THING OF THE WEEK

DROPPING IN… A restaurant just outside of Preston has applied for planning permission to pave part of its curtilage to create two helicopter landing pads for a regular customer. Turns out the Italian Orchard is the favourite haunt of an unnamed individual who can often be seen dropping in for a lasagne in his chopper. A planning statement accompanying the application states that two landing pads are required because “he normally comes in tandem with another helicopter”. How the other half live.

SWIFT… Over the years, councils across the region and the country have been buying up ailing shopping centres and embarking on the often painfully slow process of redeveloping them. Think Bootle Strand or Spindles in Oldham. Part of any good regeneration project these days includes a meanwhile use strategy and recent events in South London could act as inspiration for mall owners looking to breathe some energy into their assets in the short term.

Global pop icon Taylor Swift caused a flurry of visits to the Whitgift in Croydon recently after picking the complex as the filming location for her Opalite video. Fans have flocked to the 1960s mall to take selfies and, with a bit of luck, spend some cash. As meanwhile uses go, having arguably the most famous person ever grace your shopping centre is beyond most landlords’ Wildest Dreams.

STREET WISE… Many of us were personally impacted by the months-long closure of Chapel Street in Salford last year. The street was closed so that it could be overhauled and made safer for cyclists. Traffic is now flowing (kind of) freely once more and contractor AE Yates has released the video above showcasing the project, which, we have to say, looks pretty good as highways schemes go.

Owners will have exclusive perks at the Trafford venue. Credit: Tesla

RAVE… Tonight they’re going to party like it’s… who knows when? Car company Tesla will next week open its new flagship UK location in Trafford Park, a 155,000 sq ft centre which according to reports will include a “Manchester bee-inspired LED mural” – not sure that’s as cutting edge as you think, guys, they’ve been everywhere for a decade now – and a “Rave Cave” for the exclusive use of Tesla owners. It’s difficult to know what to say. Please rave responsibly.

The exhibition closes on 28 February. Credit: PNW

DESIGN FOR LIFE… Just two weeks remain to catch Architecture for the People, an engaging exhibition at Manchester’s Central Library celebrating the work of the city architect’s department over the course of a century. There’s much to enjoy here, particularly for those of us with a bit of a thing for libraries and swimming baths, of which there are several amid 350 featured images.

Queues formed to explore H Beauty on opening day. Credit: Eastgate Square Chester

BEAUTY PLAYGROUNDS… Once known as the Harrods of the North, the former Browns of Chester department store has reclaimed its title in a rather literal way with the opening of Harrods-offshoot H Beauty on Thursday. With a giant pink bow on its outside, the store saw a wave of beauty influencers explore its halls as they perused all the skin care, makeup, and perfume offerings. We’re glad to see an opening on the historic Rows – and the timing, just days before Valentine’s Day, is mwuah! Perfection.