Spread over two floors and spanning 4,000 sq metres, the first Urban Playground site is set to open on 10 February.
Urban Playground in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
ITV’s The Cube will be brought to life at Urban Playground, with teams of four taking on deceptively simple tasks inside the high-pressure confines of the familiar perspex box.
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There are seven games to try, like taking on obstacles blindfolded and collecting balls in a set time window.
Tickets for The Cube Live range from £30 to £45.
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Urban Playground is also home to Putters, a mini golf experience made up of three themed nine-hole challenges, where screens and animations bring every hole to life.
Putters at Urban Playground. Credit: Supplied
The Butcher at Urban Playground in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Putters can be played in groups of up to six, with tickets priced between £7 and £20.
Cocktail bar Putters Bar will serve a range of premium beers, wines, spirits and cocktails.
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The Butcher, which has a number of high-end restaurants in The Netherlands, Germany and Ibiza, will be serving top-quality burgers.
The brand uses Aberdeen Angus beef, fresh vegetables, signature sauces and semi-brioche buns to created a ‘high-end yet casual burger bar with an international charisma’.
Putters. Credit: Supplied
Yossi Eliyahoo, founder and co-owner at The Entourage Group said: “Over the past years, within The Entourage Group, The Butcher has developed into a successful brand with a lot of potential for further growth.”
Mellors Group, which is behind Urban Playground, is also responsible for some of the biggest theme parts and attractions in the world.
Edward Mellors, director of Urban Playground, said: “Mellors Group are thrilled to launch Urban Playground at Manchester Arndale. The Cube Live is the first of its kind along with a state-of-the-art Tech-Infused Putters mini golf and food franchise, The Butcher.
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“We hope this is the first of many Urban Playground attractions to be produced across the UK and cannot wait for doors to open to the public for the very first time.”
Holly Pye, commercial director at Objective Media Group, said: “We are very excited that The Cube is joining Urban Playground. At last members of the public will get the opportunity to play these iconic games for themselves and get a taste of the adrenaline that has had viewers hooked for over 11 series.”
Colin Finn, spokesperson for Manchester Arndale said: “It is great news that Urban Playground – which includes The Cube Live – has chosen Manchester Arndale as its first location in the UK.
“Urban Playground is a truly exciting, high-profile use with a unique experiential offer and a key addition to the centre’s leisure provision.
“Experiential attractions are rapidly becoming key features of UK shopping destinations and are helping to draw in more visitors from a broader catchment tempted by a multi-purpose visit.
“This, in turn, attracts other occupiers enhancing the centre’s appeal and vibrancy. Urban Playground will be a huge asset to Manchester Arndale, reinforcing the centre’s position as one of the premier shopping destinations in the north west.”
National Trust and Pokémon team up for exclusive trading card game and trail this half term
Emily Sergeant
National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for an exclusive trading card game and immersive trail this half term.
Families are invited to National Trust sites across the UK, including here in the North West, this upcoming May half term, as a brand-new partnership has been launched with Pokémon, and it’s bringing the widely loved brand to the great outdoors through a series of Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Mega Evolution Trails.
The partnership is set to bring together the places the National Trust cares for and Pokémon’s spirit of play and discovery.
Exclusively designed for the National Trust, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails are going to be running throughout May half term at 14 National Trust places nationwide, combining ‘imaginative play’ with ‘gentle physical activity’ inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon.
National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for an exclusive trading card game and trail this half term / Credit: James Dobson & Annapurna Mellor (Supplied)
Each trail point features a simple physical or creative challenge inspired by different Mega Evolution Pokémon.
From showing courage and curiosity with Darkness-type Mega Gengar ex, to unleashing energy and imagination inspired by the powerful Fire‑type Mega Charizard Y ex, the trails blend imaginative play with gentle activity.
A trail sheet will help young trainers keep track of their discoveries, and at the end of the trail, explorers can celebrate their achievement together with a photo opportunity at a Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail backdrop.
It’s hoped that it’ll help more families feel ‘welcome, confident, and curious’ about exploring the outdoors together.
Quarry Bank in Cheshire, Sizergh in Cumbria, and Speke Hall in Merseyside are the three National Trust sites in the North West where the new experience will be talking place.
The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails are exclusive to the National Trust and are included with standard National Trust admission (free for NT members).
Beyond May half term, the Mega Evolution Trails form part of a wider National Trust partnership with Pokémon, marking the first of several playful experiences for families throughout the summer holidays, kicking off in July.
Featured Image – James Dobson / National Trust (Supplied)
Things To Do
People with this name can visit Knowsley Safari for FREE to celebrate David Attenborough’s 100th birthday
Emily Sergeant
The legendary Sir David Attenborough is turning 100 years old this Friday, and to celebrate, Knowsley Safari is offering free visits.
But it’s only for people with one specific first name.
To mark the 100th birthday of the world’s most influential natural history broadcaster – who was born on 8 May 1926 – popular Merseyside attraction, Knowsley Safari, is offering free access to all visitors who share the name David for one day only this week.
The free tickets honour Sir David’s centenary, while also marking Knowsley Safari’s own ongoing commitment to conservation, education, and protecting wildlife for future generations.
From supporting international breeding programmes for endangered species, to engaging young audiences with conservation-led learning, Knowsley Safari says it continues to campaign for ‘the same values’ Sir David has championed throughout his life.
The attraction says many of its staff were inspired by Sir David Attenborough‘s work to pursue careers in conservation and animal care, which is why this offer of free entry to those with his name is so fitting.
To claim your free visit, all Davids need to do is bring a valid photo ID confirming their name, pre-book the rest of your group online (all the non-Davids), and then show at the pay lanes when you scan the rest of your group’s ticket.
People with the name David can visit Knowsley Safari for free this week to celebrate David Attenborough’s 100th birthday / Credit: Peter Denton (Flickr) | Supplied
“Sir David Attenborough has inspired generations to care more deeply about the natural world,” commented Helena Berry, who is the Head of Marketing and Sales at Knowsley Safari.
“His work has led to the successful conservation careers of many, some of whom are our staff. As Sir David marks his 100th birthday, we want to celebrate his extraordinary legacy with our visitors, and welcoming Davids to the Safari for free is a joyful way to applaud an incredible man who has given so much to Merseyside, wildlife and the planet.”
Daisy Jackson -
3rd February 2022 
