There’s a breadcrumb of new information in the ongoing wait for Soho House to arrive in Manchester – and it’s one to get excited about.
The renowned members’ club brand is currently transforming the old Granada Studios building into a luxury destination.
As well as a hotel occupying the top three floors, there’ll be a bar and terrace, workspace, and a rooftop swimming pool.
Until now, we’ve all got an understanding of what’s to come with Soho House based on their other sites across the globe, from the signature striped towels to the opulent interiors.
But now a new artist impression has been sent to members, giving us a bit more of an idea of what our own branch of Soho House will look like.
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The image shows a rooftop pool tiled in a rich jade green, with a terrazzo-style floor on the rest of the terrace space.
Soho House Manchester. Credit: Soho House
There’s also set to be rows of terracotta-hued day beds, with canvas canopies overhead, and a restaurant space with floor-to-ceiling windows beside it.
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The email to members also revealed some much sadder news – Nick Jones, founder of Soho House, has decided to step down from his CEO position after a short battle with prostate cancer.
The cancer was caught quickly and treated successfully, but Nick says it’s left him with a ‘changed perspective and focus’.
He wrote: “First some bad news, and some very good news: in early summer I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was caught early and my treatment has been 100% successful – and I’m not only healthy again, but also cancer-free.
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“Inevitably, this experience has changed my perspective and focus. As a result, from today I’m transitioning from CEO to my original role as Founder and will focus on the creative and membership aspects of Soho House.
“I want to do more of what I love, which is making sure you have a good time in well-designed, welcoming spaces and focusing on our House Foundations programmes, which help people flourish in the creative industries.
“Taking over the day-to-day running of the business will be Andrew Carnie, who’s worked alongside me for the past four years. I know him well and Soho House will be in safe hands with him as our new CEO.”
Nick added: “Following in 2023, we have new Houses opening in Bangkok, Mexico City and Manchester in the UK, which I’m pleased to share some preview pictures of below.
“I’ve been working closely with our teams on the plans for these sites and I know they will be spaces that both our long-standing and newer members will really enjoy.”
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There are now Soho House sites across England, as well as in Mykonos, Barcelona, Paris, Rome, New York, Mumbai, and many more.
Its foray into Manchester will be the first time the brand has ventured into the northern half of the UK – and the city is pretty hyped about it.
Featured image: Soho House
What's On
A full series of The Celebrity Apprentice is coming to UK screens for the first time ever
Danny Jones
Britain’s much-loved version of The Apprentice is getting its first-ever full celebrity season next year as the series is set to copy the spin-off format seen in the US.
The popular reality TV show competition, where game-show meets the world of business, has been running here in the UK since 2005.
Now coming up 20 seasons and already well over 200 episodes, including specials, the producers have just as much of a challenge coming up with fresh ideas as the contestants do.
With that in mind, the BBC has now ordered the first dedicated The Celebrity Apprentice series, separate from the mainline show and set to run longer than previous iterations.
The I'm a celebrity of the business world. Can't wait. Didn't watch the apprentice earlier this year for obvious reasons but really excited about this. Hope LS isn't soft on them because its charity. https://t.co/o7PK5e2N0w
As confirmed by multiple sources – including one of renowned businessman and host Alan Sugar’s own advisors, Andrew Bloch – the first proper Celebrity Apprentice season will air in 2026.
Bloch explains that it’ll come in the form of a six-episode series that “will see a new line-up of famous faces take on weekly business challenges set by Lord Sugar, competing to avoid the words ‘You’re fired’ and ultimately be crowned The Celebrity Apprentice winner.”
While previous instalments in the celebrity version have either been attached to Christmas specials or the likes of Comic Relief/Red Nose Day in March, this inaugural fully-fledged chapter is set to take place sometime early next year, though an official release date is yet to be announced.
Speaking of seasonal episodes, any viewers who’ve never seen the show or at least not with recognisable household names starring in it, the 2025 festive special will be airing across two parts later this month.
Speaking on the commission, BBC’s Head of Entertainment, Kalpna Patel-Knight, added: “The Apprentice is a much-loved part of the BBC’s entertainment offering, and we can’t wait to see how the celebrity candidates rise to the challenge when the series launches later in 2026.”
The lineup of special guests for next year’s series is yet to be confirmed, but the lineup for the upcoming Xmas episodes is as follows: AJ Odudu, Angela Scanlon, Charlie Hedges, Eddie Kadi, Jake Wood, JB Gill, Kadeena Cox, Matt Morsia, Rob Rinder, Sarah Hadland, Shazia Mirza and Tom Skinner.
Skinner actually took part in the regular show back in 2009, helping launch his public persona, before going on to get involved in social media, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and even politics.
Have you seen the celeb version of The Apprentice before, and/or will you be watching this one?
A short train ride away to Cheshire, and being a big Man United fan basically counts, if you ask us.
Yes, Warrington’s very own Luke Littler has been named on the shortlist for the 2025 Sports Personality of the Year, quite literally 12 months from his previous nomination.
Littler, who is still only 18, did go on to win the 2024 Young SPOTY last December – a very decent consolation prize following his blockbuster debut year or so – but he has been tipped as a bookies’ favourite this time around.
He’s also been voted for that award again this year, so you’d hope he’d be walking away with at least one of the trophies, though it’d be far from his only one of late.
Since then, the young sporting prodigy has gone on to win all but two of the 10 PDC majors, including two Premier League Darts titles.
In fact, if you want to look at how his arrival onto the senior professional darts circuit breaks down, you can take a gander at the frankly staggering stats behind his breakthrough down below.
As you can see, other nominees include former Manchester City Women’s star Chloe Kelly and Lioness, Hannah Hampton; rugby union and national team member, Ellie Kildunne, F1 favourite Lando Norris, as well as Irish golfer, Rory McIlroy (not for the first time).
We’ll confess we’re very much biased and backing local lad Littler – sue us.
The other Young SPOTY nominees for 2025 include another rising England star in Michelle Agyemang and Northern Superchargers cricket talent, Davina Perrin.
Being hosted over at MediaCityUK in Salford once again, voting will take place during the show on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer on Thursday, 18 December.
Daisy Jackson -
16th November 2022 
