Altrincham – it’s changed a lot since we started Altrincham HQ in 2009
And being one of the most active towns on Social Media, it’s safe to say a lot of people like to talk
2017 has been a massive success for Altrincham in general with the majority of what people are talking about being nothing positive
It says a lot that 6 of our 8 most talked about things in Altrincham are things that people are buzzing about
So what were people talking in Altrincham in 2017
1. Nandos / Tim Hortons Opening
We revealed Nandos was opening in Altrincham in November 2016
It was the most talked about opening of the year until they opened on July 25th this year
A key unit in the revival of Altrincham taking the unit once occupied by McDonalds it offered somewhere for teenagers and families to go and every time you walk past it’s busy
And then there was the 2nd big opening of the year – Tim Hortons who most people hadn’t heard of before 2017 unless you were Canadian or had visited Canada
Tim Hortons is part of the fabric of Canada with over 4,000 restaurants and serving over 2 billion cups of freshly brewed coffee and we have finally arrived in the U.K with exciting plans to open across the UK
It opened this week and saw people queuing from 5am for a 10am opening – WOW!!
2. Stamford New Road
You could have read War & Peace and the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy several times in the time it took to resurface Stamford New Road
And once the town thought the job had been done Cornflake gate came along and the job had to be done again
It wasn’t a pleasant time for the businesses on Stamford New Road and nobody is quite sure how the work managed to take so long
Thank god for Altrincham we’re unlikely to ever see a Road closed for so long again #touchwood
3. A restaurant based around the concept of Toast
Toast by name – Toast by Nature
Toast is a unique coffee house and eatery, in the Goose Green area of Altrincham, where, conceptually, everything will be served on toast.
Owner/Manager Justin Orange is the twin brother of Take That star, Jason, and has previously managed the likes of Teacup Kitchen in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Head Chef Ed Carr has previously worked alongside the likes of Mary-Ellen Mctague, at Aumbry, and at renowned Michelin Star establishments such as The Fat Duck, in Bray, and Eleven Madison Park, in NYC.
4. Bowling Alley & Laser Quest To Come To Altrincham
A Planning application has been submitted to TMBC to turn the old B&Q unit next to The Gym Altrincham into a bowling alley and laser quest
A few people said it’s a bit 1990’s White City
Most people said – totally needed for Altrincham
Fingers crossed this will become a reality in 2018
5. Residential Residential Residential
People want to live in Altrincham and 2017 saw much of the town earmarked for Development
And these were the most talked about
Regent Road – Developer Citybranch and architect Project3 have submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of Regent Road car park in Altrincham, which will include 70 apartments, shops, and a public square.
Altair – Apartments went on sale on spec for the forthcoming development – 59 one and two bedroom apartments and penthouses
Wharf Road – a 99-apartment development on Wharf Road in Altrincham went into planning recently
Bridgewater Road – a 48-home residential development alongside the Bridgewater Canal in Altrincham on the site of the former Rileys building
6. Goat Yoga
There was a peace festival in Hale Barns, Altrincham
And all anybody could talk about was Goat Yoga – yes, Goat Yoga
Whatever next? Dog HIIT, Cat Spin or sheep jogging … asked some
7. Slug & Lettuce Closure
Slug And Lettuce has been in Altrincham since 2001 …. and in September it closed
In our opinion a unit that size is a big loss for Altrincham and the one BIG loss of the year
What will become of the old Slug & Lettuce in 2018?
8. Altrincham’s Retail Revival
Flannels, Jakes Shoes, Abakhan Fabrics, Honey Beat Vinyl Cafe – just a few of the new retail openings in Altrincham
Flannels – Flannels is the UK’s largest independent luxury retail group, specialising in contemporary men’s and women’s designer clothing, footwear and accessories.
Jakes Shoes – AnAward-winning independent, funky shoe retailer in Stockport & Manchester (voted best shoe shop in Manchester & fashion independent retailer of the year 2017) opened up in Altrincham
Abakhan Fabrics – One of the UK’s leading suppliers of Fabrics, Crafts, Haberdashery and Knitting Yarns. With 8 stores across the UK. And they chose Altrincham this year
Honey Beat Vinyl Cafe – Music Promoter Abigail Richardson has secured a lease at Local Creation to open a Honey Beat Vinyl Café in Altrincham
WHAT WAS YOUR MEMORY OF 2017?
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