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, 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. 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
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.”
A day of vintage cars and retro entertainment will take over a Greater Manchester town this month
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Roll up, roll up all vintage-lovers – a free full day of live entertainment is returning to Oldham town centre later this month.
Following being crowned Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2026-2027, there are set to be a whole host of exciting activities coming our way across the next couple of months, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.
From old classic cars to live music and circus performances, Nostalgic Oldham has it all and we are very excited to pay a visit and celebrate one of our beloved boroughs.
The day will centre around the Big Yellow Bus in Parliament Square, serving as a hub throughout the celebrations. Here, visitors can expect plenty of free activities to get involved with, including Raggle Taggle Arts, Betty Brown Bags, Oldham Theatre Workshop and a craft workshop from Oldham Archives.
It is set to be a family-friendly, action-packed day with buckets of civic pride and traditional shows, including a performance from Saddleworth Morris Men as well as celebrating more contemporary dances from Troupe Dance.
While Tame Valley Motors will be showcasing some of their most nostalgic vehicles for all of you car-lovers, cycling enthusiasts will be able to catch a glimpse of the prestigious trophy inside the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift tent. Fans may also talk to the team behind bringing the competition through Oldham in July 2027.
Amongst the busyness, there will also be the opportunity to witness the unveiling of a brand new mural by artist Dave Draws, inside The Market at 11am.
A day of vintage cars and retro entertainment will take over Oldham
His large-scale illustrated map is a tribute to both the area and the people of Oldham, intertwining collaborative stories and drawings from members of the local community.
If you’re over in Oldham for the day, the charity Northern Roots will be opening its new Welcome Building to the public from 11am.
Visitors are welcome to browse their shop of handcrafted gifts, books and fresh produce, indulge on seasonal dishes at their café, explore the outdoor play area, Forestry Skills Centre and four acres of Urban Farm.
Subnum Hariff-Khan, Head of Libraries and Heritage and Arts at Oldham Council, said: “Nostalgic Oldham is a chance to celebrate everything that makes our borough special, from our history and traditions to the people and communities that shape Oldham today.
“There will be something for everyone to enjoy, whether that’s exploring the vintage vehicle display, watching live performances, getting involved in family activities or seeing the new community mural unveiled.
“As Greater Manchester Town of Culture, we’re proud to bring events like this to the town centre and, because it’s completely free, we hope residents and visitors alike will join us for what promises to be a fantastic day.”
Nostalgic Oldham will take place from 11-4pm on Saturday 19 September – be sure not to miss out
The Greater Manchester book café serving literary afternoon teas and build-your-own bouquets
Daisy Jackson
If you like your afternoon tea with a side of good books, there’s a Greater Manchester café where you can quite literally have your cake and read it too.
Tucked inside this charming bookish spot, afternoon tea arrives with an unexpected twist. Rather than being presented with the usual three-tiered stand, you’re handed a stack of heavy hardback books.
But don’t start worrying that you’ve accidentally wandered into a very niche library club. The books are hiding something.
Lift the covers in Peony & Parchment – or, more accurately, open the book-shaped boxes – and you’ll discover a full afternoon tea concealed inside.
There are dainty sandwiches to get stuck into, including tiny egg mayo, herby chicken salad, ham and mustard, and cheese and tomato focaccia, alongside a little quiche.
Then comes the scone – classic, fluffy and ready for the obligatory dollop of clotted cream and jam. And, because no afternoon tea should leave you feeling like you’ve been short-changed in the cake department, there are five miniature slices to work through.
Afternoon tea concealed in a stack of booksSome of the other bakes on display
There’s a Victoria sponge with a dreamy vanilla cream, lemon drizzle, rich chocolate cake, a Bakewell slice and a pecan pie, all sourced from a local bakery just across the alleyway.
It’s all served with a pot of tea or coffee, with the option to add a glass of prosecco.
And the bookish theme doesn’t stop at the afternoon tea.
Downstairs you’ll find shelves packed with books, including the intriguing ‘blind books’. Instead of judging a book by its cover, you’ll be given clues and a short summary of what lies inside before taking a gamble on your mystery read.
Downstairs in Peony & Parchment‘Blind books’A role playing village for kids
There’s also plenty here to keep younger visitors entertained, thanks to a children’s area complete with a mini role-playing village.
And if books and cake weren’t enough, there’s another string to this café’s bow.
The Bloom Bar lets you build your own bouquet. Choose the size you want, then wander around selecting your own stems and foliage to create something that’s uniquely yours.
You can build your own bouquetThe Bloom Bar at Peony & Parchment
Of course, you don’t have to be visiting specifically for the afternoon tea. The wider menu includes tapas, full breakfasts and sandwiches, making it just as suitable for a leisurely brunch, lunch or coffee-and-cake stop.
So whether you’re there to discover your next favourite novel, assemble a bouquet, entertain the kids or simply eat your way through five different miniature cakes, this is one café where there are plenty of chapters to explore.
Daisy Jackson -
14th September 2023 
