Or should we say it’s gone back to its previous name, Central Station.
Restore back to life in 1986 after lying dilapidated for years; old Central Station was the key connection by rail from the City of Manchester to Liverpool.
Christened the Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre, GMEX was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth after refurbishing costs of £20million; transforming into one of England’s largest exhibition centres.

Older people still refer to it as the GMEX but no doubt over the years it will become know as it’s new name ‘Manchester Central’

At over 10,000 sq metres it is also one of the countries biggest, spaces held up without interior supporting columns, its gigantic vaulted roof held up by sheer engineering inventiveness and uncomplicated geometry.

The hall can seat more than 9000 people. There are a further 2,250 sq metres of adjoining land adjacent to the main hall for temporary structures and exhibitions, with onsite parking for over 1,500 cars.
Regular exhibitions are held with everything from Marine to PC Fairs, Motor Homes and Home exhibitions.

Forthcoming Events

17^th September 12:30 to 19:30

The Manchester Business Show

It’s not that straightforward to find the ideas and opportunities which maintain a companies growth, but at the Manchester Business Show, we’re giving you a opportunity to do just that. We’ve specially selected the exhibitors and spokesman who can assist you in taking your business to the next level. Each exhibitor represents one key area of expertise, be it accounting, economics, IT, advertising or web design, and you will have a opportunity to talk to them in person. These companies are readily and available to answer any of your enquiries, give guidance and offer their first rate services.

Professional Beauty Manchester

The north of England’s largest trade professional health, beauty and wellbeing event, Professional Beauty Manchester is home to foremost UK and global brands. Register for free admission and find out the most up-to-date launches and latest products, meet with essential suppliers, discover new trends, attend complimentary master classes and save with hundreds of show offers.

Please note that as Professional Beauty Manchester is a trade exhibition, no children under the age of 14 or pushchairs will be allowed into the exhibition.

Click on the Map in Inlarge

The Metro System

Accommodation Manchester

Cornerstones Guest House is a short walk from Brooklands Station, offering warm, cosey family run accommodation in a large Vitorian building with large bed rooms restored to there former glory. Once you viewed our video check our tariff to see the really value.

Sale Water Park

You won’t really find traditional bed and breakfast accommodation in Manchester Centre;  what you will find is hundreds of ‘L’ shaped bedrooms in a large number of hotels, and it doesn’t really matter which hotel you pick there all pretty much designed the same, unless you ask for something different then you pay the eart

The more traditional bed and breakfasts and guest houses providing accommodation, are found in the suburbs and leafy suburbs of Manchester.

Imperial War Museum Manchester

So north, south, east, west, which is the best location; if you work on the process of elimination using transport links and the time it takes into Manchester City Centre as a priority; being close to the much loved Manchester Metro is a big plus.

It runs from the north, starting out in Bury going through Manchester to the south, ending in the town of Altrincham, with a branch running off to the east from Cornbrook Metro Station to Eccles (as in, Eccles Cake: In 1793 James Birch’s shop on the corner of Vicarage Road in Eccles began selling small, flat, raisin-filled cakes. They sold, quite literally, like hot cakes).

On it’s way to Eccles it passes Salford Quays which houses The Lowery Centre

The Lowery Centre

and Imperial War Museum there’s one or two large hotels and a few two star rated bad and breakfast just 15 minutes from Manchester centre.

Your accommodation in Manchester should be no more than 15 minutes outside the city centre and anything to the north is really beyond that time limit.

The south side of Manchester has the leafy suburbs of Sale and Altrincham which both boast their own playhouses, sports centres and good restaurants. Altrincham is about 25 minutes from the city, which if I was to stick to the guide lines would rule it out; but their both popular locations because of their easy access into the city by Metro, and further down the A56 is the beautiful Peak District which is just 45 minutes away.

Fifteen Minutes Out of the City

Is Brooklands Metro Station at Sale; on the ride into Manchester from Brooklands you can pick up a free shuttle bus to ‘The Trafford Centre’ at

Manchester United Stadium

Stretford Station, take the a club tour at Manchester United F.C. visit Lancashire County Cricket Club both from Old Trafford Station; and you can still jump off at Cornbrook Station to get to Salford Quays, the next stop is the city centre with all it’s attractions.

So if you’re looking for accommodation in Manchester, south of the city is the place to be.

