THING OF THE WEEK

MAKING YOUR MIND UP… Liverpool is battling it out against Glasgow for the privilege of saying “we are the winners” as the race to host Eurovision 2022 reaches its conclusion. The shortlist, which also included Manchester, has been whittled down to the final two as the powers that be got closer to making their minds up. Here’s hoping it will be euphoria and wild dances in the streets of Liverpool when the city is selected as the host.

Joanne Roney, chief executive of Manchester City Council. Credit: Place North West

MIPIM CURSE… Could Joanne Roney be the Manchester MIPIM jinx? The Manchester City Council chief executive jokingly implied that might be the case during Place North West’s MIPIM sales launch. The first year Roney tried to go, the Manchester pavilion was flooded and washed away. The second time, Roney said “the plane nearly crashed”. And the third? Well, that was Covid. Here’s hoping the string of bad luck ends at last!  

This is how Factory will look when it completes in 12 months’ time. Credit: via Factory International

LEVELLING UP… If you take the last seven days in isolation, it would probably be fair for the government to claim that levelling up is alive and well, at least in Manchester city centre. This week Factory International, the 145,000 sq ft arts and cultural venue in St John’s, announced its opening programme. Danny Boyle is on board to direct the maiden performance, an immersive reimagining of the Matrix films. The government has pumped £100m into that project and if you add to that the £23m grant Manchester received for the recently-opened Mayfield Park, you might reasonably conclude that levelling up does indeed exist after all.  

Queen Elizabeth II opening MediaCityUK in Salford in 2012. Image courtesy of Peel Group

THE ROYAL WAY… A £20m link road in Rochdale is set to be named after Queen Elizabeth II. Rochdale Council has decided the best way to honour the late Queen is to bestow her name on a 2.2km road linking Junction 19 of the M62 to Pilsworth Road. “During her long reign the Queen gave tireless service and really set the example of how we should behave as a council in providing a service to our residents,” said council Leader Cllr Neil Emmott. “Naming the new road Queen Elizabeth II Way will create a lasting legacy that will echo down the generations and help ensure that Her Majesty’s remarkable contribution to our nation is never forgotten.” May the road be pothole free forever.

Welcome to the Pentonbridge Inn! 💫

From garden to kitchen to you. The journey that involves the talent, care and passion of so many and aims to leave you with an experience that lingers in your mind for a lifetime. pic.twitter.com/0dvUUnQiz9

— Pentonbridge Inn (@PentonbridgeInn) September 22, 2022

ALL-STAR DINING… For those of us in the North West, we’ve long known the region is a culinary hotspot. Still, it’s always nice to receive some recognition. Pentonbridge Inn near Carlisle has been named one of the best restaurants in the world by AA, claiming three coveted rosettes from the group’s guidebook. And for those looking for a nightcap after such a fine meal (and don’t mind a bit of a journey), Schofield’s Bar in Manchester has landed a spot on The World’s 50 Best Bars list, which is curated by industry experts. Schofield’s is the first bar in the UK outside of London and Edinburgh to achieve the honour. Now that’s something to cheers to.