Despite the huge growth in digital photography over the past few years it's a surprise there's that…read moremany of these places left (akin to mobile phones and BT phone kiosks). However, printing at home is only occasionally successful, unless you carry it out in a professional context and is often expensive. Therefore places like Max Spielman can provide a value for money service should you wish to print out your myriad digi snaps. The world we live in has never been so visually documented as our current age, with every nook and cranny preserved (unless a crazy electro magnetic wave of energy wipes clean the worlds servers, hard drives and iBerry Text Phones - et al) for future historians to unravel our dirty laundry and look into our strange, repetitive behaviour. My neighbour, fairly averse to technology recently acquired his first digital camera. With no computer to check the pictures from his worldly travels he can now take in his 'SD card' or indeed whole camera and download the contents onto their printing machine. If you don't mind waiting a couple of days and you have quite a lot to print off, you can get a really decent price for your pictures (a tenner for 200 prints must be far, far cheaper than printing at home). I still use this shop because even though I use a digi cam, the quality is just nothing like the quality I can get on my 35mm SLR: therefore I can still (thankfully) take in my 35mm film to be printed off (within an hour if you're willing to pay a premium). A digital SLR is on my ever pulsating wish list. Aside from usual prints you can also purchase camera's, memory cards, picture frames and other associated photo paraphernalia. The service is really friendly and helpful. For the best part however my (35mm) prints seem to be a little disappointing quality wise: if you were to be further up the professional chain then I'd recommend looking at the more pro shops or get in touch with somebody with dark room facilities.

A top quality professional photographer!!!read more

Contemporary bridal wear and bridesmaids dresses from Charlotte Balbier, Lucca Scandinavian Design,…read moreAugusta Jones and Dessy.

Keyteq are an audio-visual hire and presentation company who offer various options for image and…read morevideo projection as well as shiny lights and flashy gadgets. They're a great company to use if you're holding an event and aren't too confident with any of the tecchie stuff. These guys will come in, rig everything, test everything and operate any projectors, sound or lighting you need as part of the service. They across the corporate and private hire sectors so are as comfortable flicking between slides at a key-note presentation as they are swishing the lasers around at a big club party. Their equipment is pretty up to date and they're happy to source anything else you might need if they don't already stock it. The staff are really friendly and are more than happy to help you plan your event down to the smallest details. The rates are competitive and can be haggled if you know where to push and pull. The best way to get good deals with these sorts of companies is to go back to them a few times and build up a relationship; if they know you're a loyal customer they will be keen to keep you and will throw in some extras for free or knock their quotes down for you. The best way to get an idea of what they do is to check out the photos here on Yelp or scroll through the images on their website.

What a fantastic place to stay! I went to this fantastic hotel for a work trip. I was totally…read moremesmerized to stay in a really old British 'castle like' place. Shortly after I arrived, my coworker told me that the place used to be a mental institution/hospital. I'm not sure how you'd react to that, but I kind of loved it and spent my free working minutes on the web, trying to learn about potentially haunted rooms and ghosts of ol' crazy people. Unfortunately, no paranormal activities at this facility. So instead, I spent my evening in the gym facility, took a spin course, and sweat my butt off. The next day I tried the swimming pool and sauna as well. I was also really pleasantly surprised that the locker rooms were equipped with fantastic hair dryers ... AND ... GHD hair straighteners. Those babies cost a couple hundred euros a piece! The lunch menu on the first day included meat and chilli beans, as well as salmon.. and then of course, some salad and lots of desert. I tried the salmon with chili beans and overdosed on proteins. So so so good. The salmon was really fresh. I ended up ordering salmon for dinner as well. The quality of the food there was really fantastic. So the reason I am giving it 4 stars, instead of 5 is because it was just cold and chilly in there. The front door was kept frequently open and I think the windows aren't properly isolated, so when the temperature drops outside, you feel it right away inside. Other than that - definitely recommended. About 35 minutes from the Manchester Airpoint (36 Pound trip by cab). Give it a try!

