Plans are beginning to take shape to turn a landmark building in Manchester’s NOMA neighbourhood into a beautiful new hotel.
New Century House – the Grade II-listed, 14-storey tower next to New Century Hall – could be transformed into a 196-bedroom luxury hotel.
And if it all goes ahead as planned, that might mean a new rooftop restaurant and bar.
The huge 1960s building has a classic modernist design and is a familiar sight in the Manchester city centre skyline.
Now MEPC, the Development and Asset Manager for the NOMA estate, is working with hotel and leisure specialist practice Jenics to secure a hotel partner to see the plans brought to life.
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The former Co-operative Insurance Society, later The Co-operative Group, could be transformed into an hotel with views across the city.
The proposals at this stage include restaurant and bar spaces, plus conference and leisure facilities.
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It would be at the heart of the NOMA neighbourhood, just a stone’s throw from the AO Arena, Manchester Victoria, and all the local businesses that have sprung up, from The Sadler’s Cat pub to the reborn New Century Hall music venue and food hall.
Plans for the new hotel include a sky-high restaurant space. Credit: NOMAThe new hotel would have great views of Manchester. Credit: NOMA
The area is also home to the already-acclaimed and Michelin-recommended Skof restaurant.
NOMA is already home to businesses including Amazon, The Co-operative Group, ath-leisure brand Adanola, Material Source, and Arcadis IBI Group.
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Once a hotel partner is secured, MEPC and Jenics will submit a formal planning proposal to Manchester City Council.
Dan Hyde, development director at MEPC, developer and asset manager at NOMA said: “New Century House is a Manchester landmark and we believe now is the right time to bring it back to life as a hotel.
New Century House is a landmark in NOMA. Credit: NOMAThe building could become a hotel. Credit: NOMA
“It’s a natural next step for our growing neighbourhood with the building located either side of BNY at 4 Angel Square and the destination venue of New Century Hall.”
Jeremy Collins of Jenics added: “Manchester has huge international visitor pull thanks to its global connectivity, world-leading universities and sporting and cultural assets.
“New Century House is a rare and outstanding opportunity and will be a tremendous addition to Manchester’s visitor economy offer, both from a business and leisure perspective.
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“NOMA has adopted a flexible approach to secure a ‘best fit’ occupier by way of either a virtual freehold sale or lease disposal. This approach will drive positive interest from a range of operators.”
10 things to do this summer across Greater Manchester, all accessible by Bee Network buses and trams
Daisy Jackson
We’re right in the heart of the summer holidays now, and there’s loads going on all over Greater Manchester to keep families occupied.
There are wholesome activities for little Mancs, like fruit-picking on a local farm, and a gigantic pop-up summer fair at the Trafford Centre complete with beach, splash pool, and fairground rides.
You’ll also find loads of free cultural events for all ages, including a huge installation of inflatable famous faces all across Manchester Arndale, and a real rocket that’s currently in situ at the Science and Industry Museum.
Not got kids to entertain but looking for fun things to do with your mates? We’ve got you covered there too, whether it’s kayaking down the Bridgewater Canal or taking on the UK’s longest outdoor tubing slide at Heaton Park.
And no matter what you’re doing, you’ll be able to get there on the Bee Network’s trams, buses, and Starling Bikes – visit the Bee Network app or website to plan your journey.
Trafford Centre Summer Fair
Trafford Centre Summer Fair. Credit: The Manc Group
A beach, splash park, fairground rides, and loads more family fun has returned to the Trafford Centre this summer.
The event has attracted thousands of families from across Greater Manchester and beyond in recent years, ready to build sandcastles on the massive manmade beach, or splash around in the splash park with lots of water jets perfect for cooling you off.
Adrenaline junkies both young and old will also get to enjoy retro fairground rides, including ‘Star Flyer’, ‘Sea Storm’, while the event’s in town, as well as a giant inflatable area, and loads more.
Tickets from £3
Visit a real rocket at the Science and Industry Museum
Visit a real rocket at the Science and Industry Museum. Credit: The Manc Group
You can spend the summer in space at the Science and Industry Museum, which has loads of space-themed free interactive events and activities to get involved with these next six weeks.
From live space shows and giant rockets, to tinkering activities, Martian discovery trails, and the chance to visit the blockbuster exhibition Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos if you haven’t already, budding astronauts are in for a summer to remember.
By far one of the stand-out free events this summer is the arrival of 30-foot-tall rocket ship, Skybolt 2 – hosted by Manchester-based aerospace company, Starchaser.
Thrill seekers, this one’s for you. Zip World up at Heaton Park has launched a brand new attraction this summer that’ll have you whizzing through the woodland on the UK’s longest outdoor tubing slide.
There are two slides side-by-side, with one measuring a whopping 262ft, which you zoom down in huge inflatable rings.
It’s suitable for ages four and up (and trust us adults, you’ll love it too).
