THING OF THE WEEK

POTHOLES… Ever wondered which Greater Manchester authority is doing the best when it comes to fixing potholes? Neither have we, but that does not mean it is not interesting. Freedom of Information requests by the Federation of Small Businesses show that Stockport spent the most money fixing its roads last year – more than £9m – and it paid off. The borough saw a whopping 86% reduction in driver complaints over the last 12 months. Manchester also had a successful year when it comes to fixing up its highways, registering a 42% decrease in pothole complaints – down from more than 9,000 to 5,573. Despite this progress, the city’s streets are still the shabbiest when taking into account complaints, but that might be something to do with the number of cars on its roads. Tameside recorded the fewest complaints for the second year running, with just 873 in 2022/23, according to FSB.

Eden Project North is slated for the promenade area, close to the Platform. Credit: via WSP

MORECAMBE RISING… Morecambe is on the up. Since securing funding for Eden North, a catalytic project if ever there was one, activity in the Lancaster town’s property market has gathered pace. Just this week we saw plans for an 86-bedroom hotel lodged, while a development partner for the former Frontierland theme park is due to be announced soon. Yes, the impending arrival of the visitor attraction is doing wonders for Morecambe and while new developments are sure to come thick and fast, the city council is not taking its eye off the ball when it comes to existing assets. The Platform, an entertainment venue located opposite the site earmarked for Eden North, is up for grabs to an eligible and willing operator. Lancaster City Council is seeking expressions of interest from parties up for signing a lease on the site, which is perfectly located to capitalise on the future success the town is surely destined for.  

Anyone for Irwell trout? Credit: via Brazen PR

SEXY FISH… Which is the sexiest fish? It is a question that haunts us all. If we are being totally honest it is probably the Great White Shark, but that is by the by. A restaurant named after this conundrum has announced it will open its third UK site in Manchester this autumn, more than two years after Place North West revealed the stylish seafood restaurant was going to take over the former Armani store in Spininngfields. Since then, the site has been shrouded by tall black hoardings, giving the venture an air of mysticism. Now, ahead of the grand opening, Sexy Fish’s parent company Caprice Holdings has published the first image of what the venue will look like. As well as exotic/expensive sounding dishes like Boton Ebi and caramelised black cod, Sexy Fish Manchester will boast some menu items with a special nod to the city, such as Irk-caught trout and Ship Canal langoustines. Probably.

Ian Curtis has a new home. Credit: via planning documents

CURTIS CALL… Joy Division’s Ian Curtis is right up there among Manchester music royalty. So it was unsurprising that there was an outcry when a mural of the Joy Division frontman on Port Street was painted over with an advert for the latest album from rapper Aitch. Even Aitch was reportedly torn apart by this brazen act of vandalism, which prompted calls for the mural to be repainted somewhere else in the city. Almost a year on, a planning application has been lodged for Ian Curtis’s face to be painted on the gable end of the Star and Garter next to Manchester Piccadilly. 

Credit: David Clode on Unsplash

DORY… As change of use applications go, this one is pretty heartwarming. Just Keep Swimming, a company that teaches children how to swim, has received permission from Burnley Council to use the former Evolve Military College as its new training centre. The company’s plan is simple: erect a swimming pool in the industrial unit and attempt to make a dent in the 200-person waiting list. A planning statement from Just Keep Swimming accompanying the application states: “We hope to offer swimming lessons to those who unfortunately haven’t been able to pass the 25-metre national curriculum standard and those with physical or hidden disabilities that just need that extra support.” Dory would be proud.