Tag: leisure

Cineworld Edinburgh hosts IMAX Film Fest with £3 tickets

  • IMAX FILM FEST TO TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY 22 APRIL
  • TICKETS REDUCED TO £3 FOR ALL FILMS, ALL DAY, ONLY IN IMAX
  • OFFER VALID ACROSS ALL 27 IMAX CINEMA SITES IN THE UK & IRELAND

Cineworld, the UK’s leading cinema chain, will be holding its sixth annual IMAX Film Fest on Saturday 22nd April 2023.

To celebrate the world’s most immersive viewing experience, this exclusive one-day event will give movie buffs all across the country the opportunity to watch a film of their choice in IMAX for only £3.00 a ticket. 

Cineworld is bringing back some of the biggest blockbusters from the last year including: Avatar: The Way of Water, Top Gun: Maverick, Academy Award Best Picture-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, and residents can also exclusively catch Ponniyin Selvan: 1 on the day, one week ahead of its sequel release.

The festival will give guests the chance to experience the IMAX difference, with the clearest images on the largest screens and heart-pounding audio that puts you in the middle of the action. 

Stuart Crane, VP of Film Cineworld Group, said: “We look forward to offering guests the chance to escape to other worlds in IMAX for only £3.

“Whether that’s immersing yourself with Avatar: The Way of Water or going Mach 10 and beyond with Top Gun: Maverick, the stunning images and powerful, heart-pounding audio in our IMAX auditoriums will give customers a chance to experience films to the fullest.

“There really is no better way to experience a blockbuster than with IMAX at Cineworld.”

David King, VP, Distribution EMEA & Film Development at IMAX: “We are delighted that Cineworld is hosting the IMAX film festival for the sixth year in a row to celebrate the world’s most immersive cinematic technology.

“With crystal clear life-like images and powerful audio to the highest quality, these auditoriums are made to bring the film to life and  transport audiences into their favourite blockbusters – take advantage of the reduced rate while you can, you’re in for a treat!”

Tickets for this unforgettable experience can now be purchased from the Cineworld website or the Cineworld app.

#IMAXFilmFest

Black Axe Throwing Co makes it’s mark

Black Axe Throwing Co is Edinburgh’s original & first-ever Axe Throwing pop-up after launching on Valentine’s Day 2018. It’s now April 2023, and the Black Axe team is stronger than ever! Black Axe Throwing Co Edinburgh now have their very own venue located at 27 Beaverhall Road, Edinburgh, EH7 4JE. 

Not just their own venue, but Black Axe Edinburgh is now home to the UK’s largest designated alcohol-free bar with the help of breweries from around the UK and beyond. 

The range includes beers from Scotland’s only woman-owned non-alcoholic brewing company Jump Ship Brewing, as well as Edinburgh’s non-alcoholic spirit Talonmore inspired by the versatility of the city’s historic charm, natural surroundings and unique festival spirit.

There are many axe-throwing experiences across the UK; however, Black Axe offers something different. A certain charm, a real experience, a welcoming feeling that will make you want to tell everyone you know what you have just done. 

They must be doing something right as they now have venues across the UK in Edinburgh, Belfast, Lancaster and Margate. 

Edinburgh’s original urban axe-throwing experience offers the perfect stress-busting activity for a group of friends, team-building camaraderie amongst work colleagues or the ideal alternative date night.

 As Spring arrives the venue is getting busy, so send an email to:  

edinburgh@blackaxethrowing.com

or DM on @blackaxethrowingcoedinburgh to secure your spot!

Live Forever? Ultimate Rock and Pop Pilgrimage launched

It’s a UK road trip with a difference – music fans have been invited to make the ultimate rock and pop pilgrimage by visiting the locations where some of our biggest stars passed away.

Car rental experts from StressFreeCarRental.com have revealed the postcodes and locations where some of the biggest names in music, including Amy Winehouse, Freddie Mercury and George Michael, sadly died.

They have suggested a 1200-mile round Britain itinerary to visit the sites which can be reached by inputting the provided postcodes into any sat nav device.

They’ve also made available a free to download checklist which music fans can print out and then tick off each location as they visit.

But they are urging fans to undertake the road trip purely to pay their respects to the late artists and to remain mindful that many of the sites remain private property.

The 1200-mile road trip takes in several locations which attract thousands of visitors each year – such as the ditch where Marc Bolan crashed his Mini in 1977.

Starting in London the unique tour takes in the spots where icons Amy Winehouse, Freddie Mercury, Keith Moon and Jimi Hendrix passed away.

