An enormous charity supermarket, where you can shop several different charity shops in one space (much like a department store) has opened its doors in Greater Manchester.
Fans of thrifting and pre-loved fashions will lose hours of their life browsing the huge selection of clothes, accessories and homeware on offer at Charity Super.Mkt’s first northern location.
It’s taken over a massive unit at Quayside MediaCity in Salford Quays, with charities trading inside including Age UK, All Aboard, Havens Hospices and St Vincent de Paul.
You’ll find some pre-loved big brands, some of the latest trends, and up-cycled furniture aplenty.
On our trip, we found Prada trainers for £40, and a whole rack full of designer denim and vintage football shirts.
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This is the first time that national and local charities have collaborated for a multi-charity shop like this, sharing floorspace, tills, and volunteer staff.
And it’s already been a big hit. In just the first two hours of Charity Super.Mkt opening, just shy of £4,000 was raised for charity through 370 transactions.
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Shoppers on the opening night snapped up everything from a Balenciaga handbag to Yves Saint Laurent shoes, a black Dolce & Gabbana skirt to Ray-Ban sunglasses, and a collection of over ten Vivienne Westwood scarves.
Charity Super.Mkt also has donation bins in the doorways, which have already seen hundreds of items donated.
The concept first launched just six months ago and has already ticked off six pop-ups around the UK, selling more than 100,000 second-hand items and saving 30,000 kg of fabric from going to landfill.
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Inside Charity Super.Mkt in Salford QuaysInside Charity Super.Mkt in Salford Quays
The money raised through its retail pop-ups has also helped to fund nearly 200 extra days of cancer nurses for Cancer Research UK, 15 days of emergency helpline cover for Shelter, 3,000 hours of nursing care for Marie Curie, and paid for people with learning disabilities to gain part time employment through Brandon Trust’s social enterprises, to name but a few.
Charity Super.Mkt is co-founded by Maria Chenoweth, CEO of sustainable clothing charity TRAID and Wayne Hemingway MBE, of HemingwayDesign and co-founder of British fashion brand Red or Dead.
On the opening night, Wayne Hemingway MBE, said: “We were so happy to see the great turnout as it confirmed our beliefs that fashion is changing and growing as people become more conscious of their choices and the effect they have on the planet.
“It was great to see the shopping centre rocking and with all those local street food traders at Kargo MKT at Central Bay and with Seven Bro7hers upcoming venture 11 Central, it shows how purposeful and locally focused retail really can be the future of great shopping experiences.
A rail of retro football shirtsPrada trainers inside charity supermarket Charity Super.Mkt in Salford. Credit: The Manc Group
“Keep your eyes peeled as we’re here until mid-December and there will be plenty more special events to get involved, make a donation and buy yourself something nice that will help a good cause.”
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Maria Chenoweth, commented: “I’ve dedicated my life and career to highlighting the importance of second-hand and charity fashion as the most impactful way to dress ourselves.
“Our mission with Charity Super.Mkt is to take charity retail mainstream by getting these great brands into the places and spaces that would otherwise not be accessible.
“We’re extremely proud to be setting up the first pop-up in Greater Manchester, and let’s hope it’s not the last one in the region.”
Charity Super.Mkt is now open in Quayside MediaCity until 13 December, from 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday, with later opening to 8pm on Thursdays, then 10am to 7pm on Saturdays and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
First vendors confirmed Glossop Market Hall, including two indie Manc traders
Danny Jones
The first vendors for the upcoming Glossop Market Hall have been announced, and the lineup includes two beloved Greater Manchester independent businesses.
Better still, the third is another noteworthy name from the North West.
Glossop Market Hall is scheduled to launch later this year, setting up shop in the historic town hall complex, where the High Peak Borough Council, a retail shopping arcade and various other municipal buildings have stood in various different iterations for nearly well over a century.
With the Derbyshire town set to celebrate the opening of the newly revamped market hall, those behind the new Glossop attraction have now revealed the first three names set to take up residence there.
