Meeks Shoes is one of the best-loved, longest-running businesses in Manchester – having been a staple of our high streets since 1901.
Established by Edward Meeks more than a hundred years ago, the eponymous shoe brand has established five stores across the county – including Ashton-Under-Lyne, Sale, Oldham, Alderley Edge and Stockport.
Still family-run to this day, Meeks is one of Greater Manchester’s most trusted stockists of classy footwear – with the likes of Kickers, Sketchers and Clarks adorning the shelves.
Shortly after opening at the dawn of the 20th century, Meeks promised to provide Mancunians with a variety of comfortable and high-quality shoes for women, men and children.
And owners have continued to do so ever since.
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In 1901, Edward Meeks, the great-grandfather of the stores’ current owner, ran away from home at age 16.
With just a shilling to his name, he travelled to Ashton-Under-Lyne and managed to get a job as a sales assistant in a shoe shop.
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After saving enough money, he decided to start his own store: Meeks Shoes.
Fast-forward to 2020 and the business is run by the fourth generation of the Meeks family.
In more recent years, the trusted local business has faced some difficulties with maintaining their high street stores and competing with more popular, national brands.
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“Even before the pandemic the retail industry had been grappling with rising rents and increased online competition,” say owners.
The company was granted a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan to walk the bumpy road ahead – a sum of money which was primarily used to update the company’s website in response to the surge of online sales during the first lockdown.
“We’ve used the lockdown period as an opportunity to update our website and our online takings have trebled during this time, which has helped while our physical stores have been closed,” owners explained.
The loan was also used to pay staff salaries, rent and suppliers – with the aim to revive their bricks-and-mortar stores once shops are allowed to reopen.
Boasting a rich history, amazing legacy, and optimistic future, there’s so much that sets Meeks apart – and we’re lucky to have them here in Manchester.
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Owners add: “We’re constantly on the lookout for new opportunities to expand our already considerable range and improve the quality of our service.
“You’re sure to enjoy a warm welcome and a great shoe shopping experience, every time.”
Meeks Shoes’ collection of footwear can be purchased from their website.
Style
Sephora confirms opening date for new megastore at Manchester’s Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
Beauty fans rejoice – Sephora has finally announced plans to open a store in Manchester, and soon.
The world-famous retailer, which stops luxury skincare and makeup brands as well as cult items, has secured a spot in the Trafford Centre.
This will be the third UK store for Sephora, which currently has two shops down in London, and its first trip up north.
And after a fair bit of teasing and plenty of rumours, they’ve confirmed that their next megastore will be right here in Greater Manchester.
Hoardings have appeared inside the Trafford Centre, plastered in Sephora’s black and white branding, around a unit next to AllSaints.
The signs read: “Manchester, you called it. Our first Northern store in 2024.”
Sephora says it will ‘redefine the beauty landscape in the North with an extraordinary product range that caters to the diverse needs of beauty enthusiasts’.
Cult brands stocked at Sephora include Huda Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, The Ordinary, Glossier and Makeup by Mario.
Sephora wrote on Instagram: “You heard correctly — Sephora is coming to the TRAFFORD CENTRE, MANCHESTER.
“Get your shopping baskets ready as we’re on our way up north! More to be revealed soon, see you in 2024…”
The Trafford Centre shared: “You asked, we listened! The wait is over….your @sephorauk opens late Spring 2024.”
Sarah Boyd, managing director of Sephora UK, said: “We are extremely excited to bring Sephora to Manchester, one of the most vibrant cities for beauty in the UK.
“Expanding our presence beyond London is something that consumers have been screaming out for, and we are listening hard to them when deciding where to go next.
“The Trafford Centre, known for its iconic atmosphere and diverse retail offering, is the perfect location for our third store.”
Russell Loveland, managing director at Pradera Lateral – Trafford Centre’s Asset Managers, said: “This iconic beauty giant already has a cult following, and our own social media has been blowing up with enquiries from excited customers eager for Sephora to open.
“We are very proud Sephora chose the Trafford Centre for its next location, which will be its first store in the North of England, and know it will be a fantastic success and a great addition to our strong international brand lineup.”
One person commented on Sephora’s Instagram post: “This is the best news I’ve heard all year!”
Another said: “OMG ITS HAPPENING, STAY CALM”
And someone wrote on Trafford Centre’s post: “Omg omg can’t wait.”
Manchester’s Club de Padel claps back at ’embarrassing’ copycat ASOS product
Daisy Jackson
A local Manchester business has sarcastically pointed out the glaring similarities between a new t-shirt on ASOS and one of its own designs.
Club de Padel has a range of retro-inspired merch with UN:IK, a small independent streetwear brand also based here in Manchester.
Its collection of t-shirts, hoodies, tracksuits, hats and bags often feature a design of an illustrated padel ball (which to the untrained eye is basically a tennis ball) in motion.
But this week a t-shirt appeared on ASOS that also featured an illustrated padel ball in motion, just in a slightly different colour palette.
The ASOS version, which has now been removed from sale, also undercut Club de Padel’s price by £6.
Since Club de Padel took the ’embarrassing’ copycat product public on their Instagram page, ASOS has launched an investigation and taken it off their website.
The sports venture, based at Deansgate Square and the only padel club in Manchester, wrote: “Love the new designs ASOS, kinda reminds us of something though…
“Ah. Well that’s embarrassing… We’ve got a new line coming soon with UN:IK Clothing you’re just gonna love ASOS.
“In the meantime we made this for you @asos, save your design team a job.”
An ASOS spokesperson said: “We take intellectual property issues very seriously and have removed this product from sale while we investigate further.”
Of the Club de Padel and UN:IK collaboration, aka the real deal, UN:IK says it has ‘served up a staple for us, retro inspired leisure pieces with Manchester’s first ever padel club’.
Club de Padel in Manchester has gone public to poke fun at ASOS
They wrote: “Inspired by owners after a trip to Spain, Club de Padel has hit the city with a wave and the lifestyle brand we have created with them reinforces the fastest growing sport across Europe.
“Our classic vintage washes and oversized fits, working with independent designs as always on this local independent partnership. Don’t be afraid to the sport, we’ll guarantee you love it as much as these clothes.”