THING OF THE WEEK
QUACKING DEAL… Salford City Council’s 100 Embankment has been the region’s most successful building in recent years as far as lettings are concerned. Now, even the city’s ducks want a piece of the action. Two mallards have taken residence on the roof of the 166,000 sq ft office building, joining a list of occupiers that includes Deloitte, AECOM, Ridge, and X+Why.
While planners and engineers work hard below, the ducks have also been busy. A clutch of eggs was recently spotted in the planter that the feathered duo are currently calling home.
The city council, which owns the development in partnership with Ask Real Estate and Tristan Capital Partners, has confirmed the ducks will not be charged rent. Welcome news indeed for these expectant parents.
“The whole team here is now captivated and waiting for them to hatch, then we can catch a glimpse of the new ducklings,” said Neil Jenkinson, Knight Frank building manager for 100 Embankment.
“We’ll do all we can to make their stay a comfortable one, we’ll have to keep the noise down next time we have an event on our rooftop.”
The only way is up. Credit: via Truth PR
BOTTOMING OUT… We have all heard of topping out ceremonies but celebrating the lowest point of a development is less common. Before heading out to Germany to cover the Euros for ITV, Gary Neville, director of Relentless Developments, was on site recently to mark the completion of a huge excavation at the £400m St Michael’s development. The dig forms an important part of the second phase of the Manchester project, and has seen 50,000 tonnes of earth removed from the ground.
As we all know, in Manchester, what goes down must eventually come up; Salboy and Domis are now preparing to crack on with the construction of a 41-storey tower.
- Credit: via Red Engine
- Credit: via Red Engine
PUCKING AROUND… Padel who? There’s a new game in town. Shuffleboard aficionados in Manchester now have an outlet for their desires – Electric Shuffle has opened at last. Setting up shop at the old Evans bicycle store at 201 Deansgate, the 11,400 sq ft venue is stacked with semi-private digital shuffleboard areas where you can play a host of cutthroat minigames. There’s a bar and dining areas as well, for when you need to take a break between rounds. Expect Electric Shuffle to dominate the corporate Christmas social party scene.
The people of Prescot are safe from the lions. Credit: Jeremy Avery via Unsplash
ON THE FENCE… There are not many instances when flouting planning rules is acceptable. However, when it comes to ensuring lions and the general public are kept apart, exceptions can be made. Knowsley Safari Park has this week secured retrospective consent for almost three kilometres of perimeter fencing that it installed last year to comply with zoo licensing requirements. In the past, we have seen councils order developers who have built things without the relevant planning consents to tear them down. Thankfully for residents whose houses back on to the safari park, this will not be the case here and they can sleep easy at night.
The grade one-listed building is 170 years old. Credit: via LCC
BY GEORGE… Liverpool’s grade one listed St George’s Hall is to host a series of special events to celebrate its 170th anniversary this summer. Whether you prefer jazz or rock n roll, comedy or “breathtaking” visual and auditory experiences backed by Vivaldi’s four seasons, there is something for everyone.
The programme has been curated by Claire McColgan, director of Culture Liverpool, and mastermind behind the city’s Eurovision extravaganza, so you know it is going to be good. “How lucky are we in Liverpool to have St George’s Hall? It’s one of Britain’s most beautiful buildings and it deserves to be celebrated in a special way,” she said.
“St George’s Hall belongs to us all and I’m thrilled the programme is going to cater for so many different genres to celebrate that fact.” Tickets are now on sale.
