Most industries have been hit hard by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic – with thousands of businesses mothballing and many others shutting down for good.
But one of the sectors that’s suffered the most – yet rarely talked about – is Manchester’s charity shops.
Rolling nationwide closures and changing legislation made traditional fundraising increasingly, as footfall in charity stores fell dramatically throughout 2020.
With a third national lockdown now in force, Manchester’s local charity venues have been forced to get creative in order to stay afloat.
Chapter Six MCR
RSPCA Manchester & Salford is a perfect case in point.
ADVERTISEMENT
This animal care organisation overcame the closure of their physical store by launching Chapter Six – an online platform that offers a new way to shop from a local charity.
“We have always dreamed of having an online presence for our retail side,” says the charity.
ADVERTISEMENT
“With reduced footfall in our charity shops due to COVID-19 restrictions we have finally been able to dedicate time and resources to making this dream a reality.”
There are some absolute bargains available on the site, too, including products from household names such as Next, Monsoon and Zara, just to name a few.
It’s a platform that lets you fuel your love of sustainable fashion while raising funds to rehabilitate animals. Ideal.
ADVERTISEMENT
As RSPCA Manchester & Salford rightly said: “Where else can you buy a dress and know that the proceeds will buy food for an animal in need?”
While this website was launched as an alternative to the physical charity shop experience, it has actually been a creative and successful way to raise money for rehabilitating animals.
“Having our own website gives us a great opportunity to reach more people, and it cuts out any fees paid to third party selling sites that we’ve used in the past,” said the RSPCA team.
“This means that 100% of the money we make goes directly towards the rehabilitation and rehoming of animals in our care!”
Another local charity that has been forced to adopt new methods during the pandemic is Barnardo’s Vintage in Cheadle – the charity’s only vintage and retro shop.
ADVERTISEMENT
Despite not having an online platform or postal service available to them, the store has continued to use their social media to promote sustainable style during the lockdown.
“We set up a photo shoot … so customers could see how vintage pieces could work with their high street capsule wardrobes”, says Gemma, the manager of Barnardo’s Vintage.
Although this has helped to raise awareness for the charity and its vintage finds, the combination of the store being closed and the loss of footfall from the usually bustling high street has been incredibly difficult.
Every charity is feeling the pinch – and the sector needs all the help it can get.
“In all honesty, our charity is struggling to keep its head above water”, says a representative for RSPCA Manchester & Salford, who reported that they ran at a loss of £50K, despite receiving help from the government.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The fundraising the shops do is vital in keeping our animal centre up and running, and if things continue as they are we don’t know where we’ll be this time next year.
“This is why it’s so important that people continue to spend money with their chosen charity online, or that they donate through any fundraising pages the charities have set up.”
You can visit the likes of RSPCA and Barnado’s online and make a donation to help. Every penny makes a difference.
Style
Luxury tattoo studio with world-famous clients to open in Manchester for the first time
Daisy Jackson
A tattoo studio with a roster of VIP clients is heading to Manchester, as The London Social prepares to open The Manchester Social.
The world-renowned studio, which counts celebs like David Beckham, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Sam Smith as its clients, is opening its first site outside of the capital.
Set to open next week, The Manchester Social tattoo studio will span three floors and 2,200 sq ft on King Street.
They say this new tattoo parlour will be ‘serve Manchester’s elite’ and offer a convenient location for existing regulars, including Luke Shaw and Mason Mount.
The Manchester Social studio will offer the same bespoke tattoo experiences and world-class artistry it’s famous for, but with eight new artists, all from the Manchester city region.
The business is headed up by Miles Langford – named by The Times as one of the world’s most exclusive tattoo artists – and already has tattoo parlours in Fitzrovia, Soho and Angel in London.
It’s famed for fine-line specialty designs and will bring a luxury tattoo space to the historic King Street for the first time.
Miles Langford, founder of The London Social, said: “Opening our first location outside of London is a huge step in our business journey but Manchester seemed like the obvious choice.
Inside The Manchester Social. Credit: Supplied
“A key selling point for me was the building and its location. King Street is known for being the epicentre of luxury in Manchester so it was a no brainer for us to make the decision on where we would fit in best.
“An indescribable amount of hard work has gone into making this store one of our best yet, all whilst maintaining its Manchester foundations and we can’t wait for Manchester to get the experience that our London clients love so well.”
Holly Whitcomb, associate director at DTZ Investors, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome such an exclusive brand like The London Social to King Street.
“King Street is known for being the go-to place for luxury retail and leisure and addition of The Manchester Social will be help to diversify the offering on the street, aligning with our ambitions to be a go-to destination in Manchester City Centre.
“From its VIP feel, to star-studded clientele, we’re looking forward to seeing footfall soar on the street.”
The Manchester Social will open on Saturday 5 April at 9 South King Street – find out more HERE.
A Manchester dentist to the stars is offering an exclusive discount for their hugely popular treatment
Kristen MacGregor-Houlston
A designer dentist in Manchester is offering composite bond treatment with a huge saving this month.
Rüh Dental, hailed as one of the top dental surgeries in Manchester and one which counts popular celebs like Helen Flanagan and Molly-Mae Hague as their patients, is offering readers a healthy 10% off composite bonding treatment this month.
The boutique surgery leads the way in creating a perfect smile that both stands out in a crowd but is effortlessly natural.
The whole process can be done in as little as 60 minutes too, depending on how much work you need.
If composite bonding is something you’re new to, it’s a straightforward, smile-perfecting procedure that is designed to give natural results and improve your grin, all whilst preserving the patient’s own teeth.
We caught up with leading dentist Dr Billal Arshad from Rüh, who is an expert in his field and is famed for his dental diligence and artistic flair.
He tells us “Composite bonding is a simple but effective treatment where we sculpt composite onto the teeth to make them look aesthetically pleasing.
“It’s a painless procedure that gives a natural look and lasts up to seven years without damaging the patient’s own teeth.”
You can find more about composite bonding from our Q&A session with Dr Arshad here.
Whilst Rüh Dental Manchester is also known for other treatments like their Invisalign treatments, general dentistry, veneers, etc, this offer is exclusively for composite bonding and for our readers. Quote TheManc10 when you call 0161 348 8738 to book.
Daisy Bradbury -
8th January 2021 
