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
Morrisons introduces new quiet hours to make stores less ‘overwhelming’ for shoppers
Emily Sergeant
Morrisons has decided to extend its popular ‘Quieter Hour’ across the UK to help make its stores less “overwhelming” for shoppers.
Introduced earlier this month to mark World Autism Acceptance Week, and in a bid to turn what can be a daunting task for many people into “a calmer and more enjoyable experience”, the supermarket chain has announced an extension to its already popular initiative by adding new ‘Quieter Hours’ during weekday afternoons.
In case you weren’t aware, Morrisons first introduced its Quieter Hour all the way back in July 2018, and has been welcoming people who may struggle supermarket shopping environments through its doors ever since.
The initiative – which initially took place between 9am and 10am on a Saturday, and for the first hour of trade on a Sunday – originally began as part of the National Autistic Society’s ‘Autism Hour campaign’, after it was found that some neurodiverse people, including those with autism, can find shopping in a supermarket “overwhelming”.
Morrisons has introduced new quiet hours to make stores less ‘overwhelming’ for shoppers / Credit: Morrisons
Supermarkets can lead many people to experience increased sensitivity to light and sound, such as loud music, bright lights, and busy environments, and in turn, this can cause anxiety or, in some of the worst cases, even physical pain.
But now, after the trial has proved to be so successful and well-received, Morrisons has made the decision to extended the initiative to weekdays too, as well as weekends – with ‘Quieter Hours’ now also running every week from Monday to Thursday between 2-3pm.
The company says the extension is all with the aim of “helping even more customers”.
During ‘Quieter Hours’, Morrisons stores operate lower levels of lighting, turn music and radios off, avoid making tannoy announcements, reduce movement of trolleys and baskets, and turn checkout beeps and other electrical noises down.
“The weekly shop can be a daunting task for those who may struggle with noises associated with it,” commented Charlotte Exell, who is the Business Sponsor of Ability at Morrisons.
“At Morrisons, we are always looking for more ways to support customers, and as the Quieter Hour is incredibly popular in our stores across the nation, we have listened to customers and will now help more shoppers in our extended times.”
Featured Image – Morrisons
Business
The BBC is looking for Manc entrepreneurs for a new series of The Apprentice
Emily Sergeant
Reckon you’ve got what it takes to be Lord Sugar’s next business partner?
The current 2024 season of The Apprentice might be coming to a close, but the show is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
In fact, there’s already a chance to apply for the next season of the hit TV show.
Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur with a business-savvy mind, someone who’s always just fancied themselves for doing well in the field, or you have a business idea that you think could be the next big thing, everyone is encouraged to apply for the new series – and the BBC is particularly calling on people from Greater Manchester.
Basically, as long as “you think you’ve got the talent and confidence to impress Britain’s toughest backer”, then the show’s producers are keen to hear from you.
A casting call on the BBC website reads: “Could you be his next investment? If you think you’ve got the talent and confidence to impress Britain’s toughest backer, the process starts here. The winning candidate will receive an investment and go into a 50:50 business with Lord Sugar. Fighting it out for his investment candidates will take part in twelve tough tasks to win one life-changing opportunity.”
There’s a few simple questions to answer as part of the initial process, but the two major ones where you’ll have your chance to set yourself apart from the rest are:
Why should you be Lord Sugar’s business partner?
What’s the most impressive thing you’ve ever done in business?
The BBC is looking for Manc entrepreneurs for a new season of The Apprentice / Credit: BBC
Applications are now open and close on 1 December 2024 at 23:59, with successful candidates set to be contacted for interviews in the new year.
Initial interviews will be taking place across the UK, and at least two dates have been pencilled for Manchester, Leeds, and/or Birmingham, with additional interviews to decide on the final candidates then set to follow in early 2025, and filming for the series due to takes place for 10 to 12 weeks from 7 April – 22 June 2025.
Emily Sergeant -
31st March 2021 