The Cornerstones Guest House in Sale is rated in The Michelin Accommodation Guide; view our video to see inside this lovely Victorian House.

The concurring Romans claimed the fertile land on the West bank of the river Wyr at a spot where it was fordable, and where there was Romans there was trade and commerce and so the site became a crossing point and meeting place for local trade.

Some years later the crossing point was given status by a number of bridges being built on the site, however there’s only two remaining today one of them being the subject of many photographs is the 800 year old Five Arched Bridge.

In the early days of this towns long and fascinating history; the Saxon Edward the Elder ordered a fortified borough to be built here around 924; marked only by a mound now, known as Castle Hill. The growth of Badequella also merited a mention in the Domesday Book of 1085.

There seems no doubt that trading on the site has gone on since Roman times however it  only been, recorded from the 1300. The first recorded fair was held in 1254 and a charter was granted by King Edward III in 1330. For nearly 700 years the farming community has flocked from miles around for the weekly sale of livestock domestic goods and provisions. That tradition continues today with Markets held every Monday and, unlike most of the other local centres, there is a thriving livestock market at the Agricultural Centre and also a farm market once a month which is well worth a visit. The big event of the year is the annual Bakewell Show and this year is the 180th, which takes place on Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th of August 2010.

The river provides beautiful walks from the five arch bridge; up stream leads to Arkwright Mill, via Holme Hall and Holme Bridge dating back to the 1600.

Bakewell is a straight run from Cornerstones Guest House along the Manchester ring road and on to the A623 which go strait through the centre of the Peak District.

One of the annual Peak Districts events is dressing the well or well dressing which takes place in all the shrouding villages through out the year; each dressing there own well in competition with the whole of the Peak District; you will see the dressed wells with flowers and ribbons and everything you can imagine.

Bakewell has something for everybody a full range of shops, many historic buildings, pubs and restaurants, wonderful walks and numerous emporiums of excellence.

Great Food

We have been in each of these and highly recommend them.

Rowley Restaurant and Bar sits on the edge of the beautiful Chatsworth Estate in the pretty village of Baslow. The venue is under the ownership of Max & Susan Fischer of the one star Michelin restaurant at Baslow Hall and their Head Chef Rupert Rowley.

Well funnly enough the next one I was going to mention was Baslow Hall.
These are both just outside of Bakwell.

The Riverside at Ashford on the Water is a beautiful place and restaurant and is the closest to Bakewell.

And last but by no means least; what is this ancient medieval town special known for in the 21century.
The one and only Bakwell Pudding sometimes erroneously called a Bakewell tart, know world wide, well definitely in the north of England you must try one when you go.

The Cornerstones Guest House offers independent accommodation in Manchester is ideally situated for a day out in Bakewell in the Peaks and City Centre which is just 5 miles down the A56.

The Palace Theatre

22^nd March to 3^rd April

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Whistle down the Wind’

Staring Jonathan Ansell of G4; ‘Whistle down the Wind’ comes to Manchester’s Palace Theatre from a hugely successful tour of America and a smash hit season on the west end.

12^th to 17^th April

River Dance, ‘The Farewell Tour
The fantastic River Dance is in Manchester for just 6 days; if you haven’t seen it yet now is your last chance. Nineteen million people world wide have seen the original show and although it’s been running for 15 years the chosen dancers still have that hunger that was created on that first night.

Waterside Art Centre.

The Waterside is relatively new to Sale Manchester; just 1 mile away from the Cornerstones Guest House; the water in Waterside is the refurbish Bridgewater Canal where you will see narrow boats navigating there way to Manchester in the north and Lymm Village to the south west; there’s also day trips on the boats from Manchester.

Wednesday March 31^st 8pm

Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham play traditional Scottish Music; Shetland Fiddler Aly is renowned as being one of the instruments finest players. Phil Cunningham is widely respected as a musician and both retain a wide range of of the music they love.

Wednesday 14^th April

Sees ‘Those Magnificent Men’ a play by the now critically-acclaimed comedy duo Brian Mitchell & Joseph Nixon adapted form the story of Alcock and Browns first ever non stop transatlantic flight; a play for all ages.

Sat 17^th April is Comedy Night

With a selection of some of the finest comedians in the land. James Christopher is your host with Caimh McDonnell, Rory Motion and new comedy stars Graham Goring & Andrew Ryan.