After leaving the capital music fans are encouraged to journey south to the crash site in Surrey where Glam Rock legend Marc Bolan died before heading on to Hartfield, East Sussex to visit the house where Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones was found dead in a swimming pool in 1969.

They then travel west to Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, where sixties icon Dusty Springfield sadly passed away before heading to nearby Goring-on-Thames where 80s pop legend George Michael died on Christmas Day 2016.

From Goring it’s a short trip to Salisbury where Thin Lizzy star Phil Lynott sadly died. Fans are then told to head to a lay-by close to the Severn Bridge near Bristol where Manic Street Preacher guitarist Richey Edwards is believed to have disappeared. He was later declared legally dead.

From there the road trip turns north stopping at Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire where legendary singer-songwriter Nick Drake passed away, before heading on to a terraced house in Macclesfield where Joy Division singer Ian Curtis hung himself in 1980.

The trip then veers north to Scotland to Auchterhouse, near Dundee, the location of the suicide of Billy Mackenzie, lead singer of 80s band The Associates. He was found in a garden shed after an overdose.

The trip then heads back down south stopping at Arkesden, Essex at the location of the death of legendary Small Faces frontman Steve Marriott who sadly perished in a house fire in 1991.

A spokesman for StressFreeCarRental.com, who came up with the tour, said it was a chance for music fans to pay their respects to some of the biggest icons of all time.

He said: “Britain has produced some of the greatest stars in the history of popular music and many of them will never be forgotten. They are the legends who changed the lives of millions and many of us still listen to their music every day.

“So we thought it would be a good idea to gather together the greatest names who sadly passed away on UK soil and offer music fans an itinerary to visit the places where they passed on.

“Many of the locations remain private homes so we urge everyone who follows our guide to remain courteous and respectful at all times.

“By gathering all of the locations together into one suggested road trip we want to celebrate the legacies of some of the greatest talents Britain has ever produced.

“Fans can print off our handy checklist and tick off each location as they make the trip. By the time they’ve completed their journey they will have visited the locations where some of our greatest stars have passed away. Although in a way these legends will never die. They live on forever through their music.”

To download the free checklist and to find out more about the UK road trip to rock and pop star death sites please visit https://www.stressfreecarrental.com/en/uk/rock-pop-pilgrimage

Easter opening times at Fort Kinnaird

Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its opening times for the Easter weekend (Friday 7th – Monday 10th April) for those looking to enjoy a day out with family and friends or pick up some last-minute Easter gifts, decorations for the celebrations.  

From Friday 7th – Monday 10th April the centre’s shopping hours will be:

  • Good Friday – 7th April: 10am – 9pm
  • Easter Saturday – 8th April: 9am – 7pm
  • Easter Sunday – 9th April: 10am ­– 6pm
  • Easter Monday – 10th April: 10am – 9pm

Fort Kinnaird always recommends checking with individual retailers for their specific opening times before setting off to avoid disappointment. For the most up to date Easter opening hours, check here: https://www.fortkinnaird.com/opening-times

Along with its wide variety of shops and restaurants, the centre has also compiled a range of options for family fun for the Easter school holidays, including the chance to meet and learn about small animals at Pets at Home, and crafting workshops at Hobbycraft where kids of all ages can enjoy clay-making and painting.

Fort Kinnaird is home to over 70 shops and restaurants including M&S, H&M, Primark, Bread Meats Bread and newly opened Chaiiwala, as well as a seven-screen Odeon cinema. There are also more than 2,600 free parking spaces.

For more information to help plan your Easter trip to Fort Kinnaird, including what’s on during the Easter holidays head here.   

Butlin’s launch £2.5 million SKYPARK

  • Butlin’s officially opens SKYPARK – a brand new inclusive playground – at its Skegness resort
  • New research reveals three quarters of UK parents believe more should be done to support children with additional needs
  • Almost half (44%) of parents say they’ve had to cut back on play opportunities for their children in the last 12 months due to financial concerns

A brand-new £2.5M playground, Butlin’s SKYPARK has opened today at the home of entertainment’s Skegness resort – designed specifically so children of all abilities can play together, shoulder to shoulder.

The opening comes as new national research reveals the majority of parents believe children with additional needs do not receive sufficient support, with three quarters (75%) saying more should be done in this area.

What’s more, the research found that almost half of parents (44%) have had to cut back on play opportunities for their children in the last 12 months due to financial concerns. With parents on average spending £100 (£94.31) per month on paid for activities, such as assault courses and soft play. 

Despite UK parents cutting back on paid for activities, they unveiled that the top skills they feel their children develop through socialising and playing with others include; confidence (55%), sharing (51%), cooperation (46%), patience (42%) and respect (41%).

