PERA Newsletter - February 2024

Latest updates from the Piccadilly East Residents' Association

1. Updates from PERA and PERA Committee

Highlights of work done by PERA and PERA Committee

  • Service Charges - reminder that you should pay your service charge so that wages can be paid and services provided, this is a condition of your lease. Even if you have a dispute with Urban Bubble please do pay towards the charges and you can pay ‘under protest'.
  • We're still waiting for official recognition from our landlords. They have until Mid March.
  • Worked as a link between residents and Capital & Centric and Urban Bubble to raise concerns and help resolve issues
  • PERA Committee met with Urban Bubble management and new Property Manager in January 2024 to discuss ongoing issues and major concerns from residents, which resulted in an agreement to have a fortnightly dialogue between the two organisations
  • Worked with the newly appointed Nicky Barber and Howard from Capital & Centric to resolve resident's snags
  • Secured a grant from Manchester City Council, with the help of our local councillors, to purchase litter bins for Baird Street and Chapeltown Street
  • Snagging - work now underway on external snagging of entire complex; contact us via email if you'd like to take part. We'd like to get this finished in March.
  • 9 full bags of groceries were taken to Mustard Tree to help those in need; please do continue to drop off dry foodstuffs and tins into the container in the post room.

2. How to join

  • Membership is currently free
  • We work to give a voice to residents on issues that matter to them
  • Register for PERA membership here

3. Recent and upcoming social activities and events

  • Litter Pick - we are making a great difference and the place is becoming cleaner; the addition of the bins that we shall police will make a difference.
  • Book club - meets regularly and has an eclectic mix of people and books.
  • Bookshelf for bookswap in post room is doing well; we've had a good thin out and donated books to Mustard Tree.
  • Charity food collection for Mustard Tree in post room and accepting donations.
  • Gardening Group - we're starting a gardening group to take on simple tasks in the courtyard and surrounding gardens such as pruning, weeding, tying up and watering of the window boxes on in Crusader. This group, whilst having fun, will help reduce our service charges. So, please do consider joining.

4. Local updates

Some new places in our locality to try out:

  • Gran T's - opened on Great Ancoats Street - comfy coffee shop Instagram link
  • Don Tacos - has opened a branch in Piccadilly Gardens Information here
  • Hachi - opened on Great Ancoats Street - bowls of noodles Instagram link
  • Lucky - remodelling of Mule on Blossom Street into a pan Asian eatery - Instagram link
  • Wow Banh Mi - on Oldham Road serves up authentic Vietnamese food Instagram link
  • Amato is a must for all your Italian essentials! Only a five minute walk away. Instagram link

If you have any recommendations please do email us for inclusion in the next newsletter (April)

The RHS is coming to Mayfield Depot in April.

RHS Urban Show, set in the heart of Manchester, celebrates your own oasis. Don't miss the chance to be a part of this new immersive gardening experience. Mark your calendars for 18 – 21 April 2024 Link here for tickets

5. Construction Update

The Fairfax - Completion Date January 2026

An update from RG Group: Stephenson Group have continued with slipform on Block 1 with the core now being poured up to level 24. They have also continued with works to the retaining walls across the site. As well as this they have completed ground floor slab pour to Block 1, whilst completing the Block 3 basement slab pour and ground floor slab reinforcement ahead of pouring on 2nd February. They have also completed the Block 2 basement columns ahead of the ground floor slab pour. Block 2 has also seen progress on the slipform with it now being poured up to level 10. JR Crane Services have continued to assist the construction process with both tower crane 1 and tower crane 2 now being operational.

This month will see Stephenson Group complete the core on Block 1 slipform as well as commencing pours on Block 2. Stephenson Group will also complete the retaining walls for the project. Slab pours will also progress with Stephenson Group looking to complete the Block 1 level 1 slab and Block 2 ground floor slab, as well as the Block 3 ground floor slab on the 2nd February.

RG Group have offered a site tour. If anyone is interested please email the committee and we'll do our best to organise something.

6. Snagging

We reported recently that there's a renewed approach by Capital & Centric to snagging and dealing with snags that were lodged within the two year window following practical completion. We'd like to know how you're getting on with the resolution of your snags. Please do drop us an email with feedback so that we can continue to monitor progress.