Another addition to the ‘general store’ group is coming to Deansgate Square this summer
Store Retail Group will be opening Deansgate Square General Store to bring an award-winning, independent retail experience to the heart of the community.
One of Manchester’s most premium developments has announced the first in a line of commercial openings set for this summer.
Store Retail Group – the company behind the General Stores and Foodhall concepts, with an already large and loyal fan base of its innovative take on the neighbourhood shop at stores in Ancoats, Stretford and Sale – will be the first commercial partner to open its doors at the flagship Deansgate Square development, found at the southern end of Deansgate, and by working in partnership with landlord and developer Renaker, Store Retail Group will be opening Deansgate Square General Store to bring an award-winning, independent retail experience to the heart of the community.
As part of the development – which comprises of four towers, including the tallest residential building outside of London – Manchester-based Renaker has created the city’s only riverside square, which is surrounded by each of the new sites, all boasting floor-to-ceiling glass windows and outdoor seating areas.
Store Retail Group will take over a 4,500 sq ft space located on the turning circle adjacent to the impressive lobby space.
This is set to service over 3,000 residents, with hotel-style concierge and amenities.
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(1/3) We are pleased to announce our first commercial operator, the Deansgate Square General Store – a modern take on the classic local shop from @generalstores_. pic.twitter.com/pV9dR4bqEH
Part corner shop, part community hub, Deansgate Square General Store will combine all the very best aspects of the group’s other sites and will supply artisan coffee to takeaway, a fresh flower concept, and an ever-changing street food vendor on site too, alongside household essentials, bringing much more than just a shop to this exciting new community.
The interior – which has been designed by local studio YOUTH – will celebrate and highlight General Store’s innovative approach to retail.
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Bringing together a grocery store, coffee shop and bar, the new Deansgate location has been designed with “community, creativity and cultural purpose” in mind.
“Deansgate Square felt right for us straight away.” Mital Morar – MD of Store Retail Group – said.
“The number of residents on site makes sound commercial sense for us, as well as the opportunity to work in a close-knit community, as we do at Ancoats [so] we’re excited to be part of a new thriving neighbourhood, and to expand our presence in the city centre.
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“As a destination that will continue to evolve, we see Deansgate Square as a great, long-term investment”.
Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Renaker – in collaboration with retail agency Barker Proudlove – has worked hard to bring both a new commercial offering and public open space to residents and the wider city centre community, with each operator having been carefully selected to ensure they are local independents with a strong track record and foot print in the city.
“Deansgate Square represents the first scheme to be delivered within the wider Great Jackson Street Masterplan.” James Sidlow – Senior Development Manager at Renaker – added.
“A key component in the success of this will be the diverse and engaging offering at ground level, carefully aligned to the requirements of the residents, locals and visitors to the city alike, creating an entirely new destination.
“We are delighted to announce news of these agreements [as] we’ve long admired how General Store create beating hearts at the centre of their neighbourhoods [and] we hope they, along with the host of other well-loved Manchester brands still to be announced, will bring all this and more to Deansgate Square”.
Some news to share! Good day for it too ☀️
Whilst we gear up to open in MediaCity imminently, contractors are about to descend on our next General Store.
You can find more information ahead of the opening of Deansgate Square General Store via the General Stores website here, and the Deansgate Square website.
Business
Kellogg’s introduces domestic abuse support policy for its Greater Manchester staff
Emily Sergeant
Kellogg’s has just introduced a new support policy for its Greater Manchester staff who are sadly victims of domestic abuse.
The company‘s pioneering new support policy means any one of its more than 1,360 employees across the UK who are suffering from the impact of domestic abuse will be entitled to an additional 10 days of paid leave.
On top of this, they’ll also be provided with financial help for an initial legal support meeting, and a one-off payment for expenses and costs incurred for setting up a new bank account, or any other activity that provides employees suffering domestic abuse with financial security.
The support package will be available to all Kellogg’s staff in its Manchester HQ, and those working in its two factories in Trafford Park and Wrexham.
This additional support for those impacted by the devastation of domestic abuse also comes on top of the access to a free 24-hour confidential counselling service and flexible working arrangements that Kellogg’s already offers.
The Kellogg’s factory in Trafford Park / Credit: Kellogg’s UK (via Instagram)
A Kellogg’s employee, who wishes to remain anonymous’, has welcomed the new policy after describing their experience with domestic abuse as “completely isolating”.
The decision by Kellogg’s to introduce the new support measures has also been welcomed by charities.
Michelle Hill, who is the chief executive of the charity Talk, Listen, Change, praised the company for creating “a supportive policy” that comes with a number of “key elements” to enable its staff to feel safe and confident in disclosing domestic abuse.
She added: “The new domestic abuse policy not only commits to supporting employees, but also to increasing awareness of domestic abuse through resources.
“We know that the stress and trauma that come with domestic abuse have a profound effect on victim-survivors [and] Kellogg’s has demonstrated, as an organisation, that they are committed to supporting victim-survivors to the best of their ability.”
Featured Image – Kellogg’s UK
Business
Northern is recruiting dozens of new train conductors in Greater Manchester – and you don’t even need experience
Emily Sergeant
Northern is currently on a recruitment drive, and is keen to welcome dozens of new train conductors to its Greater Manchester team.
And you don’t even need any prior experience to apply for the role.
The rail company is looking to hire as many as 74 new train conductors for its bases in Greater Manchester and Yorkshire over the next 12 months, and is urging anyone that finds themselves at a “career crossroads” to strongly consider sticking an application in as no previous rail industry experience is required.
This is because thorough training will be given to all new recruits through an apprenticeship at Northern’s academies in Manchester and Leeds city centres.
Northern is recruiting dozens of new train conductors in Greater Manchester / Credit: Northern
Luckily, for anyone who lives locally and is thinking about applying, the Greater Manchester roles will be based at either Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Victoria stations, but for those over the border or who don’t mind travelling a little further, the Yorkshire roles will be based at either Doncaster, Leeds, Skipton, or York.
The role of a Train Conductor at Northern has a salary of £29,000 once fully qualified, and comes with a wide range of benefits – including things like free train travel.
Initial training takes 12 weeks, and the apprenticeship is complete within a year.
No previous rail industry experience is required for the roles on offer / Credit: Northern
“The days when apprenticeships were just for school or college leavers are long gone,” admits Lisa Leighton, who is the People Director at Northern.
“But that perception remains and it can be a barrier to more experienced people putting in an application, as lots of jobs have transferable skills that the rail industry can benefit from, so anyone that fancies taking their career in a completely fresh direction should give it go.
“Some of the people working on-board our trains today started their career in very different arenas, from the prison service and cabin crew to social care and financial services.
“No one should think the railway ‘isn’t for them’ – it’s an industry with much to offer.”
Recruitment for the first of the 74 positions is already underway, with regular opportunities to apply as jobs are released between now and August 2024, so for more information on the roles out there, you can check out Northern’s website.
Emily Sergeant -
31st March 2021 
