For just one day only next week, both new and returning students can make the most of a whole host of unmissable offers – with over 120 stores inside Manchester Arndale and across the city centre dishing out discounts.
There’ll also be live entertainment, competitions and games to get involved in, and so much more.
Students who make their way into the heart of the city centre between 12pm – 7pm next Thursday 219 September can get their hands on up to 30% off in over 120 stores – including Levi’s, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, River Island, Monki, Pretty Green, Mango, Superdry, Kick Game, Jack & Jones, Office and Schuh.
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Attention all students… MCR Student Social is back!🔊
Head into Manchester city centre to enjoy an exclusive day of special discounts, live entertainment, competition, games and more🙌
Not only that, but if all the shopping has got you working up an appetite, then there’s also up to 50% off on food and drink at places like Döner Shack, Archie’s, Pizza Hut, Pan-n-Ice, Wolf Italian Street Food, and Slim Chickens.
The Cube, and Putters at Urban Playground are also offering up to 50% off too.
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And on top of all those incredible deals, there’ll be plenty of free entertainment to enjoy throughout the Arndale and city centre.
Here’s everything you can expect.
MCR Student Social is back for one day only on Thursday 29 September / Credit: MCR Student Social
Manchester Arndale
As the main hub of the MCR Student Social 2022, head inside Manchester Arndale to spin the wheel at the ‘Student Digs’ for a chance to win some prizes, both big and small, that are perfect for your new home – with everything from toilet roll, to gift cards up for grabs.
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You can also challenge your mates to a nerves-of steel ‘Giant Human Buzzer’ game, where the loser has to put the bins out for a month
Make sure to keep an eye out for the ‘Roaming Roulette’ team too, where you’ll need to stick your hand in the roulette box and guess what the weird and wonderful textures are for a chance to take home some more prizes.
Manchester’s student shopping event is back and “bigger than ever” next week / Credit: Jason Lock Photography (via MCR Student Social)
Play Zone
Exchange Square
If you make your way over to Exchange Square, then you’ll be able to try your hand at Foam Axe Throwing, Pong, Crazy Golf and Virtual Bowling with Printworks.
Plus there’ll also be a table football tournament, giant games, and more from Manchester BID.
New and returning students can make the most of unmissable offers / Credit: Jason Lock Photography (via MCR Student Social)There’ll also be live entertainment, competitions and games to get involved in / Credit: Jason Lock Photography (via MCR Student Social)
Party Zone, Info Zone & Food Zone
Market Street
Market Street is not only the city’s main shopping thoroughfare, but it’s also home to the MCR Student Social Party Zone, Info Zone, and Food Zone this year.
The Party Zone is where you’ll find Urban Playground’s The Cube, a chill-out area, free samples from Nordic Spirit, aerial performers, dancers, and games, as well as The Manc’s DJ Truck playing the finest hip-hop, funk and party anthems throughout the day.
Over at the Info Zone, you can tke on challenges from King Street Gym and Canal River Trust, sign up with MINT Hospitality & Events people, hear from the Manchester Science Festival, and chat to the team from Nationwide.
Then at the Food Zone, you can enjoy some free pizza from Franco Manca, giveaways from Döner Shack, prizes from Barburrito, and so much more.
Featured Image – MCR Student Social
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A huge free careers festival geared towards young creatives is coming to Manchester this week
Daisy Jackson
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International are hosting a careers festival in Manchester this week, designed to empower young creatives.
The huge free event on Thursday 3 April will take over Aviva Studios, offering everything from speed mentoring to CV clinics to expert talks.
Attendees will be able to have a free headshot taken, meet employers and like-minded creatives, and generally get a feel for how to build a career in the creative industry.
The Career Festival will boost Manchester’s creative future by supporting the next generation of creators, investing in their skills and confidence.
It’s all geared towards young people aged between 16 and 24 who face challenges in finding sustainable careers within the creative industries.
On the day, attendees will be able to receive one-on-one career advice from top industry professionals in speed mentoring sessions, learning from experts in marketing, media, production and more.
