Exciting New Things Coming to Manchester

The Manchester boom continues to roll on, through warnings of recession and a global pandemic, there seems to be nothing stopping investment in the area. This is great news for Mancunians who’re on the lookout for new spots to live, work and play. An indoor water park and city centre restoration projects are just a few of the changes firmly on the cards for the region.

Here are our picks for some of the most exciting projects coming to Manchester.

Mayfield Park

Manchester city centre’s first new public park for over 100 years is expected to open later this year. Work is well underway on the site beside Piccadilly Station to bring a neglected part of Manchester to life with an allocated 6.5 acre green space and plans to restore and make accessible section of the River Medlock.

There will be a place to fish, playgrounds for children to enjoy and a large car park to ensure people can travel from all over to experience the nature-focused Mayfield Park. Ecological improvements that have been promised include generous river edges and bird nesting opportunities as well as rock weirs that will improve the flow of the river and extensive tree planting.

The park is only the first phase of a gigantic regeneration project expected to be completed over the next 10 years. Developers aim to provide 1,500 homes, 75,000 sqm of office space, a 650-bedroom hotel, a retail centre and leisure space. When completed, the Mayfield project is estimated to provide over 7,500 office, retail, leisure and construction jobs.

Piccadilly Gardens

With a certified £25 million investment budget, the buzzing hub of Piccadilly Gardens is set to undergo a complete revamp. Engaging with hundreds of local artists, architects and designers; the goal is to bring a modern Mancunian vibrancy to an area that has bag loads of potential for improvement.

Bev Craig of Manchester City Council has this to say to the MEN on the project, ‘We want to transform Piccadilly Gardens into an outstanding public space – welcoming, family-friendly and capable of hosting a wide range of events.’ Other members from the council have confirmed that the canopy is set to be removed and the two restaurants completely refurbished. The future is looking very bright for the city centre, and hopefully we’ll see some of these plans implemented soon.

Therme Manchester in Trafford Park

‘An iconic symbol of the North-West of England’

A bold statement, especially for a development well over a year away from completion. However, with Therme’s world-class reputation of providing high-quality, sustainable health and wellbeing resorts across Europe, on top of a £200 million budget, you wouldn’t bet against it becoming ‘iconic’.

The site, at EventCity opposite the Trafford Centre, is the spot Therme say that guests will be able unwind in turquoise, warm-water lagoons amongst spectacular botanical gardens. There’s also talk of luxury-class spa therapies, multi-sensorial saunas, wave pools and waterslides. If you want to dive into more detail, find the whole rundown on the Therme Manchester website.

The Stretford Masterplan

There’s talk of a complete overhaul of Stretford, ranging from residential improvements to local business scaling. Introducing ‘The Stretford Masterplan’.

With parts of the plan already approved and underway, developers are aiming provide a thriving high street, better transport links, pedestrianised streets, more green open spaces, all within a completely reconfigured town centre. Familiar to those frequent Altrincham and the Northern Quarter’s Mackie Mayor, a covered market hall is also in the works that will create a home for retailers, restaurants, bar areas and outdoor seating to boost the local evening economy.

Enhanced Heritage Assets

– Conservation and enhancement of heritage assets.

This aspect of the plan is to ensure areas and buildings of historical and cultural significance to Stretford are preserved and the surrounding areas are improved.

Supporting Employment 

– Support the local economy

Encourage the growth of small businesses around Stretford, so the money earned can be re-invested in their shop instead of going to big chain corporations.

Distinctive Neighbourhoods

– Consolidate the existing character of each neighbourhood

The goal is to create a unique living experience for each neighbourhood in Stretford with different amenties and unique activities.

Prioritise Active Travel

– Improve Chester Road, Kingsway, Edge Lane and Barton Road.

With lane closures and potholes on the main roads and junctions, planned roadworks should give the roads a major boost.

– Provide a better access to local transport

Expanding the metrolink car park and setting up more bus stops in the areas that require better access to transport.

Thanks for reading our piece on what developments are coming to Manchester, we hope you’ve made note and look forward to the future plans. If you want to read more, our blog covers the latest news, things to do and tips for students in and around our city.