The power and potential of interior design is limitless.
And perhaps nothing proves this to be true more than what is hidden behind the doors of this unassuming three-bedroom Victorian home in Stretford, which has been completely transformed into a vision of the 1970s by one retro-obsessed mum.
Known aptly as the 70s House Manchester, walking inside this characterful home is truly like taking a step back in time, and it’s absolutely brilliant.
70s House Manchester is a lifelong passion of Founder and Creative Director, Estelle Bilson.
Estelle, 43 – the daughter of an Antiques Dealer, who has bought and sold vintage for over 25 years and attended auctions with her father from the age of four, before starting to collect for herself at the tender age of 13 – moved from London to Manchester in 2015.
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She set about curating a seventies-style home and managed to revamp the entire property for just £1,500, as she bought nearly all the bits and bobs secondhand.
This then inspired the concept behind the ever-growing brand.
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70s House Manchester
70s House Manchester
Starting humbly as an Instagram page, before turning into a ‘Location Home’ and then a thriving, multi-faceted business selling luxury, British wallpaper, fabrics and various other lifestyle boutique items, the 70s House Manchester specialises in recreating the era that spawned everything from disco, to Biba, glam rock and Studio 54, by taking influence from mid-century design, more than a dash of 70’s funk, and “the love of fun, bold, graphic style”.
The home itself – which is filled with the collection of seventies furniture and object d’art that Estelle has spent hours tracking down from auctions, eBay, and charity shops – actually had a previous life as the local corner shop and even once appeared on Coronation Street.
Each room inside the home is described as being “a constant evolution in design, depending on which amazing vintage finds inspire Estelle”.
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But it has to be said, the family doesn’t actually live like they’re in the 70s.
70s House Manchester70s House Manchester
“We don’t live like it is 1974, but we appreciate the styling, design and quality of build of the furniture.” Estelle insists.
“It’s more exciting, diverse and colourful – not to mention sustainable, value for money and better built than most things you can buy in the shops today, [and] it’s also very budget friendly [too], if you know where to find the bargains.
“Second hand doesn’t have to be second rate and although our home is filled with vintage treasure it still looks relevant, stylish and homely and not too much like a junk shop, which can be the danger when you buy too many second hand things.
“Some have compared it to a shrine or a museum – it’s neither.
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“It’s simply our home, which we chose to furnish with things that make us happy.”
70s House Manchester
Not only has 70s House Manchester enjoyed success as a ‘Location Home’, a popular Instagram page with over 43K followers, and a growing interiors brand, but Estelle also markets the house and its contents to hire for photoshoots, film and TV sets and events.
And after a successful 20 year career in Technical Design and Product Development for some of the UK’s most luxurious fashion brands and with a qualification in Interior Design, she was perfectly poised to be able to use her skills and expertise on the esteemed panel of dealers on the popular BBC One show The Bidding Room last year too.
70s House Manchester prides itself on “looking back to move forward” – and that’s exactly what it does.
You can find more information about 70s House Manchester, and shop from the styling boutique via the website here, and follow along for updates and inspiration on Instagram too.
A 5k charity event where runners dress up as Pitbull is coming to Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
Yep, you read it right the first time – a regular 5k charity run returns to Manchester this month, only this time, those taking part will be dressed up as Pitbull for some reason…
Don’t ask us, we just thought it was funny and it’s for a good cause, so why the hell not?
For a little context, this is the latest idea from Run The Streets MCR: a charitable running event that takes place every few weeks (typically the last Friday of every month), and they’re no strangers to the odd-themed jog in fancy dress.
We know ‘Mr Worldwide’ himself has been and gone, having played a couple of nights in Manchester earlier this year, but Run The Streets have decided two nights of yelling ‘Timberrrr’ still wasn’t quite enough and asking those joining the October fundraising 5k to dress up like the one and only Pitbull.
