Sephora’s arrival in Manchester last year triggered huge queues of shoppers eager to browse the retailer’s collection of exclusive, viral and classic beauty products.
This will be the 10th UK store for the brand, with more to come in Sheffield and Liverpool in 2025.
Inside Sephora, shoppers are able to browse in-person for brands that are often hard to come by in the UK, including exclusive-to-Sephora brands like Makeup by Mario, Haus Labs by Lady Gaga, and Topicals, plus Glossier and Selena Gomez’s Rare beauty.
The store is also famed for its huge selection of ‘minis’, allowing beauty enthusiasts to try out the hottest products on the market for less.
Sephora has announced a second store in the Manchester Arndale. Credit: The Manc GroupSephora has announced a second store in the Manchester Arndale. Credit: The Manc Group
There’ll be a Beauty Hub in store, offering full glam, facials, hair styling, and brows by Benefit Cosmetics.
Sarah Boyd, Managing Director, Sephora UK, said: “Manchester showed us phenomenal support when we opened our first store in the region, which blew away all our expectations.
“We are thrilled bringing a second beauty playground to our customers in this vibrant and culturally rich city, allowing us to reach even more shoppers with a city centre location at Arndale.
“We already know there is strong appetite from beauty enthusiasts in Manchester as we saw over 2000 eager customers queue on our opening day last year, and we look forward to recreating the same energy at Arndale and to continue providing an unparalleled beauty experience like no other.”
Sephora has now confirmed that its Manchester Arndale store will open on 1 August 2025.
They wrote: “The secret is out! Manchester, we’ll be joining you at The Arndale on the 1st August.”
Greggs brings back popular Vegan Steak Bake under ‘fresh’ new name
Emily Sergeant
Greggs has announced that one of its most popular bakes is making a comeback after unprecedented fan demand.
Veggies and vegans, happy Friday… this one’s for you.
As any fan of the popular bakery will tell you, the Steak Bake is an absolute staple of the Greggs menu, and is undoubtedly one of the chain’s best-sellers, meaning it’s been a mainstay in stores for years on end now… but sadly, the same couldn’t be said about the plant-based alternative.
In case you don’t quite remember its release, or didn’t get a chance to try it the first time round, the Vegan Steak Bake is exactly what it says on the tin – a vegan version of the iconic Steak Bake.
First launched to mark Veganuary – which is an annual challenge to promote and educate about veganism by encouraging people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the month of January – all the way back in 2020, the Vegan Steak Bake joined the chain’s popular, and still existing, Vegan Sausage Roll to form part of its growing meat-free lineup.
The Vegan Steak Bake was created to mirror some of the original pasty’s features, according to Greggs.
It featured thin layers of puff pastry, and a filling made with pieces of Quorn instead of beef, all mixed in with diced onions and a meat-free gravy.
While the bake seemed to be a hit with vegans, vegetarians, and those who just fancied a meat-free alternative to their day, and even made a short-lived return again in early 2024, it sadly didn’t stick around for too long.
Greggs has announced the return of the popular Vegan Steak Bake / Credit: Greggs
But now, it looks like it’s time for a Vegan Steak Bake comeback again in 2025 – and this time, it’s got a slightly new name and a ‘fresh’ look.
Greggs wrote on its website ahead of the Vegan Steak Bake return: “What’s the big deal?” you might ask. In our humble opinion, tasty steak-free pieces mixed with diced onions and a vegan-friendly gravy is the absolute biggest of deals.
“It’s vegan, it’s incredibly delicious and it’s yours from just £2.10. What more do you need?”
The Vegan Lattice (Steak-Free), as it’s now called, is apparently still ‘super tasty’, despite being named something different.
It’s available to order from all Greggs sites across the UK now.
Featured Image – Greggs
Shopping
Popeyes to give out FREE viral chicken sandwiches when it opens in Manchester Arndale next week
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is getting another new Popeyes next week, and this time it’s coming to the city’s biggest shopping centre.
New Orleans-born fried chicken restaurant, Popeyes® UK, has finally announced the launch date of its newest Manchester restaurant at Halle Place, on the Lower Ground of Manchester Arndale, making it the third location for the city and the chain’s 33rd opening in total this year.
Popeyes has become known for its round-the-block queues on opening day – with both the Manchester Piccadilly and Bury New Road launches attracting hundreds for their first bite of the legendary Chicken Sandwich.
This is why a ‘show-stopping’ launch day is planned for the new Arndale site when it opens from 11am next Friday (29 August), and there’ll be loads of giveaways for shoppers to get their teeth stuck into.
On opening day, not only the first three customers win the ultimate prize of free Chicken Sandwiches for a full year, but the first 50 customers in the queue will be treated to exclusive Popeyes UK merchandise and the first 100 people will bag themselves a free Chicken Sandwich.
With both dine-in and speedy takeaway options available, fried chicken lovers will soon be able to enjoy Popeyes favourites, like the iconic Chicken Sandwich, Hot Wings, Tenders, and Signature Chicken Wraps, when it opens at the Arndale.
All of Popeyes’ chicken is marinated for 12 hours in its signature blend of bold Louisiana seasoning, before it’s hand-breaded and battered to deliver that famous ‘shatter-crunch’.
Popeyes is opening its third Manchester site in the Arndale next week / Credit: The Manc Group
The new Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich will also be available from opening day, following huge demand from fans for its return to the menu.
The Sandwich is joined by the return of the bigger-than-ever Hot Honey range, featuring the brand-new Hot Honey Saucin’ Boneless, the comeback of Hot Honey Saucin’ Wings, and the Hot Honey Box Meal.
“The response to our first two Manchester restaurants has been incredible, and we’re sure our new Arndale location will be just as popular,” commented Tom Crowley, who is the Popeyes UK CEO, ahead of next week’s opening.
“The new opening marks an exciting step in our growth across the city, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests to experience the spirit of New Orleans.”
To be in with a chance of chomping down on a legendary Popeyes Chicken Sandwich for free of charge, you’ll want to make sure you’re one of the first 100 in the queue on Arndale launch day.
Popeyes opens its third Manchester site at Manchester Arndale next Friday 29 August at 11am.
Daisy Jackson -
12th February 2025 
