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FIND OUT MOREHot off the press
This month's hottest stories. Read on to find out about te opening of a new hitech centre, the launch of KRO's latest eaterie and the relocation of an Indian bank to Manchester.
Manchester launches £40 million laser institute
Cutting-edge light and laser technologies will be pioneered at The University of Manchester's recently launched Photon Science Institute (PSI).
The PSI, which opened last month with support from the Northwest Development Agency, will be the largest research and teaching centre of its kind in the UK, with a projected annual research income of £5 million and more than 30 full-time staff.
Research will focus on the development and application of new laser technologies and systems that can be used in new optical materials and non-invasive medical technologies - measuring blood sugar levels without taking a blood sample, for example.
Professor Klaus Muller-Dethlefs, institute director, said: "Using the most advanced lasers and optical technologies we will be taking on some very challenging problems of science with applications in the world of medicine, biosciences, engineering, environmental and physical sciences."
The University of Manchester will be offering a full-time postgraduate MSc in Photon Science from October.
The cure for city centre parking blues
No matter how much you love shopping in Manchester city centre, the frustration of driving around for ages to find parking can put a damper on the experience.
But fear not, because Manchester-based chauffeur company Elite Limousines has come up with a solution. The company enlisted the help of local celebrity couple Sam and John Thompson to launch a VIP valet parking service that promises to take away the hassle of finding a parking space in town.
For as little as £20, a fully insured driver will meet you at any location in the city centre and take your vehicle away to park and, if required, valet. When you are ready to leave town, you simply call Elite and your car is driven back to you.
To find out more about this service, call 0161 661 9203.
State Bank of India moves to Manchester
Manchester's reputation as the financial capital of the North of England has recently been reinforced with the announcement that the State Bank of India (SBI) has selected the city as the location for its first branch outside London.
SBI, which is the largest bank in India, has been operating in the UK for over 80 years, with three branches in London. This year, the bank will be expanding its operations with new premises in Manchester.
The Northwest Development Agency and MIDAS (Manchester's Investment Agency), have been working closely with SBI to establish its Manchester base, which is due to open in the first quarter of this year.
Neil Fountain, chief executive of MIDAS, said: "We are delighted that the State Bank of India has chosen to locate its first UK branch outside of London in Manchester. With a major international airport, a worldclassuniversity and the size and quality of the labour force in the sector, Manchester is an attractive location for international financial services institutions."
Urbis welcomes Channel M
Channel M, Manchester's only dedicated local news and entertainment channel, has started its relocation to the iconic Urbis building in Manchester city centre.
The move, which will see a live TV studio becoming part of Manchester's centre for urban culture, has started its first phase of development and is scheduled for completion in April.
Urbis's ground floor will now incorporate Channel M's state-of-the-art studios, while the current exhibition spaces will remain open to the public, free of charge.
The move is expected to make Urbis busier than ever, as visitors will flock to see live TV news in the making, find out how programmes are made and broadcast, and get a glimpse behind the scenes of a working TV station.
KRO Piccadilly opens its doors
The latest addition to the KRO group of bars and restaurants has recently celebrated its launch at the centre of the city's regenerated Piccadilly district.
Housed in the ground floor of One Piccadilly Gardens, KRO Piccadilly is now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mark Ruby, managing director of KRO, said: "Having established our venues on the Oxford Road corridor, we felt it was time to introduce the KRO concept to a whole new clientele.
"As with all the KRO family, we have given KRO Piccadilly its own uniquecharacter, using high quality walnut finishes, marble floors and inviting leather furniture, making it the perfect haunt for any time of the day."
The food is another attraction at KRO Piccadilly, as Danish chef Lorne Andersen, who has carved out a name for herself as the executive chef for Manchester United, brings a definite flavour of her homeland to the ˆ lacarte menu.
Make room for Cocoa
Another week, another exciting launch. Warm coppers, rich chocolate browns in sumptuous leather, solid wood, suede and silk... welcome to The Cocoa Rooms.
Located in the old Cathedral Arches on Chapel Street, The Cocoa Rooms is the brainchild of managing director Christian Coates.
It comprises a restaurant and three bars, offering Manchester a stylish new place to eat, drink and socialise.
Golfer's paradise
Heaton Park's golf course has been voted the best municipal course of 2005 by readers of GoldPunk magazine. The championship standard course on Middleton Road is managed by Playgolf. It is situated in the scenic groundsof Heaton Park, boasting spectacular views over the Pennines and surrounding countryside.
Designed by five times Open champion J. H. Taylor, it opened in 1912 and has been the host venue of many prestigious events, including the 2005 Faldo Series North West Golf Tournament.
Owen Blackhurst, travel editor at GolfPunk, said: "When we paused for breath in the middle of our round and gawped at the mix of roller-coaster ravines, rugged landscape and flower-lined lakes, we knew that we had found golfing Nirvana. Heaton Park is a bona-fide, 100 per cent GolfPunk of a course."
If you want to try your hand on the Par-3 course, call 0161 654 9899 to make a reservation.