Archive for December, 2007

Plans to bring back Wigan’s historic Mesnes Park to its former glory were given a massive boost thanks to a £1.8 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. Funding from other sources such as Wigan Council, Wigan Leisure and Cultural Trust, and Fredericks Ice Cream will bring the total investment to £3.4 million.

Restoration plans include restoration of the bandstand, pavilion, pathways, and the appointment of a park ranger. Work is expected to start in spring 2008. A bid for further funding will be submitted next year that could bring total investment in the park to £6 million.

Chair of the Friends of Mesnes Park Sue Turner said, ‘This is a great day for Mesnes Park and for the Wigan Borough as a whole. It has been a long process to get where we are today I would like to offer my thanks and congratulations to all the staff at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust who have worked day and night to achieve this goal. This funding will secure Mesnes Park as a true People’s Park for the 21st Century.’

Low-cost airline easyJet has announced massive expansion plans for North West England that will see Manchester Airport become its second hub in the region. The move follows easyJet’s purchase in October of GB Airways, a British Airways franchise operation that had two planes based in Manchester. These will operate under the BA brand until March 2008, when they will be re-branded with easyJet colours.

Mike Campbell, easyJet People Director said, ‘easyJet recognises the strong demand for low-cost convenient services from the North West, the GB operation at Manchester provides us with a great base on which we can build and tap in to a new market. easyJet remains committed to our base at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and by launching additional operations from Manchester, we can make it even easier for everyone in the North West to have access to easyJet services from their local airport, giving consumers the opportunity to explore Europe for less.’

Bolton’s Albert Halls have been named the best civic venue in the country by the Association for Public Service Excellence.

Executive member for Culture and Community Services, Councillor Ismail Ibrahim, said, ‘This award is a great achievement for the Albert Halls, especially as competition was extremely high. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of all the staff who are involved in running this quality venue. The people of Bolton are well aware of this magnificent gem in the town hall and I would urge people who live further afield to check out what we have to offer when planning an important occasion or looking for an evening of entertainment.’

Plans to introduce a congestion charge in Greater Manchester are under threat after another local authority voted against the scheme. Last night Bury joined Stockport and Trafford councils after councillors passed a motion objecting to the proposal. If one more of Greater Manchester’s 10 local authorities join the rebels, the scheme’s only chance of progression would be in a public referendum.

Plans to redevelop Oldham Athletic’s Boundary Park stadium were given the go ahead by Oldham Council’s planning committee last night. In November councillors had rejected the proposals, sparking demonstrations by supporters.

Jubilant Chief Executive Alan Hardy said, ‘It’s something the fans deserve, because for years they’ve been going to other towns and seeing the benefit of rebuilt and redeveloped stadia. This is almost as good as getting to the Wembley in the League Cup Final and FA Cup semi-finals, but this redevelopment is important because it’s about the future. It’s not to do with the past, this is about looking ahead and hopefully Oldham Athletic will now have a bright future to look forward to.’

The 2007 World Pie Eating Championships will take place at Harry’s Bar in Wigan on December 13. Last year’s vegetarian category has been scrapped and gravy introduced in order to speed up eating times. Pies will be supplied by local producer Wigan Pies. Wigan is widely recognised as the world capital of pies and pie eating.

The Warrington Guardian reports that Mr Smith’s, the town’s iconic nightclub is to reopen in March 2008. The club, which gained fame in the 1980’s as the home of the TV show The Hitman and Her, has been acquired by nightclub operator Nexum Leisure.

Liverpool’s St George’s Hall will be transformed over Christmas and New Year with the installation of an indoor ice rink. The 144 square metre artificial rink will be able to accommodate up to 50 skaters and will be open from December 21 until January 5 (10 am to 8 pm), closing on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. Tickets are available fro the St George’s Hall Heritage Centre or can be pre-booked by calling 0151 225 6909.

Several pubs in North West England have been named amongst the top 30 dining pubs in the UK. The PubChef Top 30 Gastropub Awards featured the Ribble Valley’s Three Fishes at number 5, the Lake District’s Drunken Duck at number 21, and Kirkby Lonsdale’s Highwayman Inn at number 26.