THING OF THE WEEK

NORDIC TRENDS… Well, Peel Waters, this one has made us take notice The developer is working with WYLD Sauna to bring the traditional Nordic sauna experience to Liverpool Waters this summer, with “the UK’s first public floating sauna” – if anyone knows anyone with a private floating sauna, hook us up by all means – to be moored on the banks of Princes Dock. Floating saunas have been all the rage across Scandinavia apparently, so WYLD is bringing it to the UK, with have-a-go Liverpool first up. Plans have been lodged with the city council. Jon Miller, co-founder of WYLD Sauna, said: “There really is nothing better than being able to dip into cold, fresh water after a sauna. Princes Dock is the ideal site for us.”

Paul Burton is your go-to lawyer for all things Padel. Credit: via JMW

PADEL POWER… Padel’s takeover of the hearts and minds of the UK is far from complete – at least according to JMW Solicitors, which projects there is a need for 6,000 padel courts to meet the current demand. The law firm has created a specialist Padel team to help deal with the current demand for new courts, providing legal advice to those looking to build a court or start their own Padel empire. “Ultimately, we are the full-service law firm at the forefront of this new leisure area, driving and helping form market standards, bearing in mind that even when deals start completing data won’t be available at the Land Registry for at least six months,” said JMW partner Paul Burton.

Work on delivering the future Broadway Green park is under way. Credit: via Oldham Council

NEW PARKS… It’s always nice when a place decides to live up to its name, so we were pleased to see Broadway Green in Chadderton was getting a considerable amount to “green” in the form of a new park. Contractors Bellaire Contractors have started work on the green space, which is set to have wildflower meadows, a play area, new trees, and footpaths when it completes in spring 2025. When Oldham Council’s entire Broadway Green vision is complete, the park will be a little oasis in a development comprising 500 homes and 600,000 sq ft of commercial space.

Coal mine shafts are the enemy of many a Northern project – including one at Walkden Station. Credit: via Network Rail

SHAFTED… The newest enemy of the Greater Manchester commuter has been revealed – mine shafts. Plans to improve the accessibility of Walkden Station have taken a backseat after engineers discovered historic mine shafts. Now, drilling needs to be done and surveys made to better understand just how much of an issue these old shafts are. In the meantime, commuters will be out of luck when it comes to catching a train from 3-10 March – they’ll have to settle for ye olde bus instead.

Bea Uprichard weaving away. Credit: Daniel Hearn, Macclesfield Silk Museum

LIVING HISTORY… Paradise Mill in Macclesfield is embracing its heritage, with Manchester Metropolitan University students weaving the first new silk at the grade two-listed building since the mill closed in 1981. Bea Uprichard and Ruth Farris used 19th-century techniques to craft a metre of silk in the mill, which is part of the Silk Museum. More silk is set to be made, especially now that a £309,000 renovation of the mill has recently completed – that renovation being made possible by mill owners Allmand-Smith and the National Heritage Memorial Fund.