Business

The Royal Exchange Manchester is a one-stop-shop for gifts this Christmas

Over 30 stores located within one of the city's most historic buildings.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 9th December 2020
Royal Exchange Manchester

We all know by now that Christmas is gearing up to be a little different this year.

The UK government has sadly conceded that “Christmas cannot be normal” amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and while it has been announced that up to three families can form a Christmas bubble between 23rd – 27th December, for a lot of people, this still means there will be friends and family members they are unable to spend time with.

This is leading so many to seeing the greater value in gift giving this festive season, and there’s no better way to get into the spirit than a spot of Christmas shopping for loved ones too.

With safety a core priority, finding ways of cutting down on unnecessary travel and minimising the number of shopping trips needed to stock up on presents will likely be at the top of the list for a lot of us, which is why The Royal Exchange Manchester in the heart of the city centre couldn’t be a more convenient place to head down to.

There’s over 30 stores located within one of the city’s most historic buildings.

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Not only can you shop from some of the world’s favourite high street and designer brands, but there’s also a wealth of independent stores and luxury boutiques to chose from too, as well as a collection of artisan cafes and Manchester-based eateries to grab a takeaway drink or bite to eat from while you’re at it.

There’s never been a more important time to support local where you can.

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Royal Exchange Manchester
Royal Exchange Manchester

No matter what it is you’re looking for, Royal Exchange has probably got you covered, but exactly what shops are under the roof of this iconic building then?

Arcade

  • Remedy Kitchen
  • Michaels coffeehouse
  • Designer Exchange
  • Amaranth
  • Alterations Boutique
  • Lanigan & Hulme
  • Astons of Manchester
  • Paper Kisses of Manchester
  • Jenny Jones Jewellery
  • Diamond Heaven
  • Mays Jewellers
  • City Specs
  • Swiss Watch Shop
  • Razors Edge

St Ann’s Square

  • Arthur Kay jewellers
  • The Whisky Shop
  • French Connection
  • Moss Bros
  • lululemon
  • Watches of Switzerland

Old Bank St

  • Annies tea-room 
  • Nigel Rayment mother of the bride boutique
  • Yards Store
  • Fjallraven

Cross Street

  • Vertigo plant based
  • London Camera Exchange
  • Sostrene Grene
  • Fridays

Market Street

  • Irregular Choice
  • Hotel Chocolat
  • Scribbler
  • The Body Shop
  • Lush
  • L’Occitane
  • Whittard of Chelsea
  • Moda in Pelle
  • Molton Brown

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You can find a full list of opening times for each store here.

For more information or to familiarise yourself with COVID-safe procedures ahead of your trip, you can visit the Royal Exchange Manchester website here.

Business

Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s official… Chester Zoo has been named to best zoo in the UK for 2024.

Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world – but now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.

The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.

Based on millions of online reviews, the new ranking puts the beloved Cheshire-based attraction ahead of the country’s other zoos after earning consistently good feedback from its visitors.

Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024 / Credit: Chester Zoo

According to Chester Zoo, the “wonderful news” means that, as a conservation charity, it can continue its work with countries across the world to “help all animals survive and thrive”, as well as provide expert care to the 37,000 animals who currently call the zoo their home.

The zoo has also thanked its visitors for all their continued support each year, as this allows to “keep making a difference”.

“With every admission ticket, membership, animal adoption, or experience purchased, you are contributing to our mission of preventing extinction,” Chester Zoo said in a statement.

Speaking on the coveted new TripAdvisor title, Jamie Chirston, who is the CEO at Chester Zoo, says he’s “over the moon to be named the best zoo in the UK”, adding in a statement that: “It’s an incredible achievement and especially pleasing given it’s based on thousands upon thousands of genuine reviews and opinions.

“It’s a real seal of approval from our visitors, and testament to every single one of our dedicated, hardworking, and talented staff that make our conservation zoo the wonderful place it is.

“Every time someone walks through our gates, not only do they enjoy all kinds of wildlife experiences and a have great day out, but they’re also contributing to the vital conservation work we carry out here and around the world, and that’s why, as a not-for-profit conservation zoo, this top TripAdvisor ranking means such an awful lot to us.

It’s all thanks to more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings by visitors on TripAdvisor / Credit: Chester Zoo

“It’s confirmation that we’re getting things right for our visitors, [which is] especially important as, together, we’re preventing extinction and making a real difference for wildlife.”

The UK’s best zoo isn’t the only title Chester Zoo has claimed this month either, as TripAdvisor has also listed it as the eighth-best zoo or aquarium to visit in the whole of Europe too.

Read more:

So it double congratulations are in order – and they couldn’t be more well-deserved, right?

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

Business

‘Not just for mums’ – Iceland drops iconic slogan after more than 50 years

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Iceland has dropped its iconic slogan after more than 50 years, and has finally admitted that it’s “not just for mums”.

We all know that “that’s why mums go to Iceland” is one of the most famous slogans in British retail history… but, as of last week, more than 50 years since it was first uttered on TV, Iceland has decided to say farewell to the iconic phrase.

The headline-grabbing move is thought to be the supermarket‘s bid to become more inclusive, as it has cited the decades-old tagline as “outdated”.

Iceland’s first use of ‘mum’ in its’ marketing campaigns was all the way back in 1970 with the phrase “Mums love it”, before it was slightly changed to “Mum’s gone to Iceland” in 1988 ahead of its expansion into Europe in 1991.

Iceland has dropped its iconic slogan after more than 50 years / Credit: Iceland Foods

Then finally, in 2004, the frozen food retailer introduced its now most-iconic strapline, “So that’s why mums go to Iceland”, to coincide with introducing celebrity pop star Kerry Katona as the new face of its TV advertisements.

But now, as part of its latest advertising campaign, the world ‘mum’ has been dropped once and for all in favour of the altered tagline “That’s why we go to Iceland.

Explaining its decision to part way with its use of ‘mums’, Iceland’s Executive Chairman Richard Walker commented: “Iceland’s always been number one with mums, but the reality is, people from all walks of life, and life stage, choose to shop with us. That includes everyone from students and seniors, to single-parent families, mums, dads, and fitness enthusiasts.

“We’re a Great British institution, and open to all.”

Alongside the new slogan, Iceland is continuing its tradition of appointing celebrity mums as the face of the company.

TV presenter Josie Gibson has landed the role of the supermarket’s new ambassador.

Read more:

“With her famous warmth and positivity, Josie is the perfect person to encapsulate the friendly welcome all our customers receive at Iceland,” Mr Walker continued, adding that the retailer is “delighted to have her onboard”.

Featured Image – Iceland Foods

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