The state-of-the-art playground is equipped with a wheelchair-accessible trampoline and roundabout, sit-up swings for support and sociability, and wheelchair-friendly walkways and ramps, to ensure no child is left on the side lines.

Butlin’s SKYPARK further features four epic climbing towers with the tallest standing at 14 metres high, offering an incredible panoramic sea view.

The site, at Butlin’s Skegness resort, is also home to the UK’s longest interactive seesaw, at an impressive 24 metres long, children and adults can work together to generate enough energy to light up the area.

Alongside the park sits the Butlin’s SKYPARK Café, where the adults can relax and keep an eye on the children enjoying themselves.

Featuring an array of indoor and outdoor seating, with a selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks, the café also has a specially curated music playlist, set at an appropriate volume setting and to a calming low beat with inclusivity in mind. 

Jon Hendry-Pickup, CEO at Butlin’s, said: “As the home of entertainment, we’re really proud to be able to offer a playground that’s designed to be truly inclusive for all families – with Butlin’s SKYPARK included in the price of a break.

“Launching Butlin’s SKYPARK is an incredibly proud moment for us as a business and it is the first of many exciting investments we’re making across our three resorts in the next few years.

“Our new playground provides a safe, stimulating place for children of all abilities to play together. We can’t wait to see families enjoying our incredible new playground this Easter and beyond.”

To see more about Butlin’s SKYPARK, including full information on the different zones and key features, please head to: www.butlins.com/discover-butlins/things-to-do/skypark

‘Just Like You’: Mercat Tours launches new Witches Tour

Mercat Tours has announced a brand-new history tour Witches; Trial and Truth launching this Easter weekend, Saturday 8 April, and running every weekend. Members of the team gathered at Edinburgh Castle Esplanade to visit the very place where the accused were once tried and executed.

Delving into injustices of the past and telling the truth about the witch craze which gripped Edinburgh, the adult-only tour aims to shed light on this dark period of paranoia and persecution. Promising to bring an immersive experience, the tour will transport visitors back to the past and separate facts from commonly held myths.

Starting at Mercat Cross visitors will learn when Scotland was ruled by an irrational king and his obsession with the dark arts. Mercat Tours’ five-star, award-winning Storytellers will walk visitors back two centuries as they follow the accused’s tragic last steps through the cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town and its centuries-old closes to uncover the historic tales before finishing at Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. 

As part of the tour launch, Mercat Tours have introduced a campaign highlighting that Edinburgh’s ‘witches’ were really ordinary, innocent, people ‘Just Like You’.  It illustrates how the company celebrates diversity in their team and visitors by making a connection between the injustices and lack of diversity of the past vs now. 

Putting its own team members at the centre of the campaign, which is important to Mercat as an inclusive employer, it shines a spotlight on individuals who would’ve been targeted for their differences in the past.

Drawing parallels between their team today and the real stories of those who suffered reveals they were #justlikeyou ie someone who can heal such as Janet Boyman, an independent business women like Agnes Finnie, and those who speak a foreign language, to reflect modern times and a more inclusive society that exists today.

Kat Brogan, managing director at Mercat Tours said: “Inclusion and belonging is at the heart of everything we do at Mercat, its what we are valued for by the team and our visitors. It was important to reflect this through our new tour as we identify real life stories today that in the past would’ve led to something very different and considered a crime. 

“Mercat have been making connections between people and the past by giving history a damn good telling since 1985. We want visitors to make a thoughtful connection with injustices of the past and form their own thoughts about it.”

For more information and to book your tickets in advance visit:  

www.mercattours.com

Loch Ness Centre on the hunt for Nessie’s number one fan

Loch Ness Centre announces recruitment drive including a special role for Nessie’s number one fan following £1.5 million investment 

It’s a legend that has intrigued and enthralled for centuries. Now, aspiring Nessie-hunters will be thrilled to learn that the Loch Ness Centre is recruiting for staff in advance of its imminent re-opening. The Centre is also looking for Nessie’s number one fan to preview the upgraded attraction before opening to the public. 

For one of Scotland’s most famous tourist destinations, the new recruitment drive follows the refurbishment of the centre after Continuum Attractions took over earlier this year, investing £1.5m on upgrades to enhance the visitor experience of exploring the legend and myths of Loch Ness.

As part of its recruitment plan, the centre is on the hunt for Nessie’s number one fan to fulfil a special role. Ahead of opening the lucky candidate will be the first to try and test the unique one-hour tour.

The newly upgraded tour will offer a truly immersive experience allowing guests to become part of the story and delve deeper into the real stories of Loch Ness.

