Sponsored

A massive ‘gaming extravaganza’ is happening at the Science and Industry Museum next month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 9th March 2023

A massive “gaming extravaganza” is happening down at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester next month.

With only a couple of weeks to go before schools right across Greater Manchester are out for the Easter holidays, families may already be on the look-out for some fun and educational ways to keep the little ones entertained – and luckily, the Science and Industry Museum has, as it always does, got you covered.

For all the gamers out there, the beloved visitor attraction in the heart of the city centre has organised a packed programme of gaming, animated adventure, and digital discovery events inspired by its hugely-popular ongoing interactive gaming experience, Power UP.

From Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 April, visitors will be transported inside their favourite games as part of the Actual Reality Arcade – a life-size nostalgic gaming experience that’s promising to “unlock memories” players star in real-life versions of some retro favourite games, including Invaders and Breakout. 

Young gaming lovers can also explore a special Pac-Man floor maze, and families can level up together with some super-size gaming too.

ADVERTISEMENT
A massive ‘gaming extravaganza’ is happening at the Science and Industry Museum next month / Credit: Science Museum Group

If you haven’t had the chance to head on down to the museum to check out Power UP for yourself yet, then now’s your chance, as on top of the special Spring events, the exhibition also showcases the very-best video games from the past five decades, and gives you the opportunity to try over a hundred different consoles to rediscover childhood favourites and test out some of the latest developments in virtual reality.

You can also revel in nostalgia with retro arcade classics Pong and Pac-Man, rock out on Guitar Hero, and tackle a virtual reality mission with Astro Bot.

ADVERTISEMENT

The museum’s team of expert Explainers will also be on hand to lead the ultimate gaming geek-out, as they share the secrets behind the latest technology that’s bringing huge advances in graphics and game playing.

There’ll also be plenty of chances to get creative alongside professionals from the gaming industry.

There’s a packed programme of gaming, animated adventure, and digital discovery events / Credit: Science Museum Group

“We’re so excited to turn the museum into a playground of super-sized gaming fun this spring holiday,” explained Tash Camberwell – School and Families Producer at the Science and Industry Museum.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We want to inspire visitors with ideas that have changed the world by discovering Manchester’s amazing contribution to the gaming industry as we look to the future, supporting the next generation shaping it through careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.

“From Pong to Pac-man, there’s something for everyone this April, so whether you’re an experienced gamer or picking up a console for the first time, come along and get involved.”

The world of gaming not really up your street though? There’s still time to check out the museum’s new world-first exhibition, Turn It Up: The power of music, for the chance to make some noise and get creative with hands-on activities – including building your own music-makers, creating your very-own tunes in a specially-commissioned ‘musical playground’, and exploring the secrets and science of sound.

Families with younger children can also enjoy activities specifically designed to “spark creativity in young minds”, with free Construction Packs on offer to take round the museum.

You can experience first-hand how far games and gaming technologies have advanced over the years / Credit: Science Museum Group

The Science and Industry Museum will be open throughout the Easter holidays, with general admission tickets to the museum free, but tickets to Power UP and Turn It Up setting adults back £8 and children £6 each.

ADVERTISEMENT

Further details of Spring activities can be found on the museum’s website.

Read more:

Book tickets either through the museum’s website here, or by calling 033 0058 0058. 

Featured Image – Science Museum Group

Sponsored

The incredible Manchester apartments where your rent includes a Jaguar

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

One of Manchester’s most beautiful places to live has just got even more desirable, with Moda, Angel Gardens adding a pair of luxury Jaguar cars to its list of resident perks. 

Residents at the city centre apartment neighbourhood will now be able to have on-demand access to fully electric Jaguar I-PACE cars. 

They can easily book out a car through their MyModa app, then take them out for a spin for up to 48 hours at a time. 

It means that city centre-dwellers will easily be able to explore all that Greater Manchester has to offer, from the market towns on the region’s outskirts to the countryside that surrounds the city centre. 

And it also means that Moda residents can have access to a car without the little stresses like finding a parking space. 

The new private car-sharing pilot has launched at Moda neighbourhoods in both Manchester and Leeds this week. 

