THING OF THE WEEK
HYPHENATE… Nobody can say OBI is not a multi-hyphenate company. Initially set up as a commercial real estate consultancy, over the years the business has diversified to include an in-house marketing division and a CGI team, publishes a quarterly journal, and as if that wasn’t all enough, has now branched out even further to become a food and beverage operator. OBI has opened The Difference, a café bar and business venue a stone’s throw away from its headquarters on Manchester’s Mosley Street. The cafe offers both pizza and board rooms, and is open to the public. THING will always be happy to grab a slice.
ZIPPY… Manchester’s Town Hall is just not the same this Christmas without beloved Zippy Santa becoming a Twitter celeb from his spot beneath the clocktower, with his replacement in Piccadilly Gardens just not cutting the festive mustard. THING wondered if Zippy was to be lost forever, but an eagle eyed reporter noticed that Zippy had nipped over to the Kellogg’s factory in Trafford for his cornflakes while the Town Hall was being refurbished. We hope he has a great long breakfast, but perhaps he’ll make a welcome return to the city centre next year.
GONE-BANANA… Like them or loathe them, Liverpool’s Superlambananas, initially meant to be temporary, captured the public imagination and have become a recognisable symbol of the city. After 20 years of wear, this week artist Taro Chiezo’s original on Tithebarn Street was replaced with an identical replica. However, apparently not identical enough, as the artist has protested that if a site in Liverpool is not found for the original, he could take the statue and place it in another city, potentially even Manchester. THING predicts an unprecedented level of uproar if that ever comes to pass.
Say hello to Liverpool’s shiny new Superlambanana, installed earlier today on Tithebarn Street.
The 20-year-old original has been taken away for some much-needed TLC. #liverpool pic.twitter.com/RkR4Zfn4tx
— Liverpool City Council (@lpoolcouncil) December 8, 2019
CELEBRITY… After the announcement of an I’m A Celebrity Jungle Challenge opening up at The Watergardens development in MediaCityUK, further images have been released to delight and inspire fear before its opening next year. Taking the competitive socialising trend to its next extreme, the venue will offer you the chance to throw your boss or colleagues into the deep end with some bushtucker trials, or a go on a zipline. Take a look and see if you can convince your company this is exactly what your team building day needs in 2020.
DOGGO… Dogs make many people’s worlds go round, and so does property, so when the two combine it’s a perfect match. A 5,500 sq ft doggy day care centre has launched in Trafford Park following a £100,000 investment. Dogs Aloud has capacity for more than 70 furry friends, along with a swimming pool, heated bedding areas and a movie zone with a 65-inch TV. Sounds better than our own homes.