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An experience like no other you’ll find in Greater Manchester.
The advent of VR is one that is continuing to develop year after year. Headsets alone have gone from clunky bits of kit connected to a computer by a dozen cables to just a slightly big pair of goggles.
While the idea of forking out hundreds for a home headset is enough to put anyone off, there’s a much better, more expansive and more social way to try virtual reality. step up, MeetspaceVR featuring Zero Latency.
Even for anyone who thinks they know VR, think again. After visiting ourselves and expecting to be standing in one spot turning our heads and waving our arms in the air, we weren’t prepared for the truly impressive set-up Meetspace have going on in Manchester.
Free roam VR
Unlike virtual reality experiences you may have tried before, thanks to fully-fledged scenarios from developers Zero Latency, MeetspaceVR delivers a number of thrilling digital situations across two free-roam arenas that are larger than a tennis court.
That’s right, groups of up to eight of you can navigate a digitally reimagined space in their North3 warehouse unit near Trafford Parkliving out scenarios such as a zombie apocalypse, traversing an alien landscape or fighting mythical creatures in a medieval fantasy world.
This is much more than a game and you certainly don’t need to be a gamer to enjoy it. Who knew you could visit space from the comfort of a Manchester postcode?
Top of the range tech and team
We played all of the above, utilizing everything from a VR rifle (basically a high-tech Laser Quest gun) to individual handheld controllers that allow you to move fingers and thumbs independently, and it genuinely blew our minds.
Credit: Supplied (MeetspaceVR)
Rather than being stood in one place, at MeetspaceVR your body becomes the controller and the entire experience turns what can often be a very anti-social pastime into a team effort, providing full communications in your headset and, of course, a scoreboard for those who love to keep it competitive.
That goes for the staff too. Throughout your sessions which can run anywhere between half an hour to 45 minutes at a time, not only do they make sure to monitor all of the start-of-the-art tech bringing these scenarios to life, but they also keep you updated on your objectives via your radio comms.
Because they’re always on the ball to make sure everything’s running smoothly, the entire thing feels really intuitive and don’t worry, you never have to worry about bumping into walls or each other — there a virtual markers for all that stuff.
Credit: Supplied
Digital arcade, virtual escape rooms and more
As well as familiar titles like Far Cry (based around third game), you can also do VR escape rooms and even just play mini arcade games like practicing your basketball skills while you’re waiting in the lobby.
One of their many mottos is “off-sites done right” and we can see why. We’re already looking for our next opportunity to go on a works do and kill our co-workers in VR. Everybody needs to vent from time to time and this way you can do some team building at the same time.
To think they transformed what was previously nothing more than a big empty warehouse into a fully-fledged virtual reality arena complete with briefing areas and areas to just chill out and play some console classics after you’re cracked from running around is quite something.
You can drink even while you’re there guys. You can only imagine the kind of carnage people can get up to when shooting zombies and having a pint.
Better still, MeetspaceVR is the only place where you can play the exclusive zero latency games catalog in the UK, including Far Cry VR, Sol Raiders, Outbreak Origins and many more. You’ll love to feel the freedom of their gameplay.
singularity
Far Cry VR Credit: Zero Latency VR
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Where and how much is it?
Located upstairs in North3 Stretford (M32 0TB) next to Trafford Park and just a five-minute drive from the Trafford Centre, or 25 minutes from the city centre, you don’t have to travel far at all to be transported to an entirely different world thanks to the power of virtual reality.
Free-roam VR sessions start from just £24.95 per person and you can see all their various other packages on their site.
They even have gift cards that will make for a perfect Christmas or birthday gift, including their current Black Friday Offer, offering you 30% off until 28 November and also registering you as a Black Card member which grants you a 20% discount off all future bookings.
Get yourselves down there, folks. We promise it won’t disappoint. This place is only going to keep getting bigger and we can’t wait to see what they have in store.
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Featured Image — MeetspaceVR featuring Zero Latency (Supplied)
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Meet Ivy and Duke, the family-run Manc business making seriously posh beds for your dog
Daisy Jackson
All dog-owners know how important our four-legged family members are, and want to make sure they’re well taken care of in both their waking hours and their resting ones.
Whether your dog’s a pampered couch potato or a mud-loving explorer, it’s important that they have a bed that will support their joints while they sleep, ready for the next adventure.
Ivy and Duke is a small family-run business, fully based here in Manchester, that’s created a whole range of genuinely gorgeous dog beds that you’ll be proud to have on display in your home.
The Vasco memory foam beds have excellent orthopedic qualities to look after growing puppies and older dogs alike.
