I assume it is an expansion? If so, then it will not only guarantee jobs at the facility but hopefully open up new vacancies.

The Crain's report says a "new 200,000 sq ft depot", but as betablockeruk states, it will be a 'unit', not a hanger, so probably it will be similar to industrial-style warehousing.

If so, that would represent a square building about 450ft x 450ft. Is that large or small in cargo terms?

More on the Tower Bar
 

See below the MEN article on the new bar in the old Ops Tower which gives a bit more detail.

There seems to be an inference that it will be available to G-public - quotes from the article are "compete with any of Manchester’s top leisure destinations" and "We are looking to increase the range of audiences we cater for here at Manchester, and we are hoping this becomes a venue to rival some of the city centre’s most sophisticated venues.

But if I am right there is no way this can be connected to landside unless some connections are built above the T1 roof?

Perhaps just sloppy reporting. Note the cr*p at the bottom about the Ops Tower being built in 1962 - it wasn't - the 1962 building is the one with the current VCR at the top. And methinks he or she - as the author remains anonymous - hasn't done any research as the new structure has yet (if ever) to be built......:ugh:

Anyway, I suggest the new bar should be called Zooker's - a nice catchy name. Why? Well no doubt fizzy beer will be available which uses lots of additional CO2 and of course there will be CCTVs to monitor proceedings.:ok:

Cheers
Suzeman

Manchester Airport control tower to be the city's latest hot venue

November 17,

MANCHESTER Airport is seeking partners to develop a world first - a bar or restaurant in an aircraft control tower.

Bosses are looking to create an upmarket, glamorous space that can compete with any of Manchester’s top leisure destinations. The decommissioned five- storey tower is part of Terminal One, which was relaunched in the summer after a £50m, two- year redevelopment and now handles more than nine million travellers a year. The bar or restaurant would be located on the 110 sq m top floor, which offfers 360 degree views across the airfield and the Cheshire countryside.

It would have space for up to 100 diners and would be accessible via a reception area which could also feature a shopping zone. Airport Commercial director Andrew Harrison said: “We are looking to increase the range of audiences we cater for here at Manchester, and we are hoping this becomes a venue to rival some of the city centre’s most sophisticated venues.

“Our intention is to produce an experience that far exceeds all current expectations of a great bar, as well as being an opportunity for a cutting edge operator to demonstrate real flair.

“We have already had expressions of interest and want to work with the right people to really deliver a successful product for our passengers at Manchester.”

The open plan, hexagon shaped venue would be served by a lift running up the central core of the building. The redundant tower was built in 1962 and has since been superceded by by a new £8m, 50 metre operation.
Retail property specialist Milligan Retail has been chosen to help select the winning tender.

Suzeman,
Top post. Loving your work.
This MEN article is, by and large, total w*nk.
If this building was an "aircraft control tower", the logical business-partner would be NATS. (A World Leader in Air Traffic Management).
It is, sadly, NOT a control tower.
It is/was a replacement for the green fish-tank, half-way along pier Bravo.
Five floors it may be. but most are unusable as leisure space.
I love the bit about "producing an experience'.
Why does everything have to be a bloody experience?
Let's add some 'challenges and solutions too!
Regarding the "360 degree views of the airfield and the Cheshire countryside", the sector from approximately 010 to 130 degrees is masked by the control tower building, (CTB), where the real Air Traffic Controllers actually work. So, views of the Kinder-Scout plateau and Bleaklow Hill are right out,
As for your suggested name, "ZOOKER'S", - well, the name say's it all! :ok:

P.S. Just read the original MEN article.
What the hell is a "shopping zone"? :}:}

Thats funny. Those who worked in there were told 4 years ago they were having to move as it was wanted to be turn into a bar

The Ops Tower was built as part of the IDLEX extension in, I think, the 1970s or even early 80s.

Apart from the apron controllers, it was often used by Ops3 ADMs etc. to get a bird's eye view of most of the airfield. Ideal for watching clouds roll in, diversions round emergency t/way repairs, snow clearance, follow mes, unusual a/c movements, etc. So now they're using Level 13 of MSCP 1 from what I hear lol.

Re the WFT question, the BA cargo shed is around 80,000sq ft, so a shed of 200,000 sq ft is pretty big for MAN, though not big compared to some of the new big sheds you see at the side of motorways these days.