Sat 24^th April

The Waterside plays host to Tommy Fleming described as the voice of Ireland. Tommy as the ability to turn well know Irish songs in to even more haunting and powerful renditions.

Through out the week there is always something happening where you can take part; Tea Dances, Poetry, Art Groups £1.00 Tea & Coffee provided, Young Actors, Tai Chi, Academy of Dance, Salsa and much, much more.

The Trafford Centre

Tue 30th March to Sat 3rd April

Get on T.V. with ‘The Fruit Shoot Juice Crew’

The Band Stand at The Trafford Centre
In the middle of the Trafford Centre there’s a band stand and on

Fri 26 March 7pm and 10pm
Hughes & Jones perform on The BandstandSat 27 March 7pm,  10pm

Wayne Devlin performs on The BandstandSun 28 March 6pm, 9pm

AT Band performs on The Bandstand

The Chill Factor

Skiing, With real snow

Gmex

3^rd & 4^th April

The National Motorcycle Show

You can reach all the above within 15 mins of the Cornerstones Guest House. Manchester is just 4 miles my car and 12 minutes by Metro. Cornerstones offers independent bed and breakfast accommodation in Manchester in warm friendly surroundings with individually decorated large en-suit bedrooms.

Cornerstones Guest House in Manchester is just 4miles from the city centre and only 3miles from Dunham Massey Deer Park.
Dunham is derived from the Anglo-Saxon dun, meaning hill; The Manorof Dunham was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 as having belonged to a Saxon Nobleman Aelfward. The Massey half came as a result of the Norman invasion of 1066 when Hamo de Masci became Baron of Dunham and most of the surrounding area to the north, from Dunham and Bowdon as far Baugley to the north west, but only Dunham was given the Barons name; Dunham Masci changing through descendants for several generations to ‘de Masci’, ‘de Mace’, ‘de Macei’, ‘de Mascy’, ‘de Massey. Only to change hands in the early 1400 to the Booth family. Dunhams old medieval hall was destroyed in 1616 when it was rebuilt. The mill and deer park was first mentioned in 1353 however the present mill only dates back to the 1860′s. The river Bollin turned the mill wheel, which as only been restored in recent years, and was the centre of employment in this mainly arable land of the 15^th century.

Formerly the home of the last Earl of Stamford and owned by the National Trust since 1976 Dunham as all year round events and one of the main events at this year is the ‘Archaeology Week’ based on the T.V. program ‘Time Team  The Trust  very own Time Team are back, this time to go deeper underground and see what lies beneath the grounds; there’ll exciting excavations for you to take part in together with in depth explanations of it’s history. We already have booking for this event so if your looking for bed and breakfast accommodation close to Manchester and Dunham book as soon as you can as most of the Guest House’s in the area book up for this event.

The Georgian Mansion House at Dunham Massey is filled with paintings, antic furniture and Huguenot (members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France ) Silver. Well know for it’s beautiful gardens, avenues and ponds, the deer wonder free in the grounds posing for the paparazzi.

There’s events throughout the year Staring with some family fun at Easter with the ‘Easter Egg Trail’ sponsored by Cadbury; a Cadbury Egghead is awarded to every child visiting the property, in the play area, lisening to the story teller or having your face painted by the face painter, this continuse thourgh out  the holidays and you can also enter the ‘Design your own Egghead’ competition exclusive to the ‘Easter Egg Trail’.

23^rd & 24^th March: Kitchen Clean

Meet the Conservation team as they spring clean our vast Kitchen,

The house at Dunham Massey is well known for it’s servant’s quarters which have been restored to provide a glimpse of life below stairs.

Throughout the Easter Holidays there’s fun for all the family in the Boredom Busters event.

18^th April:
Is a Garden Open Day

24^th April
‘Grow Your Own’ Weekend

A seed planting weekend with top tips from the resident gardeners.

8^th & 9^th May

Dunham 1710; stepping back in time with period costumes and characters.

May School Holidays

There’s fun for all the family with the Boredom Busters events.

Part of the Chatsworth estate; at first glance it is mistaken for a typical picture post card English village; the truth is¬† was one of the country’s first designer villages.

