THING OF THE WEEK
GRAND OPENING… Piano manufacturer C.Bechstein is close to opening up in Manchester nine months after the German company’s arrival at Fabrix’s Transmission House was first revealed. C.Bechstein’s Northern Quarter facility will feature a piano showroom, six practice studios and a recital area. It is due to open next month following a launch event on 19 May that will bring together “notable guests from the northern classical music scene”.
Stuart Kernaghan, managing director of the C. Bechstein Centre Manchester, said: “Given Manchester’s long-standing history and relationship with music, it is undoubtedly the perfect location to open our new flagship store. The launch represents an exciting time for C. Bechstein, and we’re pleased to be able to offer pianists across the North West the opportunity to view, purchase and even practice on some of the most beautiful pianos in the industry.”
Found out today that I'm COUNTY CHAMPION at age 45 😳 from this weekend's Rivington Pike Race!
🥇 🎉#fellrunning#GreaterManchester #rivingtonpike @NormanWalshUK @horwichharriers pic.twitter.com/fEXvaZJUyF— Danny Hope (@dannyshope) April 19, 2022
HOPE FOR US ALL… Hats off to Hydrock’s very own Duracell bunny Danny Hope who was crowned county champion recently after his performance in the Rivington Pike Race. Hope completed the 5.2km course – of which a fair chunk is basically vertical – in an eyewatering 19.43. Not bad for a 45-year-old.
it doesn’t get tastier than this pic.twitter.com/Cr8UdBlHMM
— MrBeast Burger (@MrBeastBurger) March 9, 2022
BEASTY BURGER… A popular YouTuber is on a mission to clog our arteries. Mr Beast, who has more than 100m subscribers, is famous for doing strange things on the internet. His most-watched stunts include attempting to sit at the bottom of a swimming pool for 24 hours – he lasted 12 – and counting to 100,000, which took him an entire day. He also owns a delivery-only burger brand called Mr Beast Burgers.
The company launched in December 2020 and already operates more than 1,000 kitchens across the globe. Most of Mr Beast’s dark kitchens are in the US but the number of places in the UK making the meaty treats is growing. Hyde, Cheadle, Bury and Ashton-under-Lyne, are the latest North West kitchen locations to open, joining the likes of Blackpool, Liverpool and Warrington.
NORTHERN PRIDE… 180 million years in 432 pages – time truly flies. Brian Groom’s anticipated biography of the North has been unleashed and has already been named a Top 20 bestseller by the Sunday Times. “Northerners: From the Ice Age to the Present Day” tells the history of the region and the impact the past has had on the North of today. It’s on the Place wishlist already.
LOO VIEW… A disused block of public toilets in Cumbria could be yours for just £7,500. The 355 sq ft beachside public convenience is located in the village of Allonby and looks out onto the Solway Estuary. Landwood Property Auctions is selling the building on behalf of Allerdale Council. A thorough scrub is required but it presents an excellent opportunity for anyone on the lookout for a renovation project. The property comes with no chain…