THING OF THE WEEK

LET ME HEAR YOU SCREEN… Forming part of DTZ Investors’ wider £21m refurbishment project, a near-11,000 sq ft digital ceiling has been unveiled at Manchester’s Printworks – the largest of its kind in Europe. DTZ bought the Printworks in 2017. At the time, the appeal of this sort of complex was waning as punters moved away from large chains and towards trendy independents.

Ben Haller, associate director at DTZ, said the redevelopment could usher in a new era for the venue. “This transformation is a game changer for the UK leisure sector,” he said.

“We’ve created something unique at Printworks that will continue to entertain domestic and international visitors for years to come.”

NIGEL BARRAGE… Billed as the largest scheme of its kind in the world, the proposed tidal barrage over the River Mersey between Liverpool and Wirral is still a long way off and quite difficult to comprehend. To help us get our heads around the scale of the project, a fly-through has been created to give the public an idea of how the multi-billion-pound project might look.

RIDING THE GAUNTLET… Unhappy with Stockport Council’s plan for a revamped A6 between the town centre and Manchester, Walk Ride GM has drafted its own vision. Unlike the council’s proposals – which would send cyclists travelling to and from Manchester on an alternative parallel route – the lobby group’s version includes segregated cycle lanes along the A6 itself. “[Stockport’s] plan is to send cyclists down side roads and back alleys, doubling cycle journey time compared to the A6,” according to Walk Ride GM.

The idea of protected cycle lanes is probably a good one on this particular stretch, which is more like a gauntlet than a road for those on two wheels. Walk Ride GM carried out an experiment on the two alternative routes that you can watch in the video above.

The building is currently used as offices and a marketing suite. Credit: via marketing materials

TURN-STYLE… Salboy is nearing completion of its £120m Castle Irwell residential scheme in Salford. Comprising 367 homes, the development has transformed the site of a former university student village and now attention turns to amenities. Salboy has delivered a park at the heart of the development and a Lidl supermarket is also in the works but it is the former Manchester Racecourse turnstile building new residents will be keeping a close eye on in the coming weeks.

Currently used as a marketing suite for the development, Salboy has appointed Graham + Sibbald to find a tenant for the space, which would lend itself to a variety of uses. If Salboy can emulate the success of reopening the Blackfriar pub as part of its Local Blackfriars development, locals will be pleased.

Credit: via Chorley Council

LAWN… When it comes to biodiversity net gain, every little helps. In Chorley, the council is installing living roofs on five of the borough’s bus shelters. The scheme forms part of a wider plan to replace 80 shelters in total.

Cllr Adrian Lowe is looking forward to seeing the green roofs later in the year. “We are dedicated to working towards net zero by 2030 and the living roof shelters will provide rich habitats for bees and wildlife, which supports our overall climate,” he said. “Already the living roof shelters are starting to be installed and no doubt by the summer months they will be looking bloomin’ marvellous!”