Jonathan Schofield picks out some recent stories from across the city
Deloitte Crane survey – construction slowing but still strong
Some facts from the annual Deloitte Crane Survey.
'2024 saw 20 new construction projects break ground in Manchester and Salford, the lowest point since 2014’. However, ‘overall activity remains strong and completions, with 27 projects delivered, represent a significant increase from the previous year.’ The residential sector has seen 11 new projects starting on-site and 16 completing construction.
‘Furthermore, the focus on refurbishment projects (representing five out of six new office schemes starting on-site in 2024) showcases a commitment to revitalising existing spaces and creating modern, sustainable work environments. This adaptable approach to development, combined with historical trends, suggests that Manchester and Salford continue to be extremely well-positioned for a stimulus of new construction activity in the coming years.’
Deloitte sum up the situation this way: 'This sustained activity, particularly in the face of broader economic challenges, demonstrates ongoing confidence in Manchester and Salford's appeal as a place to live and invest.’
The image below is from Andy Mallins. Here's his website.
The game of cities
The Deloitte Crane survey looks at four cities outside the capital, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Belfast. Of 47 new starts in 2024 almost half (20) were in Manchester.
Manchester City Council Leader Bev Craig said about the report: ‘The survey is a useful litmus test that makes sure that our city continues to thrive, and despite a challenging economic backdrop for much of the country, we are building record numbers of homes - including more affordable housing than at any other point in the last decade. Manchester is leading the way in construction, but this isn't just about buildings. This is about driving investor confidence to create a long-term supply of development. This is about creating high quality employment opportunities that help our residents to prosper. And it's about creating a global city that is attractive, welcoming and future-proof.’
Tent city possession order
The unsightly invasion of red tents in St Peter’s Square hosting people who’ve been granted asylum might soon, thankfully, disappear. There's a court hearing this Tuesday (11 February) for a possession order for St Peter's Square which, if successful, would see them moved on.
The City Council say: ‘There has been a fluctuating number of tents in St Peter’s Square for several months now. This camp consists predominantly of people who are refugees and have been granted the right to remain. We want to stress in the strongest terms that help is at hand for any Manchester resident facing homelessness.
“Throughout this period we have been clear with those camping in the square and the wider public that this is not a safe, suitable or sanitary place from which to access this support. We have had a number of issues in keeping the area safe, secure and clean - as we saw in the run-up to Remembrance Weekend and New Year’s Eve events – and delivering services from the nearby town hall extension. During the time the tents have been in place we have tried various different approaches to address this issue. People in the camp (have been) told they do not have permission to be there and asked to leave.”
Many of the people in the tents were granted asylum in places distant from Manchester such as Newcastle and Glasgow. They would have been offered accommodation in those places but decided Manchester was the better option. They have been encouraged in this by selfish self-styled homeless ‘activists’.
The perfect solution would be for the refugees to accept accommodation, even better if that is where they were granted asylum in the first place. It’s not right that the amenity of one of Manchester’s best squares and best arcades is denied to citizens.
Hotspur House listing application fails
The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) have refused to list Hotspur House, that early nineteenth century mill building and magnificent ruin on Cambridge Street. Currently acting as a living wall for buddleia the way is clear now for the developer, Manner, to grow a 37-storey student tower through its shell.
The 600-bed scheme was delayed after planning permission had been granted by an anonymous individual applying to have Hotspur House listed. Historic England subsequently told the DCMS the building wasn’t worthy enough. Richard James of Manner has been quoted as saying: “It does not feel right that one anonymous application can lead to eight months of delay and uncertainty.”
He’s probably right. And the current government has emphasised it wants a fleet-of-foot planning system not a moribund one.
The design is curious from Hodder+Partners, maintaining much of the curtain wall of the old mill, but, happily, creating a 10,000 sq ft public square. Circulation will be improved with a new pathway from Cambridge Street to HOME arts centre.
Manchester entrepreneur wins £75k grant
The city has always had a pioneering spirit and has frequently been a leader in pioneering medical initiatives. Thus its good the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, has awarded Manchester’s Lucy Hope, founder of FemTech start-up The Daughters of Mars, with its prestigious Women in Innovation Award. These awards celebrate trailblazing women leading the charge with groundbreaking ideas and products.
Lucy has developed tampons with a patented coating to support the vaginal microbiome. These tampons offer a proactive way for women to care for their vaginal health and tackle preventable gynaecological conditions that affect billions globally, such as Bacterial Vaginosis which affects 1 in 3 women of reproductive age. “Supporting the vaginal microbiome is the next frontier in preventative women’s health," said Lucy.
In the UK alone, 75.4 million tampons are used and disposed of monthly – that’s 75.4 million missed opportunities to support vaginal health instead of compromising it.
Lucy continued: “I wanted to give women a proactive, scientifically validated alternative to repeated antibiotic treatments, empowering women to take control of their menstrual and vaginal health.”
The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards provide recipients with a £75,000 grant and creates a robust pipeline of women-led UK businesses for future investment.
Hip Hop Chip Shop chop
Changing the subject somewhat, here’s some bad news. That stalwart denizen of Blossom Street in Ancoats with its 21st century take on a chippy is closing on Sunday 2 March. The Hip Hop Chip Shop and restaurant has posted on Instagram to say that after 11 years ‘cost increases from Brexit, Covid, Energy, VAT (halving it would save a lot in the industry), BB loans etc has meant it’s unviable in its current form – we would have had to increase prices much more than we’d be comfortable with to get the margins we need to keep going.’
This is sad news. The folk behind Hip Hop Chip Shop have worked incredibly hard to provide the city with something a little different. The jury's still out whether their trailer chip shop on matchdays at the Etihad will continue.
This Charming Club
It was good news when Salford Lads and Girls Club in Ordsall reached its goal in November of raising £250,000 to continue the good work its been doing since 1903. The fundraising campaign was organised by the Manchester Evening News. Among the donors were Morrissey, formerly of The Smiths, with £50,000 and Graham Nash, formerly of The Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash, with £10,000. Morrissey stood outside the club with other members for the famous 1985 image for The Queen is Dead album. Nash was a member of the club and met Allan Clarke here, they would form the Hollies.
Morrissey has previously donated £20,000 after lead was stolen from the roof (anyone know the opening lines of the Smiths’ song Vicar in a Tutu?). He also raised £12,000 for the club when he sold merchandise there while playing Manchester in 2016.
The club is held in great affection for its vital, ongoing, community work but by scores of Smiths fans who adore the incredible tribute room created by Leslie Holmes, the project manager, and also by so many people who have a connection through relatives to the club. Here a guest on a tour on 1 February points to the name of her grandfather on the remarkable artwork incorporating the names of 22,500 members from 1903 to 2013 etched in laser-cut steel. It was a moving moment.
Seven Brothers news: cute idea and not so-cute closure
Meanwhile in an interesting and tasty tribute to Salford Lads and Girls Club, Salford’s Seven Brothers brewery, crafting ales a couple of miles away from the club, has come up with a commemorative drink called This Charming Can. Very droll.
It’s a shame, then, that one of closest bars or pubs to Salford Lads and Girls Club was the Middlewood Locks’ Seven Brothers bar which closed a couple of weeks ago due to…you can guess… ‘rising costs, inflation, and a lack of government support for the hospitality sector’.
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