Gary Neville’s city centre plans finally get under way as rooftop bar approved

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Work on Gary Neville 's long-awaited development in Manchester city centre is finally under way after overcoming a series of setbacks during the last decade.

The redevelopment of the former Bootle Street police station has now started.

This first phase of the £200m scheme will see a nine-storey office block built off Albert Square with a' high-end' rooftop restaurant and bar on the terrace.

READ MORE: The big developments set to change the face of Manchester in 2022

Manchester council today (January 31) granted a late-night alcohol licence for the Sky Bar premises which is not due to open for another two years at least.

It comes after residents objected to the application to sell alcohol at the rooftop restaurant and bar until 3am – but this request was scaled back.

Councillors, residents and licensing officers withdrew their objections after the applicant agreed that the terrace would close to customers at 11pm.

Speaking on behalf of St Michaels UK Propco Limited at a town hall hearing, Felicity Tullock said that preliminary work on the site has just started and the first phase of the project, including this premises, is due to be done by 2024.

But she revealed that a 'high end' operator has already been lined up to run it.

She said: "We're applying for the premises licence now because we want to give comfort to the incoming tenant.

"We're not in a position to say at the moment who that tenant is, but that deal has not been finalised.

"But it's going to be a high-end internationally recognised and renowned bar and restaurant operator which would be in keeping with the high quality of this scheme and the development as a whole."

The restaurant will be open all day, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner