Salford

Waterfront food hall and shipping container restaurants planned for Salford Quays

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 6th April 2022

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.

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Read more: A new plant-based fast food restaurant is opening in the Northern Quarter

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

Salford City sign EFL veteran and former Manchester United academy player James Chester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Salford City sign James Chester on a free transfer from Barrow

Salford City FC have announced another new signing ahead of the 2024/25 season, as former Wales international and EFL veteran James Chester joins the League Two side on a free transfer.

With nearly 500 appearances to his name over the course of 17 years at a dozen different clubs, James Chester is a real journeyman of English football, having first come through the Manchester United academy before enjoying his longest spells at the likes of Hull City and Aston Villa.

The Warrington-born defender, who also had 35 caps for Wales and played his part in them reaching the quarter-finals at Euro 2016, was most recently playing at Barrow AFC but is now set to join fellow third-division side Salford as they look to finally mount a more promising promotion campaign.

Signing a one-year deal with the Ammies on Wednesday, 17 July, Chester is their seventh signing of the summer transfer window thus far. They’re not messing about.

Having spent time in the Premier League at both West Bromwich and Aston Villa, the lattermost he helped gain promotion back to the top flight back in the 2019 Championship playoff final, the centre-back brings real experience to the Greater Manchester team.

The local club, co-owned by the Class of ’92, have plateaued in recent years after climbing out of the National League and somewhat losing their momentum following an albeit impressive three promotions in four years. They finished 23/24 in 20th place after flirting with relegation for much of the season.

With that in mind, even at 35, shoring up the defence with a player of his ilk who helped the Cumbrians to 12 clean sheets last season could prove big for the local outfit.

Commenting on the move, Chester told club media: “I look back on the games that I have played in, and I think that if you had told me before I started my career, I would never have believed you and I would have snapped your hands off there and then.

You can watch James Chester in his first full interview as a Salford City player down here.

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“There is a lot to choose from, but I think the Euros on the whole for Wales was a huge highlight, to be involved in that was very very special. But I think to have played for, and to represent the clubs that I have done, and to have had the career that I have, I find myself very fortunate and very proud it is continuing.”

Chester went on to add: “I still have a desire to play and win, so hopefully the supporters will see that from me. I was out in Dublin with the squad last week and it is a really good group to be around, and there are a lot of young players here too, so hopefully I can help them and bring them along as well…

“I still have the desire to carry it on and take it further, and all the Salford fans will see that.”

Given the local connection to CEO Nicky Butt and the rest of the Man United legends that still remain influential around Peninsula Stadium, he’s sure to be a valuable senior presence in and around the dressing room.

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Featured Images — Steindy (via Wikimedia Commons)/Salford City

Salford

Coronation Street reveals lineup of famous faces you could meet on ‘Stars Tours’ this summer

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Coronation Street has revealed the lineup of cast members you’ll be able to meet if you go on one its famous ‘Stars Tours’ this summer.

Unfamiliar with what ITV‘s ‘Stars Tours’ are all about?

Well, they’re basically everything you know and love about the original Coronation Street set tours, but only this time with a more famous flare, as the unique concept sees mystery cast members from the iconic show join selected afternoon visits every weekend.

The famous Corrie faces add an extra layer of star quality to the already-popular guided tours of the UK’s most recognisable TV set.

Thousands of visitors to Greater Manchester have already been on ‘Star Tours’ this year, and Corrie royalty like Maureen Lipman, Colson Smith, Andy Whyment, and Samia Longchambon have joined in on the fun, and have posed for photos, signed autographs, and even spent time chatting to loyal fans.

Coronation Street has revealed its lineup of famous faces you could meet on ‘Stars Tours’ this summer / Credit: Coronation Street Experience

While it’s not to say that those famous faces won’t be reappearing on an upcoming tour over the next couple of weeks, so keep your fingers crossed if you’re a big Kirk or Maria fan, but the Coronation Street Experience has now revealed that absolute Corrie legend Sue Cleaver will definitely be among the mystery guests to appear this summer.

Fans will get to take a guided 90-minute journey around iconic Coronation Street locations on these exciting star-studded tours.

The Rovers Return, The Kabin, and Roy’s Rolls are just some of the locations you’ll get to see the outside of with your own eyes, while you can actually go inside interior sets like Prima Doner too, and even walk along the entire length of Coronation Street, as well as adjacent streets that are featured in the show.

Fans get to meet legends as they take a guided 90-minute journey around iconic Coronation Street locations / Credit: Continuum Attractions (via ITV)

“We know our guests want to get as close to the show as possible, and our Star Tours are the ultimate way to do just that,” explained Kristian Johnson, who is the General Manager of the Coronation Street Experience.

“Coronation Street has incredibly loyal fans, and we are so fortunate that the stars of the show want to repay their loyalty.

“They love spending time with our guests to fulfil their bucket list wishes and give them a day to remember. Seeing their excitement when they come face-to-face with their favourite cast members like Sue, Maureen, or Colson is undoubtedly one of the best parts of my job.”

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Find out more about the Coronation Street Experience, and book your place on one of the popular ‘Stars Tours’ here.

Featured Image – Continuum Attractions (via ITV)

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