News
New image of massive Trafford Centre water resort released as Therme gives update
You can have your say on the design of Manchester’s new indoor holiday park
Members of the public have been invited to view and comment on the design for a new Trafford waterpark and wellbeing resort.
Therme Manchester, the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort, is submitting a new improved design to Trafford Council in the coming weeks and it wants to invite residents to give their input.
The series of implemented improvements include providing better access for its large numbers of expected visitors to the 28-acre site, which is due to open in 2025.
Three entrances will ensure access in all directions for guests to the resort, and an eye-pleasing landscaped green boulevard will receive those travelling by car to the indoor oasis as they park near to the Trafford Palazzo.
Greater access will also be provided for cyclists and those arriving on foot via public transport.
The public can view and comment online ahead of the planning submission that will be submitted in the next few weeks. Subject to approval, the £250m construction is on track to begin later this year with works scheduled to take around 24 months.
The concept for the project has moved from being principally a single building (with zones) and undulating roof line, to a more pavilion-style concept – with separate, connected structures which are immersed and enveloped in a natural landscape.
New on-site parking arrangements are also concealed in nature, the roof providing an outdoor customer terrace with views through to the canal.
The creation of a new connection to the Bridgewater Canal will enhance the link from the resort to Manchester city centre, allowing better access for pedestrians and cyclists.
At the centre of the new design is an urban wellbeing garden, inspired by an English meadow.
Visitors can also expect thermal pools and spas, as well as swim-up bars, saunas and wellness suites. The new park will be set within botanical gardens with huge palm trees and ‘living slides’ covered in thousands of plants.
Stelian Iacob, Senior Vice President of Therme Group and CEO of Therme Group UK, said: “Therme Manchester will have a transformative impact on the city and individuals.
“The scale of the project and its architectural character will be interwoven through the landscape into the urban fabric. The link to Bridgewater Canal will create a literal and metaphorical connection to Manchester’s past and its centre.
“The Therme experience is designed around physical and mental wellbeing. Human contact with water, steam, fresh air and nature is optimised in an environment that sets itself apart from the pressures of daily metropolitan life.
“We are confident that Therme Manchester will be a catalyst for a wave of local urban development that, over time, will bring new homes and jobs and will create opportunities for the wider area.
“As such, we hope that our project will act as an urban anchor and a destination that gives a fresh identity to this area of the city.”
James Whittaker, Executive Director of Development at Peel L&P, said: “We are very proud to be working in partnership with Therme Group to bring their first landmark wellbeing destination to the UK.
“We recently completed the demolition works on our former EventCity site in readiness for the expansive 28-acre Therme Manchester resort and we have seen the excitement and anticipation continue to build in our local community and nationally for our next Therme Manchester milestone at TraffordCity.
“As the UK’s foremost retail, leisure and commercial destination, TraffordCity already attracts over 40 million visits a year and we are working closely with Therme Group to ensure that Therme Manchester is accessible to as many people as possible, with strong, sustainable and well-connected links to the city centre, Trafford Palazzo and The Bridgewater Canal.”
News
Police issue update in search for missing grandad, 81, from Oldham
Officers are supporting Ronald’s family while they continue the search
Greater Manchester Police have issued an update on Ronald Webster, 81, who went missing from Oldham last Thursday.
The news comes after Ronald’s grandchildren made an appeal to the public asking for help to find their beloved grandad and to ‘keep him safe’ until they, or the police can get there.
It was believed the last sightings of the grandfather-of-five were at 10.52 am on Walkers Road, in Limeside, Oldham and again at 3.45pm as he got off the 184 at Huddersfield Bus Station, on September 14th.
However, police have confirmed a new sighting of the pensioner, known by loved ones as ‘Ronnie’, just minutes later at 3.53pm, as he entered Huddersfield Train Station.
It is believed he may have links to the Bridlington, Whitby and Scarborough areas, although officers have said they are ‘not ruling out that he may have travelled elsewhere’.
Ronald’s family shared that he had recently undergone a triple heart bypass and had medication for his heart and for epilepsy, but that he had not taken any of his medicine with him when he went missing.
His grandchildren said that this is the first time he has not come home.
At the time of his disappearance, Ronald was wearing a blue and black coat with grey trousers.
He is described as 4’11 ins with grey hair around the sides, bald on top, and uses a walking stick.
In an update, a spokesperson for GMP said: “Since Ronald was reported missing, officers have been working closely with his loved ones to understand where he might have travelled to.
“It is believed he may have links to Bridlington, Whitby and Scarborough, although officers are not ruling out that he may have travelled elsewhere.
“Whilst officers are continuing to review CCTV from locations of significance, they are also working with colleagues from other forces to ensure everyone is on the lookout for Ronald so we can help him return to his family safe and well.”
Anyone with information about Ronald’s whereabouts should call 101 quoting 1013 of 16/09/2023.