Strawberry picking at Kenyon Hall Farm / Credit: The Manc Group
We might be creeping towards the end of strawberry season, but Kenyon Hall Farm has absolutely loads of different pick-your-own activities.
The family-run farm has been growing strawberries and other fruit for almost 50 years, and it’s one of our top recommendations for where to spend some time this summer.
You can frolic around the fields, then enjoy loads of seasonal summer treats in its cafe and farm shop too.
Local trailblazers including Emmeline Pankhurst, Alan Turing, and even Aitch have been turned into enormous inflatables, measuring up to a whopping six metres in length.
The impressive installation comes from celebrated local illustrator Stanley Chow.
Open all summer, free to visit.
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Check out the Manchester Open exhibition at HOME
Manchester Open exhibition at HOME. Credit: The Manc Group
The Manchester Open is back for 2026 – more than 1,500 applicants entered, of which 420 have been selected to showcase their works inside the gallery space at HOME.
With mediums ranging from ceramics, digital, painting, photography, sculpture and more, there’s art made for everyone to enjoy.
The exhibition is completely FREE and you’ve got plenty of time to visit before its final date on Sunday 6 September.
Walk along to Riverbank Coffee
The view from Riverbank CoffeeRiverbank Coffee’s famous sausage rolls
The only way to find this charming outdoor cafe on the River Mersey is on food – but that makes for a perfect summer activity.
Whether it’s a pitstop on a dog walk, a break on a family stroll, or a dedicated trip for one of their legendary sausage rolls, Riverbank Coffee is a gem.
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You’ll also find breakfast barms, pasties, cakes, cookies, coffees, milkshakes, and loads more.
Get lost at The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill
The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill in StockportA corner of vintage fashion
Who knew the North West’s largest vintage lifestyle centre was hiding inside an old cotton mill in Stockport?
Set within the historic Pear Mill, The Vintage Emporium is home to more than 65 independent traders, selling everything from vintage fashion and furniture to retro vinyl, jewellery and one-of-a-kind antiques – plus finds like giant Flake statues, Japanese parasols, and taxidermy.
After browsing, stop by the charming on-site tea room for a toastie, homemade cake and a brew, all served on vintage crockery.
You never know what treasure you’ll discover.
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Have a pint or a play at The Airport Pub
Flights taking off outside the Airport PubYou can sit inside a booth built from an old engine
Have you ever been to a beer garden where jets land just 50ft away from you? No? Get a visit to The Airport Pub on your list.
This has got to be one of the most unique pub gardens in the UK, perched right beside the runway at Manchester Airport.
Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or you just like a side of very noisy adrenaline with your pub lunch, it’s a Manc icon for a reason.
And there’s a huge play area in the garden to make it a truly family-friendly day out.
Kayak down the Bridgewater Canal
Paddling along the Bridgewater CanalPaddling down the Bridgewater Canal in Greater Manchester
You really don’t have to travel far to spend an idyllic day on the water.
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In fact, you could be paddling a canoe, kayak, or paddle board in just a short tram journey.
This is Grip Adventures, and you’ll find it in Sale right on the beautiful Bridgewater Canal.
The team here will send you on your way along the water, and if you paddle far enough, you could even visit Walton Perk for a coffee or a takeaway Aperol spritz, without even leaving your boat.
If you’re planning a trip around Greater Manchester this summer, visit the Bee Network to plan your journey.
Multi-million pound rail upgrades to cancel trains on major Manchester lines this month
Emily Sergeant
Multi-million pound railway upgrades will take place in Greater Manchester from this weekend.
In a bid to enhance future journeys for both passengers and freight as part of its ongoing summer improvement projects, Network Rail has announced that it will be carrying out major track upgrades in two locations travelling in and out of Manchester this summer.
Starting from this weekend (8-9 August) and then again the following weekend on 15-16 August, a railway junction will be replaced near Guide Bridge, and while the work takes place, no trains will be able to run on the Glossop/Hadfield or Rose Hill Marple lines in or out of Manchester Piccadilly station over both weekends.
Rail replacement buses are planned to keep passengers on the move – but people advised to plan ahead and allow ‘extra time’ for their journeys.
A multi-million pound rail upgrade programme is set to cancel trains on major Manchester lines this month / Credit: Network Rail
The second major scheme will see a midweek closure of the line between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale when engineers return to install a new railway turnback.
While this is being carried out, no trains will run from Monday 10 August until the morning of Saturday 15 August, and once again rail replacement buses are planned to serve the route instead.
Network Rail is thanking passengers in advance for their cooperation.
“We know there’s never an ideal time to shut the railway, so I’d like to thank passengers in advance for their patience while we carry out these essential railway improvements next week,” commented Lorna Samways, who is a senior sponsor at Network Rail.
“Both projects are major investments to improve rail journeys for passengers and freight in future.
“I’d advise passengers planning to travel between 8-16 August to check National Rail Enquiries so they know exactly what to expect from their journey.”
Daisy Jackson -
27th September 2024 
