive sustainable growth.”
It goes without saying that the presence of HMP MCR, a.k.a. ‘Strangeways Prison’, still presents a major image problem, especially given both historic and even more recent headlines.
However, with so many historic areas of central Manchester and beyond having been transformed over the past decade, who knows what the next 10 years will hold for this particular area?
Once again, you can offer your feedback on the Strangeways and Cambridge regeneration plans HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
6th April 2022 
