A new ‘digital detox’ cabin has been built just outside Greater Manchester, where guests are invited to lock their phones in a box.
The holiday home comes from Unplugged, a company that already has a similar cabin in Cheshire as well as a more than a dozen more across the country.
The aim is to allow guests to full switch-off and reset, in beautiful countryside locations.
This particular new pet-friendly cabin, known as Peggy, is situated just off Cheshire’s ‘Sandstone Trail’ near Tarporley, and has lush countryside views.
Unplugged says it wants its guests to embrace a tech-free weekend, saying it can ‘improve problems associated with high screentime, such as brain fog, poor sleep quality, anxiety and lack of productivity’.
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The bathroom in Peggy. Credit: SuppliedThe kitchen area in Unplugged’s Peggy cabin. Credit: SuppliedPeggy by Unplugged is surrounded by countryside. Credit: Supplied
On the three-night digital detoxes, you’re encouraged to stash your devices in a lockbox, which are swapped for an old-school Nokia (with Snake), a physical map of the surroundings, an instant camera with film, and a cassette player.
But although there’s no tech, there are still enough creature comforts to keep it feeling like a holiday, including a hot shower, hotel-quality bedding, and a fully-equipped kitchen with a gas hob.
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The business was created by entrepreneurs, friends and co-founders, Hector Hughes and Ben Elliot, who themselves felt they were spending too much time behind a screen.
Hector said: “Since we introduced Luna to the Cheshire region last October, we’ve been at an almost full capacity. This demonstrates there’s a demand for accessible destinations to help people living in these areas resolve problems associated with burn out, stress, tiredness – and too often these come associated with too much screentime.
Panoramic windows inside Unplugged’s Peggy cabin. Credit: Supplied
“As well as the health benefits enjoyed, we’re also noticing an increase in people choosing to stay to help them reconnect with themselves, as well as their partners. Digital detoxes allow for quality time without the constant distraction of their devices, and we’ve even hosted a few engagements too! It was therefore an easy, natural decision to give Luna a sister, and we’re delighted to welcome Peggy this spring.”
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Peggy runs solely on solar panels, and has panoramic windows allowing guests to swap ‘blue light’ for ‘starlight’.
All escapes are on a three-night minimum, and start from £390 per cabin.
Andy Burnham calls for ‘efficient and reliable’ public transport as he slams Northern rail services
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has called for an ‘efficient and reliable’ public transport system as he slams Northern’s rail services for being ‘not good enough’.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester has been vocal about his condemning views of rail travel across Greater Manchester and the North West over the past couple of years, notably calling for widespread reforms across the board, and particularly taking aim at Avanti’s running of the West Coast Main Line – especially as regular delays and cancellations have become commonplace for many.
But now, Mr Burnham, along with a handful of other Mayors across the North, have written to the Government to highlight poor performance by Northern.
This comes after Mr Burnham called an emergency meeting of the Rail North Committee last Wednesday, which saw regional mayors and leaders seek “immediate assurances” from Northern after a spate of cancellations, overcrowding of services, and ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings on Sundays.
Greater Manchester now regularly sees between 30% and 40% of its services cancelled on Sundays, and in many cases, no replacement bus services or alternative travel methods have been provided.
Andy Burnham has called for ‘efficient and reliable’ public transport across the north / Credit: TfGM
The Committee members said they fear that, without intervention, the situation could get worse, and ultimately affect confidence amongst shoppers and travellers as we head into the busiest time of year.
“The situation must be reversed in the interest of passengers and the region’s businesses, especially those in the retail and hospital sectors,” the Committee concluded.
Some of the topics discussed in the Committee meeting were the fact that, within the past week alone, with it being half term for many in the region, a total of 1,600 trains were cancelled across the network, and there was a lack of mitigations in place, such as ticket acceptance with other operators, when this happened.
Infrastructure challenges, high staff sickness levels, and Northern’s reliance on staff working on rest days was also discussed.
Last night, there were widespread cancellations of @northernassist services causing chaos at stations.
It can’t go on.
Following a special Rail North Committee, I have written to the Chancellor to ask that a pending agreement on rest day working is approved as soon as possible.
“Efficient and reliable public transport is a critical enabler of economic growth,” Mr Burnham said.
“What we heard from Northern at the meeting of the Rail North Committee was not good enough for residents and businesses across the north. That is why, on behalf of the Rail North Committee, I have written to the Chancellor and the Secretary of State to urge them to support us to bring the service back to an acceptable level.”
Mr Burnham concluded that “significant modernisation” is needed by Northern if they are to match the Committee’s ambitions for growth.
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Travel & Tourism
This Manchester hotel has a Bonfire Night ‘escape’ package for pets to help keep them calm
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most luxurious hotels is transforming into the ultimate pet refuge again over the firework season.
Bonfire Night is loved across the UK for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that go along with it, but the November annual event isn’t so fun for our four-legged friends, as fireworks can be frightening to pets due to loud bangs, flashing lights, and the unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives.
With multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays too, pets are rarely able to pinpoint where the booming explosions are coming from, only making it more terrifying for them.
This is why, after becoming a huge success following its launch last year, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in the heart of the city centre has brought back its special ‘Bonfire Night Escape’ escape package, turning the already pet-friendly hotel into a firework-free sanctuary.
The hotel‘s year-round ‘PAWfect Stay’ package includes any dog staying at no extra cost, plus a pet tuckbox, a guide to the best dog-friendly places in the city, and a toy waiting for them in the room, but this fireworks season, pet owners will also get a luxury hamper including Pet Remedy’s ‘Party Season Survival Kit’
The kit comes together with a range of fast-acting products to help immediately in stressful situations such as fireworks, and includes calming spray, a plug diffuser, and some calming wipes too.
On top of that, dog owners can also take advantage of the hotel’s Music Concierge service, which allows guests to request a record player and vinyls to be placed in the room ahead of check in – with lots of classical and relaxing music records available to distract anxious pets from the noise of Bonfire Night celebrations.
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel has a Bonfire Night ‘escape’ package to help keep pets calm / Credit: Elisha Terada (via Unsplash)
The award-winning The Refuge Bar and Restaurant inside the hotel also offers a menu of carefully-curated dog treats throughout the week, as well as doggy Sunday roasts all Sunday.
David Lockhart, who is the General Manager at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, said he likes to think of the hotel as a “home-away-from-home for our guests”.
“Our top priority is making sure everyone is feeling safe and comfortable,” he added. “We can’t wait to welcome our November guests and help them care for their four-legged family members, giving them everything they need.”
The Bonfire Night Escape package at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is available to book from Friday 1 November, subject to availability, and you can request the package via the hotel concierge or by emailing [email protected] to book.
Daisy Jackson -
7th May 2023 