As you can see, the biggest names already signed on to cook from one of the six kitchens is a Manchester favourite food hall in its own right: Hello Oriental.
The Pan-Asian paradise not only has a subterranean space below Circle Square, but also at The Trafford Centre, as well as a dessert spin-off in Freight Island.
Indie trader number two comes in the form of B&V Trading, who are based at Stanley Square in Sale and specialise in eco-friendly, UK-made treats, toys and essentials for four-legged friends.
After proving a hit with the locals, their small stall at nearby Altrincham Market has grown to see them open up not just a second site in the leafy Cheshire suburbs of Knutsford back in 2022, but now boast a third location in neighbouring Macclesfield.
Speaking of Macc, local gin and whisky makers, Forest Distillery – based up at the famous Cat and Fiddle Inn pub towards the Peaks – they round out the first wave of regional businesses set to pop up in Glossop Market Hall (GMH) when it finally arrives this winter.
And once again, as the update on social media reads: “This is just the beginning”.
Natives, day-trippers and tourists from all over are bound to visit this place when it opens sometime in November (exact date still TBC), and with space not only for a dedicated bar, dining space and a coffee shop, but a total of 17 retail spaces, we can’t wait to see what comes next.
GMH becomes just the latest among a growing trend of food and drink halls popping up all over our part of the country, with virtually every Greater Manchester borough now boasting at least one of their own – or, in the city centre’s case, what feels like a dozen now.
Exhibit number… not sure, we’ve lost track at this point.
Northern Rail have announced their latest flash sale with train tickets available from just £2
Danny Jones
Finally, we’ve got some good news on the train lines once again, as Northern Rail has just announced the return of their fantastic flash sale, which sees literally millions of discounted tickets made available to the general public.
With the last promotion from Northern having delighted Brits up and down the country, the train company are once again offering affordable tickets, with prices starting from just £2.
The only catch is that you’ve got just a few days to make the most of the savings.
Confirming the flash sale across the Northern Assist social media accounts, the rail operator has now detailed both start and end dates, as well as the valid travel dates.
The 2025 Northern flash sale began at 8am this Tuesday, 30 September, with thousands of train journeys having already been booked.
A full list of all the routes with cut-price tickets on until Thursday, 2 October can be found HERE.
According to Northern, the top destinations with the most tickets available in Northern’s Flash Sale are as follows:
Manchester and Manchester Airport
Leeds
Bolton
Preston
Manchester Airport
Blackpool North
Shipley
Rochdale
Stockport
Bradford
Sheffield
Wigan Wallgate
Hebden Bridge
Blackburn
Meadowhall
Liverpool Lime Street
Skipton
Wilmslow
Doncaster
Ilkley
Hull
Wakefield Westgate
Although it remains an ever-essential network and the UK’s second-largest national rail service, the PR around Northern isn’t always positive when it comes to efficiency, quality and reliability.
Their estimated 2,650 daily lines across more than 500 stations often come under fire, especially in comparison to public transport down towards the capital.
With all that being said, the arrival of the latest Northern flash sale is a much-needed plus for the firm.
Commenting on this week’s flash sale, Northern’s commercial and customer director, Alex Hornby, said: “With three million tickets up for grabs, there’s something for everyone in Northern’s Flash Sale.
For our existing customers, it’s the perfect opportunity to visit somewhere new, and hopefully, we can encourage those who don’t currently use the train to give it a try.
We believe the Flash Sale will inspire everyone to explore everything our fantastic region has to offer, from bustling cities to the countryside and stunning coastlines. Customers will need to book early to avoid disappointment – once they’re gone, they’re gone!” You can grab your tickets online NOW.
Once again, the Northern Rail flash sale runs for just three days and closes this Thursday, 2 October, with tickets valid for travel strictly between Monday, 6 October and Friday, 24 October 2025.
Tickets can be bought on Northern’s app, online, at ticket offices and on ticket machines in stations managed by Northern – please make sure to check terms and conditions.
Daisy Jackson -
17th November 2023 
