City news in 250 words: Friday 16 July

ROBBIE WILLIAMS REJOINS TAKE THAT: Williams, who walked out on the group 15 years ago, reunited with them in New York last September. Speculation about the reunion started after it emerged that Williams had met up with the group during bandmate Mark Owens' stag do. All five singers have written and recorded a new album, which is due out in November.

SHOPPING CENTRE OPENS IN BURY: The Rock, a new £350m shopping centre, which includes three department stores, 60 shops, a cinema, a bowling alley and 400 flats, opened today. The development, anchored by Marks & Spencer and Debenhams, is estimated to have created 500 new jobs. To mark the opening, entertainment and competitions are being staged throughout the day. This includes a world record attempt by local children to create the largest gathering of air guitarists.

PLANS FOR FRANK SIDEBOTTOM STATUE ADVANCE: Friends of Chris Sievey, the man behind Frank Sidebottom, are in talks to build a bronze tribute statue in the comic's home town Timperley. They've already lined up a sculptor and are writing up planning submissions for Trafford Council. Sievey died last month, aged 54, after battling with cancer. The life-sized sculpture would cost £8,500.

PAYOUT FOR HOMEOWNERS NEAR AIRPORT: Manchester Airport will pay out up to £9m in compensation over claims that the noise and fumes from planes have devalued homes in the area. An average payment of £27,000 will be given to the more than 330 householders who lodged claims over the airports second runway.

Out of the window weather forecast: The rain creates wet and slippery surfaces and thus the perfect environment for bouts of physical comedy. Just make sure you're the one doing the laughing.