An exciting new era of spontaneity is set to land in the North-West as Cambeo, the completely FREE app that turns “What shall we do tonight?” into an instant adventure, officially soft launches in Manchester.
Created by hospitality insiders, college friends & local lads Sam Howkins (The Mews Bar & Charcuterie) and Ethan Davis, Cambeo is an independent start-up initiative, connecting people to live, limited-time offers from pubs, cocktail bars, breweries, street-food kitchens, independent gig venues and more—no advance booking, no hidden fees.
The app is designed to make spontaneous city adventures effortless and rewarding. Simply download it, set your vibe—whether it’s live music, craft beer, retro arcade games, or late-night pizza—and get notified when a nearby venue launches a live, time-sensitive offer that matches your interests.
From sunny outdoor tables and empty bowling lanes to unsold gig tickets or leftover shuffleboard slots, local businesses use the app to fill spaces in real time. When the alert hits your phone, all you have to do is show up, redeem, and enjoy. It’s like a surprise button for your social life – connecting you with the best the city has to offer, while helping local businesses thrive exactly when they need it.
Unlike traditional advertising or outdated discount platforms, Cambeo goes beyond food and drink. Users can discover experiences such as indie gigs, comedy nights, escape rooms, art classes, VR arcades, board-game cafés and late-night vinyl sessions (to name just a few). All in one place, separate from your social media. After all, you shouldn’t have to follow every pub, bar & restaurant in Manchester just to keep up with what’s happening.
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Since launching, local hospitality partners include games bar Electric Shuffle, Crown & Kettle, The Freemount, Kongs Nq, 53Two, Quarter House and more, taking part in the app’s private BETA testing phase last month. With many more onboarded for its public beta.
Both Howkins and Davis feel passionately about supporting the local hospitality industry, having grown up in Manchester and established careers in hospitality.
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Sam Howkins, co-founder of Cambeo, said: “I’m a firm believer that the best days & nights out are the truly spontaneous ones, where you meet up with friends after work for one drink and before you know it you’re dining out in a restaurant you’ve never heard of and tagging along to a last-minute gig. We’ve worked really hard to bring that concept of spontaneity into the app, to help people be more spontaneous and explore new experiences.
Whether you’re struggling for ideas for date night, wanting to dine somewhere different with friends, or looking for an experience to socialise without it being based entirely around drinking, we’re looking to offer everything all within one app. No more scouring dozens of websites.
We’re confident we’ve created a truly win-win situation for everyone with Cambeo, businesses are able to instantly combat quiet periods of trade, while users can experience somewhere new, save money AND know they’re helping local businesses.
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I’ve worked in hospitality for over 11 years, so I know the struggles that the industry is facing with more and more businesses closing every week. Everyone wants to support their local, but it’s tough on the consumer also. We’re aiming to help fix all of that.
I’ve had the idea for the app for about 9 years, working on it for the past 3 and I’m really, really excited for the people of Manchester to experience it, I only wish I had started on it sooner!”
Ethan Davis, co-founder of Cambeo, said: “The current struggles aren’t just limited to hospitality, so Cambeo is a platform that is open to all businesses which have quiet times, from bars & restaurants, independent pubs, experiences, activity venues, gig venues, theatres, museums & art galleries. You name it, we want to help you experience it. If you’re a business that wants to welcome more people through your doors, Cambeo is here for you.
Hopefully people want to live more in the moment and try somewhere new? And best of all, it’s completely FREE!”
Cambeo is available to download from Monday 29th September on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Early adopters will unlock surprise launch perks and become Manchester’s go-to experts for where to head next.
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Following the soft launch in Manchester, Cambeo will be expanding to cities across the UK, helping users to find places and recommendations personalised to them. With plenty more features to be added into the app.
The app remains in its early stages, with the team encouraging support & patience from the people of Manchester as it continues to grow. As a small start-up focused on strengthening the hospitality industry during a challenging period, the initiative also aims to provide users with valuable opportunities to save money.
Lovely last-minute Mother’s Day ideas from Selfridges in Manchester
The Manc
Mother’s Day is this Sunday – and if those words have just sent you into a blind panic, just take a breath and head straight across to Selfridges.
The huge department store has come up with all sorts of things that make for perfect last-minute gifts and experiences.
That includes a carefully curated selection of gifts available in-store, plus a very special Morning With Mum beauty workshop so you can spend some quality time together on Mother’s Day.
Selfridges can be your one-stop shop for the big day.
In both Exchange Square and Trafford Centre stores, you can pick up lovely gifts like feast-filled hampers, fabulous accessories, luxury chocolates, candles, and even cards.
As always, there are gifts you can have personalised in-store for a sentimental present for the mother figure in your life.
If you’re really stuck, you can pop along to the Beauty Concierge and book her an experience.
And over in Selfridges Exchange Square, you can pick up a beautiful fresh bouquet from The Royal Exchange Florists.
Selfridges has loads of last-minute Mother’s Day ideas
There’s rarely a gift more precious than quality time together, which is why Selfridges will be hosting a special Mother’s Day floor-wide beauty event on Saturday 14 March.
Ticket-holders will receive expert beauty advice from your favourite brands, while enjoying complimentary drinks and sweet treats.
There’ll also be plus exclusive gifts with purchase available, and giveaways on the day, and you can redeem the £20 ticket price against products purchased on the day.
You can even grab an artist print for mum at the vending machine.
Tickets for the Morning With Mum beauty workshop are on sale HERE.
You could also share a moment over a glass of champagne at San Carlo in both locations, or grab a sweet treat from the bakery in the Trafford Centre store.
First look at enormous The Mystery of Banksy exhibition as it opens in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Europe’s most popular Banksy exhibition has officially landed in Manchester, displaying hundreds of reimagined works inspired by one of the world’s most prolific artists.
Making its UK debut, The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind documents the street artist’s illustrious global career and showcases his most famous artwork.
An enormous purpose-built exhibition space has taken shape at Depot Mayfield in the city centre, where visitors weave their way through a maze of documentary footage, sculptures, prints, graffiti, photographs and paintings.
The exhibition has already stunned millions of visitors across 36 cities, from Berlin to Stockholm, and now it’s Manchester’s turn to step inside the mind of Banksy.
Huge pieces have been spraypainted on site to suit and fit the mammoth space that is Depot Mayfield.
95% of the art pieces are recreations of lost Banksy artwork – whether those originals have been sold, covered, or destroyed, removing them from public view.
The fascination collection highlights artworks which have often been placed in locations that raise awareness for political and social issues, whether it’s the steelworks in Port Talbot, or the rubble of war-torn cities.
Installations include Palestine Wall, a remodelling of the walls in Gaza and the West Bank, where Banksy has sprayed a range of murals since 2003.
One gallery showcases Banksy’s work in war-torn UkraineThere are photo opportunities throughout the exhibitionRecreations of Banksy’s most famous artworks are on display
You can also step inside a set inspired by The Walled Off Hotel, Banksy’s boutique hotel in Bethlehem which overlooks the concrete separation wall.
While you can no longer safely visit many of these artworks in real life, The Mystery Of Banksy is doing its best to bring them to life here in Manchester.
His political works are displayed in every room, including reimaginings of his pieces created on ruined buildings in war-torn Ukraine.
There are also famous sculptures like Death of a Phone Booth, Angel Bust, and Suicide Bomber.
And visitors can walk through a recreated London Underground carriage that was turned into an immersive Banksy artwork in 2020, called If You Don’t Mask, You Don’t Get.
Recreations of Banksy’s most famous artworks are on displayThere are sculptures, documentary footage, and loads morePaintings by patients of The Christie are also on display
You’ll be able to explore a timeline of milestones in Banksy’s career, from his graffiti work in Bristol in the early 90s all the way through iconic cultural moments like his Dismaland theme park and his documentary film Exit Through the Gift Shop.
The exhibition also explains why Banksy began using stencils – something he is best-known for – and shows his early and most famous stencil work, like Mild Mild West and Kissing Coppers.
As you weave through the custom-built exhibition space, you’ll pass sets like the Barely Legal Room, which gives a glimpse inside his three-day warehouse installation in LA, dominated by a gigantic red elephant sculpture (the real exhibition used a live elephant).
There are photo opportunities along the way too, where you can pose with work like Girl with Balloon.
The Christie is the official partner for The Mystery of Banksy, which will raise money towards a new Total Body PET-CT scanner through ‘tap to donate’ spots around the exhibition, alongside a dedicated charity event takeover and an exclusively commissioned artwork which will be donated for auction.
John Carrigan, Director of Cartel Events Limited, says “We’re excited to launch the ‘Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind’ in Manchester, the UK’s hub of modern culture. In partnership with Europe’s leading entertainment promoter, COFO Exhibitions, who holds 50 years of experience in revolutionary international exhibitions, visitors can expect a spectacle of reenvisioned accessible artworks for all.’’
Louise Hadley, Chief Executive of The Christie Charity, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to be the chosen charity for The Mystery of Banksy, A Genius Mind exhibition. It is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us and one that will ultimately benefit cancer patients both now and in the future.”
Open to all, standard adult tickets start at £22. Tickets are free for curious minds under the age of six, with concession tickets also available for seven-16 year olds, seniors and all NHS workers.
Daisy Jackson -
29th September 2025 
