THING OF THE WEEK

FLOAT FUND… A floating eco-system in Liverpool’s Wapping Dock has been saved after funding for the initiative ran out. Installed in 2020 thanks to cash from the European Union, the 680 sq ft island provides a vehicle to support marine life and biodiversity in Liverpool’s dock system. It has already had to be reinforced once as the amount of mussels clinging to the island threatened to drag it to the dock’s murky depths. The Liverpool BID has stepped in to support the initiative for another five years to the tune of £15,000.

The scheme features a covered area for cars that have been valeted. Credit: via planning documents

POSH PARKING… The Trafford Centre is planning to introduce “premium parking” for certain customers who are accustomed to a particular way of life. Praetura Ventures, the asset manager for the retail complex, has submitted a planning application to Trafford Council to turn five acres of existing car parking close to Selfridges into premium spots. This would involve reducing the number of spaces in the zone and making bigger ones to accommodate premium shoppers’ large vehicles.

The posh spaces and the ordinary ones would be separated by a decorative metal screen, according to the plans. The introduction of premium parking facilities for Selfridges customers would bring the department store’s Trafford Centre branch in line with its three other UK outlets, a cover letter accompanying the application states. It adds: “Providing the premium parking facility to meet the expectations of Selfridges and other premium shoppers at the centre is an important part of the Trafford Centre’s continued evolution and success”.

Contour will feature a dog spa. Credit: via planning documents

AMENITY… Renaker’s skyscrapers are among the most highly amenitised residential developments in the country. Not that long ago, a gym, cinema room, and co-working space would be considered the height of luxury. Nowadays, these kinds of features are par for the course so Renaker has upped its game with its latest towers. Contour and Trinity Islands, which both received loans from the GMCA recently, will feature between them a virtual driving range, putting green, and dog spas for residents’ furry friends.

The North West loves vapes. Credit: E-Liquids UK via Unsplash

VAPES… The North West is the vaping capital of the UK, according to research carried out by an online e-cigarette retailer. Go Smoke Free’s study shone a light on the prevalence of vape shops in the region’s towns and cities by compiling data from Companies House to work out how many there are per 100,000 residents. Blackburn topped the pile with 22.5 vape outlets for every 100,000 residents. Bolton came in second with Manchester taking bronze. Overall, seven of the top 10 most vape-addicted areas were found to be in the North West. The development community waits with bated breathe for opportunities to regenerate high streets decimated by incoming legislation banning disposable vapes.

Kier Starmer’s Easter egg hunt was ruined by events in Pendle. Credit: Jason Jarrach via Unsplash

PENDLE PALAVER… Labour’s days as the ruling party in Kendal are over after 10 councillors quit to become independents over the Easter weekend. The group of councillors, which included leader Asjad Mahmood, are unhappy with the direction the party is heading and disagree with Kier Starmer’s stance on the Middle East conflict. While Starmer had his Easter egg hunt ruined by the Pendle debacle, the party refused to get embroiled in a row, saying it is focused on winning the general election. If election victory is the omelette, recent events in Pendle amount to a few broken eggs.