• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Altrincham
• Category: Sports and Leisure

Altrincham WA14 1BA
08700 85 29 29

JessicaLo said
Silver Blades
Silver Blades is a large ice skating rink in Altrincham. It is probably the biggest ice skating rink in Cheshire and the prices aren't too bad either. If you bring your own skates, then the admissions fee is a bit cheaper. They offer sessions for those that want to skate, as well as slots for private hire and ice hockey. The skating rink itself is in a very ideal location as it is situated very close to the Altrincham railway station, where many buses also stop. Altrincham is about 30 minutes or so away from Manchester. It is a very popular ice rink with many staff available on the ice to help any fallen customers!! The music is well paced, and many beginners and novices skate at the same time, although it can be very scary at first for the beginner.

They regularly sweep the ice that has come off to avoid accidents and if you are unfortunate to suffer any cuts, then help is also at hand. I personally think that this place is good value for money as from the previous times I've been, we've often left early because we became so tired.

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Macclesfield
• Category: Stations and Transport

Macclesfield SK11 7JP

JessicaLo said
Macclesfield Railway Station
This railway station is pretty small and as a result isn't as confusing as other train stations. It is quite easy to find and has a carpark which is of a reasonable size. There aren't many platforms, and to travel to other destinations, without a car, you might have to get the train from Macclesfield to Manchester Piccadilly.

The inside of the train station is very small as well, but the staff are always very helpful, and there is an electronical display telling you whether the trains are on time or not. Outside there are large electrical displays with the time. Although there does not appear to be options for purchasing food, unlike other train stations I have used, you do feel relatively safe. There is also a room for people wishing to stay away from the cold, whilst waiting for their train.

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Shops and Amenities

Manchester M4 2HU

JessicaLo said
Lush
A shop which sells divinely smelling products!! It sells a huge variety of products: soaps, toners, bath balls, masks, lip balm, etc.. Lush uses natural ingredients and all their products bear a sticker of the person who made the product as well as instructions. The staff are always very friendly and don't force anything upon you. The products are probably more ethical than The Body Shop since Loreal took over. The prices are quite high for the products, but a bottle of toner or a face mask can go a very long way, so might be worth the money.

Their solid perfume and lipbalm, although ethical does seem overpriced, at least for a student.

After a recent purchase, Lush were offering a free face mask for any customer that returned 5 of their black tubs which they use for things like creams and masks, so it might be worth bearing that in mind when you finish any of their ''tubbed'' products!

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Shops and Amenities

Manchester M2 7DB
0161 832 9148

JessicaLo said
The Body Shop
Nice shop selling various beauty products. The body shop is a very well established shop, but unfortunately the products are very expensive in my opinion, especially for a student!! There are a vast range of products catered for pretty much all types of people and skins as well. Apart from selling creams and lotions, they also sell cosmetics and body sprays.

On the subject of whether The Body Shop is ethical or not is debatable. Under Anita Roddick, the shop promoted no animal testing. Since Loreal took over however, not only has Naturewatch urged people to boycott the shop, but several previous members have resigned. The Body shop has also seen its ethical rating go from 11/20 to just a mere 2.5 according to Ethical Consumer ratings.

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Food and Drink

Manchester M1 4LB
0161 228 1717

JessicaLo said
Wong Wong;s Bakery
This is a very popular bakery with a large selection of freshly baked goods, including buns, cakes and pastries. Located in China town, it is very popular amongst the Chinese locals who frequent China town often. It sells traditional Chinese buns and pastries that can be found in China, HK and Macau, although it must be said that there is a clear difference between bakeries in the UK and those internationally, this is of course to be expected.

On the wall near the counter, you can find many different types of cakes that you can order for special occasions. These are the standard Chinese cakes which predominantly use fruit instead of icing for example. The price is not displayed, so you will have to ask if you want to order.

The shop itself has a seating area and it doesn't cost anything more to eat in than eat out unlike Starbucks, Caffe Nero and many other places. They also offer a student discount, which is about 10%, but the goods offered by the bakery are very affordable either way, so even if you don't have student ID with you, unless buying in bulk, you won't be missing out on too much.

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: South Kensington
• Category: Hotels and Travel

London SW7 3BJ

JessicaLo said
Bernard Sunley House - Imperial Accommodation
This is one of the university student halls offered by Imperial college London primarily to first year students. It is one of the smaller halls, housing about 90 students or so, with 1 warden and 3 sub-wardens. The size means that everyone in the halls knows everyone else, although it has to be said that for some students, they never seem to come out of their rooms or appear for more than 2 days at a time.

This hall offers 1 triple room (3 beds in one large room), several double rooms (2 people sharing) and also several small single rooms and large single rooms. There is one ensuite in this entire hall that is available for students. The wardens all get very spacious rooms with showering facilities as well.

The rent, as is typical of London, is very expensive. I stayed in the triple room for a year and paid about £66/week (all bills included) in 2008 (: Note that this figure will most likely have gone up), but several people from Leeds have managed to pay £66 for a single room in a house/week (bills excluded however).

The halls compromises of basement, ground floor and floors 1-3. The boy-girl ratio at Imperial was definitely reflected in these halls in my year, as there were about 30% girls.

The basement consists of more bedrooms, as well as a large common room with a large TV, where sky television is available, as well as a DVD player. There are also several sofas and a bar, although the bar is never used apart from for hall events.

