THING OF THE WEEK
GIVE US AN R… and maybe a fan park too? The £1.6m fundraising goal for a Tranmere Rovers fan zone has been met after supporters raised the final £350,000 in an online crowdfunding campaign. The new community area will replace the existing Tent area. If planning permission is granted, the scheme will see the fan park have its own brewery. The space would hold 800 fans inside and 400 outside, with a fully licensed café. Organisers hope that the venue will be open in November.
The Keel has undergone a £300,000 refurbishment project with designer Jasper Sanders leading the way. Credit: via PR Agency One
ZOOM ROOM… Restrictions may be lifted, but in Liverpool, Barings Real Estate’s The Keel is putting its bets on Zoom sticking around. The Queen’s Dock build-to-rent project developed by Glenbrook, and managed by Allsop, has undergone a £300,000 renovation to upgrade its co-working areas and reception. One key addition is a “Zoom Room” complete with tinted glass that will give you a sun-kissed glow – even if you weren’t able to have that great summer vacation.
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STEP ASIDE, ALDI… Mere, a Russian discount supermarket is opening its first UK store on Miller Road in Ribbleton on Saturday 14 August. You can get a sneak preview of what to expect in the above Instagram video from one of the chain’s Greek locations. The company claims it is 30% cheaper than Aldi and Lidl, which are fighting words in THING’s books. But as far as we’re concerned, the real test will be when they unveil their own caterpillar cake, as each grocery store chain in the UK is apt to do. Konstantin the Caterpillar, perhaps?
Archaeologists unearth what is believed to be a Roman bathhouse back in 2017. Credit: Stuart Walker Photography, via Carlisle City Council
DIG DEEP… Carlisle is set to enjoy a 28-day excavation of its Roman bathhouse, discovered in 2017 on the grounds of Carlisle Cricket Club in Stanwix. Located close to Hadrian’s Wall, archaeologists believe that Carlisle could have hosted the Imperial Roman court. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £99,900 to the city for the excavation. City officials hope it will shed more light on Carlisle’s importance in the Roman empire – just in time for the 1,900th anniversary of Hadrian’s Wall.
The three mosaics in question. Credit: via planning documents
MOVING MURALS… University of Manchester is gearing up to give a new home to its three “Alchemist’s Elements” mosaics by Hans Tisdall. The colourful artworks are meant to convey the four elements: wind, fire, earth and water. Previously they were held at the now-demolished Faraday Building. Now, a planning application has been submitted to Manchester City Council to move the murals over to the Schuster Building in Brunswick Park. Supposedly, this new southern-facing location will allow the murals to “sparkle” in the sunlight. Who doesn’t love a good sparkle?
Train Urban gym at Hilton House in Manchester. Credit: via Outloud PR
WEIGHING IN… Hilton House is getting a gym. The historic Northern Quarter building has been remodelled by owner CERT Property. Now, the group has brought in Train Urban to lease the building’s basement. Train Urban will be spreading out to 4,100 sq ft, using the space to teach fitness classes with top-notch workout kit.
