Travel & Tourism

Therme Manchester – Incredible new images show approved plans for £250m wellness resort

Therme Manchester is a step closer!

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 14th September 2023

It’s officially happening – Therme Manchester, the new £250m wellness resort near the Trafford Centre, has been granted planning approval.

With it comes a set of brand new images showing how the luxury facility will look, from its multiple swimming pools to its slides to its multi-sensory saunas.

Therme Manchester will have warm water lagoons, adults-only zones, botanical gardens, urban farms, immersive art, water-based fitness classes, and loads more.

The much-anticipated development is forecast to contribute more than £4.5 billion to the UK economy and provide a huge boost to the local economy and tourism industry.

With work set to begin later this year, we’re looking at 2025 before it officially welcomes its first visitors.

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Its latest design, which has received approval from Trafford Council, features a pavilion-style concept in a natural landscape.

The artist impressions released today show huge white waved rooftops, with enormous glass windows and skylights.

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The inner garden at Therme Manchester
The inner garden, or Garden of Wellness, at Therme Manchester

Inside is an urban oasis where palm trees tower above sunbeds.

And outside, it looks like Therme Manchester will have lush gardens and swimming ponds, and amphitheatre-style seatiManchester’s Science and Industry Museum reveals ‘special’ 40th birthday events lineupng looking over the canal.

Therme Manchester has now also appointed its CEO, Professor David Russell, whose background includes major ventures like the London 2012 Summer Olympics, The Rugby World Cup in Japan 2019  and the $8 billion Expo 2020 in Dubai.

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An aerial view of Therme Manchester
An aerial view of Therme Manchester. Credit: Supplied

Russell said: “Therme Manchester will be the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort. Our ambition is to make a positive difference in millions of people’s lives whilst creating a new wave in urban living.”

James Whittaker, executive director of development at Peel L&P said: “After five years working in partnership with Therme, we are delighted to hear planning permission has been approved for this incredible, high-quality health and wellbeing resort in TraffordCity.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with the whole of the Therme team to deliver something truly unique and iconic in the UK, that is not only world-leading for health and wellbeing, but will also create a significant number of new jobs and have a huge positive economic impact for North West England.”

Therme Manchester as viewed from Bridgewater Canal
Therme Manchester as viewed from Bridgewater Canal

Cllr Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “I am very pleased that the planning committee supported this application. This wellbeing resort is a huge £250m leisure development which is the first of its kind in the country and we are delighted it is being built here in Trafford.

“The resort will attract millions of visitors each year and will add significantly to the local economy during construction and once operational. It will also create more than 1,500 person-years of construction jobs and 600 permanent full-time jobs.

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“The development sits a short walk from the latest Metrolink extension and supports several of our key commitments by improving health and wellbeing, providing connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians, creating a new public realm, and regenerating a vacant brownfield site in a sustainable location.”

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Featured image: Supplied

Travel & Tourism

England’s first luxury sleeper train will be passing through the North West this summer

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson England's first luxury sleeper train will be passing through the North West this summer

The first luxury sleeper train in England and Wales will make its debut next month, and will be whisking passengers on magical journeys through the North West.

The Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, will be embarking on three-night adventures to popular destinations around the UK, including the Lake District, Cornwall, and Wales.

On board this magnificent train will be 18 cabins – three Grand Suites and 15 Suites – as well as an on-board spa, bar and restaurant cars, and an observation car.

There’ll be a fine dining menu designed by renowned chef Simon Rogan (he of three-Michelin star L’Enclume fame), which will showcase contemporary British gastronomy, culture and style.

The Britannic Explorer is promising to set ‘a new standard in luxury design’ and has interiors inspired by British charm and the natural world outside the train itself.

Belmond’s portfolio already includes the iconic British Pullman, and the Royal Scotsman, as well as boutique hotels around the UK.

Of course, such luxury comes at a price – and a three-night itinerary on board this exceptional sleeper train comes in at £11,000 for a double cabin.

On board the Britannic Explorer, a new luxury sleeper train in England. Credit: Bex Press
On board the Britannic Explorer, a new luxury sleeper train in England. Credit: Bex Press
On board the Britannic Explorer, a new luxury sleeper train in England. Credit: Bex Press

That price does include excursions, meals, wine and other alcoholic beverages.

Back to the trip itself though.

Journeys will depart from London and weave their way through some of Britain’s most scenic destinations.

There are optional off-train guided excursions around the Lake District, while by night you can relax in the train’s botanical-inspired bar and observation car.

