Plans have been revealed to transform an underused building on the edge of the city’s iconic Gay Village into a 261-room aparthotel.
If it all goes ahead, Boulton House on Chorlton Street will turn into Joyce by The James, delivering serviced apartments to visitors to Manchester.
This exciting new chapter is planned for a 1970s office block in the city centre, which will be redeveloped and extended.
The building was acquired by The James, a family-run developer and operator, last July. They already operate an aparthotel across down close to The Printworks.
It will operate under their short-stay brand Joyce by The James, offering luxury short-term serviced apartments for stays anywhere between one night and 12 weeks.
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Each apartment will ‘combine the comfort of home with the convenience of high-end hospitality’ with an opening date pencilled in for 2027.
Guests would have access to a 24-hour on-site management team, a social lounge, outdoor terrace, business lounge, gym and games room.
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The plans also include ground-floor commercial space to activate the street, step-free access, and a zero-parking strategy to encourage sustainable travel.
Joyce by The James hopes to contribute to the Council’s ambition of being the most visited city region outside of London and a top 20 European destination by 2030.
A Manchester-based team including SimpsonHaugh, Deloitte and Font Comms are advising Joyce by The James, with ambitions to boost the vibrancy of the Chorlton Street, Major Street and Bloom Street intersection.
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The existing site of the proposed Joyce by The James aparthotel in the Gay Village. Credit: The Manc Group
Aron Azouz, Co-Founder at The James, said: “Joyce by The James will give Boulton House a meaningful role in the life of the future neighbourhood.
“Our ambition is that through the creative and dynamic refurbishment of the building as it enters the end of its current life cycle, the Joyce remains as a long-lasting part of the fabric of Chorlton Street and the Gay Village neighbourhood and makes an improved contribution to the area’s energy, character and identity.”
Grant Sulkin, Co-Founder at The James added: “We understand the value of listening to the local community as part of the planning process.
“We want to hear from people who know and love this part of Manchester, their insight will be vital in helping us get this right and we are excited to introduce Joyce by The James to the public!”
The James are now inviting local residents, businesses and community groups to share their views on the plans, with public consultation open until Friday 16 May 2025.
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Joyce’s team will be hosting a drop-in event on Thursday 8 May, 3-7pm at the Boulton House Foyer, 17-21 Chorlton Street, Manchester. There will also be an online Q&A on Tuesday 13 May from 6-7pm – head HERE for more.
A massive ultra and trail running event is coming to Greater Manchester this summer
Danny Jones
Has this past month’s Manchester Marathon and Great MCR Run heroics got you feeling all hyped up for the next big challenge? How does an epic ultra/trail running event sound?
Best get those legs resting because there’s a brand new event coming to the race calendar.
The advent of ultras and trail running, in particular, looks to be growing ever more popular and with some brilliant terrain to be enjoyed around the North West, it’s not hard to see why.
Greater Manchester has loads of these runs throughout the year already, and now beloved event organisers, Beyond Trails, are bringing their first-ever Manc date to life.
Simply titled ‘Beyond MCR‘, this dual event will see runners offered the chance to take on one of two races, both of which will see them plodding beyond the half-marathon distance.
Depending on your disposition, you can take on either a 25k trail around Manchester, Trafford and Salford, or an ultra around even more nearby boroughs.
The ultra marathon distance will see participants putting in the ones and twos for a total of 55k, passing through the likes of Bury, Bolton, Salford and more. It’s one way to see 0161, put it that way.
As described on the website: “See a little of Manchester’s wild side with Beyond Manchester: a running event with a 25km trail option or a 55km ultra route for runners and walkers.”
Beyond Trails will also be teaming up with local favourites Track Brewery to supply some much-needed suds after the slog is done, with runners being handed tokens to claim their free pints there afterwards.
Now that’s the kind of motivation we can get behind.
The announcement goes on to add: “With its accessible city centre start and finish, plenty of signage, and a trademark Manchester welcome, Beyond MCR is for every kind of runner, no matter whether it’s your first trail event or your umpteenth ultra.
“Parkland, street, disused railway, reservoir trails – you name it, Beyond Manchester’s got it. The city just feels different when you go beyond your usual route – and we think you’re going to love it.
No matter which one you choose, both runs will begin and end in the picturesque Castlefield district, and whether you’re lacing up your trail shoes or your most cushioned trainers for some serious mileage, you’ll be able to take some stunning views from around the city and beyond.
Taking place on Thursday, 26 July, with an 8am start for the ultra and 10am for the 25k, we reckon it’s a great excuse to book a long weekend off work. You can find out more information and enquire about booking a place HERE.
All the free things you can get with a Great Manchester Run finisher’s medal this year
Danny Jones
What’s the best part about doing the Great Manchester Run, we hear you ask? All the freebies, of course. You’ll be glad to hear there are more free things than ever for finishers this year.
More than 35,000 runners are set to take on the challenge, be it the half marathon or the 10k, and we firmly believe every single one of these legends should be entitled to as much free stuff as possible.
If it were up to us, they wouldn’t pay for anything all day, but hey, we make don’t make the rules.
So yeah, without further ado, here are all the freebies you can get for taking part in the Great Manchester 2025.
Free stuff and offers for Great Manchester Runners to cop in 2025
Without further ado, here are a tonne of freebies, discounts and deals you can grab by simply flashing your finisher’s medals:
Credit: The Manc/Supplied
Dishoom –Complimentary 330ml Kingfisher/Kingfisher Zero (0.0%) for anyone with anyone dining with a finisher’s medal.
Blacklock –Free glass of fizz on us with your medal.
Maray – Free glass of fizz/pint (or non-alcoholic beer/soft) for anyone with a medal who is dining on Sunday
Electric Shuffle – Free house wine, prosecco or pint for anyone with a 2025 medal.
Salon Madre – 2-4-1 margaritas all day Sunday for anyone with a race medal.
Suki Suki – Free bao bun for anyone with a medal.
Refuge/Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – 100 free pints of Manchester Union Beer (first come, first served)
Hello Oriental – Discounted soft serve ice cream, plus a free beer or soft drink with any meal for all finishers
The Shack – Flash your medal to claim a free glass of Prosecco or beer, plus parties with medals get 20% off their food bill.
Dough Religion (House of Social) – half price slice at Manchester Jazz Festival on Sunday
Daisy Jackson -
28th April 2025 
