THING OF THE WEEK

PLENTIFUL PLANTS… A herbaceous oasis awaits guests at INNSiDE Manchester and INNSiDE Liverpool, after the hotelier debuted a “botantical room” at each location. Filled with plants from local greenery companies, the room is meant to help guests destress and increase creativity – two things indoor plants are supposed to help do. Northern Lights Home grew the plants for the Manchester hotel, while Root Houseplants took over the Liverpool room. The botanical rooms are available for booking all this month.

Credit: via Inform Comms

ELECTRIC DREAMS… In a drive (oh yes!) to raise awareness of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, Eric Wright Group’s fleet and transport manager Steven Openshaw has taken part in the Great British EV Rally, covering 1,400 miles between John O’Groats and Land’s End over five days. The event was organised by GreenFleet. Together with his PB Pulse teammates, Steve averaged more than 280 miles a day, using finely honed route-planning skills to find the nearest charging points at each stage. While Steve, who is overseeing EWG’s move to an all-electric fleet, was at pains to point out it wasn’t a “race,” his team did win the award for best overall efficiency. If there isn’t a trophy, there should be.

Credit: via Blackpool Council

THE BIG SCREEN… It doesn’t get much bigger than an IMAX, and Blackpool is set to get one of the largest IMAX screens in the country at the future Backlot Cinema. The cinema operator confirmed it would be delivering a 10.8-metre screen at the cinema, which is being built as part of the revamp of Houndshill Shopping Centre in Blackpool town centre. When complete, Backlot Cinema will have nine screens and 850 seats.

Credit: via planning documents

GREEN CLEAN DRAMA… Dreams of an eco-car wash in Crewe have been dashed after Cheshire East Southern Planning Committee refused plans from Carbana. The would-be sustainable car wash was set to be located off North Street and Broad Street. It was this location that proved the car wash’s undoing, with planning officers noting it would have an adverse impact on those living in the homes nearby.

Credit: via Social

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP… Secretary of state for transport Grant Shapps may have raised an eyebrow this week at a letter from the Mayor of Crewe, Virginia, expressing support for its namesake and twin town in the bid to house Great British Railways. The Virginian version is also a railway town, apparently. Mayor Phil Miskovic said: “Our towns share a common railway heritage which our respective communities have worked hard with strength and vision to create, and we are inspired by Crewe’s bid for this honour. I can’t think of a more deserving place for the HQ to be established. We’ve shown our support and I’d urge everyone to join us by making sure they vote Crewe!” Your move, Derby.