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Manchester City photographer turned entrepreneur joins forces with England Number One to develop travel selfie app

Blog

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28/11/2017

Manchester City photographer turned entrepreneur joins forces with England Number One to develop travel selfie app

Professional sports photographer, Sharon Latham, has collaborated with Manchester mobile technology group, Apadmi, to create Selfie Guide: the app that guides you around the globe and helps take the perfect selfie.

After working closely with, and gaining support for the idea from England international footballer, Joe Hart, travellers, holiday makers and selfie takers now have the tool to create the picture-perfect portrait at some of the most popular selfie spots across the globe.

Originally from Lancashire, Sharon has been a professional photographer for over 20 years, and has travelled the globe to take official photos of Manchester City Football Club, music artists, such as Noel Gallagher, The Stone Roses, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Muse and Bon Jovi, and has seen her media published on the BBC, ITV and Sky.

Noticing the abundance of poorly taken selfies, the idea arose to create an app that not only gives directions to users on how to reach the perfect selfie location, but that also provides filters and positioning lines to help the user construct the image correctly.

Having no previous experience with mobile technology, Sharon approached award winning mobile technology group, Apadmi, to design and build every element of the app.

After travelling across the globe covering 22 locations in six months, Sharon fed back every detail of her experience to Apadmi, which converted every picture, coordinate and location into 22 amazing guides to help people discover the likes of Paris through to Gold Coast Australia. Apadmi worked closely with Sharon and Joe Hart from start to finish, from the initial app concept art through to the technical build, branding and logo

Sharon Latham said: “When I came up with the idea for Selfie Guide, I wanted to help people create great imagery. It’s taken a few months to perfect, but I couldn’t be happier with the result.

“The team at Apadmi helped me to realise this idea to the fullest potential, and they added the fun features and design elements that make this app a unique, useful, engaging experience for everyone who uses it.”

Apadmi CEO, Nick Black, added: “We’ve been building apps and working with mobile solutions for years, so we’re used to people coming to us with just an idea and bags of enthusiasm wanting to build something great.

“We’ve loved watching this app unfold into the useful tool it now is for budding photographers, and we’re excited to watch it grow.”

Equilibrium adds raft of new starters to its workforce

Blog

Sam Whitear

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28/11/2017

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Equilibrium adds raft of new starters to its workforce

Equilibrium has set its sights on a buoyant 2018 after hiring nine new members of staff.

The award-winning Chartered wealth management company has appointed client managers Sam Patterson, Rosie Bailey and Belinda White.

Nadia Ashraf has also joined the ranks as financial controller while Jon Yarker and Sam Richards have joined the Wilmslow headquartered firm as marketing executives.

David Quesnel, Ben Harrison and Nick Champ join Equilibrium as trainee management accountant and trainee client managers respectively.

It comes after Equilibrium recently announced that turnover broke through the £7 million barrier – with the company landing more than £100m of new assets under management in 2017.

Debbie Jukes, partner and head of client care at Equilibrium, said: “As the business grows, our team grows with it. This quarter we have seen nine new employees join Equilibrium across different areas of the business.

“2017 has been a particularly strong year, with the company crowned fifth best small company to work for by The Sunday Times and now managing over £700m of assets for over 950 families. To add to the list, even more recently we have been shortlisted for Employer of the Year at the Greater Manchester Business Awards 2018”

Equilibrium also has a Chester office, employs 68 staff and company specialises in all areas of wealth management, investment, pensions, tax planning and estate planning.

National Football Museum receives the coveted Sandford Award

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Sam Whitear

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27/11/2017

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National Football Museum receives the coveted Sandford Award

The National Football Museum has been presented with a Sandford Award, recognising the museum’s contribution to education.

The coveted award, given to the museum’s education team, celebrates the best in heritage education. The National Football Museum is the only Manchester-based venue to receive the award this year.

Awards judges commended the museum’s team for its excellent practice in enabling the handling and interrogation of football-related items from the 1950s and 1960s. The panel also noted that pupils developed a willingness to talk and offer ideas throughout the exercises, crediting the activity for being very well planned, delivered and focused.

The museum’s collection of football memorabilia is displayed with education in mind, taking into account the age, interests and educational needs of visiting schools and college groups. Exhibits are planned in a way that best suits their learning requirements.

Christian Allen, People and Communities Officer at the National Football Museum said: “We’re delighted to have won this award for the museum’s contribution to education in Manchester. The museum has aims to educate and inspire through its main galleries and exhibitions, using the hook of football to bring cross curricular learning to life. We’re grateful and excited to have gained national recognition among the heritage sector for our learning programmes.”