Stayed her recently for a one day training conference with work…read more Top tip. It's only 30 mins drive from Manchester airport but ring the hotel direct and they will give you the number for a local hackney firm they use. £40 vrs £70. More beer money for me! P.S. Hackney firm are excellent and picked us up in a brand new Toyota Avensis estate. I digress. Arrived at the hotel which is situated on its own 20 acres grounds and it is a Grade II listed building. Very nice setting. It was a Monday afternoon and the reception staff were all older ladies. Unusual but you knew they knew their stuff. Being Irish we asked when did the bar close? (We have been stung before with venues like this and the bar closing early) and to our great surprise she tells us and I quote "The bar closes when you stop drinking". Hallelujah, did she realise the trouble that was going to be in store.... Now now, we did behave ourselves I promise. P.S. This used to be a mental asylum you know! Decor very tasteful and well appointed. A small bit of a labyrinth but you get to were you are going to in nice surroundings. Room has all the 4 star mod cons, room key is a funny plastic card with holes in that you leave in the lock to open. Requested an Iron and board and had them within 5 mins. Bar nice and spacious. Best thing ever was the free american pool table but had UK sized balls, better than that was the garden sized connect 4 set!! Hours of fun for all the guys at the conference. We had teams from the UK, Ireland and Holland. A great night. Bar food really nice and prices not bad either. I'd recommend the burger with bacon and cheese served with great fries and coleslaw all on a wooden chopping board (they must have broken all the plates, ha ha ). Bar staff during the next day were hard to find and slow but that's because I'm used to Irish bar/pubs speeds. If your slow in Ireland you go out of business fast! Great conference facilities and little touches like bowls of sweets (Drumsticks, Fruit Salad and Love Hearts) during the intervals make all the difference. Breakfast & Lunch in the main restaurant was really good with a large choice. All buffet style but it just meant you got more of what you liked. Nice touch is the area between the bar and main restaurant with a free coffee/tea station and bowls of more sweets, apples, bags of crisps etc. These guys know how to look after a business conference. Will be pushing for more training and conferences here.

I went to a wedding at Arley Hall last week and it was a spectacular venue to get married…read more The only reason I'm marking it down to 4* is because as a non-driver and a singleton it would have been very expensive to get there myself, as the public transport links aren't great. Luckily, I got a lift to and from the venue with friends but otherwise it would have been £50 in a taxi each way. So that's the moan out of the way. The rest was brilliant and to anyone looking for a wedding venue, you should definitely consider here. The main house, where the ceremony and meal were, was very pretty. The food was very tasty, particularly the sticky toffee pudding. Service was also very good. The back where the pictures were taken is gorgeous and provides a beautiful backdrop for wedding photos - official or unofficial! The evening do was in the Olympia Hall which is a nice size. Has a bar, nice area for DJ/dancing and an upstairs bit with sofas and room for a photo booth. I'll put up a few photos shortly.

Although we didn't pay to go into the hall and gardens themselves, even through cafe alone is well…read moreworth a visit if you're in the area. My friend and I had been on a 6 mile hike that started and ended at the hall, and it made for the perfect finish. The celeriac soup was delicious, but everything on offer looked great. Be mindful that they do stop hot food at 3, but we turned up at 3.20 and as they hadn't turned anything off yet they were more than happy to serve us. The cakes looked lovely too and if I'd have had room for dessert I would have had one without hesitation!

Great building, really ornate inside. I imagine it would be good to hire for weddings and events…read moreetc. Recently went to a good antiques fair here. They often have different events and markets on, so keep your eye out.

Stockport Town Hall is located on the main A6 (Wellington Road South) not far from Mersey Square…read more It is a grand and beautiful building with lots of history. It houses Stockport's Council Chambers and a grand ballroom which is used for functions, fairs and presentations. It can also be hired out for weddings. Next to the town hall is Stockport Registry Office where they perform weddings in two beautiful rooms.

love this store for books, stationery & some gifts all very reasonably priced & all excellent…read morequality