THING OF THE WEEK
PUB PROBS… Proposals from Arrowsmith for a residential development in Manchester seem to have struck a chord with pub lovers, and not in a good way. The 26-storey scheme would tower over the much-loved Briton’s Protection on Great Bridgewater Street, “strangling” the boozer, according to one miffed commentator. A consultation on the plans is open, which will probably be very well attended.
RENT RANTS… If you ask Manchester’s letting agents, achieving £40/ sq ft for office space is the holy grail. It has not been done yet but we are getting close. Grant Thornton pays £38.50/ sq ft at Baring’s Landmark and market sources predict £40 is not too far away. One prominent Manchester developer told THING this week that they knew exactly where the first £40/ sq ft Manchester office would be. Any guesses?
NORTHGATE NAMES… The results of a public competition to name the new arcade and public square at Chester Northgate are in, and we’re a little underwhelmed. Cestrians looked past cool names including Via Victrix and Fortress Square in favour of tamer monikers Coachworks Arcade and Exchange Square. Better than Arcadey McArcadeface, though.
BATTLE OF BAMBER BRIDGE… South Ribble Council is plotting the creation of a steel sculpture to commemorate a famous battle that took place in Bamber Bridge during the Second World War. But this was not a battle between enemies, it was one between supposed allies: the UK and the US. If you don’t know the story, one that includes racial prejudice, misunderstandings and a gun battle that resulted in the untimely death of Private William Crossland, you should get on that Google and have a look into it. The sculpture to commemorate the battle will be erected off Church Road, opposite the Ye Olde Hob Inn, where the whole sordid episode began.
PEAT PROTECTION… In the wake of COP26, a fitness company from Cumbria has made a pledge to turn its back on capitalism – to an extent – for the sake of the environment. With Black Friday approaching, inov8, which makes snazzy running shoes, has promised to donate 5% of the cash it receives from sales to peatland restoration. Peatland is important because it absorbs carbon and preserves global biodiversity. Removing peat can be harmful to the environment and nobody wants that, right world leaders?