The 2017 awards ceremony was held at the Fashion Museum and Assembly Rooms, Bath.

The museum will join 36 other museums, heritage sites and collections across Britain, including Blenhelm Palace, Coventry Castle, and Jane Austen’s House Museum at the awards ceremony taking place at the end of the month.

K7 media secures deal with Scandinavian trade body audiovisual Finland

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Sam Whitear

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27/11/2017

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K7 media secures deal with Scandinavian trade body audiovisual Finland

International media consultancy K7 Media has secured a contract with Scandinavian trade body Audiovisual Finland.

The deal was secured following a competitive tender process and will see the Manchester-based media intelligence business supply industry-leading insights to the Finnish TV and film industry.

The partnership will see K7 Media produce a trends intelligence report focused upon the broadcast markets and live streaming providers in China and South Korea, insights which the trade body will use in collaboration with TEKES – the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation, to aid Finnish producers looking to develop partnerships and sales opportunities in the regions.

These insights will be boosted by K7 Media’s recent expansion into the Chinese market and appointment of an Asia-Pacific researcher.

K7 Media managing director Keri Lewis Brown said: “We are delighted to be working with Audiovisual Finland, a vital European trade body making a significant impact in its territory.

“As the global TV landscape continues to grow, having the opportunity to work with those in the burgeoning Chinese and South Korean broadcast sectors presents exciting possibilities for those equipped with the knowledge to make the most of the opportunity. We are confident our insights around these territories will assist in the internationalisation and growth of the Finnish audiovisual industry.”

Vera Ruokonen, Project Manager at Audiovisual Finland added: “Working with K7 Media will give us the tools we need to further develop the Finnish audiovisual industry and its wide offering for international markets, capitalising on the opportunity presented by these territories.”

K7 Media provides research and intelligence to help TV executives create, buy or sell the best content, working with the biggest networks, distributors and production companies around the world.

Manchester’s King and Queen Bees hailed at the Be Proud Awards 2017

Awards

Sam Whitear

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27/11/2017

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Manchester’s King and Queen Bees hailed at the Be Proud Awards 2017

Manchester’s community heroes were feted for their determination to make the city a better place to live at the annual Be Proud Awards ceremony.

The ceremony, held in the Great Hall at Manchester Town Hall on the evening of Friday 24 November, hailed some of the incredible people who have made an outstanding contribution to Manchester – helping to improve people’s lives through their pride in what they do.

Awards were presented in categories including Community Project of the Year, Neighbour of the Year and Young Achiever of the Year.

And this year, a special category was included to honour the people and organisations who stood tall and helped local communities to pull through in the wake of the Manchester Arena attack.

After considering the nominations for this special category, judges found it impossible to choose a single recipient and instead bestowed seven Special Recognition awards.

Four of the seven Special Recognition awards were given to those who bravely helped the casualties in the immediate aftermath of the attack, making the selfless decision to run towards danger. These award recipients were:-

· Doctors Matthew Burrows, David Dolan and Vyki Wijeratne
· Emergency Training Ltd
· Platform staff at Manchester Victoria station
· Showsec Ltd

Three more special recognition awards were given to people and organisations who sought to support and comfort those who were affected by the attack, helping to bring communities together in the subsequent hours, days, weeks and months. These award recipients were:-

· Beth Clarke
· Nicholas Franklin
· The Khizra Masjid mosque

After an introductory speech from the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Eddy Newman, the special recognition awards were presented by the council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Nigel Murphy.

Councillor Nigel Murphy said: “When we reviewed the nominations for this year’s Special Recognition award, it instantly became clear that the sheer range of extraordinary contributions from individuals and organisations across the city meant there was no way to choose just one recipient.

“Whether it was through demonstrating incredible courage by helping those in need at the scene of the attack, or by showing exemplary compassion for those affected in its aftermath, these people truly represent the best of Manchester and the awards underline our gratitude for their remarkable response at the city’s hour of need.”

Following a gala dinner for award nominees, the winners of twelve further awards were announced by Eamonn O’Neal and the council’s Director of Neighbourhoods, Fiona Worrall.

Out of these twelve winners, the ‘Pride of Manchester’ winner was selected as the Miners Community Arts and Music Centre.

Louis Beckett collected the award – presented by the council’s deputy chief executive Sara Todd and Robert Briggs, of the Manchester Evening News – on behalf of the centre in Moston.

