Here’s a fact you probably weren’t expecting to read today – the scaffolding that’s been covering an office block on Newton Street is celebrating its 16th birthday.
Maybe ‘birthday’ isn’t really the right word, but that’s besides the point.
Whether you can believe it or not, the wrap-around scaffolding that was erected all the way back in 2005 to support a multi-storey building that houses office facilities on the corner of Newton Street and Piccadilly in the heart of the Northern Quarter, has now been a mainstay of the city centre for over 16 years.
Manchester is a city that is ever-changing, with more developments, construction works and improvements happening at any given time than we can usually count on one hand, so it’s fair to say that the sight of scaffolding isn’t uncommon.
But it’s hard for 16 years to go unnoticed.
In this case, it is uncommon for scaffolding to still be standing well over a decade after its initial installation, so what’s going on here then?
Well surprisingly, given how long it’s been there, not a great deal is known about the nature of the scaffolding other than the fact it was installed by the building’s owners, Eastern Green Ltd, back in 2005 after being instructed to do so by Manchester City Council.
Owners were told to install the scaffolding because the building was deemed to be unsafe and a threat to the public.
The scaffolding was installed in 2005 after the building was deemed unsafe / Credit: Google Maps
“The scaffold is ongoing and is providing stability to the building,” a spokesperson for the company confirmed in such few words to the MEN back in 2016.
Over its 16 year residency in the Northern Quarter, attempts to make the scaffolding part of the furniture have seen countless billboard advertisements of various sizes plastered over the side of the building, but instead of distracting from the issue, you could argue it makes the presence of the scaffolding more noticeable.
That’s probably part of the reason why so many Mancunians have branded it an “eyesore”.
Luckily, it’s not set to be an eyesore for much longer though as it was confirmed back in November 2020 that a £27 million luxury four-star hotel backed by former Manchester United player and football megastar Cristiano Ronaldo has been given the go ahead to take over the site by city planners.
The 151-room hotel that will “further diversify Manchester’s vibrant hospitality and tourism offer” will be part of the CR7 brand when it opens in 2023, and the current “unsafe” building as it stands, will be demolished.
The 151-room hotel is due to open in 2023 / Credit: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios / Manchester City Council
Although work is yet to begin on the hotel’s construction, one thing we do know is that the scaffolding’s sweet 16th birthday could very well be its last.
It’s a stretch, but after all this time, maybe we’ll miss it when it’s gone?
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Everton are reportedly already hoping to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City permanently
Danny Jones
Everton FC are reportedly already considering signing Jack Grealish on a permanent deal after an impressive start to his spell on loan from Manchester City.
The former Aston Villa talisman has struggled to remain in the starting XI under Pep Guardiola since joining the club in 2021, but since arriving on Merseyside, he’s already been a difference-maker in every match for the Toffees thus far.
Grealish has not only registered four assists in just two starts for Everton but also won the very first player of the month award in the Premier League this season for his contributions.
Safe to say he’s fast made a big impact over in Liverpool – hence why it is now thought that manager David Moyes wants to make his transfer permanent.
Becoming just the 10th Toffee to ever win the accolade, the Birmingham-born creator is now thought to be the primary transfer target, despite the summer window having only recently closed.
He writes that despite the deal between Everton and Man City already including a £50 million option to buy next summer, that number is “not fixed and is more a consequence of accounting than a set price.”
The England international still has two years on his contract in the blue half of Manchester, but the previous valuation (which is half the amount City paid for him in a then record fee for a British player), so it is believed that he could be signed for an even better cut-price offer as his deal runs down.
Put it this way, it looks like the supporters would do just about anything to keep him at the Hill Dickinson.
Jack Grealish giving his shirt to an Everton fan after their brilliant win away at Wolves today.
Bascombe goes on to explain, however, that his salary considerations could be a significant obstacle. Grealish is estimated to be earning approximately £12m a year, which is almost certainly too rich for Everton’s blood.
Taking that into account, it’d be a case of whether or not the Brummy forward would be willing to accept a much lower wage to depart the Etihad Stadium for Everton long-term; alternatively, waiting for him to become a free agent in a few transfer windows’ time would also be an option.
What about you, Blues: would you like to see Jack Grealish stay and fight for his place under Guardiola, or would you understand/support him making his Everton permanent?
Interestingly, there could be yet more shuffling of the pack in the middle of the park for Pep, as a forgotten man is apparently going to be given another chance to revive his City career…
Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad
Danny Jones
Long-exiled Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on the verge of being reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad this season.
The ex-Leeds United star, who signed for the Blues back in 2022, has still only made just 16 appearances for the club, but could now be eyeing up a potential renaissance.
Man City have made plenty of signings this year, but with a number of outgoings and several injuries in key positions, it looks like there could be an avenue for the one-time England international to fight his way back into the team.
As per Telegraph Sport‘s Mike McGrath, Kalvin Phillips is set to be reintroduced to City’s 25-man Premier League selection; the question is, can he make it into a first-team XI?
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Kalvin Phillips has chance to resurrect career at the Etihad Stadium after failed loan spells with Ipswich and West Ham
According to McGrath, Phillips will be “given a chance to resurrect his career at the Etihad Stadium” with the meat and potatoes of the 2025/26 campaign still yet to get properly underway.
Now 29, the Yorkshireman is well and truly within the crucial ‘prime’ years as an athlete, and after such an extended period on the sidelines, he’ll be more motivated than anyone to get his career back on track.
The central defensive midfielder – who was formerly considered a key cog in the middle of the park for Leeds – has spent two loan spells away from the Etihad, but neither really worked out for the undeniably talented footballer.
Having joined West Ham for the latter portion of the 23/24 term and spending the last 12 months on loan at struggling Ipswich Town, his time at both clubs was pretty forgettable, punctuated by little more than a couple of unfortunate red cards and more time on the bench.
Speaking to Sky Sports fairly recently, he confessed that the last couple of years have been very difficult and was visibly emotional discussing his struggles since moving to Man City.
It’s also worth noting that Guardiola himself has admitted to feeling “so bad” for Kalvin Phillips’ situation – perhaps why he now looks like he could be given a second chance.
CDM-wise, Rodri and Nico González are considered the go-to options, but Stockport-born Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovačić have also been used in the role.
Once again, although Man City face somewhat of an injury crisis ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, any prolonged absences could at least see an opportunity arise for the forgotten man.
What do you make of Kalvin Phillips’ chances of being restored to the Manchester City squad and maybe even putting himself back into national team contention ahead of the World Cup?
Emily Sergeant -
25th June 2021 
