Ex-rugby union and England international Phil Greening is opening a brand new elite training gym in Manchester city centre for those looking to take their fitness to the next level.
The former Gloucester, Wasps and Sale Sharks hooker was forced to retire back in 2005 due to injury but has been immersed in the world of coaching ever since, going on to coach the England 7s and US national teams among various other squads.
Now, fitness fanatics looking to ramp their training up a notch can take on the kind of programmes pro athletes and coaches run through every day at one of the most advanced training facilities you’ll find anywhere in Manchester.
Phil Greening’s new gym, The Athlete Factory Manchester, located on Quay Street in the city centre, promises elite training from the best of the best — if you can handle it, of course.
The Athlete Factory’s new Manchester gym, AF Urban (Credit: Supplied)
Branching out from its Chester HQ, AF Urban is the all-new elite training facility which promises over 100 years of combined team experience from some of the most high-performance coaches in the world and new standards not only in athletic-based personal training but sports performance equipment as well.
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Personally designed by the various elite coaches and manufactured exclusively for The Athlete Factory’s new Manc site, AF Urban (located just off Deansgate) provides its members with premium access to some of the most seasoned trainers anywhere in the UK.
Beyond the insights of Greening himself, coaches include Performance Director Paul Reed, who boasts numerous qualifications and more than 25 years of experience, as well as lead coach Stefan Gill, a fellow ex-pro, not to mention the Head of Sports Performance for the Manchester Giants basketball team.
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Oh, and he manages to squeeze in being a semi-pro boxer, so it’s no wonder the group has helped train the likes of Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett’ and more. Safe to say these lot won’t go easy on you.
Speaking in a press release, Greening said that “Manchester was a great, natural next step for us in terms of expansion. [It’s] is a vibrant, upcoming city and we are delighted to have put roots down here”.
Too right, Phil.
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He went on to add: “Our vision is to share our knowledge with everyone who is serious about their health, fitness or sport through world-class equipment, programming and coaching that is proven to get results. We can’t wait to get people through the doors and get training.”
And once you get through the doors, the new urban gym space is quite something.
The Athlete Factory’s ethos boils down to three core concepts: “Train, Build and Learn”. The idea is to give you the tools to go from a beginner to on the same level as the professional athletes and teams that the in-house coaches are accustomed to working with.
The new AF Urban elite training facility in The Annex Building, Quay Street, opens on 20 December, with taster sessions available from minute one. An unlimited access membership will set you back £190 for the month.
Classes will run from 06:30 to 18:45, Monday – Friday, with an extended, supplemental weekend schedule. You can see the full list of training and PT classes HERE and find out more information on their website.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is getting a new multi-million pound ride
Thomas Melia
One of the North West’s favourite theme parks, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, is receiving a brand new, multi-million pound ride next year.
The newest addition to the massive coastal amusement park will be a giant gyro swing, and work on making it come to life in the park has already started.
Although the concept of a swinging pendulum may exist at other theme parks in the UK, Blackpool Pleasure Beach reassures thrill-seekers that this will be bigger than any other – especially in terms of height. You could say this is the new rival to ‘The Big One’.
It’s certainly big in terms of cost, as estimates have construction valued at around £8.72m.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is home to some phenomenal rides and they’re gaining another.Thrill seekers will be able to the Pleasure Beach’s latest ride next year. Credit: Pleasure Beach Resort
The attraction is set to hold 40 riders who, if brave enough, will face outward with their legs dangling over the edge to replicate the feeling of flying.
This new ride has been on the horizon ever since Blackpool Pleasure Beach sent a digital van to their rivals over at Thorpe Park (currently closed for maintenance), which read: “We’ll just have to come up with something else then, won’t we?”
The next closest competitor at Drayton Manor is ‘Maelstrom’, which reaches nearly 74 feet, while this gyro swing will more or less double this number, racking up to 138 feet at its highest point at a 120-degree angle. Gulp.
