Transformation of Manchester city centre's landmark Debenhams building could get green light next week

direct to your inboxCouncillors are calling for up to 25 Manchester city centre roads closed temporarily due to the pandemic to become permanently pedestrianised.A string of streets within the inner ring road were closed to car traffic under emergency legislation brought in by the government last year to allow people more room to social distance.Now a number of city centre councillors are pushing for a review to examine whether the closures can be made permanent.Piccadilly ward councillor

Sign up for our What's On newsletter - for all the latest whether you're staying in or heading out and aboutOne of the Northern Quarter's most popular cafes is preparing to relaunch with a new lockdown takeaway offering.Evelyn's, one of the city's most celebrated brunch spots, will soon be preparing giant pittas stuffed with slow-cooked meats and homemade sauces and fillings.Trading as The Pitta Shop, the giant sandwiches have been created by its head chef Phil Cardy, who grew up in Israel.Phil

direct to your inboxManchester city centre had a record-breaking year for home building in 2020 - despite the pandemic.The number of units completed - nearly 5,000 - was the highest on record for a single year, according to Deloitte Real Estate's annual crane survey.The remarkable figures, a huge increase on 2019 which was itself one of the busiest years for home building on record, demonstrate the extent to which the construction sector has continued working during several coronavirus

direct to your inboxIn a single planning committee last September, Manchester councillors approved more than £1billion of development for construction.Most of that investment will be new residential towers going up in and around the city centre.It is now fifteen years since Beetham Tower opened on Deansgate in 2006, knocking the CIS tower off its spot as the tallest building in the city and kickstarting a new era of urban living in Manchester.The pace of development has barely dipped

straight to your inboxManchester City are not interested in making a move for Bayern Munich defender David Alaba.The 28-year-old star has alerted a number of top European clubs after a planned contract renewal with the Bundesliga champions turned sour. Bayern have been very vocal with their displeasure at the failure to reach an agreement - to the dismay of the player - and in November withdrew their offer to leave Alaba free to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.

direct to your inboxManchester Aquatics Centre will undergo extensive repairs and refurbishment after councillors agreed to spend £31m to save their flagship facility from closure.The swimming centre, known as MAC, is seen as one of the most important legacy outcomes of the city’s hosting of the 2002 Commonwealth Games.It is one of the busiest facilities of its kind in the UK with more than 10 million people - around 500,000 a year - using it since it opened on Oxford Road in 2000.The centre is

direct to your inboxManchester City will have to cope without Kevin De Bruyne for the next month or so as they challenge for honours on all fronts.De Bruyne has been ruled out for between four and six weeks due to a hamstring injury he suffered during the victory over Aston Villa. It is a significant blow for City, just as their campaign is gathering some momentum.

direct to your inboxAbby Dahlkemper is the latest American to sign for Manchester City Women – and not a moment too soon as far as manager Gareth Taylor is concerned.He told a media conference that there was a possibility of waiting until the close season to bring the 27-year-old to the club – but they wanted her immediately.That’s because the versatile defender offers City so many options – not least breeding the competition for places that Taylor insists he wants.But her skills also fit in to

straight to your inboxWhether or not Manchester City sign Lionel Messi this summer, they can reflect on a much more professional approach than they managed when they bid for him in the frantic hours after they were taken over in 2008.As manager at the time Mark Hughes tells it, while he and his staff were on the golf course so frenzied were the bids for a marquee signing that when one club director remarked to a colleague about how messy the situation was it was misinterpreted as an instruction

direct to your inboxThe £68.5m transformation of Manchester city centre’s iconic Debenhams building will go ahead despite concerns about an ‘ugly’ rooftop extension.Major plans to redevelop the Rylands building to provide a new shopping arcade at street level, along with several floors of new offices, have been touted by owners AM Alpha.It would also involve the Grade II listed landmark on Market Street getting a much-needed makeover aimed at restoring its Art Deco glory.Debenhams, which has

direct to your inbox A man caught by security officials in a restricted area at Manchester Airport claimed he was trying to get a flight back to his home country. Anday Koday, 31, was spotted in a no-go zone in January.

direct to your inbox The River Irwell has burst its banks in Manchester city centre as Storm Christoph continues to batter the region. Pictures shared with the Manchester Evening News show water levels are extremely high in the Castlefield area with parts of the riverside pathway flooded.

straight to your inboxManchester City are back in Premier League action on Wednesday evening as they take on Aston Villa.Pep Guardiola's men face Dean Smith's side at the Etihad Stadium, kicking off at 6pm, as they look to continue their impressive form.City are unbeaten in nine league matches and have won five in a row.They have also kept seven clean sheets in their previous nine outings.Sunday's 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace took them to within reaching distance of Manchester United, with a

straight to your inbox every day for freeIt was a Friday, May 18, 2001, and 'It's Raining Men' by Geri Halliwell was top of the UK charts.

straight to your inboxJoleon Lescott says he is "obsessed" with Manchester City ace Phil Foden.Lescott waxed lyrical about the 20-year-old midfielder following City's 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.Foden scored the only goal of the game in the 44th minute, showing excellent touch and finishing skills after being set up by Kevin De Bruyne.The England international is now City's top scorer this season with eight goals in all competitions, to go along with five assists.After watching his

direct to your inboxManchester council is planning to spend £31m on repairing and refurbishing the city’s Aquatics Centre in order to save it from closure. The flagship facility, known as MAC, opened in 2000 and played a major part in Manchester’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games two years later.

direct to your inboxParking charges at a number of car parks in Manchester city centre have risen after being taken over by the council.

straight to your inboxZack Steffen says it has been a "pleasure" to deputise for Ederson in Manchester City's past three matches.City's number one goalkeeper has been sidelined after testing positive for Covid-19. The Brazilian was back on the bench, though, for Sunday's FA Cup third round tie with Birmingham City, having been cleared to return to action.

direct to your inboxA weather warning has been issued with temperatures to plummet below freezing in Greater Manchester.Some areas, including parts of the city centre, saw a dusting of snow overnight.Pictures from city centre residents showed streets in Ancoats lined with snow and the water frozen at New Islington Marina early this morning.And forecasters say there is a possibility of more falling as they warn of the likelihood of freezing conditions for the next 48 hours.After a freezing start

Just before Boris Johnson announced the new national lockdown on Monday, Olivia Attwood managed to squeeze in a spot of retail therapy before having to be stuck indoors.The reality star, who looked uncrecognisable without lip fillers in a throwback snap, was spotted in Manchester city centre on Saturday afternoon.The 29 year old wore a grey tracksuit hoodie and pants for the outing and wore a protective face mask on her chin as she engaged in a phone call.