Work on the UK’s first city-based waterpark and wellness resort which is only one hour away from Leeds has finally begun this week.
It's been a long time coming, but work on the £250 million flagship Therme Manchester development has finally begun, reports The Manc.
Dubbed an ‘urban oasis’ and spanning a whopping 28-acres opposite the Trafford Centre, Therme Manchester – which is being built by global developer and operator, Therme Group – is gearing up to be “a beacon for the North West”.
A wide range of attractions for all ages and budgets form part of the plans.
Work finally begins on Manchester’s huge new £250m waterpark and wellness resort / Credit: Therme Manchester
Greater Manchester’s first all-season urban beach, and an indoor waterpark with dozens of water slides, thermal pools, spas, and saunas and steam rooms are just some of the attractions in the works.
There’s also plans for an education centre at the resort, which is being designed especially for schools and community groups to learn about nature and sustainability.
Credit: Therme Manchester
“We are delighted to see the demolition works complete,” says Richard Land – Chief Development Officer at Therme Group UK.
“It’s fantastic to see the site cleared and showing its amazing potential to be a global wellbeing destination. It defines a key milestone for us as we continue our journey to bring Therme to Manchester, a perfect location for our first facility in the UK.”
Peel L&P says it’s “proud to help bring such an amazing attraction to the North West” – with Executive Director of Development, James Whittaker, adding: “We know will be enjoyed by so many people across the country whether it’s for a fun family day out, relaxation or educational trips.
Therme Manchester is gearing up to be “a beacon for the North West” / Credit: Therme Manchester
Therme Group is known for its state-of-the-art wellbeing destinations, and has huge success with similar resorts across Europe over the past 20 years.
According to Peel L&P, Therme Manchester’s economic impact is estimated to be worth £4.5 billion to the region, and will include the creation of 1,200 jobs, as well as being forecast to save over one million hospital admission days per year.
There’ll be a strong focus on health, wellbeing, and sustainability once the resort opens.
Just a short drive or train ride away from Leeds, we can't wait to watch the progress of these exciting plans unfold.
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Channel 4 is looking for adult virgins with ‘intimacy issues’ for next series of hit reality show
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 is back looking for more adult virgins to take part in the potential next series of its hit reality show Virgin Island.
If you’re unfamiliar with Virgin Island, it’s unlike anything ever seen on TV before.
First hitting screens back in 2024 and having run for two successful seasons now, Virgin Island follows the journey of a group of adult virgins who are whisked off to a Mediterranean island retreat to learn life-changing skills in the art of intimacy.
Working with leading international therapists, the aim is to help the young people overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex.
Channel 4 said it chose to commission the show after a recent study into intimacy found out that one in eight British 26-year-olds is, apparently, still a virgin.
A casting call for the new series on the Channel 4 website reads: “Are you a virgin and do you need help and guidance with your fears and insecurities around intimacy and sex? Double Act Productions is casting adults for a potential second series of Virgin Island.”
You just need to be over 21 years of age to take part in the show.
Fancy it then? Or know someone who may be up for the ride? Applications for the potential next series of Virgin Island are now open, and there’s still plenty of time left to put your name down.
You can find out more and register your interest here.
Emily Sergeant -
7th March 2023 
