The Ideal Home Show (Manchester)

60's poster

It's not often an opportunity pops into my inbox and makes me eeek and rush to my manager asking for the day off (yes I have to work a real full time job and blog on the sidelines).... even more rare is for her to say "yes".... so now I can tell you the exciting news (if you've not guessed from the title of the post) .... I'm off to the Ideal Home Show in Manchester on 4th June.
 And it couldn't have come at a better time as by then I'll either be living in a new house or in a cardboard box on the street corner (depending when the contracts are completed) and will need some inspiration for making the property into our home.

1983 poster

Technically the show has been going since 1908 (formally called the Ideal Home Exhibition) based at Olympia in London.   It's always been the leader when it comes to showcasing new inventions or home improvements - the toaster and electric kettle (1920), the microwave (1947) and the electric grass mower (1970). The show has also been at the forefront of environmental concerns, unveiling the first 'energy efficient kitchen' in 1989 and in 1997 a rainforest was created and visitors could experience a tropical downpour every hour from the shelter of a tree house.    Despite changing ownership from the Daily Mail to Media 10 in 2008 it has continued to bring in the crowds.

1938 poster

But did I get to go ...... NO!  For years and years I would see it advertised in magazines and never stepped foot in the door.  This was probably due to it's location more than anything else.  But this year, following its successful debut in 2014 the Ideal Home Show (sponsored by Express Bi-folding Doors) is set to arrive back in EventCity, Manchester this June ... and I'm invited.

Based on the multi-award winning London show with a Northern Twist, the 4 day event (one more than last year), will offer seven sections each dedicated to making a house a home, including: Interiors, Home Improvements, Food & Housewares, Technology, Gardens, Fashion & Beauty and Shopping

1956 poster

Featuring an impressive 300 exciting exhibitors, the iconic British Home Show offers a great day out
and a unique shopping experience for the whole family, packed with fantastic features including a fully built Show Home, inspirational Room Sets, top chefs at the Food & Drink Theatre, the relaxing Restaurant and Champagne Bar, as well as the spectacular Ideal Super Theatre, filled with talks and demonstrations.   The final shows and talks are yet to be advertised but you'll be the first to find out when I do.

Over the four days, Thursday 4th June and Sunday 7th June 2015 the show will play host to a range of famous faces, from industry experts to household celebrities, who will offer advice and tips.
The current line up* is:
Architect and TV presenter, George Clarke – Friday 5th and Saturday 6th June
Interior designer, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen – Thursday 4th and Friday 5th June
Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis – Friday 5th June
Top foodie, Gregg Wallace – Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June
TV presenter and Model,  Amanda Lamb – Thursday 4th June
Gardening expert, Diarmuid Gavin – Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June
*subject to change

Aside from exhibitions there are numerous other highlights from the Show and I bet you can't guess which I want to experience more than others......

The Ideal Super Theatre – One of the most popular features of the show, the Ideal Super Theatre will host talks and workshops from a range of experts to advise on how to make the most of what you've got to work with and how to make a house a home.

The Champagne Bar sponsored by Hydropool- Kick back, relax and treat yourself to a glass of bubbly after all of the shopping

The Ideal Food & Drink Theatre sponsored by Stoves – The Food & Drink Theatre will feature top chefs and industry experts on hand to give you handy culinary hints and tips. With live cook along demonstrations, foodies are able to learn from the experts how to cook up a storm in the kitchen in time for summer as well as find the perfect accompaniment through tastings from Drinks Experts.

The Gregg Wallace Restaurant - Relax, wine and dine in our beautiful restaurant hosted by friend of the show Gregg Wallace, providing traditional lunch with a twist.

Ideal Room Sets in association with intu Trafford Centre – Our beautiful room sets, created in association with intu Trafford Centre offer decorating and furnishing inspiration.

How much can you save with Martin Lewis’ moneysavingexpert.com? – Here visitors can take the MoneySavingExpert.com quiz through an ingenious app that reveals how much you could save. Each day members of the MoneySavingExpert.com team will be on the stand to answer visitors questions and queries.

The Home for Life Styled by House Beautiful – Take a look round this show stopping 2000 square feet home which features 3 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms and can be built in any environment and is suited to maximise views of beautiful landscape surroundings.

From Interiors to Home Improvements, Food & Housewares to Technology, Gardens, Fashion & Beauty and Shopping, the Ideal Home Show sponsored by Express-Bi-folding Doors also gives you the chance to explore thousands of products, exclusive show offers and items you won’t find on the high street.

Tickets:
To book tickets visit www.idealhomeshowmanchester.com or call 0844 209 7366

Prices for Ideal Home Show, EventCity, Manchester are:
• Adult  - £12.00 In Advance,  £15.00 on the Door
• Concession (over 60) - £11.00 in advance, £14.00 on the Door
• Children aged 15 and under go free when accompanied by a paying adult (Max 2)
• Advanced tickets transaction fee of £1.70 applies
• Groups of 10+ from £6.00

Ideal Home Show, Manchester takes place from 4 - 7 June 2015

EventCity, Manchester

Phoenix Way

Off Barton Dock Road

Urmston

Manchester

M41 7TB

10am - 6pm Daily

****WIN WIN WIN****

For your chance to win 2 free tickets for any day of the Ideal Home Show, Manchester enter the really simple rafflecopter below.

A blog comment is essential however you can enter as many of the other options as you wish for additional chances to win.

If you are unable to use the rafflecopter for any reason then pop over and like my Facebook page, leaving a comment about why you would like to win the tickets and I'll be able to manually add you to the rafflecopter entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The boring bit

-   Competition open to all those aged 18 or over

-   The tickets can be redeemed on any day of the show – 4-7 June 2015

-   There is no cash alternative and tickets cannot be sold or transferred in any circumstances

-   The Ideal Home Show has the right to refuse entry

-   Travel to the event and accommodation is at the entrant's expense

-   Due to time constraints the winner will have  48 hours to reply and claim their prize or another winner may be drawn.

- Tickets are only valid for the Ideal Home Show, Manchester
- All entries will be verified and should remain live for the end of the competition.

Disclaimer:  I was offered a pair of tickets to the Ideal Home Show, Manchester and the prize in return for writing a couple of posts,  All opinions are my own.

Images:

Unfortunately I have been unable to contact the owners of the posters used they are as follows.  I hope you don't mind me using them - if you do please please let me know and I'll remove, thank you.

1956 poster - http://poster-gallery.com/de/shop/view_product/Anonym-Ideal-Home-Exhibition-755743

1960s poster - http://www.elephantandmonkey.co.uk/collectible-details.asp?productid=177&subcategory=5&category=2

1938 poster - http://www.denniswheatley.info/mysteryrooms.htm

1983 poster - http://www.ingenious.org.uk/Read/HomeandAway/IdealHome/TheDailyMailIdealHomeExhibition/