Red or Blue? It’s one of the first questions travelling Mancunians get asked - we’re used to being associated with football - as it’s one of many exports we’re passionately proud of.
There's always a buzz in the air on the build up to derby day in town, and this year is no different, as Manchester United and Manchester City prepare to face each other at Old Trafford on Saturday. And now there's even a half red, half blue house that has landed in the city that is causing a stir.
Travel site Booking.com, who have recently set up headquarters in the city centre, have attempted to capture the spirit of the city in their new Half and Half House.
Read more: Infamous Manchester hotel branded "the stuff of nightmares" in scathing review
They’re offering football-mad guests the chance to stay overnight in the bespoke one-bedroom holiday home for a unique Manchester experience, intended to celebrate everything Manchester has to offer this derby week.
Referencing the very first time the two teams clashed in 1881, the house can be booked here via Booking.com for a night’s stay this Thursday, January 12, for £18.81, on a first come, first served basis. But they let the MEN have a sneak preview on Tuesday night.
As a life-long United fan, I was intrigued to see what it was all about.
Striving to celebrate Manchester’s love of the beautiful game, the custom-built house is located on First Street, which is around the half-way point between both stadiums.
Head to First Street and you can’t miss the striking 7x5 metre structure in the shadow of HOME theatre, standing out with its equally blue and red paintwork.
There was plenty of interest from intrigued passers-by as I approached the building on Tuesday night, which I’m told has taken 3 days to put together and prepare.
Stepping inside past the red picket fence and the outside theme is, of course, continued on the inside. Everything within the building’s four walls is either red or blue.
In the front room, you’ll find a blue sofa with colourful cushions, whilst the small kitchen space opposite comes complete with a red kettle, blue mugs and even red and blue salt and pepper shakers on the breakfast bar.
In the bedroom, there’s even a half-and-half double bed, perfect if your partner is loyal to the opposite side of Manchester. And the theme is even carried into the bathroom - which contains red and blue loo roll.
In the games room, you’ll find a football table with red and blue players (of course), and before leaving I made sure the scoreline was in favour of the reds - an outcome I’m hoping is repeated at the weekend.
The pop-up has been erected especially for Manchester - hoping to unite fans with a friendly rivalry under one roof.
However, I was a little disappointed that the experience lacks anything to make it exclusively Mancunian, short of any details that actually reference either United or City, other than their team colours.
I was also disappointed with the lack of actual Mancunian football memorabilia, aside from the general football mags and board games in the house.
It would have been great to see some City and United artwork on each side, classic shirts or perhaps some of each side’s dedicated fan magazines. Because really, if you darkened the shade of blue, the house could have been picked up and put in the centre of Liverpool and you'd be none the wiser.
It’s indeed a great concept, but I’m not sure how enjoyable *actually* staying in it would be - whilst the very basics are covered, the house is lacking any proper washing facilities and home comforts, like WIFI. There are curtains on the bedroom windows, but not all, which may be an issue if you’re after privacy, as the house understandably attracts interest on the busy plaza.
But it is indeed available to book on booking.com for a one night stay from today [Wednesday] - although it surely won't be long before it gets booked.
The red and blue house will be removed soon after the final whistle on Saturday and donated to Manchester’s Scouts for use at their Worsley camp.
If you’re heading into town for the Manchester derby on Saturday - I’d definitely recommend stopping by to check it out, and I hope those lucky bookers enjoy their stay.
Read next:-
- 20 amazing places you need to visit across Greater Manchester in 2023
- The family restaurant that kids might love - but parents may struggle to tolerate
- The Manchester restaurant hailed among the best in the UK
- January restaurant offers, discounts and deals for 2023
- Madonna planning a "greatest hits tour" with dates in the UK
