THING OF THE WEEK
HELLO-EEN… The annual spectacle of massive monsters hanging off buildings is back in Manchester city centre. Seven good-sport landlords have accepted the challenge of dangling giant inflatables from their prized assets. If you want to check out the #MCRmonsters they are in place until Sunday 1 November. Find the creepy creations, designed by Luker and Pedro Estrellas from Designs in Air, at Spinningfields, Moda Angel Gardens, Manchester Arndale, The Printworks, Selfridges, 111 Piccadilly and Great Northern Warehouse. To complement the monster at 111 Piccadilly, asset manager Bruntwood Works has commissioned light art by Artin Light running around the walls of the building, one of its new Pioneer office portfolio. Images by Carl Sukonik.
FRIENDS LIKE THESE… Talking of horror stories, to join the ‘supporters-you-could-do-without’ club, Network Rail is putting its bureaucratic heft behind climate action. Given its track record for putting the brakes on any project within a mile of the nation’s rail network, we can expect to see rising sea levels sooner than we perhaps feared.
HALL AND OH! If you are among those home owners looking to switch to a property with more space for your working-from-home future selves, then why not arrange a viewing this weekend of Bredbury Hall & Country Club, now slumped in administration and on the market with LSH for £5.25m. Prospective buyers with a Daily Mail nose for scandal might also sniff out its characteristic charm while researching the property. Google searches elicit interesting debates on Trip Advisor over whether or not it is a brothel, between stories of colourful parties in the 1990s, as well as a previous owner’s links to Manchester’s notorious Quality Street Gang. Viewings with a bodyguard highly recommended.
STAR PLAYER… Heartfelt congratulations to Rob Foster, architectural technologist at AEW Architects, who has picked up the firm’s Steve Burne Charitable Award, handed out in honour of the main man, who died two years ago. Foster serves at the heart of AEW’s social value committee and drives the firm’s health and wellbeing initiatives as well as promoting the diversity agenda and taking part in fundraising activities, such as the Three Peak Challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support. Deserved recognition.
McPIC…We simply had to include this glorious photo from Status Imagery of the Sir David Attenborough scientific research ship, which shall NOT be referred to as Boaty McBoatface or there will be repercussions. There are no cruise ships visiting Liverpool but doesn’t she look at home at the cruise liner terminal, having moored up across from Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead where she was built.
Photo by Jack Kirwin, JK Photography
BURGER ME… MediaCityUK is bringing Salford’s SEVEN BRO7HERS Brewing Co to the quays with a pop-up marking the start of a festive line-up that will see the return of Box on the Docks. To be found between the BBC and The Botanist, SEVEN BRO7HERS will be the first operator to open, on Wednesday 4 November, ahead of the winter season of Box on the Docks in 30 self-contained “deluxe sheds and greenhouses” each decorated by Salford-based artists. Initially open from Wednesday to Sunday 12 –10pm, depending on demand, the brothers may expand opening times to seven days in the run up to Christmas.
Mexico or Moston?
TO YOU, TUI.. Talking of winter plans, the indomitable folk at package holiday favourite TUI are tempting us out of our tiered slumber with 39 winter 2021 destinations on sale now from Manchester Airport. Anyone fancy seven nights in the Gambia from £653, or an all-inclusive week in Varadero, Cuba from £1,109? TUI said demand is already strong for Cancun and Jamaica and the “upward trend” is for 4- and 5-star all-inclusive hotels. Had enough of cooking, have we? The winter 2021/22 programme will see the reintroduction of flights to Alicante and more services to Barbados, Banjul, Cancun, Fuerteventura, Hurghada and Varadero. Fill your flip-flops.
