Horror favourite Insidious and singalong classic Grease are just some of the films on show at the North West’s newest drive in cinema this weekend.
Summer Knights has officially arrived for a “sun-soaked bonanza of fun”, and it’s just in time for schools to be out this half term.
In case you haven’t heard, the region’s newest immersive event has taken over the abandoned Camelot Theme Park – a legendary Chorley-based attraction that made a name for itself entertaining the masses for nearly 30 years before it closed to the public for good back in 2012, and had sadly remained out-of-use and largely derelict ever since.
It comes after events company Park N Party – the team also behind previous sell-out seasonal drive-in events SecretCity, ScareCity, and ChristmasCity – brought the attraction’s abandoned rides and empty footpaths back to life with live actors, scene-setting lights and sounds, and more earlier this year for the hugely-popular Camelot Rises.
And now, Northern kids of the 80s, 90s, and 00s can truly revisit their youth, as the park has gone back to its days of Arthurian legend for the new entertainment attraction.
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Having kicked-off at the mythical land of Camelot last week, Summer Knights is already looking like Park N Party’s “brightest drive-in cinema yet”, and visitors are being given the chance to catch a wide selection of great films across four large screens once again this extended weekend.
There’ll be themed nights dedicated to cult movies, chilling horror, joyful singalongs, romance, and family-friendly fun.
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Fright Night commences with a screening of 2010 supernatural horror, Insidious, on Friday 27 May, and then lovers of a singalong can catch 2012’s smash-hit musical comedy, Pitch Perfect, starring Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson on Saturday 28 May.
Rounding out the week is the 2016 family-favourite animated musical, Sing!, on Sunday 29 May.
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While the movies may be the main event, Summer Knights isn’t your typical drive-in cinema experience, as you can expect everything from singing and dancing opportunities throughout, to classic cinema snacks, sweet treats, a beer garden, and plenty of outdoor seating too.
Just like all of Park N Party’s previous events, there will be a fully-licensed bar and a number of street food vendors on site to choose from too to make it a truly magical night.
With Summer Knights set to run right through to Saturday 25 June, some of the other film highlights in the genre-diverse lineup include Superbad, The Greatest Showman, True Romance, and Disney’s newest smash-hit, Encanto.
The King’s Man, Mamma Mia, Fight Club, and more will also be screened over the summer.
Summer Knights is already proving to be a “sun-soaked bonanza of fun” / Credit: Park N Party
Tickets for Summer Knights are now on sale, setting you back just £25 per vehicle.
Tiffany & Co opens glittering new store within Selfridges at the Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
One of the world’s most famous jewellery brands has opened a dazzling new store at Selfridges, as the Trafford Centre welcomes Tiffany & Co.
This heritage brand now has a presence on the lower level of the luxury department store, selling its most recognisable items.
The glittering new Tiffany & Co space is just beside the San Carlo champagne bar.
And although it’s tucked right in the heart of Selfridges, Tiffany & Co has gone to the effort of recreating the iconic windows from the New York flagship store, building a blue mosaic wall with window displays inside.
Shoppers will be able to perch on plush cream-coloured stools to try on items from its four Icons collections – HardWear, Lock, T, and Knot – before carrying your purchase off in that instantly-recognisable Tiffany blue bag.
Founded more than 180 years ago, Tiffany & Co is synonymous with New York City but loved globally.
The heritage brand’s T collection was inspired by the grid system of the streets and avenues of Manhattan, it helped to design the dollar bill, and also designed the invites for the opening of the Statue of Liberty.
Tiffany & Co at Selfridges Trafford Centre in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
The Tiffany setting was the first engagement ring to have the diamond displayed on the band (which is now the standard) rather than embedded within the band – even the emoji on all our phones is a ring design invented by Tiffany & Co.
It was the first jewellery designer to bring 925 sterling silver to the USA and it remains proud of its silver pieces.
This is also the only jewellery name with full traceability of its diamonds, and rejects a whopping 0.04% to ensure only the highest-quality gems are used in its jewellery, cutting them for beauty rather than size.
Tiffany & Co at Selfridges Trafford Centre in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
The brand has a lot of famous names associated with it – Dua Lipa has been proudly wearing Tiffany & Co jewellery on her tour and public appearances, Lady Gaga launched the Hardwear collection, and Miley Cyrus wore the ‘Elsa Peretti’ Bone cuff to receive her first Grammy Award.
Beyonce’s cowboy hat and even her in-house ear monitors for her Renaissance Tour were even created with Tiffany.
Tiffany & Co is also the creator of possibly the world’s most famous piece of jewellery, The Tiffany Yellow Diamond necklace, worn by only four women – Lady Gaga, Audrey Hepburn, Mary Whitehouse, and Beyonce.
The new Tiffany & Co Manchester is now open in store at Selfridges at the Trafford Centre.
VK has launched a divisive new festive alcopop flavour
Danny Jones
Beloved British drinks company VK has just launched a brand-new festive flavour for Christmas 2024 and let’s just say it’s proved to be a divisive one.
Known as one of the most popular alcopop producers in the UK, their Blue, Tropical Fruits, Black Cherry and numerous other flavours remain a popular beverage of choice across the country, be it at the pub, a house party or a cheekyChristmas tipple.
That being said, this holiday season VK are mixing things up even more than usual with an eye-catching returning flavour combo that has already got people talking – not least because they’ve hired the biggest digital billboard in Manchester to let people know about it.
As you can see, in typically bold fashion, VK’s marketing team not only took over one of the biggest digital billboards in Europe to promote this year’s festive flavour for 2024 but they’ve also made a cheeky nod to a beloved Christmas icon, posing the question ‘Who the VK is Terry?’
Oh, and as for the big fella in orange, no, he’s not called Terry – why’d you ask?
Follow VK’s TikTok and other social accounts to keep up to date with all of his shenanigans:
In all seriousness, taking inspiration from the much-loved chocolate orange flavoured and shaped confectionery that many people gift, receive and devour in spades every Christmas, VK has bottled the classic combo for their seasonal special and created a divisive Christmas alcopop.
The lightly carbonated bev remains the number one RTD (ready-to-drink) brand among students and is popular among various other demographics too, especially since there’s a flavour to suit pretty much everyone’s tastes.
However, the question is besides being a conversation starter, does liquid chocolate orange go down nicely and is it worthy of finding its way into stocking fillers this year?
The limited edition seasonal specialCredit: The Manc Group
Holly Bolus, Senior Brand Manager for VK, commented: “This activation is part of our new, bold marketing strategy, leveraging VK’s reputation for creating memorable experiences for our audience.
“Our brand ethos is all about fun and personality, so what better way to lean into this than with a tongue-in-cheek OOH campaign?”
VK Chocolate Orange is now available in their VK mixed pack for a limited time only. Get yours from Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Home Bargains and B&M – plus you could even get your hands on a free Christmas jumper too.
Targeting students and young adults who are looking for festive pre-drinks and party essentials, historically, VK’s seasonal flavours have a high rate of sale, making this year’s return even more significant for the brand.