New Openings

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.

- 6th September 2022

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.

Read more: A sneak peek inside the waterpark resort with 25 pools and 35 slides opening in Trafford

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.

https://twitter.com/TraffordCity/status/1566814703208243201?s=20&t=nWUGEPad8RsnLAee66D0UA

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.

Read more: UK's first 'all-season' beach is coming to new £250m Manchester waterpark resort

"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

A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.

Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.

Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.

Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.

Image: Supplied

These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.

Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.

Image: Supplied

Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.

“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.

“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."

We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!

Read more:

Featured image - Supplied

New Openings

A brand-new frozen yoghurt bar is coming to Leeds

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Everyone's in love with frozen yoghurt, and Leeds is about to get more of it.

Over the past year, the UK has become a little bit obsessed with frozen yoghurt - and Leeds is no exception.

We've had Kefiyo open in Headingley which met to queues round the block for weeks, as well as the UK's leading froyo brand Frurt open up in Kirkstall.

And now, there's a newbie on the block.

Images: Supplied

Introducing 'Yo-Go', your newest frozen yoghurt bar that will be opening up in Leeds' Hyde Park.

We don't know much about Yo-Go yet, but we do know it's female owned and is sporting some pretty cute branding.

The space is currently undergoing renovation, with the owner posting that she received the keys just a couple of days ago.

The window vinyls are up, and people are already getting very excited about the opening as they flock to the comments of Yo-Go's first Instagram post.

Announcing the news of their opening, Yo-Go wrote: "GUYS!! WE’VE GOT THE KEYS. And apparently they don’t come with a finished shop… rude.

"While we get to work, we need your input. Toppings, flavours, very specific requests, we’re taking notes. Drop them below and I’ll try my best to make it happen x"

Comments included requests for 'unlimited toppings' as well as warm sauces, cookie dough, marshmallow and honeycomb.

Sounds pretty delicious if you ask us, but for now, it looks like there's still some work to be done before the shop is ready to welcome its first customers.

We don't know of an opening date just yet, but we'll keep you updated as and when we do.

Read more:

Featured image - Supplied

More New Openings

Concerts and Nightlife

A 1970s-inspired cocktail bar is coming to Leeds this month from the team behind some of the city’s best bars

Eats

An intimate Japanese katsu bar with only 15 seats is coming to Leeds city centre

Food & Drink

Famous Leeds pub to finally reopen after four years – and it’s getting an Irish makeover