THING OF THE WEEK
PAINT THE TOWN… In Manchester, it’s impossible to miss that this weekend it’s Pride, and coming out for the construction sector for the second year running is the rainbow JCB. Building Equality, an alliance of construction companies working to build LGBT+ inclusion, is behind the digger, and since its first Pride last year has doubled in numbers, with 100 representatives from 18 organisations taking part. Today until 7pm, the JCB and Building Equality members will be at Exchange Square, and will be taking part in tomorrow’s Pride march, to help increase awareness and discuss diversity in the construction industry.
Spinningfields got in on the act with this installation
AN OBVIOUS FOWL… Bird-firing, pig-squashing app game Angry Birds obsessed the world back in the mid-noughties, and its creators Rovio Entertainment have somehow managed to continue milking that cash cow with a series of variations on what you would think is a limited theme. The latest Angry Birds Evolution will see three Everton FC players, Theo Walcott, Cenk Tosun and Gylfi Sigurdsson, transformed into playable avatars for a mobile version of the game. Big Sam would be spinning in his grave at the sight.
PUPPY LOVE… Everyone knows the demand for new hotels across the North West is high, and in Prenton, Wirral, this weekend will see the opening of the latest luxury boutique hotel… for dogs. Love Ur Dogs is a £1m facility, complete with bone pool, concierge and mood lighting, for the more sensitive pets. At first glance, the penthouse suites, luxury suites and family rooms seem to be tailored to the discerning Homo Sapien, however the memory foam full-size beds for “rolling and sprawling”, toys and bespoke catering are all intended for man’s best friend. Fancy booking in your canine? Visit https://www.loveurdog.co.uk/services
SQUARE PEG… News this week that Barings Real Estate’s 180,000 sq ft Landmark development is emerging onto St Peter’s Square, now that Bowmer & Kirkland has completed work on the concrete core. All well and good, but the emphasis in all the marketing bumph on its presence on St Peter’s Square has led to office agent grumbles that perhaps the scheme is seeking to capitalise on a more prestigious address than its true Oxford Street location. Who can blame them really; St Peter’s is associated with the library, Town Hall, and professional occupiers such as KPMG, EY and WeWork. Whereas Oxford Street has the casino, McDonald’s, and is the gateway to one of the most congested bus routes in the UK. Tough call.