Louis was integral to the transformation of a former working men’s club into a thriving community hub, which now hosts a café, gallery space, function room, community garden, sports room and even a 70-seat cinema.

Councillor Nigel Murphy said: “Through their desire to help others and their positive, can-do spirit, tonight’s award winners and finalists are all making a massive difference to the places they call home, day in, day out. They thoroughly deserve to be recognised as true champions of their communities and the Be Proud awards show just how much we appreciate the way in which they make Manchester a better city for everyone around them.”

The Be Proud Awards ceremony is made possible thanks to the sponsorship of a range of partners – Biffa, Manchester Airport, Manchester Arndale, One Manchester, Redgate Holdings Ltd, Rowlinson Construction Ltd, Southway Housing, Wythenshawe Forum and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group

Digital-only international record label celebrates first year of business with global artist roster and a Billion streams from its MediaCityUK base

International

Sam Whitear

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24/11/2017

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Digital-only international record label celebrates first year of business with global artist roster and a Billion streams from its MediaCityUK base

Manchester’s technology-driven international record label Ostereo is celebrating its first year of business with 20 international artists on its roster who between them have already enjoyed 400 million music streams and over 1 billion YouTube views.

The company, which is based at The Landing at MediaCityUK, was established in 2016 by Blackpool-born musician Howard Murphy. In 2012 Howard founded the internationally acclaimed music sync and licensing company Amurco and worked with a number of premium global brands including Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, IKEA and Sky.

His vision for his next venture, Ostereo, was to adapt the traditional record label formula and look for a new entry points utilising the tools and technologies driving social media channels, user-generated content platforms, and the growing global network of digital music streaming services.

Twelve months on and Howard’s label now boasts a roster of over 20 plus artists drawn from across the world and across multiple genres. Many of these enjoy millions of streams, YouTube views and social shares every month, and are generating healthy incomes from music streaming royalties and other commercial activities linked to their high online visibility and massive popularity.

One such breakthrough act is Korean pop sensation J.Fla who since signing to Ostereo 14 months ago has seen enormous growth in her social media presence throughout Asia and the US.

This includes amassing over 100 million video views per month, and gaining over 4.5 Million subscribers to her YouTube channel. J.Fla currently ranks 54 in the world on YouTube, having more videos per month than The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce., and has charted with tracks in Singapore and Taiwan, Korea and China without ever having officially released a single.

Ostereo has also recently expanded in to distribution taking on new territories where they can see artist metric spikes and are currently hitting 2.5 million streams per day in China and counting across the roster.

At the heart of Ostereo’s creative and commercial philosophy is the matching of top quality music produced by highly original artists combined with direct fan engagement across a range of digital channels and social platforms.

This is undertaken through the use of specially developed algorithms and online search tools which identify and connect with influential music enthusiasts and heavy users of streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and YouTube.

Ostereo then utilises multiple marketing strategies to bring their artists and tracks to the attention individual influencers, many of whom create their own public playlists which are avidly followed by thousands of others.

Once successful in securing a spot on popular user-generated playlists, Ostereo then utilises other key platforms to drive fan awareness and increase engagement.

This includes uploading regular clips and videos to YouTube, promoting other digital content aligned to their artist’s campaign, and calibrating social media activity on platforms such as Twitter and Instagram to capitalise on the online buzz being created.

Ostereo is then able to leverage this massive grass-roots online fanbase to engage with the likes of Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and YouTube and to get their artists selected as ‘ones to watch’ or ‘recommended’.

Such endorsements and increased visibility helps to then generate a second wave of streams, views and social shares as more fans discover the track, which in turn can lead to national radio stations, music TV channels and other mainstream media sitting up and taking notice.

Howard’s revolutionary peer-to-peer approach to digital music promotion, which to date has never seen Ostereo produce a single CD or vinyl record, has resulted in his business going from strength to strength since launching a year ago. He now employs 12 staff and plans to double the size the company, and significantly expand Ostereo’s artists roster, over the next year.

Howard also sees Ostereo as much as a big data company as it is a record label, and believes being based at The Landing in the heart of MediaCityUK has contributed massively to Ostereo’s success.

He said: “With Ostereo I wanted to create a totally new kind of record label which is all about engaging with fans directly, understanding their individual tastes and meeting their expectations with accessible, innovative and exceptional music in a format that works for them, and not the record label.

“And whilst the music still has to be amazing, we appreciate that mainstream media like to see evidence of a grass-roots fanbase before committing to playlisting a track. We therefore leverage the established core fan engagement we’ve helped generate through social media to create a risk-free entry point for traditional radio and press to get behind one of our artists.

