A little independent lifestyle store tucked away on Northern Quarter side street is marking a milestone birthday this weekend.
And there’s freebies up for grabs for 20 lucky shoppers.
It’s been six years since Form Lifestyle Store moved into its unique space on the hidden Bradley Street, just around the corner from the bustling Stevenson Square, and what a six years its been – so, in a bid to properly mark the occasion, the small independent business is planning to thank customers for their support with a day of celebrations this weekend.
The first 20 shoppers who head on down to the Northern Quarter store tomorrow (30 September) will be given a free goody bag full of handmade items and thoughtfully-made goods.
Form says these items “embody the belief” it’s always held of supporting independent makers.
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The shop will be open from 11am to 5pm tomorrow, and is inviting all customers – both returning and new – to join for the celebrations.
As well as the birthday celebrations, some new arrivals from independent makers will also be on show for the first time, and Form’s long-awaited ‘Found Forms’ collection of vintage and pre-loved homewares will also be making their way onto the shelves.
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This means that anyone visiting on Saturday will have first dibs on these treasures too.
While you’re feasting your eyes on the stunning collection of homewares and lifestyle goods, there’ll also be an actual feast, as Form has organised for there to be a wide range of refreshments from local businesses on offer for shoppers to tuck into.
Remaining true to its ethos of “supporting small”, you can expect natural wine from Isca, and locally-brewed Kombucha from Laid Bear, as well as tasty handmade baked treats from The Palms Bakery and Companio.
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“We’ve been in our beautiful space for six years now and we’d love for our customers to join us in the shop for a little celebration,” said Form’s founder Elly ahead of the milestone event tomorrow.
“If you’re a regular customer, one of our makers, someone who hasn’t visited in years, or someone who has never quite found our hidden little street, we’d love for you to join us”.
If you’re keen to join the celebrations, you’ll want to head on down to Form Lifestyle Store on Bradley Street in the Northern Quarter tomorrow from 11am.
You can find out more about the little gem of a shop here.
Featured Image – Form Lifestyle Store
Shopping
Everything inside the Sephora VIP goodie bags worth more than £1,000
Daisy Jackson
Sephora opening in Manchester has been causing a bit of a stir, with more than 2,000 people queueing up this week to try and nab a free goodie bag.
And while the presents being handed out to the public are pretty impressive, it’s nothing compared to the VIP goodie bags given out at the store’s official launch on Wednesday.
A number of celebrities, influencers, press and other special guests were invited to have a sneak peek of the huge new shop at the Trafford Centre before its official opening to the public.
At the glittering celebration, VIPs were given a glimpse at the huge range of products on offer inside Sephora’s first UK store outside of London.
Those in attendance included actor and TV presenter actor Katie Mcglynn, TV personality Caroline Thomas, actress Alex Fletcher and radio one presenter Natalie O’Leary, Real Housewives of Cheshire, Love Island personalities, and professional footballer Courtney Duffus.
Special guests of Sephora were then sent home with the goodie bag to end all goodie bags, stuffed full of full-sized cult products.
And having totted up the value of everything inside, we can confirm that each goodie bag is worth more than a grand (£1092.93, to be exact). Wowsers.
Olaplex No.3Viral hair product minisBrazilian Bum Bum CreamJust a few of the cult items inside the Sephora VIP goodie bags. Credit: The Manc Group
Viral products inside include Makeup By Mario lipstick, Olaplex, Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, Glossier You perfume, and MorrocanOil hair treatments.
There are also TikTok sensations like the Dr Jart Tiger Grass treatment, which comes out of its tub green but magically turns beige on the skin, cancelling out redness.
And Tarte’s take on the revolutionary tubing mascara, which comes off your lashes with only water and a wipe, was also chucked in.
The most high-value items in the Sephora goodie bags were an Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream worth £64, Caudalie’s brightening serum at £52, and a Neom candle for £38.
Bargain shop B&M is finally heading to Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
Great news coming in for bargain-hunters this morning – B&M is finally opening in Manchester city centre for the first time.
The British retailer is famed for its affordable prices on everything from food to cleaning products to furniture, and has a few locations dotted around Greater Manchester.
B&M has now announced plans to swoop into the unit in Manchester Arndale that was previously home to Wilko.
And not unlike Wilkos, B&M is loved by shoppers for its wild range of items – where else can you buy wallpaper, stationery, KitKats, pick-and-mix, a fluffy rug and a nice new kettle all under one roof?
Think the middle aisle of Lidl, but super-sized.
After Wilko collapsed into administration last summer, B&M announced plans to buy up 51 of its stores in reportedly a £13m deal.
Hoardings are up for a new B&M store in the Manchester Arndale
The discount retailer is due to open later this year on the upper concourse of Manchester Arndale, with its familiar blue and orange B&M branding now plastered outside the space.
When it officially opens, there’ll be a comprehensive product range including home goods, groceries, electronics, alongside an array of seasonal items.
Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, said: “We’re delighted to welcome such a strong household name like B&M to Manchester Arndale.
“We place great importance in having a truly mixed offer and its fantastic to be able to bring in a retailer that offers a wide array of products at accessible prices.
“From high-end fashion brands to discount retailers, its clear operators across the board have long-term confidence in the centre as Manchester Arndale continues to cement its reputation as the North West’s leading retail destination with a varied line up of exciting retail, F&B and leisure.”