THING OF THE WEEK
PUSHING THE BOAT OUT… We love an aspirational CGI. If you’re not going to portray a would-be scheme in a good light, what’s the point? Sunshine in Manchester? Bring it on. However, sketches portraying Re:shape’s proposed co-living development in Salford might have gone a step too far. The image depicts not one, not two, but three wooden skiffs bobbing elegantly in the Irwell skippered by carefree looking individuals. This scene has no basis in reality but you cannot blame the architect – better boats than abandoned shopping trolleys.
TOP OF THE SHOPS… Liverpool ONE has reported its most successful festive shopping season since 2019, bucking national retail trends. On Black Friday week, the retail complex recorded a 14% growth in footfall and a 28% increase in sales year-on-year. Throughout December, footfall was up 10% compared to 2023, compared to a 2.2% decline for centres nationally. During the period between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day – Twixmas – Liverpool ONE reported a 26% year-on-year increase in footfall. Landsec’s purchase of Liverpool ONE is already looking like a smart one.
PUB PETITION… There has not been much dissent to Whitbread’s plans to knock down a slew of soulless pubs adjoining its Premier Inn hotels across the country but that is not the case in Heswall, where a campaign to save Glegg Arms is gathering pace. Most recently a Beefeater, the pub is under threat of demolition as part of Whitbread’s plans to increase the number of hotel rooms across several of its sites. The petition opposing the plan has gathered more than 1,000 signatures so far with campaigners calling on Wirral Council to block the application to raze the pub.
SCOOT ON OVER… Liverpool’s incumbent e-scooter and e-bike operator has had a monopoly on the city’s micro-mobility market since 2020 but after five years of dominance that could be about the change. Swedish firm Voi is nearing the end of its contract to provide the people of Liverpool with mobility solutions and the city council is opening the door to other suitors. Lime, which operates in London and Salford, would be the obvious successor, which would no doubt leave a bitter taste in the mouth for Voi.
FUN… Over recent years, West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC has seen attendances swell. The club is Greater Manchester’s answer to Dulwich Hamlet FC, the country’s original non-league hipster hang-out, and has cultivated a strong following of supporters who appreciate the charm of non-league football.
But not everyone is happy. Next week, the club will find out if it can keep an outbuilding and metal storage container, used to provide refreshments to fans, or if it will have to remove them.
The units have been there since 2023 but it would appear a disgruntled local resident has dobbed the club in. Objections to the structures received during the recent consultation included that the units “increase the creep into the Green Belt”, which was presumably submitted by the NIMBY final boss.
What is it with Chorlton nimby’s? They don’t seem to like any erections near their greenbelt.
By Anonymous
Think you’ve answered your question..it’s Greenbelt. Hope that helps.
By Anonymous
Should perhaps be pointed out that the outbuilding at West Didsbury and Chorlton is timber, and that the storage container is green. Both essential to providing a safe, accessible to all, family friendly and massively used by families facility to residents of Chorlton and beyond. Perhaps those objecting should form the ‘Nothing on the Green belt but our houses party’ and stand at the local elections. Sad doesn’t begin to cover it .
By Jim Doxford
Worth noting that the people complaining about a community football club with a very big heart serving cups of tea to a few hundred people twice a week all live in houses that start at £700k and go up from there…
By Bert
Anonymous 3.26pm – Greenbelt designation doesn’t mean it is exempt from any development. Chorlton nimby’s should lift their heads above their perceived narrow self-interest.
By Anonymous