The opening date for the relaunch of Altrincham Leisure Centre, which recently underwent a serious revamp, has officially been announced.
Yes, Alty Leisure Centre – or rather, ‘move Altrincham’, as it will be known moving forward – is finally set to reopen in full following a significant rebrand and redevelopment.
Works on the local Trafford leisure centre and community hub actually first began way back in January 2023, but now, over two and a half years on from its closure for refurbishment, it’s just weeks away from being reopened to the public.
Now officially relaunching on 26 August, move Altrincham comes three years on from the opening of a fellow fitness facility in the borough, with move Urmston debuting in 2022.
Much like how the pandemic delayed the unveiling of their counterparts, it’s taken quite a while to complete the Altrincham Leisure Centre (ATC) overhaul.
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The Urmston venue saw over £7 million pumped into resurrecting the old 1980s building back but in the case of ATC, more than £20m has been invested into this latest project overall.
Featuring a new, bigger and better fitness suite, state-of-the-art swimming pools, ‘The Cove Spa’ post-workout recovery and wellness assessment room; a brand-new purpose-built gymnastics hub, an expanded sports hall, as well as lots more, the place is set to be virtually unrecognisable.
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As well as a rejigged changing room set-up, catering to men, women, groups and crucially inclusive, there’ll also be an enticing new cafe, featuring a resident in-house bakery from native artisans, MOST.
They really have put everything you could hope for into this major regeneration.
Local authorities have already dubbed this move Altrincham the “most sustainable sports facility” in the region, ahead of its opening later this month.
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Sure to be a busy Alty outlet, Trafford Council has also confirmed that the building will use huge air source heat pumps and solar panels, saving upwards of 400 tonnes of carbon per year, with the remaining electricity imported off the grid pulled from a 100% green, renewable supply.
“More than 8,000 tonnes of carbon will be saved over the lifecycle of the pumps and panels, addressing the Council’s priority of addressing the climate crisis and becoming Carbon Neutral by 2038″, they go on to add.
Fixtures like this have been funded with support from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the UK government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, with over £2m of funding secured to bring the scheme to life.
Even the ‘purer’ pools will cost less money and water to run, not to mention the bonus of safe storage for bikes, nearby travel links to the Bee Network and EV charging points in the car park.
Speaking on the impending opening date, Cllr Aidan Williams – Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change – beckoned the reborn leisure centre as a shining example of the borough’s commitment to crucial environmental change.
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“move Altrincham is a great example of how we’re setting new standards in Trafford that will help the Council achieve its zero carbon goals and send a powerful message to our communities that we treat climate change seriously and are working hard to create a greener, cleaner future,” says Williams.
Once again, the new and improved Alty Leisure Centre opens its doors on Tuesday, 26 August, and we can’t wait to see what the neighbours make of it.
Marc Skinner leaves Manchester United Women after half a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester United Women’s team boss Marc Skinner has officially left the club after half a decade at the helm ahead of the upcoming WSL season.
Spending five fairly fluctuating years in charge of the women’s Red Devils side, to put it mildly, the 43-year-old departs after having led MUWFC to their only ‘major trophy’ in the modern era with their FA Cup win back in May 2024.
Multiple outlets have claimed that Skinner had been pushing for more backing when it came to recruitment, especially with so many teams levelling up and spending a significant amount in the Women’s Super League – and that’s just in this transfer window alone.
Conversely, a good chunk of the former Birmingham and Orlando Pride manager’s tenure involved saying goodbye to big and/or key players who have served the team well, including Alessia Russo, Katie Zelem, Hannah Blundell, Leah Galton, Millie Turner, Melvine Malard and Lucia Garcia.
Meanwhile, under INEOS, United have brought in very limited reinforcements of late – recently reiterating that they wanted to turn to the youth ranks instead, according to reports – and the divisive ownership have been heavily criticised for their treatment of the women’s squad and facilities.
As The Athletic journalist Carl Anka put it on X, it feels like “All change at the club”, adding that “you could feel Skinner was getting frustrated over the relative lack of investment in the team.
Joining the countless reactions online, one user said, “Thanks for the memories but it was time to move on”, while another even went so far as to add, “The best decision done ever.”
This was the moment Manchester United women’s team won their first ever major trophy under Marc skinner’s regime.Thank you Skinner❤️ pic.twitter.com/kiMRVd5Md0
Im not his biggest fan, but to give him some slack, the Club are paying players poorly, selling his best players and not replacing them. Can't compete in the transfer market either. He must be able to see that the only way is downhill.
Issuing a passionate response in the comments under the official United post confirming the parting of ways, another supporter wrote: “Fans may have seen so many things wrong with him. But he was an incredible guy, THANK YOU for everything, Marc.
“You gave me so many memories supporting this great club, gave me so much of your time. Made me feel like me again. I will support you always in your next steps.”
So he clearly has had some detractors of late, but there are still plenty of people who have remained behind even during difficult times; whether or not claims of him offering his resignation or counter arguments that he was ‘eventually going to be sacked’ come out in the wash, only time will tell.
Featured Images — Katie Chan (via Wikimedia Commons)/MUTV (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Greater Manchester’s ‘Stroll for Salford’ walking event returns for its second year in 2026
Danny Jones
Following its successful debut last year, Greater Manchester’s now much-loved Stroll for Salford (SfS) event is back for 2026 this autumn.
We’d like to think everyone from around here is filled with hometown pride, but you ask anyone from Salford, and they’ll quickly remind you that this place is its own city, and that it quite rightly deserves celebrating all of its own.
And that’s exactly what the SfS is all about: not just toasting it as the region’s so-called ‘second city’, but as the culturally abundant place that it is and has been for more than 100 years.
Yes, with this sophomore edition following on from the borough celebrating its official Centenary, what better time to hail all things Salfordian.
Stroll for Salford is back🚶🧡
We are delighted to announce the return of the popular fundraising walk back for its second edition on Saturday 19th September as part of Salford's Centenary Year celebrations!
— Salford City FC Foundation (@SalfordCity_FDN) July 30, 2026
Set up by Salford City FC and the partnered charity arm, Foundation 92, the inaugural walk raised more than £3,000 for charity with its maiden event.
Thousands got behind the cause, be it through volunteering and/or donating, as well as talking on the walking route itself back in October.
It’s actually happening a little earlier this time, with the second Stroll for Salford scheduled for Saturday, 19 September.
Kicking off from 10am, those taking part will be setting out on foot for a six-mile journey across the city, starting at the likes of the Civic Centre in Swinton, before passing through other key towns and finishing, of course, at Salford’s AIG Stadium on Moor Lane in Kersal.
The local League Two side continues to do plenty of important work in and around the community – this is just one of many recent, well-received initiatives.
As mentioned earlier, those getting involved will not only receive a special Salford t-shirt following the event alongside a finisher’s medal, but even a complimentary ticket to go and see ‘The Ammies’ in action at their home ground this season.
Not a bad deal at all.
For anyone uninitiated interested in coming along the journey, the route will also pass several key landmarks and a real sense of local history – all while doing your bit for a good cause.
You can help raise important funds for the local area and sign up for the Stroll for Salford 2026 HERE.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, another wholesome all-ages event is fast-approaching this August, too; keep on reading to find out all about it…
Danny Jones -
11th August 2025 