Edensor’s life began as a cluster of cottages set aside for the workers of the Chatsworth estate, however in the 1760′s Lanelot ‘Capability’ Brown was commissioned by the owner of Chatsworth Hall to design a park and a number of out buildings and cottages where tossed and the river was rerouted to create the required view. 80 years past when the then Duke of Devonshire engage Joseph Paxton to create the village that stands today; most of the architecture was drawn up by John Robertson of Derby and between them both they knock everything to the ground except ‘Park Cottage’ know as Naboth’s Vinyard in recognition of the owners stubbornness to move when the park was being developed .

The rebuilt village came with a twist of which the Dowager Duchess of Dvonshire was heard to say.

His concept was a work of fantasy, extravagant, not always practical and contributing to a feeling of Victorian eccentricity.

The twist was that they where built in the style of Tudor, Italianate, Norman and Swiss architecture of the day with no two chimneys the same. In the centre is St Peters Church built on the site of a 14^th century chapel incorporating Norman relics and carvings. In the centre of the church lies Joseph Paxton in a tomb said to be bigger that any of the Dukes of Devonshire’s.

Wander round the village to see these beautiful cottages and envy the people who live in them and don’t tell me it won’t cross your mind in wonder, as to how you are able to live in one of them. However there are some drawbacks if you want to paint your cottage you have to consider the fact that all the buildings are individually Listed Buildings in a Conservation Village, within a grade 1 Listed Parkland, in an Inheritance Tax Management Plan, in the National Park in UK, Europe.

Stop off at the post office for a cup of tea, home made lunches or freshly-baked scones and I have heard there’s also picnic baskets available to enjoy in Chatsworth Park.

If you fancy something more substantial the small, market town of Bakewell is just down the road on the banks of the river Wye where you can enjoy the famous Bakewell Tart with custard of course.

Providing bed and breakfast on the south side of Manchester; the Cornerstones Guest House it in a great position for day’s out in the beautiful Peak District.

Tatton Hall

Drop your bags off as early as you like jump in the car and turn right on to Washway road (A56);10 miles down the road or 20 mins and your there.

Spend a couple of hours round the shops, lunch in the Belle Epoque then into Tatton Park in the afternoon for a leisurely walk.

You will find we are one of the few Guest Houses in south Manchester in The Michelin Guide for b&b’s.  Manchester is just 4 miles down the A56 or you can jump on the Metro and be there in 12 minutes

Manchester just four miles down the road from your B&B.

Shopping

King Street

Knutsford as two main shopping streets upper and lower King St is Lower.

The Summerhouse created by Sara Mount in 2004 out of her dream of owning a shop in Knutsford is an Aladdin‚Äôs cave full of beautiful, stylish, contemporary accessories; it’s cream painted T&G clad walls give it a clean, calm, warm atmosphere.

There’s three floors of rooting to get through and it must be done slowly so you won’t miss anything.

Downstairs is given a retro feel through the jugs, bowels, mugs, enamel cake tins, table linens and and made tea cosy.

In the out door section of the shop Sara steps a little bit out of the box with wasp traps, willow wigwams and borders, large garden benches, and her take on tables chairs for entertaining out side on those warm summer nights.

You’ll find Farrow & Ball, paints, beautiful woollen throws cushions and very cute baby clothes and toys.

Belle Epoque

Dave use to eat here!

When David Beckham played for Manchester United this was one of his favorite restaurants.

So whats the food like! I haven’t got a clue! But I can say this; I’ve been trying to book into this restaurant for the last, what must be, 5 years on and off; in fact I phoned just last night (29/1/2010) nothing.

I’m going to phone right now for next week! YES! I don’t believe that; so we’re in it’s my wifes birthday on the 5th and I’ve book for the Sunday the 7th so I’m going to add this to our site as it is and let you have a review after the 7th Feb 2010.

Sunday Sailing

Tatton Mere

Tatton Park, is one of the North West Largest Visitor attractions attracting over 750,000 visits each year to it’s 1,000 acres of deer park, Gardens and Mansion. Acquired by the Egerton family in the late Tudor period it stayed in the family until the last Lord Egerton Maurice died in 1958.

Having no heir Lord Egerton left Tatton Park to the National Trust and in turn the trust least it to Cheshire County Council in 1960 who managed it on behalf of the National Trust until 2009 when

the lease was transferred to Cheshire East Council.

Try Our B&B in Manchester

Belle Epoque

Impressive from the moment you approach, step inside and be wowed or wooed . This sumptuously styled restaurant with rooms is both classic and modern, intimate and cosy and opulently romantic.