"The World on Time " ??
 

:cool: I wonder if this new "Unit" on completion, will have the words Fed Ex emblazoned across it ?
I do hope so, as not only would that be a very nice thing to have, it would make sure that the finished article would not look like the present B&Q finished sheds we have now!
As for the group who are against any further expansion of Manchester Airport as it would cause more CO2 polution, I'd like to place my own Carbon Footprint right up their ar*e!!

Now where's my toasting fork? There's nothing like a few onions and a bit of melted cheese drizzled across a finely barbecued Great Crested Newt! They are truly scrummy, but like all good things they must come to an end! Will I miss them - emmm let me think ------- naw:E

Now I hear that the 23R ILS will be radiating again for use on Wednesday so get ready for the resumption of noise you Stockporters!:ok:

Bmi Man-lhr
 

PPRuNe contributor 'Flightrider' (writing on the BMI thread) reports that BMI's recently announced LHR-GVA schedule in association with sister-company Swiss will be launched using slots currently deployed on the LHR-MAN route. More bad news on the way for MAN if this is confirmed.

SHED.

P.S. Does anybody know why the site software has converted my "BMI MAN-LHR" title from capital letters to small letters? Have tried to correct it back to capitals, but alas to no avail ...

With the amount of noise this thread has generated in the past about MAN-LHR, I would have thought the spotter / cheerleader types would be over the moon about reductions in MAN-LHR services.

If judging by the pax numbers that have been banded around keeping the service is
not the best thing to do, the rail connections to the south east have killed the point to point traffic which only leaves connecting traffic most of which can connect on Star Alliance flights ex MAN anyway.

Ian B

EZY to start Helsinki
 

easyJet are to start Manchester/Helsinki from 8th February. Dep 1625 return Arr 2245, Mon, Wed, Frid. Sun.

Regards

Scottie Dog

Adola,
people from Stockport are called 'Stopfordians', (e.g. Norman Beaker). The Guitar Don't Lie.:ok:
I have forwarded your 'Newt Recipe' to Delia Smith, who assures me it will feature in 'Frugal Food Volume 2' :}

Just looked at EZY flights out of MAN:

ALC increase from 4 weekly to 6 weekly (10th Feb)
ATH restart 3 weekly (10th Feb)
CPH increase from 4 weekly to 6 weekly (10th Feb)
PFO increase from 6 weekly to daily (11th Feb)
TFS from 5 weekly to daily (8th Feb)

Together with HEL (4 weekly) 14 additional weekly flights.

Seems to be very positive news coming out regarding easyJet. I flew with them in July of this year when I went to TFS, great service and all I can do is reward them with high appraisal. Ryanair are you listening?

Not the Control Tower.....
 

Ah but what a view in the 010-130 sector! Air conditioning units atop T1 And views of all the hard working staff in the offices on the West side of the Tower - including the new Apron control? You will be able to wave to them as you sip your cocktail in the trendy bar and I'm sure they will wave back!!


Another thing from the article
If 10 people were up in the top when it was the Ops Room it was a squeeze. Wonder how they will do it and will the fire people agree with only one starcase? Maybe they will install a helter-skelter like fire escape as the tower in Sydney. Rides could be offered on it to generate revenue...

Suzeman

Surely the view won't matter if Zookers Bistro Bar serves Adola's BBQ Newt Platter to Stopfordians like me!

Perhaps we can see the extended World Freight Terminal instead.

Comfortable Words
 

Hear what comfortable words the Lord ATC saith:

.".........report established on the Localiser, descend with the Glide Path, you are cleared for an ILS Approach to Runway 23R".

All being well tomorrow morning some lucky person will be the first for a long time to hear those comforting words. Welcome back to Precision Approaches!

Sorry, remind me, I've forgotten what they are now. IOM should get it's GS back sometime late December:} What will we do to practice for the sim then?

For those who are still undecided: -
'BAR 44'* would also be a good name for the 'MAG Apron Control Experience',
'ZOOKER'S' sounds a bit similar to 'Decker's', an eating establishment adjacent to the M60 orbital motorway.
*44 is of course, the formula weight of CO2. :E

Enough already.