Week Ending: City exec gets his teeth into cricket, ‘crap’ architectural models, and the fate of the Cornerhouse

IN the interests of supporting Greater Manchester’s attempts to woo Indian business investment, Week Ending hopped on a tram to Old Trafford cricket ground (sorry marketing bods, The Emirates Old Trafford), to listen to the speeches, do some networking and maybe watch a bit of the Test match.

During the morning session, as India’s opening order were sent packing by Messrs Anderson and Broad, I caught up with Tom Glick, Manchester City FC’s chief commercial officer, who was on one of the afternoon panels.

As an American I asked what he makes of Test cricket, and was amused at the response: “I’ve seen quite a bit since living in the UK, and I like it.

“I always say it’s a bit like baseball. Not just because it’s about hitting a ball with a bat, but because it’s about eating – having a chat and a beer with your friends or family.”

::

SOMETIMES small architectural models just don’t do justice to big city property schemes.

Spare a thought for Mike Ingall, Allied London’s chief executive, who was trying to bring to life his vision for the former ITV Granada site in Manchester.

At a public consultation a crowd was standing around a model of the site asking questions, but a few were sceptical, and complained about plans for tall buildings and the wind they create.

In a moment of honesty Ingall expressed his frustration, albeit in a very mild-mannered way.

“At the moment I’m regretting putting this model out there, it’s crap… it’s just something to give you a flavour… it’s foam on a board.”

::

MEANWHILE, the announcement that DTZ has been appointed by Manchester City Council and Network Rail to find a developer for the area around Oxford Road railway station set the Twittersphere alight.

Fans of the Cornerhouse cinema were outraged by the prospect that the building in Oxford Road might be demolished to make way for 500,000 sq ft of offices and leisure space once the cinema moves to First Street.

There’s a chance it could be retained, and it would be sad to see it flattened particularly when the nearby BBC site is still a car park. The development area also includes the Salisbury pub, tucked away in a dip behind the cinema, and the Grand Central. It’s a lively area, and not one obviously in need of regeneration.

Changes will be contentious and will highlight a fundamental flaw in our planning system – when the planning authority is both the applicant and decision-maker.

* Week Ending understands the council controls the Cornerhouse’s two buildings after financing its move to a purpose built block at First Street.