We recently caught wind of a pretty intriguing and world-leading medical facility that’s just opened up in the UK and, yes, it’s a sperm bank that just so happens to be right here in Manchester.
Come on, we were hardly going to ignore this one.
Cryos International, the world’s largest sperm and egg bank based in Denmark but with locations all over the world, has just opened up outside of the city centre and we recently got an insight into what it’s like working there from a local staff member.
28-year-old Clinical Andrologist, Hannah Staples from Warrington, has just started work at the cutting-edge clinic in Rutherford House on the Manchester Science Park and has lifted the lid on the quirk of her fairly hands-on job (pardon the pun).
Meet Hannah (Credit: Cryos International)
Hannah gets involved in everything from the nitty-gritty of freezing sperm itself, welcoming nervous first-time donors and even setting up VR goggles for, you know, the naughty stuff.
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We’d call it NSFW but, technically, this is her work.
But it’s not all just tittering and innuendos; as a clinical andrologist, Hannah is an expert in men’s reproductive health, dealing with issues like fertility, hormone levels, and sexual function, as well as just making clients comfortable coming through the door — damn it, we’ve done it again…
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No, but seriously, Hannah and the Cryos team are on a mission to change Britain’s stuffy perceptions of sperm donation, whilst making things accessible and discreet in their sterile medical environments balanced with gentle lighting and cosy soft furnishings.
Credit: Cryos Manchester
Opening up on her experience at the facility, Hannah says, “Discussing my work was actually how I started my first date with my now-partner.
“Can you imagine telling someone you’ve just met, you work in a sperm bank or a fertility clinic? He was like, ‘I’m sorry, what was that?’
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“Most people are shocked when I tell them what I do, a lot of people even ask me to repeat myself before asking a load of questions like ‘What does sperm look like?'”
She also explained how her days involve greeting donors upon entry, ensuring the centrifuges are set correctly and the actual process of freezing and thawing samples accordingly, as well as logging into porn platforms before setting up the VR headset for the day.
According to the latest stats from the fertility world, VR porn can improve the quality and increase total sperm count by up to 50%, with Cryos offering a premium PornHub subscription.
“People think it’s seedy, 100%, expecting to be ushered into a dark room”, Hannah added, “but, that’s not the case at all. We’re committed to helping people achieve their dreams of starting their own family.
“Whether you’ve donated before or are shaking with nerves before your first appointment, we’re here to put everyone at ease and provide all the support and information you could require.”
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Moreover, the centre is committed to diversity in its visitors, welcoming applications from men of all ethnic backgrounds between the ages of 18 and 45, especially with donations at an all-time low. On the other hand, births from sperm donation have tripled since the turn of the millennium and more people are seeing it as a viable option for welcoming children into the world.
Founded back in 1987, Cryos is continuing to help people start families in more than 100 countries across the globe, boasting the highest number of registered pregnancies in the world. You can find out more about their Manchester sperm and egg bank HERE.
Frank Warren’s special anniversary fight card, featuring local fighters, is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
Queensberry Promotions is toasting founder Frank Warren as he marks a major milestone in the industry, with a massive Manchester fight event and plenty of regional boxers on the card.
The 73-year-old entrepreneur and boxing manager is set to hold a landmark fight night in early 2026 as he celebrates four and a half decades in the business.
Being hosted not just the biggest indoor entertainment venue in Manchester, but all of Europe, Co-op Live, the legendary promoter and his company will be welcoming a wealth of both local and global athletes to the arena, which is continuing to attract more live sport and combat sports, specifically.
They’ve put together a fight card with plenty of interest, and the evening is sure to feature plenty of other familiar faces out in the audience, too.
Dubbed ‘The Magnificent 7’, the headline fight will be a face-off between 20-year-old Moses Itauma and American boxer Jermain Franklin.
The heavyweight clash is sure to be a tasty one, with Itauma having now famously defeated veteran Dillian Whyte in a first-round demolition; meanwhile, Frankling is riding a wave of confidence following a trio of consecutive wins.
But while the main event will have plenty of global eyes on, we’ll confess that we’re most excited by the roster of Manc talents on show.
Featuring on the undercard is not only experienced Ashton-born boxer Zak Miller, but 24-year-old ‘Super’ Alex Murphy.
The up-and-coming fighter, who also happens to be a big Bolton Wanderers fan, trains just down the road at Eccles Boxing School and has 14 wins from 16 bouts.
Manchester’s combat sports stars certainly delivered for Queensberry in a recent event at the Co-op earlier this month, and we expect the same next January.
The last Frank Warren-backed event in Manchester didn’t disappoint.
Speaking on the big booking in line with his big anniversary, Warren said in an official statement: “We are thrilled to be delivering such a strong Magnificent 7 bounty for the fans in our first UK show of 2026…
“We are delighted with what we have put together across 2025 in tandem with our new broadcast partner DAZN, but we have the scope to go bigger and further in 2026, which we will do and make it a landmark year for the sport.
“This show will also effectively celebrate my 45th year in the professional business, and I believe this card certainly does justice to the occasion. I’m very happy to have our heavyweight prodigy Moses, topping the bill in another perfect test of his unquestionable credentials against a very tough American in Jermain Franklin.”
Presale for official Co-op Members goes live from 12 noon on Monday, 17 November, while general admission tickets will be available from the same time the following Wednesday (19 Nov); you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Inside the stunning Grade II-listed farmhouse in rural Wigan that’s got an actual MOAT around it
Emily Sergeant
It’s not every day you come across a residential moated house in Greater Manchester.
Yeah, we know they exist, we’re not that naive… but it’s hardly a common occurrence in our region in this day and age, is it? Let alone the country as a whole – especially ones that members of the public can just buy like they would do any normal house on the market and live out their fairytale fantasy dreams in.
That’s why you’ll have to forgive us for getting a bit perplexed when we came across Gidlow Hall, deep in the Wigan countryside (yes, that is a thing), on Rightmove.
Now, before you get carried away, unfortunately this house is sold – but that doesn’t mean we still can’t have a nosy inside, right?
This is Gidlow Hall / Credit: Jackson Stops
Gidlow Hall is described by estate agents as being an ‘enchanting’ five-bedroom moated house in a fairytale setting with beautiful views that dates all the way back to the 16th Century, and it’s been lovingly restored by the current owners while still preserving all its original character and charm.
The exceptional Grade II-listed property is set within about 7.41 acres of land, including landscaped gardens, its very-own paddock, and a large lake.
The house is textbook Tudor from the outside, but on the inside, it has evolved into a beautifully renovated residence with a long and rich history, and thanks to its heritage listing, the original character of the property has largely remained intact – with all modern interventions, like the bespoke hand-crafted kitchen and large side extension, seamlessly integrated.
The stunning Grade II-listed farmhouse in rural Wigan has an actual moat around it / Credit: Jackson Stops
Grand double doors from the side extension lead out to a stunning garden room, which has an original stone floor, and there’s also a large barrel-vaulted cellar underneath.
Then stepping upstairs, the house features a dual-aspect master bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, French doors that open to a terrace, a bespoke-fitted dressing room, and an ensuite, as well as four other generously proportioned bedrooms and a lovely family bathroom.
As mentioned, Gidlow Hall is just as impressive outside as it is inside… if anything, more impressive.
The residence is reached by a small no-through lane with an electrically gated entrance, and from this, a tree-lined sweeping drive leads to a stone bridge and moat that encircle the Hall’s parterre gardens and terrace.
As you can see, there truly is no other property like this currently on the market here in Greater Manchester, and although it’s already been spanned up, you can still view it online.
Danny Jones -
28th May 2024 
