THING OF THE WEEK
MAMAMOONS… Yes, you read that right. Mamamoons. Like honeymoons, but for moms. That’s the idea behind a new promotion at Warner Leisure Hotels, a chain that includes Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel in Clwyd and Alvaston Hall Hotel in Nantwich. The hoteliers are offering special packages for the mother of the bride to unwind with a trip to the spa, gin and wine tasting and activities including yoga and archery. Who cares about the wedding when the afterparty looks like this?
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BUZZING… If you listen closely, you might just hear a steady hum outside Exchange Quay in Manchester. The Till AM office building recently welcomed 40,000 new tenants. But you won’t’ see them in the halls – they’re hanging out on the roof. That’s where you’ll find the building’s honey bee colonies. It’s part of Exchange Quay’s biodiversity improvement programme, which also includes planting 850 pollinator-friendly flowers and 10 trees, as well as installing an insect hotel. Want to join the bees? The 435,000 sq ft building is represented by Canning O’Neill and Colliers International.
Gwern Borter Manor is up for sale. Credit: via Dafydd Hardy
ROYAL LOVENESTS… The rumoured romantic getaway for King Edward VII and his mistress Lille Langtry can be yours for £895,000. Gwern Borter Manor in Rowen is up for sale with estate agent Dafydd Hardy. With gorgeous gardens, six bedrooms and a secluded location, one can imagine why this 1840 hunting lodge was a favourite for the late king.
FROM DERELICT TO MASTERPIECE… Toad Hall in Ainsdale is getting an exterior transformation. Muralist Paul Curtis is working his magic on the long-empty 1920s hall. It’s part of Sefton Council’s Coastal Gateway Visitor Action plan, so one can expect the walls of Toad Hall to depict something seaside-related. Don’t expect any hints from the council though – Cllr Ian Moncur said the design will be revealed as Curtis paints it. When finished, it’ll be Curtis’s largest mural outside of London.
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A SLICE OF NEWS… Rudy’s pizza is opening a second location in Liverpool, taking over an old Sainsbury’s store site on Bold Street. Rudy’s has been slowly growing its culinary footprint, with restaurants in Manchester, Leeds and London. The Neapolitan pizza joint is already crushing it in Liverpool at its popular Castle Street location. And more pizza is always a good thing.
Children from the charity Passion for Learning were the first to try out the brand new play area. Credit: McArthur Glen
CHILD’S PLAY… Back to school shopping is going to be a lot more fun this year at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. The Ellesmere Port shopping centre has unveiled a £1.4m play area complete with trampolines, slides and climbing towers. Designed for those 12 and under, the play area can be found between Mowgli and McDonalds. Have fun kids – those of us at THING are decidedly jealous.
