The historic Lower Campfield Hall in Castlefield, Manchester, once home to the Museum of Science and Industry’s Air and Space Hall, is set to reopen later this month following significant refurbishment. The Grade II-listed Victorian building, known for its past use as an exhibition and market hall and as a Second World War barrage balloon factory, hosted aerospace exhibits including the Bensen B-7M Gyrocopter and Rolls-Royce Merlin engines until its closure in 2021.

Developers Allied London have revitalised the site into a dynamic cultural and commercial ‘campus’ dubbed Campfield Market, aiming to infuse the area with a creative and social buzz reminiscent of Bilbao’s renowned Guggenheim museum. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, representatives from Allied London expressed confidence that the redevelopment will be “so cool people will just hang around” outside. The venue will incorporate workspaces tailored for media firms alongside Campfield House, a central café-bar promising artisanal coffee and light bites by day, and “world class cocktails” and wine in the evening. The return of weekend food markets with stalls is also part of the plans, accentuating the site as a social hub. The revamped Campfield Market is anticipated to open in late June.

In contrast, the Lower Falinge estate in Rochdale faces demolition of its 1970s maisonette blocks, with only one resident, Andy Roche, and his partner currently living there. They have occupied the Zedburgh block since 1988 but resist leaving despite plans by landlord Rochdale Boroughwide Housing to clear the site in preparation for redevelopment. The housing provider plans to remove the Ollerton, Newstead, Romsey, Quinton, Ullesthorpe, and Vaynor blocks, intending to grass over the area temporarily. Andy, speaking to reporter George Lythgoe, emphasised the suitability of his current flat for his and his partner’s needs, stating, “Me and my partner don’t work because we’re both autistic and find it very difficult. For us these flats are ideal, because we have ground floor access and my partner has mobility issues.” He also recounted the stigma attached to the estate, recalling a controversial comment by former Prime Minister David Cameron describing it as a “sink estate” in 2016. Andy stressed that while he is not opposed to regeneration overall, he remains uncertain about the plans and feels his current home meets their unique requirements.

In another story from the region, concerns have been raised following an incident at HMP Frankland in County Durham where Manchester bomb plotter Hashem Abedi allegedly attacked prison officers with hot oil and makeshift weapons. The Ministry of Justice announced a forthcoming review and temporarily suspended inmate access to kitchens in separation and close supervision units. Martin Hibbert, a survivor of the Manchester bombing and former prison officer, described the incident as a “catastrophic failure” in an open letter to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Posting on social media, he stated, “I’m not just angry. I’m broken by this… And I am furious that the pain of survivors like me is being so blatantly disrespected by your inaction.”

From a different domestic angle, psychotherapist Dipti Tait addressed the challenges adults face when communicating with teenagers, particularly concerning the internet and technology. Speaking to Manchester Evening News reporter James Holt, she suggested that the issue is less about technology and more about adults forgetting the nature of adolescence. Tait explained, “The internet and technology that so many fear isn’t really the problem. The problem is that adults have totally forgotten what it was like to be a teenager.” She highlighted the rebellious and thrill-seeking traits typical of teenagers and warned that lectures about safety often cause young people to disengage, stating, “If you talk about the word ‘safety’ it isn’t an interesting conversation for them. They will shut down and switch off.”

Elsewhere in Manchester, the Museum of Illusions on Market Street is gaining attention as a family-friendly attraction over the Easter holidays. Offering exhibits from holograms to full-scale illusion rooms, it presents a variety of optical tricks and playful mirror displays, making it an engaging experience for children during the school break.

Additional noteworthy updates include a fine issued to a TikToker, Zoë Bread, who was penalised £50 for a parking ticket error on Collier Street in Castlefield, prompting her to appeal the fine. Railway users in Greater Manchester have been advised to check travel plans over Easter weekend due to engineering-related service disruptions. In Oldham, proposals have been submitted to transform the 15-storey Civic Centre tower into a hotel that could accommodate over 120 guests, signalling potential further development in the area.

Lastly, a retrospective feature recalls the unique character of Manchester’s much-missed Tommy Ducks pub, once famed for its eccentric décor including women’s underwear hanging from the ceiling and a skeleton in a coffin. The pub’s owner, Ken Rigg, marked his departure in 1977 with a lively procession through the city centre accompanied by regular patrons and a jazz band. The Manchester Evening News reflects on this nostalgic piece of the city’s social history as it continues to evolve.

These stories collectively provide a snapshot of the region’s cultural renewal, community challenges, and evolving social landscape.

Source: Noah Wire Services