THING OF THE WEEK

SPOOKY… For the last few years, the former Camelot theme park in Charnock Richard has hosted a spooky Halloween spectacular, where, for a small fee, you can have the living daylights scared out of you at an abandoned medieval-themed amusement complex. This year’s edition could be the last, because earlier in 2026 Story Homes finally secured consent to redevelop the site that once housed a pendulous pirate ship and a the Tower of Terror into 350 homes. For some, the residential future of the site is more ominous than the horrors that await during Scare City, which will run from 26 September to 7 November.

Harley and Jacob Nelson have taken the potato world by storm. Credit: via Hawk Publicity

BOYS DONE SPUD… Luxury property developer Nick Candy famously said a few years back that his firm was focusing more on the luxury Middle East market,  citing dwindling conviction in London. It would appear that potato empresarios SpudBros have also recognised the opportunity. Preston potato siblings Jacob and Harley Neslon, having started out slinging spuds from a van in their hometown, have grown rapidly and are now planning a Candy-style foray into the Middle East where they will flog cheesy jackets in Abu Dhabi’s Galleria Mall. Whether or not the venture will pan out remains to be seen. The UAE is notoriously muggy and jacket potatoes are famously good harbourers of heat.

The run will take in spectacular views around two Bolton reservoirs. Credit: Google Earth

RUN… Fancy chasing a fleet-footed engineer around some reservoirs in Bolton? One of the North West property industry’s favourite endurance enthusiasts – Stantec’s Danny Hope – is inviting keen runners on the company’s bi-annual trail run.

Having done Rivington twice, as well as Lyme Park and Holcombe Brook, the fifth edition of the event will take in Entwistle and Wayoh Reservoirs north of Bolton. Hope said: “The aim is to enjoy a leisurely but reasonably challenging run in beautiful surroundings with like-minded company, this time being by reservoirs, I can promise a flatter outing but as a result I’ve made it longer!” The 6.8-mile run – which can be shortened if need be – will take place on 23 September with athletes meeting at the Strawberry Duck.

Radio City Tower is a recognisable feature of Liverpool’s skyline. Credit: PNW

SCREENING… The owners of Liverpool’s Radio City Tower have applied to replace the listed tower’s signage with an LED screen, which will lend the building a more modern look and allow the eventual owner to generate advertising revenue. The building has been on the market for 18 months but has yet to secure a buyer. Perhaps the futuristic screen could tip the balance for an interested party.

More interesting than the installation of the screen is the 90-page heritage assessment statement prepared by Donald Insall Architects, which highlights the building’s history and includes some neat images of the asset since its construction in the mid-1960s. Take a look for yourself by searching for reference number 26A/2204 on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal.

Credit: via Cumberland Council

DIBNAH… A chimney that rises nearly 300 feet into the Carlisle sky is being repaired for the first time since 1999. Dixon’s chimney, part of Shaddon Mill, has been a feature of the Cumbrian city’s skyline since 1863 and is Carlisle’s tallest structure.

It will be repaired by Rafferty Specialist Access Services, following designs by Day Cummins, between now and next spring, weather permitting. It is a scheme the world’s most famous steeplejack Fred Dibnah would have been proud to have been a part of. While best known for knocking them down, Bolton-born Dibnah was just as adept at fixing chimneys, you know.