If you don’t believe that Manchester is the gaming capital of the UK, then the press surrounding MeetspaceVR over in Trafford will convince you otherwise.
After opening up over in Trafford Park at the back end of 2022, Meetspace wasn’t the only place you could enjoy virtual reality in the city, but it was the only site you could find full-fledged free-roam VR experiences — and it still is.
That being said, it’s no wonder that the reviews for MeetspaceVR are nothing short of incredible, with Gizmodo calling it “the best, most captivating, immersive and present virtual reality experience [they’ve] ever tried” and Forbes dubbing it “the world’s most advanced, free-roaming virtual reality”.
In fact, CNET went so far as to call what’s going on in the unassuming warehouse in Trafford, “the future of video games, arcades and amusement thrills all in one” and, in case you didn’t guess already, we tend to agree.
Following the success of their original venues in London and Manchester, MeetspaceVR has now expanded into a total of seven different sites across Guildford, Thatcham, Nottingham, Birmingham, Bristol, Wembley and, of course, right here in Trafford.
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On top of that, they’ve also added some seriously impressive new games to their overall selection, including Far Cry: Dive Into Insanity and a brand new VR Escape Room, Huxley. Oh yeah, did we mention they have VR escape rooms too? Well, they do.
Better still, MeetspaceVR Manchester is the only location where you can play their groundbreaking Zero Latency VR titles, the industry-leading developers behind their free-roam VR experiences.
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With seven different Zero Latency games, 13 different escape rooms and literally dozens of VR Arcade games, not to mention the likes of Mario Kart and many other console classics to play when you need a break from the virtual world, there really is something for everyone. We’ve been back multiple times since our first visit and we still haven’t got through everything on offer.
The thing we love most about MeetspaceVR is that it isn’t like most other virtual experiences in Manchester or anywhere else in the country for that matter: i.e. stood on the spot with your headset on and just waving joysticks around, often on your own. This place is like no other.
The reason MeetspaceVR Trafford is so mind-blowing is that not only does it offer fully free-roam experiences but it’s also built for multiplayer, with sessions available for up to eight people per arena at a time, making it the perfect venue for away days with work, birthday parties, stag dos and more.
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Whether you fancy fighting off hordes of zombies, becoming an archer in a medieval fantasy world, competing against your mates in a futuristic PvP shootout, or trying your hand at any of their other incredible VR experiences, we guarantee it’ll be the best day out you’ve had in a long time.
You can book yourself in for a life-changing VR experience HERE.
Cheshire Oaks to debut first-ever ice rink with iconic Christmas tree in the middle to skate around
Emily Sergeant
Cheshire Oaks has unveiled its big plans for the upcoming festive season.
With less than 100 days until Christmas is here, and festive events being announced left, right, and centre, Cheshire Oaks has now joined in on the action, and for the first time ever this year will be adding a bespoke ice rink into the mix, which is set to become centrepiece of its festive celebrations this Christmas season.
The Designer Outlet shopping mall is already known and loved in the North West for its Christmas events each year, and 2025 is set to be no different.
The highly-anticipated ice rink attraction will launch in late October, and it’s already promising to be an ‘unforgettable experience’ that organisers say blends the timeless joy of ice skating with contemporary design and community spirit.
A brand-new ice rink is coming to Cheshire Oaks with a big Christmas tree in the middle to skate around / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of the new ice rink will be a custom-designed ice path that gracefully weaves around Cheshire Oaks’ iconic oak Christmas tree in the centre.
The rink itself will be nestled within a dedicated Christmas events space at the shopping village.
“We are incredibly excited to soon introduce this bespoke ice rink experience to our guests,” says Kenny Murray, who is the General Manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
“It’s more than just a place to skate – it will be a destination where families and friends can create cherished festive moments.”
There’ll be lots of other fan-favourite festive activities returning too / Credit: Supplied
The new ice rink will officially open on Friday 24 October, and tickets will be available soon, with the option to book in advance online or on the day, so keep your eyes peeled.
Alongside the exciting new ice rink addition will, of course, be some of Cheshire Oaks’ fan-favourite Christmas attractions – including the ‘The Big Wheel’ and ‘Santa in the Sky’ experiences, as well as festive film screenings, and the massively popular Winter Village.
The Winter Village is the perfect place to head to if you’re in need of a break from gift shopping and somewhere to soak up the Christmas spirit, as here you can grab a cosy seat and tuck into some traditional German bratwurst from the swing grill, warm up with mulled wine at the bar, and marvel at the UK’s tallest Christmas tree.
You can also book a little wooden hut to relax in, with each hut accommodating up to six people.
The Big Wheel is also one of Cheshire Oaks’ best-loved experiences each year, as here you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy watching the festivities unfold below you, with each flight taking 10 minutes, or you can upgrade to Santa in the Sky to meet the main man in the most unique way possible.
Find out everything happening at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Things To Do
Huge vintage home show to take over historic Manchester building next month
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most historic buildings is set to host a huge home show full of vintage finds next month.
The Vintage Home Show is taking over Victoria Baths for their second event of the year.
For anyone looking to add a retro touch to their homes, this is a chance to feast your eyes on a carefully-curated collection of furniture, homeware, ceramics, artworks, vinyl records, and more stocked by more than 60 knowledgeable sellers in a welcoming atmosphere amid the empty Grade II-listed swimming pool.
Planning to renovate in a vintage style? Or looking for one missing piece of the puzzle? This event can help you track down that something special for your home.
From one-off minimalist pieces, to mass-market retro and kitsch classics, with prices for items starting from as little as £1, you’ll have the chance to shop the collections of dozens of quality independent dealers from right around the UK, all under one historic roof.
Browse a selection of vibrant stalls featuring pieces spanning from the mid-century decades to the bold brightness of the 1990s, and everything in between.
No matter what your budget, you’ll find that gorgeous something to suit your impeccable taste.
Once you’ve finished shopping everything you need to transform your home, you can stop off at Victoria Baths’ on-site cafe to treat yourself to a selection of cakes, savouries, pastries, and soup, as well as both hot and cold drinks.
A huge vintage home show will be taking over the historic Victoria Baths in Manchester next month / Credit: Vintage Home Show
The Vintage Home Fair will take over Victoria Baths on Sunday 5 October, kicking off from 10:30am for keen shoppers after ‘Early Bird’ entry, while ‘Standard Entry’ starts at 11am and runs through the day until 3:30pm.
Due to popularity, the event will be operating a timed ticket entry process, that way organisers can manage the numbers of visitors in the building at any one time to allow everyone a chance to see everything.
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Tickets are now on sale, priced anywhere from £2 to £6 depending on the time you go, so you simply need to arrive anytime within your allocated hour and stay as long as you wish.
Danny Jones -
5th May 2023 