One of the Jaguar I-PACE electric SUVs that Moda, Angel Gardens residents can book. Credit: The Manc Group
One of the Jaguar I-PACE electric SUVs that Moda, Angel Gardens residents can book. Credit: The Manc Group
Moda, Angel Gardens residents can book their Jaguar through the MyModa app
Moda, Angel Gardens residents can book their Jaguar through the MyModa app. Credit: The Manc Group
The interior of the luxury Jaguar I-PACE
The interior of the luxury Jaguar I-PACE. Credit: The Manc Group

Each Jaguar I-PACE booking includes concierge handover, charging, valeting, insurance, and vehicle ownership costs, as people embrace the sharing economy. 

It’s part of Jaguar’s transition to become a leading provider of luxury experiences. 

Since its debut, the Jaguar I-PACE – an all-electric SUV – has won more than 90 global awards, including the unprecedented treble at the 2019 World Car of the Year Awards. It won World Car Design of the Year, World Green Car AND World Car of the Year.

Oscar Brooks, executive director at Moda Living, said: “At Moda we are committed to sustainability and leading the industry transition to a low-carbon future, with the aim of achieving operational net zero carbon by 2030. 

“This partnership with Jaguar offers our residents easy on-site access to an all-electric car, allowing them flexibility while being mindful of their carbon emissions, something which is another important step on that journey. 

“Our longer-term aspiration is to provide access to sustainable transport to our growing 24,000 home pipeline.”  

An apartment at Moda, Angel Gardens. Credit: The Manc Group
An apartment at Moda, Angel Gardens. Credit: The Manc Group
Facilities at Moda, Angel Gardens include a gym and a rooftop sports pitch
Facilities at Moda, Angel Gardens include a gym and a rooftop sports pitch. Credit: The Manc Group
Facilities at Moda, Angel Gardens include a gym and a rooftop sports pitch
Facilities at Moda, Angel Gardens include a gym and a rooftop sports pitch
An apartment at Moda, Angel Gardens
An apartment at Moda, Angel Gardens. Credit: The Manc Group

Rawdon Glover, managing director at Jaguar, said: “At Jaguar, we are carefully considering every aspect of our client journey as we progress to an all-electric luxury car company from 2025. 

“As we explore alternatives to direct car ownership, this scheme provides a client centred mobility solution with on-demand concierge access to the all-electric I-PACE. 

“Future Jaguar clients are continually looking for alternatives to car purchasing and we will closely monitor the success of this initiative and consider expanding across major cities around the world.”

Other amenities at Moda, Angel Gardens include a cinema room, rooftop sports pitch, a gym, co-working spaces and private dining rooms. 

It’s also on the doorstep of Manchester’s vibrant city centre, with Pot Kettle Black coffee shop on its ground floor, and cultural hotspots like Band on the Wall, Mackie Mayor, and Ramona just across the road. 

To find out more about life at Moda, Angel Gardens, visit modaliving.com/locations/manchester/angel-gardens.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

Sponsored

The complete guide to the restaurant and bars at Kampus, Manchester’s greenest neighbourhood and foodie hotspot

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The food and drink guide to the restaurants and bars at Kampus in Manchester

In what feels like the blink of an eye, Kampus has become one of Manchester’s most exciting hubs for restaurants and bars. 

After work, at weekends, at lunchtimes and for breakfast, the various businesses who have popped up around its central garden are packed, with people travelling from all over the city centre (and beyond) to visit the canal-side neighbourhood. 

What started as some abandoned university buildings and a couple of warehouses has soon shaped up into some of the city centre’s best accommodation. 

And then the trees around the garden began to flourish, and with it so did the collection of food and drink operators opening at Kampus. 

For those who have chosen Kampus as their home, they’re blessed with having Manchester’s best independent restaurants and bars quite literally on their doorstep. 

But for the rest of us, we can make do with the very easy walk from Piccadilly. 

Over the last few years, we’ve seen some familiar names move in, joined by some exciting new faces. 

Local favourites like Pollen Bakery and Nell’s (created by the team behind the institution that is Common) were the first to announce they’d be moving into the Kampus neighbourhood. 

Then they were joined by the likes of Seven Brothers Brewery, and Great North Pie Co. 

Then businesses started making the move over from neighbouring cities, like Madre, who chose Kampus for their first proper Manchester restaurant. 

Now, this is a neighbourhood where you can grab a slice and a pint in your gym kit, where you can bask in the very last of the summer sun on a terrace with a cheeseboard, and where you can dress up to the nines to drink exceptional cocktails – without ever having to cross a street. 