“Being based at fantastic global media hub like The Landing, which has amazing technology and an inspirational atmosphere, has really helped us drive the business. There is also a creative and collaborative vibe around the whole of MediaCityUK which myself and the Ostereo team are able to tap into.”

The Landing’s chief executive Jon Corner said: “As a former musician, band member and music producer I am very proud that a company as dynamic and genuinely disruptive as Ostereo has been able to achieve so much in such a short time while based at The Landing. The fact they are generating significant incomes for their artists from a world-wide fan base, without ever having created a physical format is remarkable, as is the fact Howard has done it with a team of technologists and project managers who don’t have traditional record label backgrounds.

“It’s also great that Ostereo credits The Landing and MediaCityUK as playing a key role in their success so far, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how we can support them on the next part of their journey.”

In addition to J.Fla, who is currently working on tracks with Dianne Warren and Sigala, Ostereo’s roster includes atmospheric artist Nina June, one of Holland’s fastest rising stars; and cult UK house DJ, Joel Corry. Ostereo has also recently signed stunning vocalist Lizbet Sempa, a pioneering contemporary musi

Tech company sees its platform for aid workers rolled out in Syria

Blog

Sam Whitear

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24/11/2017

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Tech company sees its platform for aid workers rolled out in Syria

An online training platform created by technology company DTS to impart life-saving skills to humanitarian aid workers has this week been rolled out in Syria.

The Syrian conflict has created the worst humanitarian crisis of our time; the U.N estimates that 6.3 million people are internally displaced and in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Although the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), one of the world’s leading NGOs, has attempted to employ remote management techniques, contact with partner staff is impossible in many locations.

With the war not expected to end any time soon, the need to find an alternative way to reach aid workers in the field with critical skills and knowledge grew ever more urgent – DTS’ ‘Frontline Humanitarian Toolbox’ has provided a solution.

The NRC hopes that the platform will help save many more lives by imparting crucial skills.

The ‘Frontline Humanitarian Toolbox’ builds on DTS’ previous work within this space, with the ‘Mission Ready’ platform developed last year for another leading NGO, RedR UK, plus its own hostile environment training platform, Hostile World, which was produced in partnership with the UK’s International Search and Rescue team. Each incorporates DTS’ own trademarked Near-Life immersive technology. Mike Todd was invited to the World Humanitarian Summit last year to discuss how innovative training methods such as the Frontline Humanitarian Toolbox and Mission Ready can keep humanitarian aid workers safe. The conference was attended by 65 Heads of State and Government.

Mike Todd, co-founder of DTS, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to use our technology to support the Norwegian Refugee Council and its partners. Our Near-Life technology and approach allows realistic training online in a way that simply wasn’t possible in the past. It will improve knowledge and awareness regarding some of the key challenges humanitarian aid workers are likely to face, and will teach the skills they need to stay safe and continue their vital work in the field.”

Christine Chamoun, Access and Partnership Advisor for the Syrian Response Office of the NRC, said: “Communities inside Syria are constantly on the move, fleeing dangers created by changing front lines. Shifting pockets of access creates barriers to people in need of emergency aid, and besieged and hard-to-reach areas are nearly impossible to access. This online training is a way for us to continue to impart crucial skills that will help to save lives and keep aid workers safe in an extremely dangerous environment.”

Using local actors filmed on location in Jordan, the interactive scenarios give aid workers insight into the security situations they will be likely to encounter. Consequently, when confronted with comparable situations in the real world, they will intuitively lean toward the most suitable, safest decision.

The Frontline Humanitarian Toolbox is expected to result in the improvement of outcomes in the field, saving of many more lives in Syria.

Funds handed over to charities following 2017 MHA Ball

Blog

Sam Whitear

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24/11/2017

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Funds handed over to charities following 2017 MHA Ball

More than £30,000 has been handed over to charities following this year’s Manchester Hoteliers’ Association Awards and Ball.

Hospitality Action received £16,000 during a ‘thank you’ gathering at INNSIDE Manchester hotel last night.

The other £16,000 was equally split between brilliant causes including Mustard Tree, The Springboard Charity and Wood Street Mission.

Speaking after the event at INNSIDE MHA Chair Adrian Ellis said: “Just less than 600 people attended this year’s MHA Ball at The Principal Manchester hotel, with ten awards given out the night, including the Howard Raynor Lifetime Achievement accolade.

“It truly was a spectacular evening that centred on celebrating the talent that exists within Manchester’s hospitality offering.”

He added: “Last night though, a month after the ball took place, it was fantastic to get together and thank partners, sponsors and suppliers who made this year’s ball the success it was.

“To surpass our target and raise £32,000 for four excellent charities was also rewarding and I was delighted to be involved in the cheque presentations during the gathering at INNSIDE.

“Hospitality Action supports retired hospitality workers suffering from life altering illnesses, poverty, bereavement and domestic violence and are the MHA’s official charity partner.

“This year we wanted to share the rest of the funds equally with The Springboard Charity, which helps young people achieve their potential and nurtures unemployed people of any age into work, Wood Street Mission, which helps children and families living in Manchester and Salford with everyday items most of us take for granted and Mustard Tree which works to transform the lives of people in Greater Manchester who are trapped in poverty or homelessness.”

Category sponsors for the 2017 MHA Ball included Bunzl, Businesswise Solutions, Caterer.com, Manchester Evening News, Manchester Metropolitan University and Street Cars.

Event partners were Bettaveg, Bidfood, Catalyst Brands, Frost Butchers, Hatch Mansfield, Ice Entertainment, Illy Coffee, Matthew Clark, Polkadot Design and Print, Springbank Manchester, The Bread Factory, The Linen Group, Udale Speciality Foods, Verve People, Vision Events and Wenlock Spring.

Gino D’Acampo’s love affair with Manchester continues with the opening of his first Pizza & Prosecco Bar at Next, Manchester Arndale

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Sam Whitear

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24/11/2017

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Gino D’Acampo’s love affair with Manchester continues with the opening of his first Pizza & Prosecco Bar at Next, Manchester Arndale

The UK’s favourite Italian chef will open his first Pizza & Prosecco Bar, in the refurbished flagship store of fashion retailer Next at Manchester Arndale on Friday 24th November 2017.

This opening follows the huge success of his first Manchester restaurant in the Corn Exchange.

My Pizza & Prosecco Bar by Gino D’Acampo seats over 200 people and is situated on the first floor of Next, accessed both from the store and a dedicated entrance on Corporation Street.

The restaurant will open from 10am until 11pm, seven days a week.

The restaurant has been designed on a grand scale with high ceilings and a glass façade with a panoramic view of Cathedral Gardens and some of Manchester’s most iconic buildings. At the centre of the restaurant is an open kitchen featuring two handmade, copper wood-fired Italian Pizza Ovens and a cold counter including an ice cream bar. Taking centre stage is a 23-metre island prosecco bar.

The restaurant has Gino’s trademark washed woods, Carrara marble and striking green leather. Inspiration is taken from his favourite Italian yacht builder, Riva.

Gino wanted to give all the family, not just Next shoppers, a reason to visit with his clever use of space, designed to allow a very casual, all day, every day drinking and dining experience. Superfast free WIFI, complimentary work stations and a games room are all part of Gino’s vision of providing shoppers with a dining and a lifestyle experience.

Gino was born and raised in Napoli, in the south of Italy, the birthplace of pizza so he takes his promise of bringing real Neapolitan pizza to Manchester seriously. The rest of the menu features favourites once again from his many books and TV shows.

The dessert menu is sure to be a hit with families; all ice creams and cakes are from Gino’s very own bakery and include a “build your own sundae” section for those ready to indulge.

The Prosecco bar features over 30 Prosecco, Franciacorta, and sparkling wines and wines all available by the glass. Gino’s exclusive partnerships with producers in Italy offers a wide selection not available anywhere else in the UK and at great prices.

The menu is complemented by iconic Italian cocktails, artisan bottled beers and last but certainly not least real Neapolitan coffee.

Gino first made his move into restaurants when he teamed up with friend and business partner Steven Walker, founder of Manchester based restaurant group Individual Restaurants. The partnership of Individual Restaurants and Gino D’Acampo goes from strength to strength with five openings this year and many more planned in exciting locations in 2018. A deal was announced with fashion retailer Next earlier this year and they plan significant growth from here.

Gino D’Acampo enjoys equal success on our screens with his rating busting primetime TV series, Gino’s Italian Escape, recently awarded best food show at the TV choice awards 2017. With over 4 million viewers his new show Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape is on ITV every Wednesday at 8pm.

Gino D’Acampo will host the opening in person as always and will be signing copies of his new book which accompanies his latest show.

