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
The Warehouse Project 2025 – full calendar, lineups, tickets, stage times and more
Thomas Melia
The summer and festival season may be almost over, but the Manchester music calendar is still going strong with The Warehouse Project announcing its full 2025 lineup.
If there’s one thing Manchester has got you covered for, it’s live music, and this EDM favourite returns year in and year out to power you through the winter – trading your dark nights for DJ sets with vibrant strobes and lasers.
The Warehouse Project know how to deliver a series of absolutely incredible b2b sets, exclusive shows and more, with the 2025 calendar looking just as impressive as previous years.
This latest full calendar lineup covers you with some of the best music events from 12 September right through til 31 December – grab your mates and your diaries, it’s time to get your next rave booked in.
Everything you need to know about The Warehouse Project 2025
The Warehouse Project tickets
As mentioned, with events running until 31 December, there are plenty of tickets available; however, with growing popularity annually and some of the biggest acts performing, these will be in high demand.
You can find the full calendar online, highlighting what events are still on sale – yes, the majority sell out fast every year – and takes you directly to their website HERE.
WHP stages
There are three separate rooms, which range in capacity, sound and facilities:
Depot is the largest room, boasting a capacity of 10,000.
Concourse can accommodate a significant 2,500 concertgoers.
Archive still holds an impressive 1,900.
It’s also worth noting that the Concourse room will now operate a strict no phones rule this year. The venue has been flagging a number of ‘Concourse only’ shows over the last few weeks in an effort to soft-launch the new policy.
Limited to the mid-sized room only for now, they’re taking cues from the likes of popular Manc nightclub Amber’s, insisting that they “feel that club culture is best enjoyed in the moment with your friends, and your phone in your pocket.”
Amber’s is also relaunching their newly formatted ‘Room Two’.
For anyone at all frustrated about this news, at least take the news of new ‘proper flushable toilets’ being installed through 80% of the venue this year as a pretty decent silver lining.
Transport and how to get to The Warehouse Project
This iconic EDM music series moved from its Victoria Warehouse to another music hotspot, Depot Mayfield, back in 2019 and has seen some of the greatest artists and DJs grace these very four walls.
Just an eight-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly or a 20-minute walk from Manchester Victoria Station, it’s super easy to get to on foot or via public transport.
You can catch a train or multiple tram lines from Victoria and various other points around the city centre, which will drop you off at Manchester Piccadilly; better still, a tram journey will only set you back £1.90 and not much more for the train.
Friday, 12 September – DJ HEARTSTRING
Electronic duo DJ HEARTSTRING are swapping the cold city centre feels of Berlin for the equally chilly Manchester to kick off the WHP25 series.
Playing in the Concourse, they will also be joined by a handful of acts, including Peach, Niamh and Ireland-born but now Berlin-based act, Spray.
Saturday, 13 September – D.O.D
Dan O’ Donnell, more widely recognised by his stage name and acronym D.O.D, is playing a huge hometown show in the Concourse with more DJs and mixers yet to be announced.
The Bury-born talent has a roster of hits and remixes under his belt, including ‘So Much In Love’, ‘Azizam (D.O.D Remix)’ and ‘Somedays’, the latter a collaboration with previous Warehouse Project alumni Jazzy.
Friday, 19 September – ANOTR
You might get ‘Vertigo’ from this next duo, who are currently soaking up the Ibiza club scene before making their way to the prestigious Manchester event later this year.
Amsterdam-based duo ANOTR are gearing up to play in the Concourse with a selection of yet-to-be-announced acts, and we’re sure you’ll want to ‘Turn It Up’ when they visit.
It’s time to get ‘Jamming’ with gold-coast music producer Fisher and we’re sure you’ll be ‘Losing It’ as soon as you feel the ‘Atmosphere’ at Depot Mayfield on this night.
Ranked as one of the top 10 DJs in DJ Mag’s top 100 DJs of 2024 and surpassing over 18 million monthly listeners on Spotify, expect this to be a busy one.
Friday, 26 September – Worried About Henry
All three rooms are in use for this event, and if you were at Parklife this year, you know this drum and bass event organiser knows how to start a party.