Ivy and Duke dog beds in action. Credit: Ivy and Duke
The stylish fabric beds come with a removable cover that can be washed at a 30 degrees and line dried, or there’s even the option to order beds made from a waterproof fabric, so if your dog’s a fan of a spontaneous dunk in a pond, you can just wipe or hose down their bed.
All Ivy and Duke beds come with a waterproof inner liner, to protect the memory foam from any accidents.
The high-quality materials used are sourced from within the region, and every step of the journey from manufacturing to fulfillment to customer services are handled locally too.
The beds can be custom-made to fit dogs of all sizes. Credit: Ivy and Duke
Can’t find a bed that suits your dog’s exact size? The local brand offers a bespoke sizing service to find one that fits just right.
Designed to be comfortable, practical, durable and stylish, Ivy and Duke’s beds come in a range of colors and fabrics that look beautiful and can withstand even the most energetic of dogs.
You can even have your pet’s name embroidered onto any pillow, blanket or even Christmas stocking.
Ivy and Duke have now opened a factory showroom in Failsworth where you can take your dog to test out and choose their own new bed.
Read more: The magical Manchester park that’s basically Disneyland for dogs
After all, if we humans take our time shopping for the perfect mattress, why can’t we extend the same to our pets?
The showroom is located at Unit 7, Castle Industrial Estate and is open Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 3pm – bookings are recommended to avoid clashing with other visiting dogs.
Ivy and Duke are offering 15% off their entire website until 28 November at midnight, with a free pillow on all orders over £100.
Browse the full range at ivyandduke.co.uk.
Featured image: Ivy and Duke
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You can meet ‘Santa in the sky’ on a festive ferris wheel at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Santa is taking to the skies this Christmas, and families will get the chance to meet him in one of the most unique locations in the region.
With the festive season fast approaching and now less than 50 days to go until the big day is here, there’s arguably no better place in the North West to get cracking on your Christmas shopping than at Cheshire Oaks.
Just less than an hour’s drive from Manchester city centre, Cheshire Oaks is the largest Designer Outlet in the UK, and is home to over 400,000 square feet of retail space – with more than 150 boutiques, restaurants, and cafés to choose from.
But no festive visit to the shopping village is complete without meeting Santa.
Although this year, Cheshire Oaks’ beloved grotto will look a little different to usual as Santa and his trusty elves are taking to the skies and inviting you on a fantastical festive adventure on the outlet’s all-new Big Wheel.
Cheshire Oaks has today unveiled its brand-new Big Wheel for 2022, which is located next to the outlet’s iconic Christmas tree – standing at over a 100ft high in the heart of all the action – and it will offer shoppers breathtaking views of the Cheshire skyline.
You can meet ‘Santa in the sky’ on a festive ferris wheel at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
the Santa in the Sky experience is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas as a family this winter, and make memories to last a lifetime.
Open every weekend throughout December, with 10-minutes flights taking place from 10am-1pm, included in the ticket price is four spaces on the Big Wheel flight with Santa and his elves, and you’ll also get to sip on a mulled wine or hot chocolate and enjoy a festive cookie, as well as get a little gift to take home with you from Santa.
While Santa in the sky and the unveiling of the big wheel are both bound to be stand-outs, that’s not all that’s on offer at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas.
The outlet’s much-loved Winter Village has also undergone a makeover, and now offers even more indoor seating options alongside the option to book one of the popular Christmas huts, so you can take a break from shopping and snuggle up to enjoy a festive drink and please to eat
Cheshire Oaks’ much-loved Winter Village has undergone a makeover and is better than ever / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
Whether you’re in the mood for a bratwurst straight from the swing grill, a cup of hot mulled wine, or a delicious hot chocolate, the German Christmas market-inspired Alpine Lodge within the Winter Village is an ideal place unwind and soak in the festive spirit after a long day of shopping.
As the big day gets closer, there’ll also be live performances from local gospel choirs, brass bands, and other festive singers happening across across the outlet from 25 November to get shoppers suitably in the Christmas spirit.
There’s also personalized Christmas gifting available to help you pick out the perfect present.
Christmas is officially back at the Designer Outlet shopping village / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
“We are excited Christmas is officially back at Cheshire Oaks,” said Kenny Murray – General Manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks.
“From our iconic Winter Village, to the never-before-seen Santa in the Sky experience, we have made sure our guests will have an unforgettable experience visiting our center this festive season, and were confident our unbeatable prices across a selection of much- loved premium brands will allow our guests to shop for the best festive gifts, whilst also enjoying the holiday cheer through the many activities scheduled this winter.”
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You can find out more about what’s on at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas here.
Featured Image—Cheshire Oaks
