Developers are gearing up ready to submit plans for a brand new £60 million outdoor surf centre in Trafford next month.
And it sounds like we could be in for a wild ride if it all becomes a reality.
If the ambitious plans are approved, Modern Surf Manchester – based on Barton Dock Road, in TraffordCity – would be a leisure complex housing the region’s first surf lagoon that enables beginners, learners and even professionals to test their surf skills in a fun, safe, and natural-looking environment.
The lagoon would be powered by Wavegarden – a company specialising in man-made wave technology that promises “perfect, ocean-like waves” of up to 8ft.
Wavegarden already powers similar attractions, such as Surf Snowdonia in Wales, and The Wave in Bristol.
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That’s not all either, as plans also show the complex boasting several other interactive attractions for visitors to have a crack at, including a pump track and fitness zone, half-pipe skateboarding area, bouldering and balancing zones.
A number of on-site bar and restaurant facilities are also planned.
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But before we can all grab our surfboards and hit the waves, the project’s developers – McKinney Group – are seeking Mancunians’ feedback on the plans via a virtual consultation, prior to submitting a full planning application to Trafford Council later this month.
In addition to that, two live discussion forums will also be hosted through the consultation website giving local people the chance to speak in real-time to the project team.
These will take place on 4th February at 1pm-5pm, and 11th February at 1pm-5pm.
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Wavegarden / Therme Group
Modern Surf Manchester could also complement the new £250 million Therme Manchester wellness resort that has already been approved nearby, which will feature indoor pools and warm water lagoons, a wave pool, slides, swim-up bars, botanical gardens and spa facilities.
So there’s lots to look forward to.
Speaking on the launch of the consultation, Billy McKinney – Managing Director of McKinney Group – said: “We are pleased to be investing into Trafford and adding to the unrivalled leisure offer available in TraffordCity.
“From the Trafford Centre, to Chill Factore, and the recently approved Therme water leisure complex, Modern Surf Manchester will be in perfect company and we look forward to attracting yet more visitors to this thriving area.
“We urge everyone interested in the plans to get in touch and share their views with us by visiting our virtual consultation.”
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Paul Shuker – Director at Lambert Smith Hampton, who is advising on the plans – added: “The concept of bringing surfing to Greater Manchester was considered during the dark days of the first lockdown, and it’s with great excitement that we could have a world-leading surf facility in the city-region that will become part of a wider ‘Wavegarden’ network across the planet and put Greater Manchester on the surfing circuit for local, national and international competitions.”
TraffordCity
Modern Surf Manchester is expected to open by 2023 if permission is granted, creating around 100 full-time equivalent jobs in the area.
Greater Manchester cinemas to screen family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films, and some new releases, all throughout this upcoming spring holidays.
The best bit? Prices start from a massively-affordable £2.50 a ticket.
With Easter right around the corner, and schools across Greater Manchester set to be on their spring holidays in a couple of weeks time, parents and carers will likely be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained while schools are out.
But now it’s time to take care of those film lovers… and also those keen to plan budget-friendly events that also take into account the classic Manchester April showers.
Cinema chain Vue has announced its lineup of family blockbusters showing at venues across Greater Manchester this spring – including Printworks, Lowry, Bolton, Altrincham, and Bury.
Arriving in time for the school holidays, A Minecraft Movie welcomes fans to their favourite cubic wonderland, while the whole family can instead transport themselves into Disney’s reimagining of the 1937 classic Snow White if they’d prefer.
Also returning to the big screen are childhood classics like Wallace & Gromit: Curse of The Were-Rabbit, 20 years after its original release, and the beloved Babe, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary.
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring / Credit: Disney | Aardman Animations
And as part of Vue’s ‘Mighty Mornings’ offering, film fans can enjoy pre-releases of family-friendly flicks like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Moana 2 every day throughout half term, all from just £2.49 per ticket when booked online.
“A trip to Vue this Easter break is the perfect opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the magic of their favourite big screen characters,” commented Rob Lea, who is the Head of Screen Content at Vue UK & Ireland.
“More than just entertainment, it’s a chance for children and parents to switch off, connect, and create lasting memories together.”
Featured Image – Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)
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Pep Guardiola delivers gutting news as Man City are hit with Erling Haaland injury blow
Danny Jones
Pep Guardiola has passed on some gutting fitness news for Manchester City fans as star striker Erling Haaland is confirmed to be injured for several weeks and could even miss the rest of the Premier League season.
The title might be out of reach this year, and the Champions League knockout against Real Madrid was definitely hard for Blues to take, but with Man City into the semi-finals of the FA Cup, there’s still a very strong chance they could end 2024/25 with a piece of silverware.
However, they’ll have to make it through another two massive rounds at Wembley and seemingly the remainder of the season without Haaland and his goals, as the Catalan coach revealed that the club expects him to be out injured for “six to seven weeks.”
Not exactly how City fans would have wanted to see the rest of an already frustrating season play out.
🗣️ "We don't have another player with his skills."
Relaying diagnosis from the medical team, Pep said the hope is that the big Norwegian number nine could be back for the very tail end of the campaign, but at the very least, he “will be ready for the [FIFA Club] World Cup.”
He went on to add that “these kinds of things happen” and that he feels “sorry” for all of the other injuries that have befell his squad up till now, adding that they can only hope for a speedy recovery and for him to return as soon as possible.
The 24-year-old hasn’t had too many big injury problems in his career thus far, although his longest spell on the sidelines did come at the end of 2023 when a stress fracture kept him out until the new year.
This time around, Haaland suffered an injury to his ankle during the City’s FA Cup win over Bournemouth on Sunday following a challenge from defensive midfielder Lewis Cook.
He was forced in the second half and was seen leaving the Vitality Stadium on crutches after the game.
Erling Haaland seen leaving Bournemouth in a protective boot and crutches. 🤕
Having led the golden boot race for a good chunk of the season – as he’s become accustomed too since he arrived in England – City‘s sub-optimal season has seen him slink into second behind high-flying Mo Salah on 27, but he still has a couple dozen goals and a trio of assists to show for it.
Speaking of Salah, the soon-to-leave ‘Egyptian King’ has been the talisman for Liverpool this season, and his contributions could see them lift the trophy in Arne Slot’s first season as early as 13 April, depending on how fellow title rivals Arsenal fare in their next two matches.
As for how City round out their domestic campaign, reclaiming the FA Cup after last year’s derby disappointment looks like the main goal.
You can watch Pep Guardiola’s press conference ahead of the game against Leicester City at 19:45pm tomorrow (Wednesday, 2 April) in full HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd February 2021 
