Best read stories of 2019
Stockport’s town centre masterplan, Everton FC’s stadium proposals and Manchester’s future skyline all feature as Place North West takes a look back at the most popular stories this year.
See below for overall best read stories broken down month by month, and a top 20 round-up of the whole year.
Best read stories by month
January
Metrolink heads to Stalybridge and Middleton in 2040 expansion
Metrolink extensions to Stalybridge, Port Salford, and Middleton along with tram-train services to Wigan, Wilmslow, Hazel Grove, and Marple were announced as coming forward within the next five years as part of Greater Manchester’s wider transport strategy through to 2040.
A fly-through video of Manchester’s future skyline revealed how the city will have changed by 2025 if all current proposals for tall buildings come to fruition.
February
Trio of Hattersley deals for Maple Grove
Maple Grove Developments, part of the Eric Wright Group, secured lettings to Home Bargains, Greggs and Card Factory at its £13m retail development in Hattersley, Tameside.
Everton stadium designs revealed in leaked documents
The early-stage documents showed proposals for Everton’s 52,000-seat stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool, although the designs were changed ahead of its planning submission now expected on Christmas Eve.
Proposed designs for Bramley-Moore Dock were leaked in February
March
Pretty Little Thing plots 65,000 sq ft Ancoats HQ
Online fashion business Pretty Little Thing submitted plans to redevelop Ancoats Works into its new headquarters.
Stockport Interchange moves to the next phase
The mixed-use project secured unanimous backing from Stockport Council’s planning committee with a number of major contractors expressing an interest in delivering the scheme.
April
Altrincham House of Fraser to be redeveloped
The building’s owner put forward plans to convert the existing 60,000 sq ft store into a mixed-use development featuring offices, apartments, and retail.
Government confirms Warrington link road cash
Then-Transport Secretary Chris Grayling approved the £142.5m funding deal for the Western Link, connecting the A56 at Chester Road with the A57 at Sankey Way.
May
Search begins for £800m Salford masterplan partner
Developers had until 14 June to put themselves forward to partner with Salford City Council and the University of Salford to deliver the area’s ambitious 240-acre Crescent masterplan. Bruntwood with Capital & Centric; Peel with Urban Splash; English Cities Fund, made up of Muse Developments, L&G and Homes England; and Robertson were ultimately shortlisted, with the preferred development partner expected imminently.
HS2 Ltd, the company established to deliver high-speed railway connections between key cities, signed terms on an office space at Barlow House, Minshull Street.
June
Major Middleton housing site on the market
A 32-acre housing site in Middleton with the potential for up to 303 homes was put up for sale, five years after plans for the plot were refused.
Manchester Airport reveals F&B line up
Manchester Airport announced a roster of 15 food and drink operators to open in 2020 following the £1bn redevelopment of its Terminal Two building.
CGI of San Carlo Cicchetti’s proposed airport restaurant
July
Masterplan for Stockport Town Centre West revealed
Stockport Council revealed its plans for Town Centre West, a sizeable regeneration area which is set to include 3,500 homes, 1m sq ft of employment space and social infrastructure for tenants, delivered as part of the creation of the Mayoral Development Corporation. This was also the best read story of the entirety of 2019.
Therme reveals plans for Trafford wellbeing resort
Plans first emerged for a 28-acre “wellbeing resort” on the site of EventCity in Trafford, operated by leisure development giant Therme Group.
August
Administrators from Grant Thornton were called in at the well-known Middlewich-based contractor and developer.
Oldham head of planning resigns
Oldham Council confirmed that head of planning Stephen Irvine had resigned, which brought an end to an internal investigation into allegations of misconduct.
September
Plans revealed for Salford’s tallest tower
Designs from One Heritage for a 55-storey tower at Salford’s Greengate emerged, ahead of its consultation in mid September.
Eden outlines visitor attractions at £85m Morecambe site
The head of Eden Project International revealed details of the different visitor zones planned for the £85m attraction proposed at Morecambe Bay.
October
The Botanist and Mowgli sign up in Preston
InfraRed Capital Partners secured two lettings at the St George’s Shopping Centre in Preston as it looked to build a 28,000 sq ft restaurant quarter.
Macclesfield Picturedrome opens its doors
The latest venture from Nick Johnson, the developer behind Altrincham Market and Manchester’s Mackie Mayor, opened to the public on 29 October.
November
Stockport Asda sells for £13.9m
Palmer Capital Income Fund led a deal to acquire the 45,000 sq ft site on Manchester Road, Stockport, at a price reflecting a net initial yield of 4.9%.
Manchester to add 100,000 people and 65,000 jobs by 2036
Manchester is set for a period of major growth in all sectors, including its population, housing, and offices over the next decade-and-a-half according to the city council’s annual State of the City report.
December
Council director and developer arrested on suspicion of fraud
Developer Elliot Lawless and Nick Kavanagh, Liverpool City Council’s head of regeneration, were arrested on Wednesday 18 December “as part of an ongoing fraud investigation” and were released on bail the next day.
Liverpool reveals Lime Street plans
The city council announced details of Lime Street’s redevelopment, which forms part of the next phase of the £47m Liverpool City Centre Connectivity programme, which aims to reduce congestion and improve air quality.
Top 20 stories of 2019
Click any story to read
- Masterplan for Stockport Town Centre West revealed
- Therme reveals plans for Trafford wellbeing resort
- Stockport Asda sells for £13.9m
- Pochins collapse confirmed
- The Botanist and Mowgli sign up in Preston
- Oldham head of planning resigns
- Metrolink tram- train expansion wins Government backing
- Metrolink heads to Stalybridge and Middleton in 2040 expansion
- Manchester’s skyline in 2025
- Manchester pushes back on Piccadilly HS2 design
- What went wrong at Pochins
- Plans revealed for Salford’s tallest tower
- Macclesfield Picturedrome opens its doors
- Eden outlines visitor attractions at £85m Morecambe site
- Stockport pyramid hits the market
- Major Middleton housing site on the market
- Four in race for £120m Stockport Interchange
- Manchester’s Central Retail Park switches to offices
- Laing O’Rourke deal for 55-storey Manchester tower
- Manchester showcases car free Albert Square
