A Manchester-based homelessness charity is teaming up with two local powerhouse developers to deliver a brand new initiative.
Supported by Peel L&P and CAPITAL&CENTRIC, Embassy is planning to create a new community to help the city’s homeless and vulnerable get back on their feet, and it’s set to be the first of its kind in the UK.
The Embassy Village will provide up to 40 new, permanent modular homes that are made from repurposed shipping containers, and it will be located on a self-contained, currently-derelict site, owned by Peel L&P that’s just below the railway arches between the Bridgewater Canal and River Irwell in the heart of Manchester city centre.
It will provide safe and secure homes for people who are homeless, or are at risk of being homeless, with in-house start-to-end support, and routes into work.
The plan is to house the vulnerable people surrounded by the support and training they need to leave the cycle of homelessness, and alongside those high-quality homes, the Embassy Village will also include a Village Hall – which will become a community hub and training and mentoring facility for residents – as well as communal outdoor space with plenty of greenery, a multi use sports area, space to grow vegetables, and external eating and socialising areas.
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A consultation on the planning application has been launched today.
Embassy / Peel L&P / CAPITAL&CENTRIC
Plans for Embassy Village are being launched amid the closure of dormitory style shelters due to lockdown and social distancing measures, with growing concerns across frontline charities that there will be an increased need for homelessness support and temporary accommodation services as a result of the pandemic.
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Government coronavirus (COVID-19) support measures – such as a ban on evictions, and funding to house rough sleepers in hotels – are also due to end in the Spring.
This is heightening fears across the city’s charity sector it could drive a spike in homelessness.
At Embassy village, the charity’s team of re-settlement workers and volunteers will provide wrap-around support of at least six hours per week, per resident, to equip them with a range of life skills, including shopping and budgeting, cooking, and how to manage a home, as well as a course designed to help residents unpack past traumas and grow in confidence.
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The self-contained site will be managed 24/7 by Embassy’s experienced team.
Embassy’s training and mentoring programme is also being designed to boost residents’ work readiness through job application, interview support and wider training.
The charity plans to build on its successful track record of helping residents to resettle into secure long-term accommodation and find routes back into work, by collaborating with local employers.
A total of 12 companies have already signed up to offer employment.
Embassy / Peel L&P / CAPITAL&CENTRIC
Speaking on the announcement of the project, Sid Williams – Founder of Embassy – said: “This pandemic has only gone to further strain the resources of the poorest in our society and we sadly expect to see homelessness increase.
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“Our approach is to provide rented housing and formally end homelessness from day one.
“We aim to get people into full time work and private rental sector housing, rather than council housing and benefits.
“We interview everyone we assist and what we look for is a willingness to make progress, learn and, where possible, to work [so] Embassy Village will provide residents with their own front door, and teach them the life skills they need to become independent and start contributing to society again”.
James Whittaker – Executive Director at Peel L&P – added: “It’s been a real joy and a privilege to bring together the business community to help create our vision to deliver a special project to reduce Manchester’s homelessness by transforming our land beneath some railway arches in the city into much needed housing for the homeless.
“We’re delighted to partner with Embassy, a charity who will make a huge difference in helping vulnerable adults to obtain better lives through their restoration programme by getting them into housing, employment and independent living”.
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Tim Heatley – co-founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC and Chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity – said: “We’ve worked with Embassy for the last few years, helping them to get the original bus off the ground, but we’ve always had the vision to create something more permanent that gives people their own front door.
“Making sure it’s really high quality, with communal areas like the village hall and sports area, has been super important as we want the future residents to be proud of their community.”
Sir Richard Leese – Leader of Manchester City Council – added: “Meeting the growing demand for emergency accommodation to support people vulnerable to homelessness is a major challenge, particularly at this time of year when the number of people asking for support and sleeping rough is at its height.
“Developing a Housing First opportunity in the city is welcome and I hope this type of community has the potential to provide life-changing help for people facing homelessness in Manchester.”
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If you would like to take part in the consultation, you can head on over to the Embassy Village website and complete the online questionnaire.
Property
Stage and Radio issue defiant statement in response to concerning development plans
Danny Jones
Manchester centre bar, music venue, and nightlife institution, Stage and Radio, has shared an impassioned and defiant statement in the face of proposed plans to be built next to the venue.
And when we say next to, we mean next door – and by that we mean practically on their doorstep, not to mention that of other local businesses.
Situated within one of the city’s most important creative and cultural hubs, in the form of the Northern Quarter, the gig space, club and popular meeting place finds itself under serious threat.
