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.”
‘Groundbreaking’ new police team launches on Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world
Emily Sergeant
A ‘groundbreaking’ new policing model aimed at making the Bee Network one of the safest public transport networks in the world has launched.
Described as being ‘pioneering’, the first-of-its-kind approach – named the Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) – will bring Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) even closer together to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour, and safety issues across the region’s transport network.
So, how will it work then? Well, according to TfGM, the command will ‘effectively establish’ the Bee Network as GMP’s eleventh policing district.
It will bring together up to 300 personnel, including new police officers, who are all involved in keeping the network safe and providing greater reassurance to passengers travelling across the region.
Efforts to keep passengers safe on buses, trams, active travel routes, and roads across Greater Manchester will be ‘strengthened’ through the new team – improving co-ordination in response to incidents, and helping to reassure communities.
A ‘groundbreaking’ new police team has launched on the Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world / Credit: TfGM
The new team will also incorporate the existing Roads Policing Unit within GMP that includes specialist functions such as the Central Ticket Office, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, the motorbike unit, the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, and more.
Overall, the key focus of TPACC is to:
Increase public confidence on safety across the transport network
Reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and criminality across the transport network
Increase the number of users of the Bee Network across Greater Manchester
The launch of TPACC is said to represents ‘the next phase’ of Greater Manchester’s commitment to creating a ‘safer, more secure, and more welcoming’ transport network for everyone who lives, works, and travels across the region.
“I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together more than 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.
“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”
Featured Image – TfGM
Travel & Tourism
First 14 Greater Manchester train stations set to join Bee Network this year revealed
Emily Sergeant
The first 14 train stations in Greater Manchester that are set to join Bee Network before the end of the year have been revealed.
In case you need bringing up to speed, back in December of last year, Andy Burnham – who was then Greater Manchester Mayor, at the time – announced a step-by-step plan for bringing the region’s rail lines into the Bee Network, all with the aim of creating the first truly integrated public transport system outside London.
Eight commuter rail lines will be brought onto the Bee Network in phases through to 2028, with the final additions expected by 2030, so passengers can enjoy all the benefits of joined up buses, trams, trains and active travel.
And now it’s been revealed which stations are set to be the first to join.
The first two lines – which will connect Manchester to Glossop and Stalybridge – will become part of the Bee Network from December 2026, with contactless ‘tap in, tap out’ ticketing also rolled out across 14 stations at the same time.
Here’s everything you need to know.
The first 14 Greater Manchester train stations set to join the Bee Network this year have been revealed / Credit: TfGM
The 14 Greater Manchester stations joining the Bee Network in December 2026
Ardwick
Ashburys
Broadbottom
Dinting
Fairfield
Flowery Field
Glossop
Godley
Gorton
Guide Bridge
Hadfield
Hattersley
Manchester Piccadilly
Newton for Hyde
The 15 stations planned to join the Bee Network in March 2027
Ashton-under-Lyne
Belle Vue
Bredbury
Brinnington
Hyde Central
Hyde North
Manchester Victoria
Marple
Reddish North
Romiley
Rose Hill Marple
Ryder Brow
Stalybridge
Strines
Woodley
The 43 stations planned to join the Bee Network by December 2028
Appley Bridge
Atherton
Bolton
Burnage
Castleton
Cheadle Hulme
Clifton
Daisy Hill
Davenport
Deansgate
East Didsbury
Eccles
Farnworth
Gathurst
Gatley
Hag Fold
Hazel Grove
Heald Green
Heaton Chapel
Hindley
Ince
Kearsley
Levenshulme
Manchester Airport
Manchester Oxford Road
Mauldeth Road
Middlewood
Mills Hill
Moorside
Moses Gate
Moston
Patricroft
Rochdale
Salford Central
Salford Crescent
Stockport
Swinton
Walkden
Westhoughton
Wigan North Western
Wigan Wallgate
Woodsmoor
The remaining 25 stations planned to join the Bee Network by 2030
Altrincham
Blackrod
Bramhall
Bromley Cross
Bryn
Chassen Road
Denton
Flixton
Glazebrook
Greenfield
Hale
Hall-i’-th’-Wood
Horwich Parkway
Humphrey Park
Irlam
Littleborough
Lostock Parkway
Mossley
Navigation Road
Orrell
Pemberton
Reddish South
Smithy Bridge
Trafford Park
Urmston
This means that contactless ‘tap and go’ payments with capped fares will be brought in across bus, tram and train services from 2030.
All timings are subject to ongoing work between Greater Manchester leaders and the Department for Transport (DfT), Network Rail, Shadow Great British Railways, and Train Operating Companies.
Daisy Jackson -
15th September 2025 