Here’s our ultimate guide to the restaurants, bars and cafes of Kampus in Manchester.

Nell’s

Nell's New York pizza at Kampus in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Nell’s New York pizza at Kampus in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Nell's New York pizza at Kampus in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Nell’s New York pizza at Kampus in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Massive 22-inch pizzas (or 11-inch slices if you’re not feeling quite that ravenous), happy hour margaritas, a photobooth and great beers. That’s the vibe at Nell’s. 

This huge site has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the Kampus garden and canal, perfect for people-watching and soaking in the sun. 

Beeswing

Food at Beeswing. Credit: The Manc Group
Food at Beeswing. Credit: The Manc Group
Beeswing, a wine bar at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group
Beeswing, a wine bar at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group

Head on up the stairs from the garden and you’ll find a little slice of paradise, especially if you, like us, are a wine drinker. 

Beeswing has a great selection of small plates and cheese boards, plus plugs outside on the terrace so you can take your laptop and fire out emails while firing olives into your mouth. 

Yum Cha

Yum Cha, Kampus
Yum Cha, Kampus
Yum Cha, Kampus
Yum Cha, Kampus

Colourful, fresh stacks of dim sum and some truly enormous portions of Chinese food that are great value for money are the order of the day at Yum Cha. 

This neon-soaked restaurant serves fiery dishes like Singapore vermicelli and king prawn or char siu firecracker, alongside the likes of sweet and sour chicken, dan dan noodles and grilled chicken satay.

Pollen

Pollen Bakery at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group
Pollen Bakery at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group
Pollen Bakery at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group
Pollen Bakery at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group

We probably don’t need to tell you about Pollen Bakery, it’s such a local institution. 

But in case you’re unfamiliar, this place is renowned for its pastries – freshly-baked croissants, cookies, cruffins and more – and its loaves of bread and excellent coffee. 

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s all served in its sunny garden-side cafe space where you can watch the kitchens in action behind more huge glass windows. 

Great North Pie Co.

Great North Pie Co at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group
Great North Pie Co at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group
Great North Pie Co at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group
Great North Pie Co at Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group

Us northerners love a pie and you’d be hard-pressed to find one better than Great North Pie Co.’s.

This cosy pie and mash cafe prides itself on using quality ingredients from the north west, like classic Lancashire cheese and onion pie, made with Dewlay’s tasty Lancashire cheese and caramelised onion, and 14-hour braised beef and ale pie, with Manchester Union Lager and redcurrant jelly.

Red Light

Red Light bar at Kampus
Red Light bar at Kampus
Red Light bar at Kampus
Red Light bar at Kampus

Already establishing itself as one of Manchester’s best bars is Red Light, a queer cocktail bar just off the cobbled Little David Street. 

The brainchild of Deana Ferguson, it’s all about refined cocktails, natural wines and locally-brewed ales, soundtracked by disco beats.

ADVERTISEMENT

Seven Brothers

Seven Brothers. Credit: The Manc Group
Seven Brothers. Credit: The Manc Group
Seven Brothers. Credit: The Manc Group
Seven Brothers. Credit: The Manc Group

This well-known local brewery has taken up a Kampus unit that fronts out onto the Kampus garden, and it’s got to be one of Manchester’s best-looking beer gardens. 

You know the drill here – Seven Brother’s huge range of beers, with occasional live music and lots of great vibes. 

Madre

The newest kid on the Kampus block is Madre, but it’s familiar to a lot of us already – it’s been spoiling Liverpool with its incredible Mexican fare for years. 

It’s got a menu of mouth-watering tacos, wood-grilled seafood and steaks, fresh oysters and ceviche, not to mention ice-cold margaritas.

To find out more about Kampus, head here.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

More Sponsored

Eats

Iconic Manchester nightclub Panacea reopens as IKaro, a new grill and champagne bar

IOLLA eyewear Hatch pop-up Manchester glasses shops

City Centre

Eyewear brand IOLLA are offering one-to-one glasses styling sessions at Hatch

who are the chemical brothers formed in manchester arena tour tickets

Audio

The Chemical Brothers’ Ed Simons on upcoming arena tour, forming in Manchester and how the city influenced them

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches