THING OF THE WEEK

AD BREAK… Marketing Cheshire is focussing its advertising efforts on the London market in the hopes of enticing people northwards to enjoy what Chester and its surrounds have to offer. The campaign has seen 11 large posters depicting Cheshire landscapes and landmarks installed at various Tube stations across the capital, including Earls Court, Charring Cross, Moorgate, Euston, Embankment, and Notting Hill. It seems to be working. The campaign, which runs until November, has promoted a spike in website visitors since it began, according to Marketing Cheshire. Talk about a capital idea.

The stadium will complete next summer. Credit: Peel Waters / If We Ran The Zoo

QUEUE BUSTER… As a new season looms, nobody is quite sure what to expect of Everton. Off-field struggles continue to dog the club and most fans are not expecting much better on the pitch. At least they have the new stadium to look forward to next summer. As work continues on the 55,000-capacity venue at Bramley-Moore Dock, the club has struck a deal with US hospitality giant Aramark to take care of the entertainment and food at the new ground.

Aramark claims to “curate immersive experiences through a bold, thoughtful, and data-driven approach” and boasts stadia in the NFL, La Liga and Bundesliga among its client base. Everton’s new stadium would be the firm’s first English ground. Aramark’s solutions, which include self-service beer systems, aim to cut queues and improve the fan experience. If only they could do something about the team’s midfield, too.

The redevelopment of 17 Quay Street is almost complete. Credit: via OBI Property

CULINARY CAPITAL … The mass migration of London-based eateries to Manchester is continuing. Lina Stores, which has sites in Marylebone, Soho, and Kensington, is set to bring its recognisable green and white awnings to the city for what would be its first foray outside the capital. A planning application lodged with Manchester City Council shows Lina Stores is preparing to take the ground floor of Quoin, the new name of the redeveloped former Direct Line office on Quay Street. Billed as an Italian deli and restaurant, could the new arrival on Manchester’s foodie scene challenge Piccollino as the property industry’s restaurant of choice?

Studio Mutt is behind the designs. Credit: via planning documents

STRETFOOD… A shopping mall in Trafford currently undergoing redevelopment could soon be overrun with myopic fans of meals served out of trucks. Alas, the new artwork planned as part of Bruntwood and the council’s project says Stretford, not Streetfood.

The Punch Bowl Inn in 2018. Credit: Chris Heaton, CC BY-SA bit.ly/3vCGHS2

PUB COMMANDMENTS… Thou shalt not raze historic pubs. The owners of the Crooked House learned that lesson earlier this year and now it’s time for Donelan Trading to learn it too. After years of unsuccessfully trying to get planning permission to transform the site of the grade two-listed Punch Bowl Inn, the company opted to illegally demolish the structure in 2021.

Ribble Valley Council was firm in its reaction – ordering the company to rebuild the pub. Five individuals involved were also fined £70,000, according to the BBC. The replacement Punch Bowl Inn was supposed go up in 2023, but there has been no movement on the plan. So now the council is taking Donelan Trading to court, again. The goal? To get an injunction to force them to rebuild the pub or risk being held in contempt of court. We’ve got the popcorn ready.