9 minute read
ROBOTAZIA REVIEW
Robotazia, the UK’s first sci-fi robot themed restaurant, has landed at 12th Street in Central Milton Keynes amid a wave of excitement. Celebrate:MK editor Jon Boyle took along his four-year-old son to try it out, and they found the whole experience out of this world
Advertisement
As any parent will tell you, the toughest thing about going out for dinner with the kids is keeping them entertained.
Problem solved – just take them to the new Robotazia restaurant at 12th Street in Central MK for a byte to eat!
I took my boy along for dinner and I have genuinely never seen him so excited for such a prolongued period of time.
We spent nearly two hours immersed in a truly robotic dining experience, meeting friendly robot waiters and waitresses who delivered child-friendly food right to our table, as well as exploring the wide array of astounding robot creations scattered around the venue.
We did meet some humans too – the founders of the independent business Mark and Joy Gittens, and their son Alfredo, who all work in the family-run restaurant.
Mark explained how the Robotazia concept began in late 2015 when he dedicated his life to developing and sourcing a unique collection for an extraordinary venue.
He spent more than four years building and creating sci-fi robots and props, while also seeking out unused, abandoned or forgotten robot props from exhibitions, shops, businesses and promotions to
restore back to their original condition. Most of the robots are artistic one-off creations, unlikely to be found anywhere else in the world.
The food menu at
Robotazia is Caribbean, which Alredo explained is because his family are from Barbados.
I ordered slow cooked beef curry with rice, baked mixed vegetables and a pint of Goose Island IPA. I personally found that this dish tasted a bit plain, but I guess it lacked strong flavours and spices to ensure that children can eat it too. I loved my ice-cold pint though and the futuristic way that Alfredo filled it from the bottom up, which was cool to watch and in keeping with the theatre of the whole venue.
My son enjoyed his chicken nuggets, chips and beans from the children’s menu and then we shared a delicious huge slice of chocolate cake for dessert, while I had a lovely latte too to round off the meal.
The question is not whether we will return to this restaurant, it is when we will return, as my son hasn’t stopped talking about it ever since. I have to admit that the big kid in me loved it too.
Overall, I’m nuts and bolts about Robotazia as the whole experience was out of this world. Just make sure you book in advance online as it’s already extremely popular.
For more information on Robotazia, or to book a table, visit www.robotazia.co.uk. The restaurant is located at 14 Savoy Crescent, 12th Street, MK9 3 PU.
Celebrate YOUR business!
To advertise with us, email jon@celebratemk.co.uk
Subscribe to Celebrate:MK
Simply email the word ‘Subscribe’ to jon@celebratemk.co.uk in the subject box of your email and you will be emailed a link to the digital edition of Celebrate:MK every month for FREE! #Winning
Please mention Celebrate:MK when responding to adverts as it lets our advertisers know that their adverts are being seen by our lovely readers!
Be Military Fit combines the latest military methodology with cutting-edge training programmes to deliver results-based training
Andrew Mercer has gone from stressed out executive to the best physical and mental shape of his life.
When Andrew joined Be Military Fit, the UK’s leading outdoor fitness provider that runs sessions at Campbell Park and Willen Lake North, he hadn’t partaken in fitness in a long time.
“Gyms just weren’t for me. I’d been very fit in my youth playing sports and rugby in particular, but as my career took me to top executive status I found I no longer had time for myself and my fitness suffered as a consequence,” said Andrew.
“When BMF opened eight years ago I saw an advert in a local paper and decided to give it a go.
“When I joined, I literally never looked back.”
He added: “The ex-military and highly professional instructors always brought the right amount of challenge and team work to every session that made it fun, as well as guaranteed to push me to the next level.
“It gave me the opportunity to leave a daily demanding and busy work role behind and to lose some pounds, get fitter, become more productive in my work and have fun along the way!
“Even now at 63, and one of the older members, I can still run rings around people less than half my age.
“Now I’ve retired, BMF is a positive focus in my week.
“It keeps me fit, agile and young at heart.”
Be Military Fit is owned and run by local health & fitness experts and energie Fitness gym owners Rob and Claire.
“Because we own two top fitness brands in Milton Keynes we are happy to give our BMF members access to our first class club and the energie Fitness network as part of our ‘Epic’ membership,” said Claire.
“This makes BMF membership the most versatile and best value membership in Milton Keynes.”
