THING OF THE WEEK

AI ARCHITECTURE… What would it look like if a local architect designed the homes of Liverpool FC, Manchester City FC, or Wrexham AFC? The folks over at SportsBoom.com decided to find out, asking AI to give these stadiums a rethink. From left: an Alfred Waterhouse-inspired design for Anfield, a Benjamin Gummow-influenced Racecourse, and an Ian Simpson-style Etihad. What do you think?

Make it make sense pic.twitter.com/DKeO6Lzu80

— Steve Rotheram (@MetroMayorSteve) December 20, 2023

NETWORK NORTH LONDON… The image speaks for itself – but let’s just spell this out: money intended for the HS2 Northern leg is being diverted to London roads under the banner of Network North.

Was Wednesday International Self-Parody Day? Is this the Nightmare Before Christmas sequel we never asked for?

Steve Rotheram led the call for reason with his succinct “Make it make sense” on X.

Let’s hope there was at least a slight squirm in the seat of the media officer at DfT when posting this tweet, since removed – but yeah probably not.

We look forward to Mersey Ferries relocating to the Thames, and Manchester Airport security moving to Margate, which might not be such a bad idea actually.

Credit: Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash

PREDATOR AND PREY… “I feel like a turkey voting for Christmas,” said Cllr Trevor Bates at an extraordinary meeting of Wrexham County Council. Christmas, in this case, was the local development plan – a strategic planning document that had been refused twice before by the council only to be sent a third time for their approval by the courts. The judicial decision was strong-arming the councillors to adopt the local plan or face further penalty for breaching their statutory duty. As one can imagine, the councillors were none-too-pleased. Some walked out, others did not even show up. Speeches decrying the end of democracy were made. And in the end, the local plan was adopted. As for Bates, he did not end up voting for or against it after all – he abstained.

Credit: Neil Martin on Unsplash

BEATLE BUILDINGS… Fans of the Fab Four and heritage activists are campaigning to have the birthplaces of George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon listed. If AVE Britain’s Heritage has its way, Oxford Street Maternity Hospital, 12 Arnold Grove, and 9 Madryn Street would all get protected status. These are the spots where Lennon, Harrison, and Starr were born, respectively. Paul McCartney’s birthplace – Walton Hospital – is already listed. One wonders if perhaps a relisten of “All Things Must Pass” should be in order…

DESIGNER GOODIES… Manchester bagged an early Christmas present when Chanel brought its Métiers d’Art event to the Northern Quarter earlier this month – leaving behind a hefty £8m in direct economic impact. Stars including Kristen Stewart and Hugh Grant swanned into the city, stayed in lavish hotels for days on end, and racked up expenses that contributed to this figure.

And the holiday joy does not end there, with the value of positive media coverage amounting to an estimated £100m. Plus, who can forget the iconic tunnel, which is gift wrapped and ready for Manchester’s permanent taking should planning and insurance concerns allow it.

Even better, the public’s own designer purse was not touched in the delivery of the show – from cleaning costs and the reimbursement of affected businesses, Chanel met all associated payments. They can come again!