They’ll also be able to network with organisations, training providers and employers including Crew gal, Walk the Plank, and Gate Films.
Expert talks will give advice on how to break into the industry, while a CV clinic will help to hone CVs into a stand-out that’ll get a foot straight in the door, along with free headshot portraits.
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International careers festival. Credit: Mark Crayden Photography
And the whole time attendees will be surrounded by other creatives, building a network that could launch them towards their next big opportunity.
The TikTok Creative Academy, delivered by Catch22 and funded by TikTok, is a free employment program designed to provide vital support to young people aged 16-24 seeking to enter the creative industries.
It’s been specifically targeted towards young people who experience barriers to employment, whether that’s because of challenges like mental health and limited educational attainment, or involvement with the criminal justice system.
The programme itself has a free employment course, offers targeted supports, and opens the door to the industry, fostering networking and career development.
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International careers festival. Credit: Supplied
It also offers practical skills development and emphasises creative abilities to help young people thrive.
Quote from TikTok Creative Academy Senior Service Manager, Hilda Dotsey: “At Catch22, we are acutely aware of the challenges that young creatives face when it comes to finding sustainable employment in the creative industries and we are about to mark the 1000th person supported into work, training or further education through TikTok Creative Academy.
“With lack of industry insight and experience cited as one of the key barriers to quality creative careers, it is fantastic to be partnering with Factory International once more.
“This event, which celebrates our third year of delivering the programme, will open up pathways for Manchester youth, linking up the next generation of creative talent with industry experts and Manchester’s top creative voices.”
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International: Career Festival will take place at Aviva Studios from 1pm to 4pm on Thursday 3 April.
You can find out more about Catch22 and the services available HERE.
Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display
Daisy Jackson
Spring has really sprung in Salford – legendary pub The Black Friar has just revealed a sensational makeover, with gigantic flowers sprawled across its frontage and a new seasonal menu to go with it.
The historic pub is celebrating the changing of the seasons with both a striking floral installation and a menu that celebrates spring and Salford in equal measure.
Most Mancs will by now have spotted the 4,000 flower-strong installation that now adorns the front of The Black Friar, with bright pink, yellow and purple flowers spilling from a gigantic pink tap.
And all those florals continue inside, with the pub’s Tavern – previously a cosy winter hideaway – now filled with trailing blooms and woodland installations, just off their award-winning garden.
Cheshire-based artist Kelly Louise Chapman is the woman behind this sensational transformation of the much-loved gastropub.
As for the pub’s kitchen, they’ve crafted a new very seasonal and very British menu, with plenty of nods to Black Friar’s Salford roots.
There are dishes like a Boddingtons braised ox cheek (the pub still proudly displays its Boddingtons sign outside), aged beef tartare, butternut squash and ricotta tortellini, and pan-roasted cod fillet.
Spring small plates at The Black Friar pubDelicious spring drinksInside The Tavern at The Black Friar
A popular item from the Valentine’s Day menu – the Cornish crab vol-au-vent – will be sticking around on the spring menu, along with an enhanced grill section that includes a lamb Barnsley chop cooked over coals.
Then for desserts, you’ll be spoilt with a banoffee knickerbocker glory, and passionfruit panna cotta.
And for drinks (because this is a pub, after all), The Black Friar has put together a range of seasonal drinks like a rose sangria sharer, and non-alcoholic sodas like kaffir lime and coconut.
Ben Chaplin, head chef at The Black Friar, said: “This new menu is all about celebrating the best of spring produce.
“We’ve carefully crafted each dish to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, adding new depth to our offerings while still delivering the comfort that will always be associated with The Black Friar.
“My top recommendation and personal favourite dish is the Slow-Cooked Boddingtons Braised Ox Cheek.”
Neil Burke, owner of The Black Friar, commented: “We wanted to bring a taste of spring to The Black Friar, inside and out. This floral installation will transform the space and bring sunshine and smiles, whatever the weather!
“My top recommendation on the new menu is the Cumbrian Spiced Lamb Scotch Egg. It’s EXCEPTIONAL.”
To find out more about The Black Friar and to book a table, visit HERE.