A collection of much-anticipated luxury Safari Lodges are set to open to the public at a popular UK safari park this April.
The exotic accommodations at West Midlands Safari Park in Kidderminster certainly got people all across the country talking when they were first announced – with a grand opening date originally planned for last year – but its debut was delayed on a number of occasions due to setbacks as a result of the ever-persistent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
And sadly, the opening – which was due to take place in February – has been pushed back once again to Easter.
A statement from West Midlands Safari Park on social media said: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce our Safari Lodges opening date will once again be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We very much hope to be open for Easter, and plan Friday 2nd April 2021 as our revised opening date, providing this is in line with government guidance.”
But what exactly can animal lovers expect from the new lodges once they open?
Located right on the edge of the park’s elephant and cheetah zones, the collection of luxury lodges are set to feature direct views of the animals.
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With eight rooms that can sleep up to five guests, each lodge has an open plan living room, as well as outdoor seating areas and balconies, meaning you can enjoy your morning brew in the company of some of the park’s very special residents, including young male elephant Sutton, his mum Five, and his aunt Latabe.
Two of the lodges also overlook the cheetah enclosure, where you’ll find Asrael and Bappe, who were transported over from France last year.
Each lodge also has a king-size bedroom on the lower floor, with the upper floor sleeping three people,.
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There’s also an option to add a cot if you’ve got a baby on board.
West Midlands Safari Park
After announcing that the lodges would be opening, the park has understandably captured the attentions of many eager fans and animal lovers up and down the country.
Replying to questions and queries about the lodges on social media to give a further insight into what to expect, West Midlands Safari Park said: “The lodges will be authentically themed and allow guests exclusive views of the animals. Guests are encouraged to make use of the outdoor terrace in the elephant lodges, to watch the magnificent creatures approach their pool, situated in front.
“The cheetah lodges include a large window, spanning one side of the building, offering panoramic views of the cheetahs in their new habitat.
“A floor-to-ceiling window offers similar, incredible views in the bedrooms.”
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West Midlands Safari Park
A stay at West Midlands Safari Park’s new Safari Lodges also includes access to the park and wristbands for rides at the theme park, with prices starting at £147 per night for kids, and £171 per night for adults.
You can find more information about the lodges on the West Midlands Safari Park website here, along with more information about COVID-19 protocols.
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A noughties fashion throwback is returning to Manchester and handing out freebies – including tattoos
Danny Jones
Beloved nineties and noughties clothing band Bench is at the beginning of a renaissance, and as they prepare to hand out free samples and even tattoos as part of their ‘Revival Collection’ sale, they’re returning to where it all started: Manchester.
Toasting the Y2K trends that have come back into style, the locally-founded label – started here in our city circa 1989 – is once again looking to make inroads and remind everyone why they were such a cult favourite name to begin with.
Preparing to reinstate its position in the Manc streetwear scene, Bench is set to make its comeback with a massive sample sale right here in Manchester, and there’s plenty of discounted stuff plus complimentary bits up for grabs.
We’re about to dance and dress like it’s 1999.
@bench.official Your first look at our AW25 Revival collection, available exclusively at Bench. Open House at the @Manchester Social this Thursday 6th November 👀 Shop samples old and new (yep, there’s even more available) for exclusive prices at our Manchester city centre sample sale event 💸 #samplesale#manchester♬ original sound – Bench Official
Spread across three whole floors, the ‘Bench Open House’ and Y2K Revival Collection will be on show at The Manchester Social tattoo studio.
Featuring timeless staples like oversized tees, vintage wash and classic turn-of-the-century style denim, big, baggy sweats and low-slung trousers re-designed for a new era.
Promising “extra goodies” from brands like Isovibe and Sunday Rain to the first 50 purchases on the day, you can expect plenty of familiar makes on show.
Being housed at Manchester Social too, the first 25 guests to book in will get a free flash tattoo on the night, courtesy of the studio’s talented fine-line artists; bookings can be made online or over the phone in advance for this directly.