So if you want to take your fitness to the next level and achieve your goals before 2020 comes to an end, join for a free taster session by scanning QR code (left page): Or call: 07984775332 Or email: rob.francis@ energiefitness.com
Murphy Runs talks through the Re-Imagined Milton Keynes Marathon
On Sunday 6th September, after months of training throughout this hot summer, I took on the ReImagined Marathon around Milton Keynes.
Sunday 6th was the first date that runners could take part in this timed event.
I got to the start line at Willen Lake at around 7:45 for an 8am start.
As expected, there were quite a few runners there, taking part in either the halfmarathon, or full marathon.
Despite the lack of the usual pre-race atmosphere, no long queues for the loo’s
or waiting around for the start, it was nice to connect with runners who were all about to experience the same kind of race.
We all wished each other luck and then headed off – a lap of Willen, down to Caldecotte, back up to Willen and then repeat the loop.
My coach, Clean Coach Katie, was by my side to run the first lap with me.
Instantly, I was impressed with the MK Marathon App that gave turn-by-turn navigation.
The directions were timely, clear and the app was easy to use. Throughout the first lap, I noticed the signage (stickers on lampposts) were excellent. It really would have been difficult to get lost. The first lap went really well for me, completing 13.1 miles in one hour and 57 minutes. Unfortunately, I hit the wall in the second half, but I still had my coach and two others by my side, supporting me on their bikes. I did miss seeing other marathon runners out there to share the pain with, but I was
Murphy Runs
grateful for having such a great team by my side to support me.
Whilst the event was definitely miles away from the buzz of a usual race, it was great to see other runners out on the course every now and then to share words of encouragement.
I also want to thank the amazing individuals who stood for hours providing water and encouragement along the course. You are all diamonds.
I am very proud to say I competed the marathon in just under four hours and 21 minutes, a marathon personalbest for me!
Follow Anastasia’s running adventures on Instagram @MurphyRuns
A complete tyre service at home or at work
I have over 20 years experience in the tyre industry. I offer the highest level of service and expert advice to find the right tyre for your vehicle and budget. Supply and Fit New Tyres Puncture Repairs Wheel Balancing Run Flat & Low Profiles Winter/Summer/All-Season Tyres Tyre Safety Check
Book Online Today or Contact Mark!
Using the top of the range equipment in my van, I provide a fast, reliable and efficient service at a time that suits you.
All Makes and Sizes Available Tyres Fitted at Home or Work Competitive Prices & Comprehensive Range for all Models and Performances Next Day Fitting
Gin, rum and hand sanitiser
Hazel Roberts catches up with Wharf Distellery to hear about life under lockdown, new products and how they repurposed ethanol
Food scene
As with so many local small businesses, lockdown had a huge impact on Wharf Distillery but, fortunately for this artisanal producer, not all of it has been bad.
I caught up with Laurence Conisbee to find out about both the highs and lows of lockdown.
With the hospitality industry forced to close its doors and events being cancelled, a large portion of Wharf Distillery’s regular income suddenly dried up back in March.
However, they quickly realised that their ethanol stocks could be repurposed for hand sanitiser.
As panic buying emptied the supermarket shelves and healthcare institutions struggled to get supplies, this local distillery stepped into production.
To support this, they launched a GoFundMe to raise money enabling them to supply sanitiser for free to charities such as food banks and Willen Hospice.
Laurence was pleased by the public response to this, allowing them to get sanitiser supplies to the most vulnerable.
On the regular business side of things, they worked alongside local breweries such as Hornes Brewery and Roman Way to sell each other’s products, offering free home delivery and collection points at various locations around the area.
The home delivery service has been well received and they experienced an increase in online sales.
As the hospitality industry emerges from lockdown, sales to this sector are still slow, however, Laurence is pleased to see a greater interest in locally made products.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is an increased interest in wanting to start own brand gin, rum and vodka, particularly from vineyards and breweries looking to diversify.
New and existing customers will be delighted to learn that Wharf Distillery will soon be exporting a new gin to Hong Kong that will also be available to the UK market.
They have developed two new gins and released a charity Gorilla Honey Rum.
And just in time for Christmas they will have three new flavours of vodka available and the second release of their whisky.
Flexibility, creativity, and the support of the local community has allowed this small business to survive and thrive during this difficult time.
Here’s to a healthy future… cheers!
