The build of Therme Manchester, which is set to be the UK’s largest wellbeing resort, is finally underway, with a loose opening date announced.
The construction phase of the massive spa project begins this month – when it completes, it will be made up of 10 pools, 15 waterslides, sustainable gardens and a diverse range of restaurants and cafes.
The entire thing will be kept at a balmy 33ºC all year round using advanced technology, with warm water lagoons, botanical gardens and palm trees giving the site a real tropical feel.
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025 – it’s now up to £450m and is scheduled to complete for the end of 2028.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
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Last week, a Beyond Groundbreaking event was held at the site of the new wellbeing resort near the Trafford Centre, bringing together local leaders, partners, and community members.
There, it was announced that Therme Manchester is set to create around 2,500 direct construction jobs, as well as 650 staff positions to operate the resort when it opens.
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The business has already supported initiatives across the city, including the Manchester Marathon, NHS programmes and cultural events.
The latest on Therme Manchester opening date as construction finally begins on huge wellbeing resort
Therme Manchester is setting out to have a ‘significantly lower’ carbon footprint than other spa experiences, helped along by locally-sourced materials, and innovative construction methods such as air source heat pumps and on-site 3D printing.
As well as state-of-the-art swimming and thermal bathing areas, there’ll be spa and fitness zones, immersive digital art, sustainable gardens and a diverse range of restaurants and cafes.
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Professor David Russell, Therme UK CEO said: “Today marks the official beginning of a once-in-a-generation project for Manchester and the North West.
“Therme Manchester will be a place for everyone – a unique destination where wellbeing, sustainability, art and culture come together. Our vision is to make a lasting positive impact: creating jobs, supporting communities, and helping people live healthier, happier lives for years to come.”
James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters said: “We’re thrilled to have reached this pivotal moment as work begins on site at Therme Manchester.
The site of Therme Manchester in Trafford
“It marks the culmination of years of close collaboration between Peel Waters and Therme Group, an extraordinary partnership built on shared values and wanting to deliver the very best for our community.
“From our very first meeting, we knew Therme’s vision would be transformational, and together we’ve worked tirelessly to get to this moment and start the build of this world-class wellness destination in TraffordCity.
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“Therme Manchester will be a true gamechanger not just for TraffordCity, but for Greater Manchester and the North. It will regenerate a key site, create thousands of jobs, and deliver a landmark experience that promotes health, happiness, and connection.
“We’re very proud to be part of a project that will completely redefine leisure and wellbeing in the UK and Europe.”
An aerial view of how Therme Manchester will look
Neil Martin, Chief Executive at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We are proud to be Construction Manager for Therme Manchester, a project that aligns with our commitment to sustainability, technical excellence and making a meaningful difference to communities.
“We look forward to delivering this world-class destination that will transform wellbeing and benefit TraffordCity and the wider region for generations to come.”
A spokesperson from Trafford Council said: “The Therme project is fantastic news for Trafford, and I am delighted that construction work has started on this one-in-a-lifetime scheme. The resort will attract millions of visitors each year and will provide hundreds of construction jobs and full-time jobs for the borough.
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“Therme Manchester is a fantastic, visionary development and it supports several of our key commitments – helping provide a thriving economy, improving health and wellbeing and regenerating a vacant brownfield site in a sustainable location.”
Country 2 Country music festival is coming to Manchester next year
Danny Jones
Hold on to your cowboy hats, country fans: the smash-hit Country 2 Country music festival is coming to Manchester.
The massive live music festival specialising in all things country, folk, bluegrass, Americana and more has slowly been expanding its presence across the UK and Ireland over the last decade or so.
Starting in London at the O2 Arena, before hitting the Emerald Isle in 2015 and debuting in Scotland just three years later, it has seen some of the biggest acts from the world of country music cross the Atlantic to show off the Stateside genre, plus plenty from around the globe already immersed in the culture.
We’ll confess, even prior to the official announcement, we had a feeling this was coming when we spotted these posters dotted about in town:
Like so many of those buzzing in the comments, we cannot wait for this to come around.
