The new design for Therme Manchester has received approval from Trafford Council’s planning committee.
The decision coincides with the appointment of Professor David Russell as the first UK-based CEO of Therme UK and demonstrates a shift in Therme’s focus from design and planning to delivery.
Russell said: “Therme Manchester will be the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort. Our ambition is to make a positive difference in millions of people’s lives whilst creating a new wave in urban living.”
The Therme Manchester experience is designed to benefit mental and physical health with attractions including large family and adults-only zones with swimming pools, slides, warm water lagoons and multi-sensorial saunas. Alongside this, elements such as water-based fitness classes, evidence-based wellness therapies, botanical gardens, immersive art, urban farms and educational activities create an integrated wellbeing concept for all ages.
The resort is forecast to contribute over £4.5bn to the UK economy, according to an independent PwC study, with most of the positive impact in the Greater Manchester area.
Cllr Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “I am very pleased that the planning committee supported this application. This wellbeing resort is a huge £250m leisure development which is the first of its kind in the country and we are delighted it is being built here in Trafford. The resort will attract millions of visitors each year and will add significantly to the local economy during construction and once operational. It will also create more than 1,500 person-years of construction jobs and 600 permanent full-time jobs. The development sits a short walk from the latest Metrolink extension and supports several of our key commitments by improving health and wellbeing, providing connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians, creating a new public realm, and regenerating a vacant brownfield site in a sustainable location.”
The £250m construction is set to commence later this year, with an estimated duration of 24 months for completion.