There are over 30 acts playing out across the night, and although we can’t list them all, expect Andy C, Wilkinson, Sub Focus in Depot, Camo and Krooked b2b K Motionz in Concourse and Simula in Archive.
Saturday, 27 September – YOU&ME 10th Birthday
Can you feel the buzz? We certainly can, as legendary DJs Josh Baker and Max Dean are in residency for a landmark Warehouse Project birthday celebration.
This London name has been behind some of house and UK garage’s recent anthems like ‘If U Need It’ and ‘Cops & Robbers’ with his 2020 album ‘Spice Up My Life’ reaching No.7 on the Official Dance Charts.
Now, the record producer is teaming up with a specially selected DJ crew at Depot Mayfield, including Armand Van Helden, Bakey, Joy Orbison and local lad Ghoulish.
Saturday, 4 October – &ME
Techno giant has worked on numerous collaborations and solidified his place in the house music scene with remixes and originals like ‘Say What’, ‘Thandaza’ and ‘More Love – Rampa &ME Remix’.
Coming to the Concourse, he’ll be joined by two other notable music creators like ‘P*ssy Power’ hitmaker Desiree and ‘Intuition’ credited act Megatronic.
Friday, 10 October – Dom Dolla
We’ve been ‘Dreamin’ about this one for a while, and after his latest tune gaining a spot on the F1 The Movie soundtrack, ‘No Room For A Saint’, this dance act has definitely earned its stripes.
The Australian producer is set to play Depot Mayfield, which will mark his only UK headline show outside London in 2025, and he’s bringing a couple of house music acts along for the ride too.
Saturday 11 October – Defected & Glitterbox
Depot Mayfield and Concourse are getting new names for one night only, with the larger of the two becoming ‘Defected’ and the latter taking on its new title of ‘Glitterbox’ while Archive keeps its moniker.
The legend himself, MK, will be in attendance and after the success of his recent hit ‘Dior’ with Bolton act Chrystal, the Manchester crowd will be lapping him up.
Friday, 17 October – Jamie Jones presents Paradise
Well-established Welsh DJ Jamie Jones is fronting the bill on this event, with the rest of the lineup awaiting announcement.
One thing is for sure, if the talent on the night takes any homage or inspiration from Jones’ records like ‘Lose My Mind’ and ‘We Groovin’, this will be a night of dancefloor fillers across Depot Mayfield.
17.10 /// JAMIE JONES PRESENTS PARADISE – LINE UP REVEALED
Jamie Jones brings Paradise back to WHP this October. Jamie plays a special b2b with Joseph Capriati plus across the evening he will be joined by East End Dubs, Alisha, Ahmed Spins, Obskür and more.
‘Is U’ looking to get ‘Lippy’? Well, Overmono have just the set for you when they present their new show to you alongside a curated lineup of special guests at Depot Mayfield.
Fellow collaborator Joy Orbison will be popping up with chart-topping act Interplanetary Criminal in Concourse and a selection of artists in Archive, hosted by Virus.
Friday, 24 October – Confidence Man
Janet Planet and Sugar Bones are ready to take you on a ‘Holiday’ when they return to Manchester with their celebrated records and unmissable dance moves.
Also bringing the heat to Manchester on this night is Antony Szmierek, who’s trading ‘The Great Pyramid of Stockport‘ for Depot Mayfield with Archive hosted by city centre nightlife venue and bar, Yes.
Saturday, 25 October – Black Coffee
After working with notable artists like Drake, David Guetta and Alicia Keys, this caffeinated music creator is ready to power you through the night with a selection of hits from his stacked roster.
Although the support is to-be-announced, this lineup will be one you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
Wednesday, 29 October – Aitch
Moston rapper Aitch is touching down on home turf to play his huge hits out to Depot Mayfield with the release of his latest album 4 earlier this summer.
Collaborating with drum and bass heavyweight Bou on ‘Raving in the Studio’ has been great exposure too, with the Manc star receiving a warm welcome from dance music lovers.
Friday, 31 October – WHP25 Halloween – Warehouse Banger
Another one of The Warehouse Project’s biggest nights of the year, there will be lots of dance, house, drum and bass artists decorating the bill.