Guests can experience world-class galleries, breathtaking national parks, and historically rich cities in a unique way, such as a private tour and dinner at the renowned Hauser & Wirth Somerset and on-site restaurant Da Costa, guided hikes through picturesque Wales, wild swimming in the stunning landscapes of the Lake district and a visit to Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens in Cornwall.

One of the suites on board the sleeper train by day and night
One of the suites on board the sleeper train by day and night
One of the suites on board the sleeper train by day and night
One of the suites on board the sleeper train by day and night

Or you can stay on board and make use of the wellness suite, with therapies designed to relax and revive.

Simon Rogan has created a seasonal and sustainable menu for passengers, with bespoke afternoon tea, lunch and dinner menus for each of the three routes.

Speaking of the collaboration, Simon Rogan shared: “For me, true luxury lies in humble ingredients, grown with care, respect for their surroundings, and harvested at their peak. Across all my restaurants, my dishes are defined by local, often home-grown produce, and by partnering with British growers and suppliers who share our deep connection to the land and its natural elements.

“This philosophy allows our food to resonate with the environment from which it originates. I am very excited to bring this approach to the launch of the Britannic Explorer, where each plate will reflect Britain’s diverse landscapes.

The on-board spa
The on-board spa
Simon Rogan will design the menus
Simon Rogan will design the menus

“I hope every passenger not only enjoys the flavours but also feels a connection between the dishes and the journey, making their time on board truly memorable.”

Gary Franklin, Vice President of Trains and Cruises, Belmond commented: “I am incredibly proud to launch this revolutionary new train, which further enhances Belmond’s global portfolio of market-leading luxury rail experiences.

“The Britannic Explorer offers something truly unique; an opportunity to discover the rugged Cornish coastline to Eryri’s untamed National Park and the vast expanses of the Lake District like never before.

“We are especially delighted to welcome the esteemed Chef Simon Rogan to helm the culinary direction. His vision brings a gastronomic journey that complements the train’s spirit of adventure, celebrating British produce and highlighting the finest local specialties along the route.”

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The Britannic Explorer will debut in July 2025 – you can find out more HERE.

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Featured image: Belmont / Bex Press

Travel & Tourism

Trams are officially coming to Stockport as part of £2.5bn investment package

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s official… Stockport is finally getting trams.

It’s been a long time coming, so long, in fact, that rumours first began swirling all the way back in July 2022 when then Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted at in PMQs, all before Mayor Andy Burnham insisted in October 2023 that he had ‘big ambitions’ to deliver the project once and for all, but now it’s finally been confirmed.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has today revealed that Stockport will be connected to the Metrolink tram network thanks to a £2.5 billion funding boost from the Government.

At this moment in time, Stockport is one of only a few boroughs in the region that’s not currently connected up to the expansive Metrolink network, but all of that is set to change very soon, as Greater Manchester is beginning the construction of the town’s very-first tram line.

While the intention for trams to eventually travel to and from the town has been known for quite some time now, there hasn’t been much talk of timelines or when this would actually become a reality.

For now, it seems there’s still no timelines as such, but at least there’s confirmation.

The confirmation that trams will be coming to Stockport forms part of a lineup of exciting transport announcements this week, all of which Andy Burnham has called a ‘game-changing moment’ that will ‘underpin Greater Manchester’s green growth’ for years to come.

A man has been arrested after reports of someone letting off gas on board Metrolink trams
Trams are officially coming to Stockport as part of a £2.5 billion investment package / Credit: TfGM

Other announcements include the fact that Greater Manchester‘s Bee Network is to become a fully-electric, zero-emission public transport system by 2030, local rail lines will be brought into the Bee Network before the end of the decade, fully joining up bike, bus, tram, and train travel for the first time outside London, and the introduction of new electric buses, tram lines, tram stops, and transport interchanges.

North Manchester, Bury, and Oldham are the areas set to receive new Metrolink stops to support delivery of thousands of new homes, and Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood, and Bury will all be connected to each other via the Bee Network.

“Building on our strong track record, we can now move at pace to deliver the next phase of the Bee Network – creating the UK’s first fully electric, zero emission integrated public transport system by 2030,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham as the funding package was announced this week.

The Bee Network become a fully-electric, zero-emission public transport system by 2030 / Credit: TfGM

“With a pipeline of major transport projects better connecting our towns and cities, and local rail lines brought into the Bee Network, our communities will be the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram, and train travel.

“Greater Manchester has had a decade of growth faster than the UK average, and this funding can be the key to unlocking even more growth in the decade to come.

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“It’s a major boost for our own plans to deliver £10bn of investment over the next 10 years, build thousands of new homes, create skilled jobs, and open up new opportunities right across our city-region.”

Featured Image – TfGM

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