THING OF THE WEEK
PLACE PARTY… The seventh instalment of everyone’s favourite property party saw an abundance of tasty dancefloor moves, planning consultants and lawyers go head to head on a giant Scalextric track, and plenty of glowsticks. Obviously. Keep your eyes peeled for the highlights video next week…
Credit: Manchester City Council
UPGRADE... Manchester City Council is seeking your views on how one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks can be upgraded. Manchester’s Chinatown is the second largest in the UK and third largest in Europe and the area’s famous pagoda, located on the corner of Nicholas Street and George Street, is in need of a bit of TLC. “We want to replace the damaged pagoda with a new structure, that will celebrate Chinese heritage and provide a community focal point,” the city council said. The neighbouring car park also features within the scope of a consultation requesting ideas for the public on how the area should look in the future. Could a new public space be in the offing?
Final version of North Shore Docks 2; 1864 (Bramley Moore); with numerous additions/updates: thanks for contributions & @vrsimility @Waite99D
Revised legend to follow@EvertonStadium pic.twitter.com/R55QGk9lxI— Ed Farrell (@edwardrolf) October 5, 2022
BLAST FROM THE PAST… Future generations will know Bramley-Moore Dock as the location of Everton FC’s new all-singing all-dancing stadium. The 55,000-capacity ground is being built on the dock, which has been infilled but the site has been closed to the public for decades after the demise of the British coal industry saw BMD’s trade dwindle and ultimately cease. For those without the imagination to picture the dock in its thriving heyday, check out this amazing illustration by Liverpool artist Ed Farrell.
Credit: Place North West
SILVER SCREEN… Mayfield is fast becoming the ultimate family fun destination. Close on the heels of the opening of the much-vaunted six-acre park – Manchester’s first new park in a million years – the development will soon also have a cinema, too. The arrival of Backyard Cinema, which has bean bags instead of seats, was announced earlier this year and the operator is getting ready to open at Mayfield later this month. A planning application to build the venue on the roof of the former train station has been submitted this week.
Credit: via LCRCA
MERRY FERRY… An exciting week for Wallasey, which is to welcome back Mersey Ferries services for the first time in almost two years on Monday. Seacombe Ferry Terminal has been closed since 2020 for a major upgrade that has seen the 130-year-old linkspan bridges replaced, landing stage refurbished, powered gangways installed to help people get on and off the ferry easily, and a new ticket office area put in. The project – led by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority – is aimed at ensuring that ferries can sail along the River Mersey for generations to come as they have done for hundreds of years, because, in the words of the authority’s transport lead Cllr Liam Robinson, “The Mersey Ferries are an important part of our cultural identity in the city region.” The refurbished terminal will also link up with Seacombe’s newest attraction, the Eureka! Science + Discovery space-themed leisure destination, due to open in the coming weeks. The next Mersey ferry terminal to get a new lick of paint is Woodside, the authority said.
The car park in Chinatown should be an oriental market at least at weekends.
By Loganberry
Those in charge of the Mersey Ferries seem to live in some kind of bubble, and unable think beyond it , whereby they appear to be incapable of planning for a more dynamic future in which the ferry service is expanded to eg the South Liverpool shore or the New Brighton service is re-introduced by way of a simple pier and landing stage.
I would suggest that they send a working party across to Hamburg and see how their ferries are run as a modern mix of a meaningful commuter service as well as tourist offering.
In addition the planners on the Wirral bank of the Mersey can surely see if more mid-rise flats were built by the Woodside and Seacombe terminal this should encourage the dwellers to cross the river by ferry, thus generating more custom and revenue.
By Anonymous
Finally! Get rid of China Town car park and turn it into a green space.
It will completely transform the area and some of the buildings which surround it.
Btw Mayfield Park is absolutely fantastic. Might have been in the press a lot lately but based on my visit it thoroughly deserves it and I would urge people to visit. Proper place making!
By Anonymous
missed a big opportunity by not putting a new landing place at the dock stadium
By Karen Martindale