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The
Baby Bugle
issue
12
july
1999
Smithfield
Development Site
Amec
Developments and Crosby Homes were selected as preferred developer of the
former markets site in October 1998, after which we had expected a mad
flurry of activity. The wheels of regeneration grind slowly. The last 8
months have been taken up with discussions between Ician [the company formed
by Amec and Crosby] and the City Council, the interim site management agreement
is now awaiting signature - it seems that it can take
many
months for council officers and developers to sign things (it doesn't
take me very long to do my signature - perhaps I could offer to help out).
Anyway,
at last things are starting to happen. Ician have stated that they
are committed to a thorough process of public consultation throughout the
five years of the development. There will be a number of consultation days
during that time: some presentations, some displays and other more interactive
planning days - the first of which is advertised below. At this event,
experienced design and planning professionals will lead groups
involving
local people, providing an opportunity to influence the project.
Regular
monthly meetings have already been established between Ician and representatives
from the Northern Quarter Association, to provide an exchange of information.
The Association has also delegated a representative to attend the project
design meetings, to ensure that views and comments are fed into the design
process. In addition, occasional meetings between Ician, the Association
and the City Council will be organised to discuss issues that are of concern
to all three parties.
Smithfield
- The Future of the Northern Quarter
You (residents,
business people, visitors...anyone!) are invited to join the smithfield
planning workshops to help shape the proposals for Smithfield - the area
including the old fish market and the car parks off High Street and Shudehill.
The workshops
will be held in the Mackie mayor building on Swan St. (Near Band in the
Wall) starting at 5.30pm on Tuesday 17th August and continuing the following
evening (Wednesday 18th August), again starting at 5.30pm. The workshops
should finish at about 9pm on both evenings.
For further
information contact
Sarah
Rowland @ the Northern Quarter Association
tel 0161
834 5143 or
Francis
Glare @ Building Design Partnership
tel 0161
834 8441
The Mackie
Mayor building is wheelchair accessible.
More about
Smithfield Development Site ...
Phase
One of the Smithfield site development includes:
-
the conversion
of the Market Buildings on Thomas Street into loft-style appartments and
ground floor retail [unfortunately to the detriment of the existing tenants
- Ician have promised to help in relocation, etc and we will be monitoring
progress];
-
a new-build
on Manchester Craft Centre carpark with a gallery and cafe on the ground
floor and workshops and residential units on the upper floors;
-
temporary
use of the area of land behind the Old Fishmarket facades, currently used
as part-time carpark and full-time wild flower habitat - this may include
levelling the site, terracing, lighting, constructing a projection screen,
and other general improvements to enable it to be used as an events space.
More buses
for Church Street
The Public
Inquiry about the future of Church Street was held last week in the Town
Hall. Objections from Manchester Street Traders, Afflecks Palace and the
Northern Quarter Association forced the Council to defend their plans for
a bus contraflow
system
on Church Street. The scheme is an integral part of the re-organisation
of the public transport flow through the city centre, and is linked to
the projected construction of a Transport Interchange on Shudehill. Sarah
Rowland attended the Inquiry
on behalf
of the Association, and has been valiantly ploughing through the documentation
(somewhere in the region of about 4 inches high, on my estimate). Of course,
I only look at the pictures, but even they are revealing. A map of the
bus flow round the city centre shows the red dotted line, the green line,
the blue
line,
and so on, all going down Church Street. Everything seems to go down Church
Street. They have done research into the changes in pollution levels, and,
yes, some of the levels of poison will increase, but to compensate, it
will drop in other areas of Manchester - there's a relief. Another
effect: with 154 buses per
hour
charging up Church Street, who will want to buy their granny smiths with
an extra coating of lead? or even run the risk of crossing the bus wall
to take advantage of the joys of the northern half of the Quarter?
The Inquiry
began on Tuesday 6 July and lasted for two full days. In a scenario
reminiscent of David and Goliath, Sarah Rowland [from the Associaton],
Carmine Grimshaw [for Manchester Street Traders] and Graham Taylor and
Elaine Walsh [Afflecks Palace] faced a 'King Street' barrister with his
backup legal team and five expert witnesses. However, as did
not happen in the Bible, it is unlikely that 'right' will overcome 'might'
- but at least the 'little people' kept on fighting to the end. The report
is expected within a month, but a final decision could be months
away, as it has to gather a good coating of dust on a government minister's
desk
before
a decision can be made.