News
H&M Home is opening in Manchester city centre this weekend
The first 100 members in the queue will receive a free H&M Home gift
At long last, H&M Home is opening up a store selling its interiors range in the city centre.
Shoppers were delighted when the Swedish fashion retailer, full name Hennes & Mauritz, decided to branch out and launch a homeware range in 2009, following in the footsteps of the likes of Zara.
At first, it teased us with a small concession in Selfridges at the Trafford Centre back in 2015, where shoppers and home decor enthusiasts could find affordable pieces that looked as good as those sitting on their Pinterest boards.
But then it closed for a long while and for many shoppers, it left a void that couldn’t be filled, with its home stuff only being available online. No more could you wander into the shop, pick up cute pieces and admire stylish bedding sets to decorate your home.
Recently, it opened up a H&M Home shop within the Trafford Centre which sells everything from cushions to lamps, candles, vases, bed linen, towels, dried flowers and a whole selection of homeware accessories you didn’t even know you needed.
And now a H&M Home shop is coming to the city centre too.
The retailer recently closed the majority of its Market Street store while it undergoes a refurbishment, leaving just a small section open for fans to continue to shop at the high street favourite.
This week, H&M announced that the small section will now become its H&M Home showroom so decor lovers can ‘scratch that interior design itch’ once again.
In a newsletter distributed to its members, H&M said: “You may have seen that our Market Street store is temporarily closed whilst we work on our new look and feel.
“But from 23rd September, you can head down to our H&M HOME showroom in the same location where you can scratch that interior design itch by shopping our latest home decor collection.
“The first 100 members in the queue will receive a free H&M HOME gift and an exclusive offer for the full launch in winter 2023.
“There’s even some exciting new AR technology to help you visualise your living space and enhance your shopping experience just that little bit more.
“If you’re looking for the rest of our assortment, you can find your nearest store in the Trafford Centre and we’re always open at hm.com.”
The H&M Home showroom located on Market Street will open this Saturday, September 23rd. The shop will fully launch in winter this year.
News
Grandkids of 81-year-old man missing since last Thursday urge public to help find him
‘We love you. We miss you. Grandma needs you, we all need you’
The grandchildren of a missing elderly man from Oldham have urged the public to help search for him.
Ronald Webster, known as ‘Ronnie’ by loved ones, has been missing since last Thursday, September 14th.
The 81-year-old grandfather-of-five was last seen at around 10.52am on Walkers Road, in Limeside, Oldham before getting off the 184 bus at 3.45pm at Huddersfield Bus Station.
Ronald is described as a white male of small build, around 4’11″, grey hair and uses a walking stick. At the time of his disappearance he was wearing a black and blue coat with grey trousers.
Ronnie’s granddaughter Paige Tattersall has been spreading the word of her grandfather’s disappearance across social media in an effort to find him.
She told ITV News: “We’re just getting desperate. Grandma’s absolutely beside herself. She keeps trying to get her shoes on to go find him because she doesn’t understand why he’s not come home.”
Ronnie and his wife, Concepta, have been married for 57 years.
His eldest grandson Kieran Rowlett said he was ‘really, really worried’ about him and that this was the first time he’s gone missing.
“He’s gone for a bit of a wander before, but he has gone and come back,” he said.
“Mentally, he’s brilliant, he can tell you stories from all over the show, but he’s just unable to get about like he used to.”
Ronnie has recently undergone a triple heart bypass, and has prescription medication for that as well as for epilepsy. When he disappeared last week, he did not take any of his medication with him.
Local communities have been showing their support for the family by sharing social media posts and putting up posters around their areas.
Paige said: “People have been so kind. Absolute strangers are approaching us online. They’re out on the streets putting up posters… We appreciate that so much. It only takes one pair of eyes to see him.”
Another of Ronnie’s grandchildren has travelled to Huddersfield where he is leading the search for him.
Ronnie’s family have asked for anyone who knows where he is to look after him until help arrives.
Kieran said: “If anyone does see him, don’t let him leave your sight. Keep him safe, and either the police or us will get there.”
When asked what she would like to say to her grandfather, Paige said: “We love you. We miss you. Grandma needs you, we all need you. If you can just get to a phone, if you can just ring 101 and someone will come and get you.”
Greater Manchester Police have issued a photo of Ronnie captured on CCTV as he was leaving the bus. His family have also released pictures of him in a bid to help bring him home.
Anyone who has seen Ronnie or who may know of his whereabouts is urged to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 quoting 1013 of 16/09/2023.
Find something to do in Manchester
Powered by 
Police issue update in search for missing grandad, 81, from Oldham
Take That are coming to Co-op Live as part of huge UK tour
H&M Home is opening in Manchester city centre this weekend
M&S is doing a Christmas piña colada cocktail and it’s on shelves now
UK’s largest heated outdoor winter market returns to Manchester this Christmas
