Huge £250million indoor water resort to finally start works – with 25 pools, beach and swim up bars
A MULTI-million indoor water attraction is to finally start works in the UK – years after being first announced.
Therme Manchester revealed plans for the £250million resort back in 2020, being dubbed the ‘UK’s first wellbeing resort’.
Initially hoping to have opened in 2024 – only to be delayed by the pandemic – works are set to finally start next year.
James Whittaker, Executive Director of Development at Peel L&P said: “After five years working in partnership with Therme, we are delighted to hear planning permission has been approved for this incredible, high-quality health and wellbeing resort in TraffordCity.
“We’re looking forward to working closely with the whole of the Therme team to deliver something truly unique and iconic in the UK.
“Not only world-leading for health and wellbeing, but will also create a significant number of new jobs and have a huge positive economic impact for North West England.”
The huge indoor attraction will be in Manchester’s former EventCity conference centre next to the Trafford Centre.
While primarily indoors, it will also have some outdoor experiences.
Spread across 28 acres, Therme Manchester will include:
- 25 swimming pools (including a wave pool)
- 35 water slides
- UK’s first all-season indoor beach
- Wellness area with steam rooms and spas
- Adult-only zones
- Swim up bars
- Restaurants and cafes
- Outdoor gardens
Car parking and a dedicated tram stop to the attraction are also part of the plans.
Last year, the attraction was forced to change its initial designs which would see one large attraction underneath a glass dome.
The new designs are meant to replicate “rippled waves”.
There will instead be several structures connected with a “pavilion style concept”.
The website says: “Set to welcome 1.7 million guests in its first year, guests at Therme Manchester will enjoy a year-round 33°C indoor climate made possible with a sustainable glass infrastructure amid warm water lagoons, botanical gardens and palm trees.”
David Russell, chief executive of Therme Group UK previously said: “This development will stand as a beacon of wellbeing and innovation, contributing to the cultural and social fabric of Greater Manchester.”
The current opening timeline is 2027, although this could be delayed.
Works are estimated to take between 24 and 30 months.
Ticket prices are also yet to be confirmed.
If you can’t wait, Therme has a number of other similar attractions around the world.
Inside the Therme Bucharest attraction
The Sun’s Steve Corbett recently visited the Romanian Therme attraction
Picture one of those famous Center Parcs domes, then imagine it seven times bigger.
Therme has its own exotic climate — the air temperature never drops below 30C — so you’ll see bananas and coconuts growing on some of its cherished 800,000 trees, plants and living walls.
Then there’s everything you can see and do inside the waterpark-spa hybrid, from whirling water slides for kids to high-tech treatments for couples and poolside bars, with DJs, that stag and hen parties would love.
Grown-ups can enjoy a hydro-massage bed, visit “wet saunas” — some of which are infused with botanicals and herbs — and sit in a relaxing salt library, with walls built from blocks on Himalayan salt, known for its medicinal and mental health benefits.
Make sure to stay until the early evening if you fancy a bit of a boogie.
Open until midnight, the place becomes an Instagrammer’s paradise after sunset, with a DJ delivering energetic vibes.
Best of all, a day ticket, offering full access, costs from just £28.
Romania has it’s own Therme Bucharest, although the Manchester attraction will be double the size.
And a new Therme resort is to be built in Ontario in Canada.