Radio Space
Will
be on air 31 July to 27 August on 106.2 FM, broadcasting from Manchester
Craft Centre. A recent open evening to recruit volunteers prompted an excellent
response, with a wide range of skills being offered: from presenting through
to marketing and sponsorship. ( It's still not too late if you want to
get involved in the project.) As a result, we are confident
that the quality and mix of output will ensure that people will stay tuned
to Radio Space from 7.30 in the morning right through to midnight (weekdays)
and 2am (weekends). From a Blast of rock to a taste of
Cold
Turkey, Radio Space promises to entertain, excite and educate (!?) Radio
Space will officially go on air at 5.30pm on 31 July in front of a real,
live audience. There may well then be an 'interactive' n/4 pub crawl (good
sound bites opportunity!) For more information, contact Sarah
Rowland @ NQA, 834 5143.
The Festival
Due to
delays in funding confirmation, we are very disappointed to say that the
Northern Quarter Street Festival will not take place this year. Everyone
concerned is very disappointed. However, rather than wallow in self-pity
we've decided to organise a 'festival' with a different (and cheaper)
format: 48 Hours in the Northern Quarter is an event planned for the weekend
of 20/21/22 August,
which will aim to animate and promote the Northern Quarter. Starting at
10pm on Friday and running through to 10pm on Sunday, 48 Hours in N/4 will
highlight the range and scope of the area's cultural variety. Further information
and details on how you can get involved will be circulated shortly - in
the meantime - put the dates in your diary!
Finally,
the Northern Quarter Street Festival has not been lost forever - 2000 will
see the greatest comeback ever (hell, hath no fury ...)
Carparking
update
Thanks
to all those who responded with their very own tales of parking attendant
woe. In response to requests from members, the Association has taken up
this issue with the City Council. We have had a very positive meeting with
Manchester Parking management and reps from Chief Executives Department
of the City Council. They welcomed information about how the new
system is working (or not), as they are mindful that there are a number
of teething problems at present. Among the recommendations we proposed
were:
regular attendants for each area, so they get to know local
businesses;
an increased awareness by parking attendants that unattended vehicles may
be loading/unloading and that they enquire with businesses; and an examination
of where traffic regulation orders may need altering.
In response
to the concerns we raised, Leader of the Council, Richard Leese, has reassured
us that he has requested that Control Plus (who are contracted by the Council
to enforce parking regulations) "applies common sense, clarity and consistency
to its street level operations". This sounds like a good idea. In the meantime,
though, keep your comments coming in, and these will be forwarded.
New music
project for Eastside area
If you
have something to say; want to record music or make a video; want to learn
about the music business; or how to use music and video technology [samplers
and sequencing software]; and you're enthusiastic and committed to music;
then EMMA could be for you. Eastside
Music and Multimedia Access project is a new
project run by Band on the Wall,
with funding from the European Social Fund. It will run until June 2000
and there will be
performances,
recordings and video footage. It is open to young men and women over the
age of 16, who are unemployed and resident in East Manchester. [Benefits
will not be affected.]
There
are only a limited number of places available on the project; women are
especially encouraged to apply. If you want the chance to be involved,
please attend on of the following open days: Tuesday,
13 July, 7-30-9.30pm, at Ancoats Youth &
Community Arts Centre, Butler St, Ancoats; or Thursday,
15 July, 7-9pm at Collyhurst Youth Centre,
Teignmouth Ave, Collyhurst; or contact Martin
at BOW on 834 1786.
Watch
Out For ...
Art @
Centro
Centro
Bar on Tib Street are hosting an exhibition by artist Paul Perelli in the
ground floor bar from Wednesday 30 June
for three weeks. The artist states: "This series of paintings confess to
their essential dumbness, but manage to disprove (I would claim) their
own accusation that meaning and purpose in art - even 'truth' is a futile
idealization'." mmmm ...
Espresso
Express
The latest
venture from the Java bar empire, whose stated mission is "to provide great
coffee to people on the streets of Manchester, is an express service on
Victoria Station concourse, with their fab selection of coffees available
from 7am to 7pm.
N/4 newcomers:
More
fixes for vinyl junkies: Vox Pop
- in the basement of Cafe Pop,
and, with the closing of the Emporium, Slam
Jamz have moved to Tib
Street.
Cafeteria
One, African restaurant, has recently opened
at
119 Oldham
Street [formerly Afrodizia].
This
Bulletin: goes out first week of every month to all Northern Quarter
Association members. If you've got an event or news items you want included,
send to Lorna by the end of previous month. We can also send out
leaflets (not too heavy) in our mailing to over a hundred Northern Quarter
Association members. Membership of the Association keeps you in touch with
what's happening in N/4. If you're not a member yet, contact Lorna
for details of membership at bargain prices!
northern
quarter assocation
1st &
2nd Floor,
100-102
High Street,
Manchester
M4 1HP;
tel:
834 5143;
fax:
819 1430;
e-mail:
Sarah.NQA@good.co.uk;
www.nqn.org.uk
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