During the tour guests will go through seven rooms to explore the real story of one of the world’s most famous monsters, uncover ancient myths and legends, take a journey through the majestic Highlands and learn about the scientific research. 

To facilitate the day-to-day running of the centre, it is looking to hire two Operations Duty Managers, one fixed-term and the other permanent. Aimed at individuals with a passion for the tourism industry and an enthusiasm for providing exemplary customer service, the roles focus particularly on candidates’ leadership skills, flair for communicating with customers and visitors, and willingness to adapt and work well under pressure. 

Additionally, the Centre is on the hunt for an Inverness-based Marketing Manager. As the public face of the attraction, candidates will need to be creative and experienced marketing professionals with the willingness to network and build strong relationships with key stakeholders in the region. Driving growth and revenue will be a key objective, so enthusiasm for the brand and knowledge of what makes visitors tick are also crucial qualities in interested applicants. 

All the roles will offer successful applicants a generous salary and holiday allowance, health plan and pension scheme, along with additional perks such as discounts on visitor attractions and other leisure activities. 

Paul Nixon at Loch Ness Centre said: “Nessie’s story is one that lives in hearts and minds all over the world. As we prepare to reopen the Loch Ness Centre following extensive refurbishments, we’re looking for talented, enthusiastic people to join us in our passion and mission to share Nessie’s story even more widely.

“In exchange, the right candidates will receive a generous salary and benefits package along with the unique opportunity to engage with audiences from around the world and share Scotland’s legendary history with them”. 

Interested candidates can find further information at:

https://www.continuumattractions.com/join-the-team/jobs/

If you believe you’re Nessie’s number fan, you can be in with a chance of securing an exclusive preview of the new Loch Ness Centre tour by submitting a short video of no longer than two minutes explaining why you are the best person for the job. To apply, submit your entry to marketing@continuumattraction.com

** New City Hunt Game Alert **

Return to Wonderland with Escape Hunt Edinburgh

Escape Hunt Edinburgh is giving players the opportunity to step into Alice’s shoes in it’s brand-new City Hunt adventure, Return to Wonderland – launching at Escape Hunt Edinburgh, located in the Omni Centre on 23rd March. 

This epic city hunt transforms the streets of Edinburgh into a Wonderland-themed outdoor experience. Imagine an escape room with no doors, a treasure hunt with more challenges, and a city like you’ve never seen it before.

Players must take to the streets of Edinburgh, to find the virtual lost characters of Wonderland scattered across the city. Explore with a digital map to crack clues, complete puzzles and solve challenges along the way. With just 90 minutes – players must work together to find the characters, return them to wonderland and save the Mad Hatter from the Queen of Hearts. Chop Chop. 

Launching in time for the Easter Holidays, the experience is open to teams of between two and six players, perfect for friends and family members who want to try their hand at the puzzles of Wonderland. And what’s more, kids under 8 go free.

For tickets, or for more information on how to book, go to:

https://escapehunt.com/uk/edinburgh/games/return-to-wonderland/

Musselburgh Racecourse unveils Easter extravaganza

Neigh ‘horsing around’ as East Lothian venue hosts highest value raceday this year

PARTYGOERS, families and sports enthusiasts will don their most royal outfits as they flock to the Easter Saturday meeting at Musselburgh Racecourse.

Celebrations will take place on 8 April and will culminate in the venue’s highest value race, the prestigious Queen’s Cup, with £100,000 worth of prize money.

The Queen’s Cup received its name following Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Musselburgh Racecourse for its Bicentenary Raceday in 2016. The racecourse has a proud Royal heritage with The Queen’s Stand also opened by Princess Anne.

The venue will be bringing back its popular ‘Pommery domes’ for the event – which were a huge hit for revellers on New Year’s Day – with a bottle of Pommery Champagne and charcuterie board to enjoy while soaking up the race day atmosphere.

For families, an abundance of free activities for young ones are on offer, with a dedicated ‘Clip Clop Zone,’ offering free funfair rides for all ages and face painting. 

Aisling Johnston, Marketing Manager at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “Easter Saturday is one of our biggest social events in the calendar. It promises to be a day full of music, dancing, street food vendors, champagne bars and of course, first-class racing.

“We also have a host of free entertainment planned for those looking to bring the little ones, including the return of the hugely popular and highly-anticipated Easter Bunny which is sure to go down a treat! The best part is that all kids under 17 are free when accompanied by an adult.

“With a huge variety of exciting activities planned, there is something for everyone to enjoy no matter what your age.”

As well as the Queen’s Cup, there will be a series of key races taking place throughout the day, including the Royal Mile Handicap, the Silver Arrow and Scotland’s fastest race, the Scottish Sprint Cup, which attracts top sprinters from across the country.