And that’s no way near all there is on offer…
Those coming along can also enjoy retro gaming, nostalgic beats from live DJs supplying ’90s house party vibes, as well as cool photo ops, cocktails from Zubrowka (bison grass vodka brand), Baby Beer shots by Licor 43, plus non-alcoholic rum cocktails from Caleño. Immaculate energy all night long.
We’re personally loving how much late 1990s/early ’00s fashion is doing the rounds again. (Credit: Press shots)
Most importantly of all, the full proceeds from the sale will be donated to the native homeless charity Mustard Tree, which helps support people across the region.
Joanne Reidy, Head of Marketing at Bench’s parent group Apparel Brands, commented: “At Bench, Manchester isn’t just our home, it’s helped shape our identity.
“We’re proud that every sale from the Open House sample sale will go directly to Mustard Tree, supporting their vital work helping people across the city.”
Jack Barton, Head of Communications at the non-profit organisation, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to be the beneficiary of this event. Our mission is to combat poverty and prevent homelessness – it is down to the goodwill of our Greater Manchester partners who make this possible.
The Bench Open House and sample sale event takes place from 6-10pm at Manchester Social (9 South King Street, M2 6DG) this Thursday, 6 November. It’s completely free entry, but those looking to cop one of the selected designs can book in now.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via Bench)
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You can get 25% off your bill when eating out at this well-known Italian restaurant with a secret code
Danny Jones
Fancy going out for tea but still trying not to spend too much money at this time of year? Well, Manchester, you can get 25% off your bill at an already affordable British restaurant chain by simply saying a special phrase.
This deal is only available this week, though, so we wouldn’t wait around.
We’ve all been there: you’re fed up of getting home after working and having to cook, so you start trying to justify ‘just one‘ night out, but it can be a real pull between enjoyment and ease versus trying to save those pennies – especially with the festive period looming.
Luckily, well-known Italian restaurant group Carluccio’s, who have a site right here in central Manchester, is offering a significant discount by simply asking for the bill in Italian. Simple as.
As a recognisable name on the UK high street, the authentic Italian eatery dates back nearly three and a half decades, the London-born deli and food shop going on to open its first-ever sit-down venue called Carluccio’s Caffè back in 1999.
In addition to their long-standing Manchester location in Piccadilly Station, the brand was also a shop-window establishment for the Trafford Centre, sitting front and centre as one of the first places to eat as you walked in the Orient entrance.
Now, as for how you access this welcome bit of money off your bill, it’s very straightforward and can be secured as fast as you can say “The bill, please”; well, actually, you need to ask for it in Italian, as it is this phrase that Carluccio’s has dubbed the ‘secret code’.
Following a study by language learning app, Preply, which recently carried out research into menu anxiety and struggling to make a decision when dining out, they’ve teamed up with Carluccio‘s to help push people to feel more confident ordering dishes not in their native tongue.
They found that almost half (49%) have felt embarrassed about not speaking another language, with one fifth of those surveyed lacking the confidence to try and pronounce foreign words, while one in six worried they’d be judged for getting it wrong.
Well, there’s no getting it wrong in this instance, as the Carluccio’s and Preply are giving you the specific keywords not only to ask for the bill in Italian – “Il conto, per favore” – but to unlock the bonus of a quarter off the final sum.
Anna Pyshna, spokesperson at Preply, says: “People may know how to say gnocchi in theory, but when the waiter’s standing there, confidence can vanish. We want to show that getting things wrong is part of learning and sometimes, even worth a discount.
“By turning a simple phrase into a real-world reward, we’re helping people take that first, brave step to speak up. It’s a reminder that the language learning process doesn’t start with perfection, it starts with the willingness to try.”
So, that really is it: dine at any of their restaurants across the country (including here in Manchester) and ask for the bill in Italian to get 25% off your bill; once again, the offer is only on until 9 November. You can find your nearest Carluccio’s location HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
20th January 2021 
