THING OF THE WEEK

TV DEBUT… The vision of Age UK Wirral staff will be put on display this weekend, as its new ‘dementia village’ prepares to be showcased on Channel 5’s Challenge Anneka this Sunday. The episode will see the show’s host, Anneka Rice, undertake a challenge set on the grounds of the Devonshire Resource Centre in Birkenhead, all in the name of raising awareness. Transformed in partnership with SDA Architects, the facility lies within a mock high street featuring a café, post office, record store, and cinema. Oh, and not to mention the village pub!

Credit: via Merseyrail

LIVERPOOL CALLING… Merseyrail has succumbed to Eurovision fever. Just dressing up the trains and blue in Eurovision colours was not enough, nor was introducing special messages by Graham Norton and other Eurovision celebrities. Now, the Merseyrail network map has received a temporary makeover. New names include Ooh Ah – A Little Bit Moorfield, Save Your Kisses for Meols, and Conchita Wurst (previously known as Capenhurst). When it comes to Eurovision journeys this weekend, you’re good to go.

Credit: via FTI Consulting

WINNERS… Four University of Manchester students have won The Urban Land Institute and real estate investor Hines’s urban development competition to craft a regeneration scheme that delivered social value, public spaces, and affordable housing while still being financially viable. Aakash Mathur, Hiba Jabbour, Nimrah Maryam, and Max Medina defeated two teams from London-based universities (UCL and LSE), as well as crews from Spain, South Korea, and Germany to claim the top prize. Now, the four students will be fast-tracked for a Hines internship and receive a one-year membership to ULI. Congrats!

Credit: via Manchester Airport

BEHIND THE MAN… Manchester Airport has launched a new podcast series by former BBC broadcaster Tom Fordyce. The series promises to take listeners behind the scenes of the airport – with stories about birds, plane spotting, and even Beyonce. “Manchester: Your Airport, MAN” launches later this month on Spotify with six episodes – provided its bags don’t get lost along the way.

The Allpress Espresso team. Credit: via Influential

KIWI COFFEE… New Zealand coffee roaster Allpress Espresso will soon be landing in the Manchester city centre neighbourhood of NOMA. Already stocked in multiple stores across the city, the company is set to finally open its own café on the ground floor of the Redfern building. The space will be designed by Deidra Hodgson to become the latest addition to Allpress’s international portfolio. Although it’s the first spot in the North, the company already has sites in London, Melbourne, Tokyo, and Sydney.