Prize money that will be awarded across the day will total £226,000 – the venue’s highest value offered this year. ITV Racing will cover the full sporting event.

Aisling added: “After the last race, revellers will be able to enjoy some music and dancing with the memorable ‘Funkwagen’ party van experience.

“So, strap on your best dancing shoes and come and join us for an unforgettable Easter experience. Tickets are selling quickly, so act now to have the chance of grabbing one for yourself – you won’t regret it!”

Vendors at the event will include some of Scotland’s best street food offerings, such as Well Hung and Tender’s burgers and chips, Dog N Bon’s hot dogs and loaded fries and Bonnie Burrito’s Mexican cuisine.

Purchasing a ticket before midnight on the 7th April will result in a saving of £5 per person. On the day gate admission will be £35. Children 17 years and under go free.

Gates open at 11:30am, with the first race at 13:50pm and the last race at 17:20pm. Times are provisional and can be found here: https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/fixtures

Musselburgh Racecourse provides year-round racing action, with 27 race days across the flat and jump racing season – weekend, midweek and evening.

Every race day offers quality racing with outstanding facilities and an atmosphere to match. Its ‘Sensational 6’ includes New Year’s Day, Scottish Cheltenham Trials Weekend, Easter Saturday, The Edinburgh Cup sponsored by Edinburgh Gin, Stobo Castle Ladies Day and The Summer Finale weekend.

For further information on Easter Saturday and to book tickets now, visit: 

https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/tickets/easter-saturday-08-04-2023

Treble up for Musselburgh

Musselburgh Racecourse gallops ahead with three industry awards

Musselburgh Racecourse has strengthened its position as Scotland’s leading horse racing venue with three accolades from leading industry and visitor attraction organisations.

The East Lothian course was awarded Gold Standard status by the Racehorse Owners’ Association (ROA), one of only 12 UK courses to achieve the standard and ranked third behind York and sister course Chester.

Musselburgh was assessed as having an overall quality score of 89% and received 100% ratings in four categories including for cleanliness. The ROA said the Gold Standard was awarded to courses which provide an outstanding race day experience for owners and demonstrated a “truly exemplary performance”.

Sixty courses participated in the scheme scoring an average quality score of 80%. Musselburgh achieved an 89% rating with an owner’s feedback score of 4.4 out of five against an average score of 3.7%.

The Racecourse Association’s (RCA) Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme assesses the raceday experience from the perspective of customers, with each racecourse visited by a trained assessor from VisitScotland. The assessments analyse all touchpoints of the customer experience including pre-raceday information, the on-course experience and post-raceday communications.

Musselburgh was awarded an RCA Excellence Accolade for its Staff Customer Service and also retained its five star visitor attraction status, meaning it is considered an “exceptional” venue by VisitScotland.

The RCA said 2022 had been a particularly challenging year for sport and leisure venues, and the retention of the prestigious five star rating demonstrated the ongoing investment in Scotland into the raceday experience.

Paul Swain, the RCA’s Raceday Experience & Communications Manager, said: “The scheme demonstrates the RCA and its members’ ongoing commitment to reviewing and enhancing the raceday experience.

“It has been a challenging year for racecourses with inflation, soaring energy bills and the wider cost of living crisis. This, along with the difficulties of securing staff, has meant that racecourses have had to adapt and innovate to continue to offer the experiences our racegoers are accustomed to.”

VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance Manager, Angie Fowler, said: “We congratulate the Scottish racecourses in retaining their excellent quality visitor attraction ratings, with three of them retaining our top accolade. 

“A commitment to quality is clearly demonstrated across these racecourses and in particular, their dedication to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for all visitors is helping to inspire other attractions across Scotland. 

“Their determination to maintain and improve standards is about much more than just a star rating, it is about providing a visitor experience consistent in standards across all areas. Quality and value-for-money are important to consumers, especially during challenging economic times, and delivering experiences that meet and exceed visitor expectations is crucial in making Scotland a must-visit, must-return destination.”

Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, Bill Farnsworth, said: “It is important and useful to be able to measure our performance and the race day experience we offer across multiple metrics and I am delighted that Musselburgh continues to be one of the best performing and value for money sports and visitor attractions in the UK.

“The bar is set high but we are always striving to find new or improved ways of making sure everyone who visits Musselburgh, be that regular racegoers and owners or casual visitor, leaves feeling they have enjoyed the day and will want to return.

“Maintaining these high standards is only possible because of the energy and commitment of our permanent and race day staff who work with key partners to ensure consistent quality across all our operations and these awards are recognition of their efforts.”