A handy new app is helping Man City and Man United fans carpool to Wembley for the FA Cup final
Starting out as an app designed to help students save money by ride-sharing, they are now giving both halves of Manchester an extra option for derby day.
A handy new app is helping Manchester City and Manchester United fans carpool down to Wembley for the FA Cup final amid the ongoing train strikes. Talk about timing.
STAXY is the ride-sharing app which has set up a special platform for fans of both clubs to connect with other supporters struggling to sort travel arrangements when it comes to heading down to London.
As alluded to in the video above, the app started out as a bespoke little tool to help university students safely carpool with other students to save money and reduce their impact on the environment in the process — a great little idea, right?
So, after the app’s success around various different uni communities, they thought the dilemma drummed up by an all-Manchester FA Cup final was the perfect opportunity to once again put their service to good use, once again saving them on stress and carbon footprint as well as time and money.
Although there are obviously coach services being operated across Greater Manchester and all over the country, in fact, the demand is obviously massive and there simply aren’t seats enough for everyone.
That’s where these lot come in. So, how does this specially-designed app work?
Well, as you can see, it all starts with you selecting your club — we don’t need anyone bickering in the backseat — and from there you can indicate whether you’re driving down to the match and are willing to take on passengers or if you yourself are in need of a lift.
Features include being able to put money towards petrol costs, with contributions being held until 24 hours after the journey has been completed to keep your money safe, info on car parks, e-bike points and public transport links nearWembley, and you can even track your carbon emissions throughout the journey. Impressive stuff.
As for anyone that’s wondering about safety, STAXY verifies the MOT and road tax of all vehicles signed up to the app, with all drivers asked to submit their license before being allowed to carpool and they must be over 18.
Moreover, users are able to view each other’s profiles before joining up and can share their live location with family and friends whenever they set off on a journey. Carpooling is already going to be essential in order for many City and United fans to get to Wembley, this just makes it that little bit easier.
If you’re going to the game and still haven’t sorted out your travel plans, you can download the app HERE.
Aspiring artists can get their work displayed on one of the biggest digital screens in Manchester
Danny Jones
Are you a budding artist looking to get your work seen or know some who is? Well, you might want to pay attention because there’s an opportunity to have your creation seen by countless passers-by and on one of the biggest displays in the entire UK over at the Printworks.
If you’ve passed through the much-loved hospitality and leisure complex over the past year or so, you’ll have noticed their roof is now no longer a roof at all, really; the striking ceiling is now a constantly moving image and the largest of its kind in all of Europe.
Meaning that anyone who got their artworks on there would effectively be securing one of the biggest displays and public installations on the continent.
As Printworks themselves put it: “This isn’t just a screen; it’s an artistic stage viewed by millions of visitors every year, with the power to turn a single artwork into a 360-degree sensory experience.”
With that in mind, they’re giving one lucky individual the chance to grab the spotlight and see their creative expression plastered on the 1,000m² wraparound LED canvas.
“Supporting emerging talent and seeing fresh, creative perspectives is always inspiring, and I can’t wait to see what these young artists bring to the table! It was so surreal seeing my artwork on the digital.”
Past installations have included the ‘Spaces Up-Above’ exhibition by world-renowned light artist, Rupert Newman, as well as an International Women’s Day showcase by Heitzman herself, as a fellow Manchester-based creative.
In case you need a better idea of the sheer scale of this screen and why this is such an exciting opportunity for up-and-coming local artists, here’s how they celebrated Oasis returning to Manchester for their Heaton Park reunion gigs this week:
Synchronised with sound and added motion effects, the competition is now open to students who are currently enrolled in college, university or art school.
Better still, you don’t even have to be from or based in the area to take part – this is a nationwide competition hoping to spotlight the best talents in the UK.
All you have to do to enter this exciting competition in Manchester is simply provide Printworks your details and upload your artwork of choice HERE by Sunday, 3 August.
Nostalgic ready-to-drink Breezer makes UK return after a decade
Daisy Jackson
An iconic ready-to-drink favourite has launched back into the UK – oh yes, Breezer is back.
First launched in the 1990s, Breezers – then pitched as an ‘alcopop’ – were a staple on dancefloors and at barbecues right across the UK.
And now Bacardi has decided to bring these delicious, fruity, easy-drinking bottles back to British shores.
There are three new flavours to try as Breezers return to your fridges – Zesty Orange, Zingy Lime, and Crisp Watermelon.
And Breezer launched back into Manchester last night with a suitably memorable party, turning a spot in the Northern Quarter into a corner shop.
The ‘local Cornerbop’ was stacked with your usual essentials, plus shelf after shelf of these colourful glass ready-to-drink bottles.
Inside the Breezer ‘Cornerbop’ corner shop in ManchesterBreezer is back, in three new flavours
The Breezer relaunch party saw Tarsza and Rennie Peters spinning nostalgic anthems with a modern twist at a pop-up party in a corner shop.
Steve Young, business unit director for Bacardi in the UK & Ireland, said: “We know there is a lot of love for Breezer in the UK, and we are confident a new generation of consumers will fall in love with the new Breezer.
“RTDs are booming, however, the Flavoured Alcoholic Beverages category could do with a bit more excitement. By bringing back Breezer we’re definitely putting the fruity taste into FAB.”
The iconic ready-to-drink classic is back – and better than ever.
Danny Jones -
23rd May 2023 