I was fortunately ‘set up’ for a surprise birthday party; which my husband was responsible for and incidentally pulled of to perfection.

Due to our party numbering 15 plus 1 toddler/high chair, we were restricted to a short menu choice. I understood this and it was not a problem, however, there was a redolent air of disappointment from some of the others. This was short lived after just one spoonful of the oven roasted tomato soup; there were oohs and aahs placing it in a hierarchy of starter choice, everyone that ordered it tried to make the others feel envy but oh no; not those that ordered the chicken liver and foie gras pate, it was truly sublime served with exquisite chutney and lightly toasted brioche, worth a trip back for that alone. Most of the party plumbed for the roast lamb ‘Sunday joint’ AND WITHOUT EXCEPTION the best roast dinner ever (and my mother’s is hard to beat). One or two more roasties was the consensus.

Opulence

Having said that, I chose to skip dessert initially; until a cacophony of drools over the ‘straight-to- the -pleasure -point ‘ rose above table and an attentive waiter brought me mine….Divine.

The service was both friendly and confident deserving the excellent long lasting reputation they have retained for over 30 years.

Best birthday ever and not even a major one..

Dee Casey  Cornerstones

Over the next few posts I’ll tell you the out come of the Fire Inspectors visit to audit our Fire Risk Assessment.

If your thinking of opening a guest house or are running one, I ¬†thought I’d let you know the out come of our audit as the Fire Inspector (Late fire Officer) called it.

I say if your running or thinking of running a guest house but there’s also one other category which this now covers and that’s Mrs Smith who may live down the road taking in local business men for one or two nights a week to supplement her income, hhhmm no! Where talking lodger, guest with breakfast, some people.

The new cloak covers, (the official quote)

“All guest accommodation properties, e.g. bed and breakfasts, guest houses, inns,

restaurants with rooms, and farmhouses;”

The quote is from the government document ‘Fire Safety Risk Assessment Sleeping Accommodation’

When asking the Fire Inspector if Mrs Smith needed a Fire Risk Assessment, he quoted the above quote.

“So even though she only has two rooms to for guests will she have to have a full fire alarm system installed?” I asked.

“No, but I would at lease expect fire doors off the main means of escape and linked smoked detectors”

So there you have it Mrs Smith as long as you have fire doors off your main means of escape, (usually your staircase and hall way) and a linked smoked detection system, which doesn’t mean a total rewire of your house it just means linking from room to room so if one go’s off in any part of the house it will set the lot off.

After saying that it also say’s at the start of the Fire Safety Risk Assessment Sleeping Accommodation Guide’ and I quote,

“It applies to premises where the main use is for sleeping accommodation.”

This statement stands alone in the introduction just after the first paragraph.

Is Mrs Smith within the law?

Click here for our free  Fire Risk Assessment Procedure

More Fire Risk Assessment Information

You will find a video on how to do this but on this occasion it’s the materials that are used to do the job I want you to get right .

You could install a fully contained unit so there’s no chance of a leek but there big ugly and usually made out of plastic that fades in colour

So boring or not, it’s so important, this is how to install a shower unit properly.

If you decide to do this your self, all well and good you’ll have to save some money; find a video on the Internet that will show you how to do the whole thing and all the different components it requires. However if your not DIY minded get a plumber.

Yes your plumber will know his job, he probably spends most of his time Guest House & Hotels he will give you a price using the most inexpensive materials he can find, and you can’t blame him for that, he’s running a business, but on this occasion it’s the materials you need to discuss.

Items you will need

1. Shower tray: – acrylic capped, stone resin bonded type
2. Piece of Marine Plywood 10cm larger than the shower tray length and width and the thickness should be10mm less than the thickness of your floor boards.
3. 25mm oval head nails.
4. Enough Aqua Panels 120cm x 80cm (the same as plaster board but made with cement) to cover the two corner walls where the shower unit will be located.
5. Enough Aqua Panel adhesive to fix the Aqua Panel to the wall.
6. Plaster board screws.
7. Take a trip to Topps Tiles and ask for the most up to date mildew resistant sealant.
8. Large bag of made up sand and cement.

If you have enough room buy a long shower tray say 1200mm x 900mm then all you need to do is just put one piece of toughened glass down one side with a tension arm at the top to hold the glass in place, no door it’s a walk in shower, should save you some money all Guest House & Hotels should have them.

More  DIY for Guest House & Hotels

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