Speaking in the accompanying caption, they said: “Comment below and we’ll DM you a link to take action (It’s also in our bio!).”
They go on to say, “We’re urgently asking for the public to support Stage & Radio by voicing concerns by 10th June 2026 about a future development going up within a few meters of the venue.”
Unsurprisingly, the post has been met with an outpouring of not only shared rage, frustration and confusion, but more importantly, they’ve received a huge amount of support in the comments, too.
Fellow Manc favourite nighttime venue, Hidden, added, “Sit tight @stageandradiomcr you’re not going anywhere; meanwhile, several people across multiple sites have simply written, ‘Stage and Radio 4 Life.”
New developments and residential ventures continue to pop up all over the city and surrounding regions, as they always will, but these potential additions don’t look to be very welcome under the current proposals – a similar case has been made for the regeneration of Chorlton Cross Shopping Centre.
Lots of people are excited by the idea, but not everyone is in total agreement that the prospect of adding new, much taller and likely expensive properties into the mix is what’s best for the area.
Demolition and regeneration plans for a former shopping centre in a popular Manchester suburb are set to begin next month. 🌆🔨
As for Stage and Radio, we’ve had the pleasure of spending a fair few late nights there (not to mention well into the early hours of the next morning) over the years.
Releasing a direct statement to The Manc and Audio North, they told us: “We are deeply concerned about whether residential flats positioned directly beside an established grassroots music venue can realistically provide appropriate residential amenity and conditions suitable for long-term human habitation, while also protecting an existing venue from future conflict.”
S&R also noted these circumstances are not entirely unlike those that have jeopardised the future of fellow NQ neighbours and live music venue, Night and Day Cafe, in recent times.
The countdown is now ticking away for Stage and Radio – quite literally, as you can see by the banner now showing on the homepage of their website.
If you want to help save not just this venue but the culture, community and artistic scene it stands for, you can sign the protest petition and get involved in the fight right HERE.
Inside the lavish Grade II-listed Cheshire mansion on the market for an eye-watering £7.5m
Emily Sergeant
A lavish Grade II-listed Georgian mansion surrounded by Cheshire countryside views is currently on the market for an eye-watering £7.5 million.
Again, we know this one is a little off patch for us – but it’s such a grand property, we couldn’t not share it with you all.
Before we get carried away though, it goes without saying that the vast majority of us won’t have the money to buy this house just sitting in our bank accounts, but if like us, you love looking at houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never live, then allow us to introduce you to this absolute beauty.
This is Stretton Hall, and it’s described by estate agents as being ‘genuinely is one of the great representations of Cheshire‘s heritage’.
This is Stretton Hall / Credit: Dee Distinct Estate Agents
Found in the picturesque village of Stretton – which benefits from being close to both the amenities on offer in the neighbouring towns and cities of Malpas, Chester and even Wrexham, and stunning surrounding countryside, as well as good local schools and easy-access to motorway links across the North West and beyond – Stretton Hall is one of those properties truly deserving of its Grade II-listed recognition.
“Take just two steps through the front door and you can’t help but be impressed by the fact this is one of the warmest and most welcoming homes on the market right now,” estate agents declared.
Approached via a sweeping driveway and surrounded by mature grounds, this ‘distinguished’ eight-bedroom home is an exceptional country residence that combines historic character with refined modern living.
It’s a lavish Grade II-listed Cheshire mansion on the market for an eye-watering £7.5m / Credit: Dee Distinct Estate Agents
The property is packed with elegant period architecture around every corner.
Think beautifully proportioned rooms, high ceilings, exposed beams, original fireplaces, detailed joinery, and an abundance of natural light throughout, all to create a home that’s described as being both ‘timeless’ and ‘comfortable’.
At the heart of the house lies a generous kitchen and family space, as well as several reception rooms that are ideal for entertaining, while upstairs you’ll find multiple bedrooms and bathrooms arranged to suit both family living and guest hosting.
It’s set amongst regal grounds and surrounded by countryside views / Credit: Dee Distinct Estate Agents
The property is just as impressive – arguably even more so – once you step outside, as it is on the inside.
Externally, the property boasts well-maintained gardens, lawns, and outdoor entertaining areas, all enjoying far-reaching rural views towards the Welsh Hills, as well as there being established equestrian facilities on site too.
There are also a number of additional outbuildings on the land, which provide excellent potential for future refurbishment.
Stretton Hall is currently on the market for £7.5 million with West Kirkby-based estate agents, Dee Distinct, and if you’re keen to take a look around for yourself, then get in touch. Otherwise, you can just have a look around on Rightmove instead here.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd February 2021 