With this year’s respective events taking place simultaenously place over the coming weekend, Friday, 13 to Sunday, 15 March, it’s fair to say they’ve timed the news perfectly.
Everyone from established names such as Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, to up-and-coming bands as well as fast-rising artists working in and around the genre, like Nate Smith, Lainey Wilson and, of course, the now well and truly massive Luke Combs.
For instance, the likes of Keith Urban, Noah Rinker, Alana Springsteen – no relation – Zach Top and many, MANY more, are playing across London, the OVO Hydro in Glasgow and Belfast’s SSE Arena for the 12th edition of the now annual celebration.
Set to arrive in our city centre for the very first time, Country 2 Country (C2C) will be making its Manc debut at none other than the legendary AO Arena, where so many of the biggest names and current generation of stars alike have played.
You only have to look at recent examples like Darius Rucker last year and the ever-growing Tyler Childers, helping kick off this season of country gigs here in Manchester.
Meanwhile, as you can see for Country 2 Country music fest’s Manchester debut, it’s coming in March 2027, and they’ll be teaming up with other local gig venues and bars to turn 0161 into a little slice of Broadway – we just hope we get a bit of Austin weather to boot.
It’s fair to say that this particular part of the music industry is definitely enjoying a big boom right now, with lots of different acts dipping their toes into the bayou, if you will.
However, C2C have been flying the flag for country music over here for ages now, and with it being hailed as remaining “one of the UK’s most spectacular annual festivals” by the likes of The Express and countless, among countless other reviews, we think it’s time you give it a go.
Better still, let’s show everyone that we can do it even better up North, and here in what everyone knows is Britain’s real musical home: Greater Manchester.
Tickets will be available from 10am next Friday, 20 March, and you can sign up to get early bird pre-sale access right HERE.
Credit: Niko Moon/Luke Dyson Photography (supplied)
Featured Images — Niko Moon/Luke Dyson/Anthony Mooney (supplied via SJM Concerts)
Travel & Tourism
New proposals to transform one of Manchester’s busiest roads revealed
Emily Sergeant
New proposals which could transform one of Manchester’s busiest roads have been unveiled.
Oldham Road is one the key routes into the city centre, and sees upwards of 26,000 journeys a day via a combination of car, bike, and public transport, according to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), but these new plans are set to improve journey times, safer crossings, protected cycleways, better connections, and boost sustainability.
“We know that things can be better,” TfGM said in a statement unveiling the proposals this week, adding that change is needed.
In the last five years alone, there have been 36 collisions on Oldham Road between Great Ancoats Street and Queens Road, with seven serious injuries caused as a result, which is why Council believes, with a number of targeted improvements, the road can be made better for everyone.
New proposals to transform one of Manchester’s busiest roads have been revealed / Credit: TfGM
When asked during the last consultation, hundreds of locals said what they wanted buses to come more often and be more reliable, safer places to cross the road, wider pavements for walking, and better-protected cycle lanes.
As part of the unveiled plans – which are currently out for consultation too – TfGM and the Council is proposing adding more bus lanes so buses don’t get stuck in traffic, as well making bus stops nicer with better places to wait, and building more cycle lanes that are separate from cars.
Proposals also include changing traffic lights to help people cross the road, and fixing busy junctions so they’re easier and safer to cross.
Proposals are aiming to make the road safer, better-connected, and more sustainable / Credit: TfGM
“Improving everyday journeys is a priority, and the proposals for Oldham Road are central to this,” commented Alison Chew, who is TfGM’s Interim Director of Bus.
“Through the Bee Network, we’re creating a joined-up, safer and more affordable transport system for Greater Manchester, reducing congestion for everyone and connecting people with places and opportunities.
“These plans aim to make bus stops safer and easier to use, improve the speed and reliability of bus services, and provide better walking and cycling routes with upgraded crossings and footpaths.
“As Manchester city centre continues to grow, improving the way people can move easily around the city is a major driver for change. We know that things can be better.”
You can have your say on the proposals on the Council website here.
Daisy Jackson -
15th September 2025 