In case you missed it when ‘Dale’ fever took over the city streets this past summer, bald caps, sunglasses, black felt goatees and drawn-on moustaches descended upon central Manchester as they have been all over the UK and beyond for his live shows.
Was it utterly daft? Yes. Was it still one of THE best gig crowds we’ve seen in yonks? Absolutely.
The 44-year-old Floridian rapper and resurgent pop star played multiple nights at the Co-op Live, and they were brilliant, but we’re not going to pretend that the best wasn’t seeing the sea of shiny bald heads and shades in suits and ties.
It’s rare that you see such a shared moment of abandoning inhibitions and embracing the silliness; it was genuinely so great to see, and it’s that similar kind of phenomenon that Run The Streets tries to tap into.
Put simply, it’s about letting go and dancing like no one’s watching.
Having done everything from the regular fancy dress Halloween runs to Oasis, Sabrina Carpenter, ABBA-themed runs, and many more, you’d be surprised how much you don’t care about what people think when you’re running around and dancing to tunes – especially when it’s for charity.
Once again, the Pitbull edition of the Run Streets MCR 5k charity run takes place this month on Wednesday, 22 October from 6:30pm.
These fundraising runners will be meeting outside The Tap House on Circle Square, just off the Oxford Road Corridor, before setting off at a laid-back social pace.
Speaking of fancy dress, if you haven’t seen the group of four mates who made history at the 2025 Manchester Half, stop what you’re doing and read this:
These legends set an incredibly fun, wholesome and amusing world record at this year's @ManchesterHalf – all whilst raising money for @andysmanclubuk. 👏
Courteeners set for huge hometown event at Wythenshawe Park in Manchester
Danny Jones
The latest artist due to play Wythenshawe Park has been announced, with hometown heroes Courteeners set to take the stage in Manchester.
Now that is a big booking.
The Middleton-formed Manc band remain one of the biggest contemporary names to come out of Greater Manchester, and having already played to record-breaking crowds at Heaton Park, Old Trafford, and most venues in the region over the last two decades, this is just the next one to tick off.
Better still, they’re bringing some brilliant acts along with them for Live From Wythenshawe Park 2026, with the one-day festival becoming more established every year.
Courteeners, Wythenshawe Park, Manchester. Saturday 29th August 2026 +special guests @thevaccines(performing debut album 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' in full),@thecoralband,Getdown Services & Girl In The Year Above. Tickets:10am Friday 24th Oct https://t.co/AYk3UlTdlkpic.twitter.com/vQAw2ZEpd0
Who is supporting Courteeners at Wythenshawe Park?
As well as openers, Getdown Services and Girl In The Year Above, who’ll be representing Bristol and the Irish delegation respectively, there’s no chance of the warm-ups not doing their job before the headliners get underway.
The two big support acts scheduled to join the St. Jude stars for the massive outdoor gig are none other than Merseyside veterans, The Coral, as well as fellow indie favourites, The Vaccines.
Get. IN.
As if that lineup wasn’t already one of the best Live From Wythenshawe Park has seen to date, the latter are set to play their debut album, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, in full – 2026 marks a whole 15 years since it was first released, if you can believe that.
You won’t be surprised to hear that their headline UK tour celebrating the same milestone has sold out pretty much across the board, with a second Manchester date added AND now an extra chance to see them live supporting Courteeners.
General admission for the show goes on sale 10am on Friday, 24 October 2025, with tickets available via Gigs and Tours.com as well as Ticketmaster; Courtneers are also donating £1 from every ticket sold directly to the Music Venue Trust, the UK charity protecting and improving grassroots music venues.
That’s what we like to hear.
Contributions like this really do go on to help keep local venues open, support up-and-coming new artists on tour, not to mention it serves as an investment in the future of live music in what is an increasingly challenging industry.
With Courteeners set to follow another big and even more iconic indie rock band already confirmed, Live From Wythenshawe Park 2026 is shaping up nicely.
Emily Sergeant -
26th January 2021 
