TalkTalk is teaming up with Heart to bring a “spooktacular” pop-up haunted to Manchester this weekend.
The free-to-attend event – which is being hosted by the connectivity provider, in collaboration with the UK’s biggest commercial radio brand – is coming to the Trafford Centre for one day only on Saturday 30 October from 12pm to 8pm.
The haunted house will feature a trio of escape rooms.
Those who fancy popping down to the event will be challenged on their speedy reactive skills, their ability to find the reliable route, and their detective talents to find hidden devices – and if you manage to complete all the tasks in time, you and your team will walk away with a TalkTalk goodie bag.
A Heart presenter will be playing live at the event, as well as hosting a fun pop-up selfie station where guests will be able to take a spooky selfie and share it on social using the hashtag #PoweredByFutureFibre to enter a prize draw and be in with a chance of winning some pretty impressive prizes.
Some of the prizes up for grabs include a Samsung Galaxy Tab 32GB Tablet, Ring Video Doorbell, Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Wireless Earbuds, Amazon Echo Show 8 Smart Display, or a Nintendo Switch.
TalkTalk is teaming up with Heart to bring a “spooktacular” pop-up event to Manchester this weekend. / Credit: TalkTalk x Heart
The event comes as TalkTalk celebrates the launch of Future Fibre in Manchester – which uses the UK’s latest fibre technology to bring 100% full fibre directly into the home.
If you’re unfamiliar with what Future Fibre is, it’s 45 x faster and 5 x more-reliable than standard broadband, which, according to TalkTalk, means it can “effortlessly handle” all household devices’ streaming, gaming, and video-calling at once.
Aiming to show the many benefits of Future Fibre, the pop-up event will feature three separate escape rooms – the ‘Speed’ room, where visitors will play a Batak-style light reaction game, the ‘Concurrency’ room which challenges people to find 75 hidden golden coins, and finally the ‘Reliability’ room, where one team member will be blindfolded and verbally led by their group through the most reliable route.
For the final task, challengers will need to watch out for rotten pumpkins, a broken wheelbarrow, the sinking ground, and the scary pumpkin man.
Those who fancy popping down to the event will be challenged on their speedy reactive skills, their ability to find the reliable route, and more / Credit: TalkTalk x Heart
Speaking ahead of the pop-up’s arrival on Saturday, Becki Smith – General Manager of Ultrafast at TalkTalk – said: “”We’re excited to bring this event to the Trafford Centre to celebrate half term week, and the launch of Future Fibre in the city.
“Guests to the event will be able to work together to make it through our three escape rooms whilst experiencing all the benefits of Future Fibre.”
You can find out more about TalkTalk’s Future Fibre plans and whether it’s available on your street here.
Featured Image – TalkTalk x Heart
What's On
Manchester Arndale is hosting FREE workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe
Emily Sergeant
Is your wardrobe feeling a little bland? Need to make some changes, but your bank account isn’t quite on the same wavelength? This event is here to help.
Those looking for some new ways to get creative with their style and put a spin on the clothes they already have are invited to head down to Manchester Arndale this weekend, as the Reimagine Your Fashion event is set to be a fun hands-on weekend celebrating personal style, smart choices, and sustainable ideas.
Whether you’re into upcycling, love yourself a styling session, or you just fancy doing something different in the city this summer, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into this weekend.
You can expect creative workshops, curated fashion rails, live styling tips, and a chance to give your pre-loved clothes a second life.
Oh, and did we mention it’s all free to take part in? Perfect.
There’s a collection of free ‘REWORK’ workshops taking place over the two-day event on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July, where you can learn how to turn old into gold – from patchwork denim makeovers, to scrunchie making, custom tote design, and loads more.
There’s no need to be a sewing pro either, as the workshops are beginner-friendly and designed to be relaxed and creative with all tools provided, so all you have to do is bring along the clothing items you want to upcycle.
Manchester Arndale is hosting free workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe this weekend / Credit: Priscilla Du Preez | Ashley Diane Worsham (via Unsplash)
At the ‘RESTYLE’ sessions, Rosie, who is the stylist behind Manchester Arndale’s summer campaign, will break down this season’s biggest trends and show you how to style what’s in store now, as well as being on-hand for styling tips and outfit advice.
And finally, there’ll also be a ‘RECYCLE’ station and drop-off point where you pass on your clean pre-loved clothes to two brilliant local charities doing vital work right here in Manchester – MASH, which supports women involved in sex work and those facing homelessness or gender-based violence, and Mustard Tree which works to tackle poverty across Greater Manchester.
“Your clothes could be someone else’s fresh start,” a spokesperson for Manchester Arndale said ahead of the event.
Reimagine Your Fashion is taking place at Exchange Court in Manchester Arndale on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July running from 12pm, and you can find out more information and the times of the free workshops online here.
Featured Image – Sarah Brown (via Unsplash)
What's On
New immersive Race Across the World Experience comes to Manchester this summer
Thomas Melia
Hit BBC TV show Race Across the World is launching an interactive experience in Manchester this summer, inspired by the series.
After five original series and two celebrity spin-offs, it was only a matter of time before the huge TV show materialised into ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’.
Just like the real programme, you will be sent on a mission across the heart of the city centre where you will have to complete tasks and reach various checkpoints to be crowned champion.
The missions will see players visiting Manchester hotspots, lesser known locations, renowned pubs, and distinctive landmarks across three hours.
Teams will rely on our trusty Bee Network as they take a trip on our vibrant yellow trams and buses to get around the city as they make their way to each puzzle and activity.
At each puzzle destination, participants will complete a challenge to guide them to their next location, all of which is pre-planned and spread across a five kilometre city-wide voyage.
For Mancs and anyone further afield, ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’ offers a whole new way to explore Manchester and gives you the chance to see some of the city’s best hidden gems, even if you are on a time limit.
This sounds like a great idea for friends and family alike, and based off the amount of times we’ve had to sprint down to Platform 14 at Manchester Piccadilly, I think us Mancs were born for this challenge.
In true Race Across the World style, the team who manages to finish not just with the fastest time but with the most budget remaining too, will be the ultimate victor.
Cast of BBC’s Race Across the World / Credit: BBC / Studio Lambert
Tom Rymer, Founder of CityDays, said: “Following an outstanding debut month in London that has thrilled fans of the show, both old and new, we are bringing the Race Across The World Experience to Manchester.
“New puzzles, new characters, new decisions and new discoveries, all coming soon over three new thrilling legs. Manchester, are you ready for your race?”
A launch date for ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’ is yet to be released but eager entrants can sign up to the official waitlist and find out even more information HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
26th October 2021 