Opposite the common room, there is another room containing a pool/snooker table that has recently been retouched, as well as a table football. It is a really nice place to relax during the evening with friends and both are never empty unless at odd hours. On this floor there is also a small tv room, which is also the room where you can collect parcels, book guest rooms, and generally find the wardens between 7.30-8pm...again this might change since it was applicable in 2008.

A very huge bonus is that the office for Evelyn gardens is located on ground floor of this hall, which means it is very convenient for anyone here to collect parcels, even more so if it is a large delivery.

The halls has regular events throughout the year, although it must be said that it really does depend on the level of responsibility and commitment of the hall seniors appointed that year. There are typically around 5 hall seniors - 2nd year students or older, who organise events and help the first years with any queries in halls.

Overall, a very good hall and a good distance away from university and also the big Sainsburys which is where most students from Evelyn Gardens go to do their weekly shopping, although those with more money (or just lazier students) can always shop at the small (and more overpriced) Sainsburys, and Marks and Spencers only a walk away.

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Shopping

Manchester M1 1WR
0161 832 2337

JessicaLo said
T K Maxx
Here you can find many designer labels at an affordable price. There are many railings filled with clothes, but for the vast majority of items, there aren't multiple copies. The railings for each category are arranged in order of size. It is a bit of a rummage, but you can find many discounted labels from top designers such as CK - e.g. CK cardigan retailing price of over £150 went down to about £50. Many of the items are over £10, but 50% or more off from the retail price for the vast majority.

There are tills, but no more than 5 or 6, I daresay. The staff are friendly, but no student discounts are available however. T K Maxx also do shoes and other various items. The shop is probably equivalent to one floor of Primark or smaller. In the dress section there are many bargains, but also many items you probably wouldn't be caught dead wearing, each to their own however! Dresses can cost about £30, so if you need to buy a last minute ball dress for a special occasion, you shouldn't rule out T K Maxx definitely.

There are many changing rooms with friendly staff, although in some of them, selfish customers do seem to be incredible selfish and leave things like apple cores inside. Each changing room has 2 mirrors with room for hanging clothes and bags.

The rummage and sometimes lack of choice and indication does leave something more to be desired, but for what it is, T K Maxx is a good place to find bargains and a relatively good shopping experience overall.

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Sports and Leisure

Manchester M3 2FW
0161 839 9521

JessicaLo said
Rileys
Rileys is a club where customers can play mainly pool or snooker. The interior is pretty large with several tables, and there is a bar as well. It is a really nice place where you can meet and hang out with friends. The atmosphere is very nice, although very quiet sometimes. The tables each are distinct in that above the table there will be some sort of e.g. beer bottle or something hanging. There are separate rooms as well if you don't wish to play alongside everyone else. There are chairs near the pool tables and small counters to put your drinks.

If you are a member, the amount you could save wasn't really apparent. I went with a friend who was a member, but didn't know what she was saving. It is a pretty popular place, and the music is very relaxed.

When you go to the counter to order a table, you will be given the pool or snooker balls, when you've had enough, you take the equipment back to the counter, where the staff there will see how long you've spent playing and charge you accordingly. From memory, when I went, my friend and I played for no more than 2 hours and were charged £10.15, so the price isn't too bad either especially if you are with a group and decide to split the cost.

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Take Aways

Manchester M2 3NG
0161 835 1982

JessicaLo said
Subway
Pretty much like any other subway. The sub of the day is probably the best valued sandwich, although it still annoys me when the staff are making the sandwich and ask you about certain fillings without being specific or not the amount of money that is added on. Even if you choose all the fillings they offer you however, this won't add too much onto the value of the sandwich. The footlong is the best deal if you are with someone else as the other reviewer mentioned. Tuesday is meatball day, although of course the amount of meatballs you get does depend on how nice the staff are... If you want to eat a bit more, then adding £1.50 onto your sub. will give you the choice of a drink, and either a packet of crisps or a cookie. The drink you fill yourself at the machines. Subways is most definitely a better deal than caffe nero or starbucks and with healthier options as well.

• Added: 11th of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Shopping

Manchester M60 1TX

JessicaLo said
Primark
One of the busiest shops for sure in Manchester. It sells many inexpensive items of clothing and has been filled with customers almost every single time I've visited. The clothes aren't of the best quality, but you can pick up good bargains. Primark sells hair accessories, jewellery, scarfs, bags, belts, etc as well as clothes. A lot of the items, I wouldn't buy in Primark because of the poor quality of design and the choice of material, but the price is such that if you are budgeting it is ideal. Jeans can cost as little as £8, although you are lacking in suitable choice - I say suitable as in I'm assuming you wouldn't go for e.g. a tartan patterned, shocking design.

There is always a lot of staff on hand, but because of the amount of customers, unfortunately you do get many irresponsible ones who just dump clothes anywhere and everywhere, which makes it a poor shopping experience for others.

If you pick the right time to go, Primark can be a relatively nice shopping experience, pick the wrong time, and you needn't bother trying out clothes, the shop can get so busy that customers are all in the way of each other. The queue for the till can be absolutely horrendous and although they have more than 5 tills, the wait can be a lot longer than in most clothing shops.

Some argue that Primark is unethical and it is easy to see why by looking at the price tags, combined with the large proportion of clothing that is pretty much unwearable for most people because of design and material, it might be better to go to a more expensive shop, who are both ethical and have better choices of clothing available.