Plans are about to come to life for a new £250 million wellness resort in the North
And it's going to be well worth the hour-long drive from Leeds to Trafford to sample the 35 water slides, 25 pools, and 30 saunas across the 28-acre site.
The one hour journey from Leeds to Trafford in Manchester is going to be well worth it.
A new £250 million wellness resort is due to be built one hour from Leeds at the former EventCity space at the Trafford Centre.
Now, work to bring the UK's first city-based wellness resort in Manchester closer to a reality has taken a huge step forward this week, reports The Manc.
It has been confirmed that plans to start work have progressed with preparations to clear the current EventCity site in Trafford, as developers Peel L&P submit plans to Trafford Council to demolish the 28,000 sq m former conference and exhibition space on Barton Dock Road to make way for the £250 million flagship Therme Manchester resort.
Dubbed an ‘urban oasis’, the resort - which is opposite the Trafford Centre, and is being built by Therme Group - will feature a whopping 35 water slides, 25 pools, and 30 saunas and stream rooms across the 28-acre site.
It'll also be home to the UK's first all-season beach with real lapping waves.
Therme Group is known for its state-of-the-art wellbeing destinations, and has seen phenomenal success with similar resorts across Europe over the past 20 years.
Therme Manchester will be the UK's first city-based wellness resort / Credit: Therme Manchester
Therme Manchester is set to be the first-of-its-kind in the country, and will combine water activities with wellbeing treatments, art, nature and technology to create a “unique experience never before seen in the UK”.
The pools at the resort will be both indoors and outdoors, and over 1,500 palm trees will be planted to create a tropical feel.
Made up of several domed glass structures, the tropical environment will also feature wave simulation pools and exotic palm tree relaxation areas, along with warm-water lagoons, botanical gardens, swim-up bars, and therapeutic mineral baths, and, in true Manchester style, there are also plans for rooftop beehives too.
It's hoped that the honey from the local bees can be used in recipes at the on-site restaurants, as well as in spa treatments.
Therme Group says the development will "significantly boost economic growth" in the Greater Manchester region, and will create 1,200 jobs and over £4.5 billion economic impact.
Peel L&P's Executive Director of Development James Whittaker says it's an "attraction like no other".
He said: "It's incredibly exciting to be making preparations to bring the UK’s first resort of this kind to TraffordCity for people of all ages to enjoy.
"It will attract visitors and investment from across the globe to TraffordCity and the wider city region and we’re proud to be the host venue for such an exceptional development with a strong focus on sustainability, health and wellbeing."
The 28-acre site will feature 35 water slides, 25 pools, and 30 saunas and stream rooms / Credit: Therme Group
Richard Land - Chief Development Officer at Therme Group UK - added: "We are delighted to have reached this critical stage with Peel L&P, which marks the beginning of on-site works for Therme Manchester.
"An iconic project for the city as well as for the entire UK, this milestone confirms the arrival of Therme in the North."
Construction is set to begin in 2023, with a build time of approximately two years.
Featured Image - Therme Group
New Openings
Five of the best new openings coming to Leeds in 2026
We've had an absolute corker of a year, but allow us to get you excited about the next one with a list of new openings coming to the city.
If you're feeling a little bit down in the dumps about 2025 ending then do not fear, because we've got a feeling that the next year is about to be even bigger and better.
There's already a great selection of restaurants, bars and shops gearing up to open up in Leeds during, so let us fill you in.
Madre
Wellington Street (we think)
Image: The Manc Eats
Are you ready for a fresh taste of Mexico Leeds? Well you better be – because Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, is setting up shop on Wellington Street in due course.
Not only that, but their lively sibling Salon Madre will be opening next door. Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens. They'll be opening together in January, so we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom
Taking over the old Flannels Site on Vicar Lane
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The legendary Indian restaurant group is coming to Leeds, and we’re absolutely buzzing about it. Dishoom is inspired by the Irani cafes of 1960s Bombay, which were meeting places for people from all walks of life.
Famed for their Indian twist on a classic breakfast (seriously, their breakfast naans are out of this world), Dishoom offers an all-day dining approach so you can get your Bombay fix from morning to noon and noon to night.
Planning permission is up for the restaurant to take over the former Flannels site on Vicar Lane, so fingers crossed it won’t be too long until we can all get stuck in.
It’s happening…Uniqlo has confirmed it’s opening up right here in Leeds next year and we must say it’s looking very nice indeed. The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site. It’s part of a new expansion across the UK alongside new stores in Birmingham and Bristol.
Yoga bunnies get excited, because the famous American sportswear brand is opening up inside the city's most luxurious shopping quarter. Think super soft leggings, branded socks and all the gear to make you think you have an idea.
A new Japanese grill and BBQ restaurant is opening up from Fern, the absolute mastermind behind Fern Modern Sushi. Opening up in the heart of the city on Vicar Lane, we can't wait for this one.
Featured images - The Hoot Leeds / Uniqlo
New Openings
Iconic Leeds steakhouse announces new gastrobar concept to mark 18th anniversary
Clementine Hall
Leeds favourite, Blackhouse, has announced it is set to unveil an evolution of its popular city centre restaurant in 2026.
If you're a Leeds foodie, then there's no doubt that you'll have visited Blackhouse.
The iconic steakhouse on East Parade is known for it striking interiors, fabulous food and sexy atmosphere.
It's been serving the people of Leeds for a whopping 18 years, and to celebrate the achievement they're having a refresh.
The new direction will introduce a refreshed food, drink and social offering that stays true to the qualities that have made it one of Leeds’ most enduring dining destinations.
Blackhouse will continue to serve exceptional steaks, while expanding its culinary offer with a vibrant new menu shaped around local produce and seasonality.
Guests can expect a renewed focus on seasonal dishes, with a menu that evolves every six-eight weeks with elevated sharing dishes that encourage a more social dining style.
Image: Supplied
The Blackhouse bar will offer a broader choice wines by the glass utilising Coravin technology, an expanded range of draught beers and a new curated list of affordable cocktails making it a new night out destination.
There will also be a new all day bar food menu served from 12 ‘til close which includes a new signature “branded” burger.
Blackhouse GASTROBAR General Manager Matt McGuinness said: “What we’re unveiling in January is very much an evolution, not a revolution. Everything our guests love about Blackhouse will remain at the heart of what we do with a relaxed offer that keeps the warm, unmistakable Blackhouse charm that people return for time and again.
“As we prepare to celebrate 18 incredible years in Leeds, this is the last chance to dine the classic Blackhouse menu before we begin a bold new chapter and we’re very excited to share the next version of Blackhouse with the city.”
The new concept will launch on Friday 9 January, and you can book your table here.
To celebrate the launch, they'll be offering 50% off dining throughout January.
The Hoot -
6th September 2022 