Gino Said: “I’m super excited to be opening My Pizza and Prosecco Bar in Manchester and with my new partnership with Next. What more can someone want than great pizza, great prosecco and a bit of retail therapy.”

Manchester’s Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites ‘double-decker’ hotel kick starts new era of co-branded hotels in the UK

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Sam Whitear

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23/11/2017

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Manchester’s Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites ‘double-decker’ hotel kick starts new era of co-branded hotels in the UK

Manchester’s dual-branded Crowne Plaza/Staybridge Suites hotel will help to redefine the way hotel groups provide UK hospitality.

The era of the co-branded hotel in Britain is gathering pace, according to industry experts, just months ahead of the opening of the ‘double-decker’ hotel on Oxford Road, Manchester, in early 2018.

Now other hotel groups are surging ahead with plans to open dual-branded hotels at sites across Britain too.

Cycas Hospitality, the hotel group that will manage the Manchester ‘double-decker’, is one of the biggest developers of dual-branded hotels and the increasingly popular trend of suite accommodation combined on one site with traditional hotel accommodation. The group will see construction start soon on a Residence Inn/ Moxy hotels dual-branded hotel in Slough, together with the same brands opening early next year in Amsterdam and The Hague as well as the Crowne Plaza/Staybridge Suites in Manchester.

It’s no wonder there is excitement for the growing co-branded sector, especially where apartments and suites are part of the mix – figures for the first half of 2017 released by the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP) show that RevPAR was up 5.5 per cent nationally and 15.5 per cent in London. The average daily rate (ADR) increased 3.8 per cent to £139.08 in the whole of the UK and 10.3 per cent to £185.58 in London.

The capital recorded the highest occupancy at 81.5 per cent, a 4.8 per cent increase on last year, although regional UK reported a 1.4 per cent decline to 76.9 per cent occupancy but with a 1.1 per cent increase in ADR to £90.27.

The news comes on the back of a new Visit Britain report, which shows despite a decline in business visitors during the first five months of the year – down 2 per cent to 3.7 million – leisure visits to the UK jumped by 20 per cent to 5.9 million.

Containing 328-rooms Manchester’s dual-branded Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites – dubbed the ‘double-decker’ hotel because one brand sits on top of the other on the site – is located on Corridor Manchester and will be unveiled to the public in early 2018.

The 19-storey building, just off Manchester’s bustling Oxford Road and within walking distance of the city centre, will boast a 212-room Crowne Plaza and a 116-room Staybridge Suites.

Crowne Plaza, which will feature a 120-cover upscale restaurant, seven meeting rooms catering for over 200 delegates and a gym, is spread over 11-storeys from the ground up.

Whereas extended stay brand Staybridge Suites – which is opening in Manchester for the first time – is located on the upper eight floors and will offer a warm, social and home-like environment through a mix of studio and one-bedroom suites.

Both brands are part of the IHG portfolio.

Andrew Fletcher is General Manager of the dual-branded hotel, which is the first of its kind in the north of England and sits opposite Alliance Manchester Business School and The Royal Northern College of Music.

Andrew said Manchester is following in the footsteps of great cities across the globe that have incorporated dual-branded hotels in their offer.

“The Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites dual-branded hotel will open under one roof in Manchester early next year,” said Andrew, who has 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

“The dual-brand concept is extremely exciting as it isn’t something that has been offered to people staying in Manchester before. And it certainly seems to be a trend that is catching on here in the UK as well as across Europe after huge successes in America.

“Being located just off Oxford Road, within Corridor Manchester and next to the Alliance Manchester Business School on the University of Manchester campus, gives us tremendous confidence in our offer.

“We are very different to any other hotel in the city region. What we have is two brands that very much complement each other and ultimately give people different options to what they have had before.”

The dual-branded 328-room hotel forms part of the University of Manchester’s Campus Masterplan, which includes the wider redevelopment of Alliance Manchester Business School. It will also adjoin its new two-storey Executive Education Centre, which will provide a new home for the business school’s corporate leadership and management programmes.

Both Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites sit within Corridor Manchester, which is home to 70,000 students and boasts a workforce of 60,000 people – with 14,000 new jobs planned.

The 116 rooms in Staybridge Suites all have fully equipped kitchens and great views of the city. Guests also have access to a terrace on the 18^th floor, a meeting room, fitness room, laundry facilities and complimentary hot and cold buffet breakfast in a hub kitchen.

The 120-cover upscale restaurant in the 212-room Crowne Plaza hasn’t been named yet, but Staybridge Suites guests will be able to access the restaurant and bar.

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