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Kids & Family

A giant game of Alice in Wonderland is taking over the streets of Manchester

The escape room-style game is coming to Manchester later this year

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 29th July 2022
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Have you ever wanted to follow the white rabbit down that mysterious hole? Well, now is your chance.

For one day only the streets of Manchester will be transformed into a giant Alice In Wonderland-inspired game, where teams will be invited to complete challenges styled on the weird and wonderful world of Lewis Carroll’s topsy turvy children’s tale.

Bringing to life beloved characters from the story like the Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts, Mad Hatter and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the game will spread out across the city centre over the course of a day.

Image: Clued Up

Playing in teams of six, groups will find themselves scrambling around town, using the CluedUpp Games app to navigate their way to victory.

As the Cheshire Cat feeds out clues that seem to get curioser and curioser you and your team will need to solve riddles and take on some baffling challenges from the Mad Hatter in order to uncover a dark secret at the heart of Wonderland.

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Taking place in Manchester on Saturday 26 November, team tickets are priced at £60, but for a limited time only you can get 50% off by using the code ‘TAKE50’ at checkout.

Read more: Andy Burnham is DJing in Manchester again next month

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All in the spirit of fun, dressing up as characters from the tale is very much encouraged – with adults, children and even dogs all welcome to play along.

Image: Clued Up
Image: Clued Up
Image: Clued Up

The one-off event is being hosted by CluedUpp Games, an award-winning games studio that creates unique, outdoor experiences in over 80 countries across the world.

Known for turning city streets into unmissable adventures, their immersive events are part mystery-solving and part escape-room, making them perfect for groups of friends and families alike.

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Read more: Manchester to host the world’s largest Banksy exhibit

Conquer challenges, test your puzzle-solving skills and play against hundreds of other teams in a unique city-wide experience.

To find out more and purchase your ticket, click here.

Feature image – Clued Up

Kids & Family

Review | Snow Patrol roll back the years at Co-op Live for a mini-Manc’s first gig

Danny Jones Danny Jones Snow Patrol Co-op Live gig review Manchester
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This weekend we enjoyed a new kind of live music experience: rediscovering the joy of listening to a childhood favourite by watching it through the eyes of the next generation – that was how we witnessed a fully-fledged arena return to Manchester for Snow Patrol at Co-op Live.

And it was special for lots of reasons.

Taking a little one to their first gig is something you’ll never forget and sharing a new-found connection with a band that you loved when you were their age is one of those magical things about music that we’re eternally grateful for.

You might assume the Snow Patrol crowd one skews a little older for the most part but we were pleased to see there were more than a few kids and teenagers donning tour tees, looking wide-eyed at the sheer size of the Co-op Live arena, and singing the words back better than Gary Lightbody at times.

co-op live etihad campus walkway
snow patrol manchester review
Sees the sign: ‘Race you there!’ (Credit: Audio North)

Yes, the Belfast-born frontman made a few mistakes on the night, but it did add a rather laid-back quality to what many acts might have found a daunting performance: playing a sell-out night to around 23,500 fans inside the enormous state-of-the-art venue.

But, obviously, there wasn’t even a whiff of nerves from these lads.

You don’t get to have been around for this long and become as successful as they are without being able to relax on stage and lean into those idiosyncratic perfections that feel more like private moments shared between the artist and the crowd.

The young lad sat watching it with us certainly got a kick out of it and though we might not have been able to cover his ears in time to censor some light but ever-charming swear words (it always sounds better in Irish, don’t you think?), it made for some nice banter between him and the crowd.

Big props must go to Johnny McDaid on the keys too, who besides having written for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams, Alicia Keys, Biffy Clyro and countless others over the years, also managed to impress by playing the majority of this entire tour after having trapped his hand in a train door. OUCH.

johnny mcdaid broken hand tour
co-op live 2025 gig reviews
Credit: The Manc Group

Not only was that little interlude up there with one of the most applause-worthy parts of the entire show, but we were always pretty blown away by what we saw, as we all as what we heard.

Be it watching a digital tree come to life, shed its leaves and then fall as petal confetti, two sheer semi-opaque paper-thin screens swirl to create the album cover art for their latest album, or kicking the gig off with ‘Take Back The City’ as a multicoloured skyline appeared behind them, it was all pretty incredible.

We even got to hear a personal favourite of ours, ‘Set Fire To The Third Bar’, complete with a virtual performance from the voice that truly makes the song: Martha Wainwright.

It was in moments like this when we turned to see a 10-year-old’s face not quite sure of what it was seeing but an open-mouthed expression confirming they were finding it as stunning as we were.

We thoroughly enjoyed going through the back catalogue and working our way right up to plenty of the songs from The Forest Is The Path – which Gary himself firmly believes is their best work yet when we interviewed him – but it was as visually stunning as it was to the gorgeous sonically.

the forest is the path tour
Up there with one of the prettiest gig snapshots in our memory.
snow patrol martha wainwright
Not quite a hologram but very cool nonetheless.
The production levels are always top-tier at Co-op Live but the Snow Patrol set was much more impressive than we expected.

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All in all, we Snow Patrol were as good as ever – it really is as simple as that.

We had the privilege of seeing an intimate date at New Century Hall back in September 2024 and it’s always fascinating to see how a scaled-down acoustic set can be transformed into a big stadium show with all the bells and whistles.

Both proved to be a brilliant way to see the contemporary rock, indie and alternative veterans, but there’s something about giving them a stage as big as this that reminds you of just how much they deserve it.

Last but not least, thanks to Co-op Live not just for having but for creating a little boy’s memory that he’ll never forget.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Kids & Family

Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters
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Jellycat has launched a shiny new store, this time in Manchester city centre – and they brought exclusive new characters with them.

The beloved soft toy brand has unveiled its newest location within Selfridges on Exchange Square, filled with all the adorable plushie animals and objects you already know and love, plus some new friends that are exclusive to Manchester.

Making their debut in our city are Salty Steve and Vinny Vinegar, two adorable smiling condiment bottles, plus Clemont Lemon, a sunny yellow soft toy, and Charlie Chip in his flat cap.

As part of the iconic Fish & Chips range, Mancs will also be able to take home Lily Fish, Cosy Chips, and Dot and Peggy Mushy Peas.

The Jellycat Fish & Chips van became a social media sensation after launching in London.

And the arrival of Jellycat General Store at The Trafford Centre in Manchester last year was a similarly exciting addition to the city.

Inside the adorable space are larger-than-life oversized Jellycat favourites including Amuseables Cosy Chips, and Chip Seagull, perfect for a photo opportunity.

Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters - Vinny Vinegar
Vinny Vinegar
Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters - Clemont Lemon
Clemont Lemon
Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters - Charlie Chip
Charlie Chip
Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters - Lily Fish
Lily Fish
Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters
Inside the new Jellycat store
Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters
Eggetha Egg & Lance Soldier

Jane Sharrocks, Store Director at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the Jellycat General Store to Selfridges Exchange Square.

“We know our customers are huge Jellycat fans so we can’t wait to bring this iconic destination to our store.

“This launch means that our customers can purchase the characters from the exclusive Fish & Chips collection for the first time outside of Selfridges London which is so exciting.

“With so many Jellycat favourites, it’s going to be hard to choose which ones to take home!”

The new Jellycat store is open today – Monday 17 February – at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

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