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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Coca-Cola confirms the Christmas Truck is coming to Manchester this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Coca-Cola has finally confirmed the news we’ve all been waiting for… the Christmas Truck will be in Manchester this weekend.
December is here, the temperatures have plummeted outside, and the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ is nearing closer and closer by the day – but it’s not Christmas until you’ve gone and got a Coca-Cola from the giant red van is it, right?
Well luckily, we won’t have to wait too much longer to get to do that once again.
The soft drinks company confirmed that ‘Holidays Are Coming’ a couple of weeks back, with the UK tour of the iconic Coca-Cola Christmas Truck now well underway, and having visited other major northern cities such as Leeds and Liverpool over the last few days.
And now, Coca-Cola has revealed that the legendary van is coming to Greater Manchester this weekend, and will be stopping off at the Trafford Centre for one day only.
The much-loved festive symbol will be arriving outside the shopping centre tomorrow (Saturday 2 December) from midday right through until 8pm to provide “the ultimate Christmas celebration”, with a whole host of activities planned for families of all ages.
The 2023 Coca-Cola Christmas Truck journey will be packed with “interactive experiences for visitors to immerse themselves in”.
Coca-Cola confirms the Christmas Truck is coming to Manchester this weekend / Credit: Supplied
Anyone who heads to the Trafford Centre from midday tomorrow will first be welcomed by a walk-in, snow-filled bauble that invites them to “step into a winter wonderland for the perfect holiday snapshot”, all before making a stop at the ‘Ho-Ho-Hoop Hut’ to take part in a fun festive game for the chance to win a selection of prizes – including meal-inspired rewards, and recycled Christmas tree decorations.
Families can then finish off the tour by posing for a memorable photo opportunity in front of the iconic Coca-Cola truck.
Visitors are welcome to listen to the Coca-Cola Christmas choir as they perform a set of carols too.
Fancy it then? If you’re ready to kick-start Christmas the right way, then make sure you get yourself down to the Trafford Centre from midday tomorrow.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Tesco has slashed the price of one-litre bottles of Baileys by more than 50%
Emily Sergeant
Tesco has slashed the price of one-litre bottles of Baileys by more than 50%, and they’re now available to get your hands on for a limited time only.
With December officially here, and the festive season nearing closer by the day, most UK supermarkets are rolling out deals left, right, and centre to help shoppers save a few pennies during ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ as the cost of living crisis continues – and it seems like Tesco is absolutely no different.
That’s because the retailer has decided to knock a whopping £12 off the regular price of one-litre bottles of one of the best-loved Christmas tipples.
Fans of the classic Irish cream liqueur drink will probably want to run not walk to their nearest Tesco to stock up on Baileys ready for the big day to arrive, as big bottles of the festive favourite have been reduced from £22 right down to just £10, and are now available to fill your basket with.
Tesco has slashed the price of one-litre bottles of Baileys by more than 50% / Credit: The Manc Group
But… there’s a bit of a catch (isn’t there always?)
Not only is the over half-price offer only available for a very limited time, and due to expire at the end of next week, but shoppers will only be able to buy the one-litre bottles at the impressive £10 price if they’re Tesco Clubcard customers.
You were probably expecting that’d be the case, right? The supermarket – which is well-known for the savings it offers via is loyalty card scheme all year round – is giving Clubcard users up until Monday 11 December to nip to their nearest branch or head online to the Tesco website and buy as many bottles of Bailey’s as they fancy.
Fans of the classic Irish cream liqueur drink can stock up now / Credit: Tesco PLC
As part of the supermarket’s commitment to “keep prices low” until the end of the year, stuffing, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce, and even tin foil have all seen their prices slashed as the retailer aims to help those struggling to cover costs.
Emily Sergeant -
25th June 2021 