With no official lineup yet, expect this night to be spook-tacular.
Saturday, 1 November – Marlon Hoffstadt presents Party of the Year
‘It’s That Time’ and by that time we mean Marlon Hoffstadt’s self-proclaimed ‘Party of the Year’, which is bringing good vibes only to Depot Mayfield.
Artists include Biianco, Surf 2 Glory and Horsegiirl, who sat hoof-to-hoof with TV Royalty Danny Dyer at this year’s Brit Awards.
Friday, 7 November – Rossi.
‘Don’t Touch That Dial’ because the ‘Freak in the Sheets’ is heading to Manchester for a night dedicated to all things Rossi.
He has been on a roll this year appearing at various music festivals from Parklife to Glastonbury, and has even headlined this dance music event before in 2023. It’s safe to say that much like his track – ‘Little Man’, we’re ‘(Proud of You)’.
Friday, 21 November – Barry Can’t Swim – Earth’s Only Paradise
Probably one of our favourite electronic acts around right now, full stop.
All three rooms are open for Barry Can’t Swim, who ( in our not-so-biased opinion) might have one of the best DJ names of all time.
He’ll be bringing along a whole gathering of notable DJ figures like Jayda G, Chloé Caillet, and Prospa as he hosts his ‘Earth’s Only Paradise’ event.
Saturday 22 November – The Hacienda
Manchester has always been a city of clubgoers, and it’s lovely to see the musical history of the music capital of the North celebrated via a dedicated night to its most legendary club, The Hacienda.
Expect Depot Mayfield to be filled with all the greats from DJ Paulette, Groove Armada, Primal Scream and more.
Aussies are well and truly feeling the love from the Manc crowd this year, with a variety of acts making the over 20-hour flight to play their club classics, and now Sonny Fodera joins this list.
Fodera has worked with Calvin Harris, Jazzy, Becky Hill, Glass Animals, and Sinéad Harnett, just to name a few – so expect to hear a lot of recognisable tunes throughout the night.
Wednesday 31 December – New Year’s Eve
The lineup for this one is always a secretive one, but as you’re welcoming in the New Year, what better way to do it than attending a night soundtracked by dance and house anthems.
The Warehouse Project New Year’s Eve event is usually a big one, so expect tickets to this exclusive party to sell out pretty quickly.
Viral Manchester beauty brand P. Louise to open first ever flagship store in Trafford Palazzo
Thomas Melia
Beauty brand and viral cosmetics giant P. Louise has announced her first ever flagship store, and it’s opening at Trafford Palazzo.
Droylsden-born beauty guru, turned makeup mogul, P. Louise, is opening her first ever flagship store in Manchester in one of the region’s biggest shopping centres.
Titled P. Louise City, the pastel pink viral cosmetics company is launching its very-first physical site in Trafford Palazzo.
The beauty brand has become a social media sensation, as well as a Greater Manchester hotspot thanks to its P. Louise Empire headquarters located in Stockport.
This pink-furnished warehouse site offers customers an immersive experience with makeover sessions, shopping DIY activities, a cafe, and lots of photo opportunities.
The upcoming P. Louise City is set to build off this success with a 19,000 sq ft store that houses a variety of distinctive zones with iconic names.
You’ll be able to quench your thirst at the ‘Bad B*tch Juice Bar’, find all the latest pink-hued goodies at ‘Juicy News’, and pick up all your essentials at the ‘P. Louise Supermarket’.
P. Louise may not be a medical company, but her ‘P. Louise Pharmacy’ will cure all your retail therapy needs, and although many of her fans already knew her products were liquid gold, the ‘P. Louise Vault’ definitely confirms this.
As well as lots of shopping areas throughout this massive Trafford Palazzo site, there will be lots of hands-on activities – including makeup education zones, and even a dancefloor to bust a move or two.
P. Louise is set to open its first ever flagship store titled P. Louise City in Trafford Palazzo / Credit: Supplied
In an Instagram post on her personal social media account she calls this physical store ‘a dream come true’, adding: “[It’s] truly a pinch me moment – here’s to my next chapter”.
Emily Sergeant -
26th October 2021 
