THING OF THE WEEK
STARSTRUCK… Carlisle’s Pentonbridge Inn became the city’s very first Michelin-star restaurant this week. Heft in High Newton also picked up the prestigious award at the unveiling of the 2023 Michelin Guide, where Cumbria’s reputation as a culinary hotbed was cemented. There are now 11 restaurants across the county that hold one of the highest culinary honours. But the likes of Heft and Pentonbridge have a long way to go to reach the heady heights achieved by the much-lauded L’Enclume at Cartmel – one of only eight restaurants in the UK with three stars.
Danny Hope joined Hydrock eight years ago. Credit: via Hydrock
A WEEK TO REMEMBER… It has been a good week for Danny Hope. Having been promoted to the role of North West regional director at Hydrock, he then went and bagged himself the Horwich Harriers fellrunning club championship for 2022, proving, in his own words, that he can “still mix it with the kids”. Impressive stuff indeed.
Therme will feature an urban beach and waterpark. Credit: via Rule 5
ANTIDELUVIAN… The site of the proposed Therme resort at Trafford Park is to be used as a set for an upcoming ITV mini-series. Sophie Rundle, who has starred in shows such as Peaky Blinders and Happy Valley, has secured the lead role for the murder mystery After the Flood, and plans for the temporary use of the former Event City site have been submitted to Trafford Council this week. Given the longer-term plans for the site, a £250m resort featuring an urban beach and waterpark, ITV producers behind After the Flood might have been better off waiting until Therme was built to shoot the series.
The building was given listed status last year. Credit: via Royal Pilgrim
TOO LIDL TOO LATE… Lidl this week abandoned plans to convert a former cinema on Church Road North in Wavertree into a supermarket. Having battled against objectors to the scheme for more than two years, Lidl has hit a dead end, withdrawing its plans and putting the site up for sale. It is a victory for those who wanted to save the grade two-listed building but a defeat for those in favour of affordable groceries and job creation. What the future holds for the derelict property now is anyone’s guess.
Credit: via CWAC
CHESTER (BIRDS) EYE… Chester is a city known for its beautiful buildings and next month there will be a new way to view them. Chester’s Grosvenor Park will be home to an observation wheel this April, giving visitors the chance to gaze upon the historic Roman city from 35 metres above the ground. And for those without a head for heights, there is always the park’s miniature railway to keep you amused.