Suspense has been building for this new addition as eager adrenaline junkies noticed the demolition of the former Bowl-A-Drome building, with no words from the park itself – until now.
CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE, said: “We’re thrilled to confirm the addition of a Gyro Swing at Pleasure Beach Resort, with work already underway.” It doesn’t have an official name yet, but it’s been dubbed ‘Project MMXXVI’.
We're delighted to unveil Project MMXXVI, a colossal 138ft Gyro Swing coming to Pleasure Beach next year. 🐍 pic.twitter.com/xAtEKpcgv5
— Pleasure Beach Resort🎢 (@Pleasure_Beach) March 20, 2025
Thompson also stated, “We’re well known for doing things on a large scale, so becoming home to the largest Gyro Swing in the UK made complete sense.”
This isn’t the only attraction receiving all the love at Blackpool Pleasure Beach as ‘Wallace & Gromit‘s Thrill-O-Matic’ is adding some new scenes, thanks to its recent win at the BAFTAs.
Much-loved ride ‘River Caves’ is also going to be re-imagined, while the ‘Launch Pad’ – which recently finished an upgrade earlier this year – will be open in Spring.
The Gyro Swing will be opening sometime in 2026, and while the date for its grand debut might not be released, the park has spoken on its location, announcing it will be placed up in the north of the park.
How exciting!
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is constantly adding innovative rides.This new Gyro Swing will be joining the infamous ‘The Big One’.Credit: Supplied
The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess to host ‘Merch Market’ in aid of bands
Thomas Melia
Tim Burgess, frontman of legendary band The Charlatans, is set to launch a one-off ‘Merch Market’ event, and its core purpose is to support bands.
He might have a ‘Jesus Hairdo’ but he’s currently serving as a good Samaritan as The Charlatans‘ Tim Burgess is putting on an event solely focusing on funding bands via gig merch and other apparel.
Running across a variety of live music locations within Manchester city centre, the day-long event is called ‘Merch Market’, and it’s encouraging music lovers and bands alike to tag along.
Although ticket sales, album sales and streams are critical in funding the careers of all the artists we know and love, one key drive in securing actual revenue in the music industry is merchandise.
Expect to pick up some rare finds and own some limited edition collections.Band merch will be front and centre at this event which is hosted by The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess.Credit: The Hoot/Audio North
‘Merch Market’ is taking place at O2 Ritz as well as adjacent venues Gorilla and Dog Bowl across the road with a special appearance from ‘Tim Peak’s Diner’, the caffeinated brainchild of Tim Burgess.
The whole point of this event is to make sure that bands can receive the full 100% of merch sales without any cuts from any third party.
Fronted by The Charlatans lead singer Tim Burgess, ‘Merch Market’ is building off his 2021 gathering, which had a similar initiative with ‘Vinyl Adventure’ encouraging the sale of physical music and media.
Alongside stocking up your wardrobe with all the latest band t-shirts, hoodies and everything in between, there will be an array of interesting performances and talks happening throughout the day.
Entry to this incredible celebration of bands is completely free of charge and, better still, there are chances to win some seriously cool prizes – including some tasty festival tickets.
Gorilla is one of the live music venues that ‘Merch Market’ is taking place at.The Manc and Antony Szmierek outside O2 RItz, another venue which will be taking part in ‘Merch Market’.Credit: The Manc Group
Expect stalls, live DJ sets, interviews, panels and even a chance to bag yourself VIP tickets for UK festival, Kendal Calling, which Burgess will be returning for 2025.
Burgess is a man of many talents as he will not only be hosting this fantastic initiative, but he will also be hosting a stall of his own and singing a couple of his biggest hits.
Bands don’t have to worry about forking out a fortune for renting a stall either as tables at ‘Merch Market’ are free, the only thing musicians have to bring is their merch and charming personalities.
So whether you’re an artist with leftover stock from your last tour or a music lover who just missed out on snagging a snap back, head down to these three venues on 25 May.
Danny Jones -
14th December 2022 
