Show Notes
“All good cities don’t turn their back on the river” Dive into the transformational journey of Manchester's urban landscape. John Hughes has been a key player in the city's development for the past 20 years in his role at Ask Real Estate. John started work just days after leaving university in 1997 when the city was still recovering from the IRA bomb. He’s since shaped some of the city's groundbreaking developments, like First Street, HOME and Embankment. From the days of post-industrial decline to the bustling metropolis Manchester is today, discover the inside track on the city's regeneration. This conversation takes you through the placemaking and relationships that have formed the city. So what does John think about gentrification and the rapid growth of Manchester? What are the values Ask Real Estate is keeping at the forefront whilst leaving a lasting legacy on the city's skyline? You’ll hear about all this and more in this episode.
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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter On Spotify
Connect with Ask Via their website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter Mentioned in this episode: Thanks to our partners for this episode of We Built This City, Car Finance 247. You can visit CarFinance247.co.uk or follow Car Finance 247 on LinkedIn to find out more about them.
More from We Built This City: Greater Manchester
"Our job is to create as many opportunities as possible." Jo Walby is the CEO of Mustard Tree, the Manchester charity fighting poverty and homelessness. Every month, more than 11,000 people walk through its doors and the charity provides food, clothes and furniture for those who need it. It also offers training, work placements and a route into a home. Jo's personal story has shaped her work. She was born in Manchester, adopted as a baby and moved house five times before she turned 18. She grew up wanting to belong and for her, Manchester is the place that feels more like home. Jo built a high flying career in recruitment and IT, then motherhood and a serious mental crisis changed everything. After Jo recovered, she spotted a job advert at the Big Life Group asking for people with lived experience of mental illness. She applied, and was able to bring her whole self to work for the first time. The CEO role at Mustard Tree followed. Host Lisa Morton hears how Jo’s ideas around "industrial kindness" and dignity drive the charity. They discuss the asylum crisis and Andy Burnham's pledge to end rough sleeping, as well as what you can do to help tackle homelessness, even in the smallest of ways. You’ll hear why a simple "you all right?" to someone on the streets can be the first step in rebuilding their hope. This episode includes discussion of mental health and suicide. In the UK, call Samaritans free on 116 123. In the US or Canada, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988. In Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can find helplines in other countries at Find A Helpline.
‘Creating nurture for people who’ve never had it”
“ I'm interested in people's stories. I want to know where they've come from. I want to know what they're up to, what makes them tick.” Meet Gareth Shenton, the Manc who’ll always welcome you to his table and creates atmospheres you want to be a part of. Gareth is Operations Director at Shenton Group, which means he steers the ship across their buildings in Manchester City centre, including the former Freemasons Hall, now Manchester Hall, Shenton Group's 100-year-old Grade II-listed event space. This episode is a lesson in how to welcome people the Manc way and create events that live long in the memory. You'll hear Gareth and Lisa recount the We Built This City: Big Manc Chippy Tea event in February this year, which Gareth and the team at Manchester Hall made very special, serving 100 Mancs their favourite chippy order. So, when you're the life of the party, what are the values and beliefs that help you recharge and keep it real? And hear how Gareth came to join the cast of The Real Housewives of Cheshire for Series 20, coming to ITV very soon, and find out what's already causing drama
The best networks aren’t built by asking; they’re built by giving.
”She was a quiet rebel in class, a diamond sifter in a gravel pit." Caroline Aherne left Manchester with a comedic legacy that went on to redefine British TV. One of the many people she inspired is Dave Scott, the poet and author who you might know better as Argh Kid. Dave’s latest book ‘Rebel in Disguise', is a love letter to Caroline’s work as a writer, actress and comedian. Host Lisa Morton recorded this conversation at the We Built This City afternoon tea at Cloud 23 in The Manchester Deansgate Hotel, to celebrate the launch of Dave’s book. Dave has built a career out of finding the poetry in the lives of everyday Mancunians; from the phrases, the humour and the heart that makes this city region different. So it’s no surprise that Caroline and The Royle Family had a huge impact on him. As you'll hear him say, watching the show felt just like watching his own family; something many people who grew up in Greater Manchester will resonate with.