Simon Ireland
Nicely updated and expanded Metrolink/Train/Bus interchange whilst being sympathetic to its Victorian Heritage, old meets new can be seen in many areas of this Jewel in Manchester's crown after decades of near-zero investment.
The once biggest multi-screen cinema complex in the area (boasting an arena bigger than Wembley Arena) straddling over the old Victorian train station is now a multi corporation call-centre for some of the biggest firms in the country by-the-way.
Apparently, plans are afoot to bring its facilities out of the 90's and into the 21st century, by increasing its capacity by 10% and enabling it to host ice-skating and broaden it's abilities - in light of the threatening development looming with a similar arena facility over at the Manchester City's Eastlands development, a short drive (or brief team journey) away.
On another note;
Manchester has come on leaps and bounds since it's devastating bombing some 25 years ago, with it's glass and steel skyscrapers and swanky high-life living towers in the sky, and in many ways, it's a good thing.
But one has to stop and think occasionally - is all this new hustle and bustle of modern high-rise living and working, going to eventually eradicate the history and cultural buzz of what was once the centre of the Industrial Revolution ?
Personally, I still get a buzz and enjoy the vibe, every time I go into Manchester, as I've been working around here for near 20 years, but, I do question, does the threat of over-development pose a threat, to Manchester's appeal as a the new-place-to-be, which, 30 years ago, London boasted, and, it appears, is losing (with, after BBC's move to Salford Quays, many large corporations are following suit, and deciding to move northwards for new pastures and ventures/possibilities).
I do hope that this review has not been to drawn-out and I thank you for the time in reading it.
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