Business

The best independent shops to grab last minute Christmas gifts from at Royal Exchange Manchester

10 independent stores are all found under the roof of one of the city’s most historic buildings.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th December 2020
The Royal Exchange Manchester

The festive season is fast approaching and that means it’s nearing your last chance to get the gifts in.

We all know by now though that “Christmas cannot be normal” this year 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 probably why so many are seeing the greater value in gift giving this year.

And with safety and minimal shopping trips a core priority in 2020, The Royal Exchange Manchester couldn’t be a more convenient place to head down to.

Aside from some of the world’s favourite high street and designer brands, more importantly, there’s also a wealth of independent stores and luxury boutiques to lend your support to, as well as a collection of artisan cafes and Manchester-based eateries to stop off at.

ADVERTISEMENT

There’s a total of 10 independent stores all located under the roof of one of the city’s most historic buildings, and there’s never been a more important time to shop local where you can.

The Royal Exchange Manchester
The Royal Exchange Manchester

The Royal Exchange Manchester – Independent Stores

ADVERTISEMENT

Arcade

  • Amaranth
  • Lanigan & Hulme
  • Astons of Manchester
  • Paper Kisses of Manchester
  • Jenny Jones Jewellery
  • Diamond Heaven
  • Mays Jewellers
  • Swiss Watch Shop

St Ann’s Square & Old Bank Street

  • Arthur Kay & Bro Jewellers
  • Yards Store

If you find yourself in need of fuel to continue your last-minute shopping, Remedy Kitchen, Michael’s Coffee House, and Vertigo Plant Based Eatery will be open to pick yourself up a bite to eat or takeaway drink while you make your way around too, with Annie’s Tea Room and TGI Friday’s also working on plans to reopen doors in the coming weeks.

No matter what it is you’re looking for, The Royal Exchange Manchester probably has you covered.

___

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

The Royal Exchange Building, St. Anns Square, Manchester, M2 7EF

Business

Kevin De Bruyne reveals he wasn’t offered a new contract by Manchester City

Danny Jones Danny Jones Kevin De Bruyne not offered new contract by Man City

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he wasn’t offered a new contract by the club before making the decision to leave at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old is preparing to leave the Etihad after more than a decade, following the conclusion of the current 2024/25 campaign, announcing the decision earlier this month.

It goes without saying that the Belgian playmaker isn’t just a fan favourite and club legend but one of the most revered players in European football, let alone England, having been transformational both for the Blues and the Premier League.

Although his exit hasn’t come as a complete shock, given his age and increasing injury problems, De Bruyne himself has confessed that he was “a bit surprised” not to be offered a new contract by Man City whatsoever over the past year.

As per multiple outlets, KDB shared the revelation during his post-match media duties after the Everton game on Saturday, revealing: “I didn’t have any offer from them the whole year and City made a decision. Obviously, I was a bit surprised but have to accept it.”

Despite a firm belief that he “can still perform” at this level (one most would wholeheartedly agree with him on), he assured he understood the club’s thinking and even admitted that it was “more of a relief” knowing that he was the first to learn that news and could announce his departure on his own.

Insisting that he’ll still be giving everything to help the team win in their remaining games this season, he went on to detail that the decision has been made “because the whole team has struggled.”

“Maybe if the team didn’t struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal, then maybe they would take another decision”, he added, arguing that he’s playing with much more rhythm and confidence post-injury.

After all, he was the difference once again in the remarkable comeback against Crystal Palace.

A reminder that class is permanent as Kevin De Bruyne inspires remarkable Man City comeback
De Bruyne has made it clear he’d be more than happy to stay in the Premier League.

Although he wouldn’t go into too much detail on the conversations, he reiterated, “I can’t really say what they think on the inside […] I have to accept the situation even though I feel like I can still do a good job, but that’s it.”

Despite many fans coming to terms with the difficult choice made by the club, many supporters still believe it is an oversight on CFG’s (City Football Group) part.

One social media user has nearly 5,000 likes and almost 400 comments on a post entitled: ‘A petition to make Manchester City apologise and offer Kevin De Bruyne a new contract’.

While not everyone is in agreement on the matter, there is clearly plenty of doubt, with the same account going on to add, “There’s no shame in admitting a mistake and offer[ing] Kevin De Bruyne a new 1-year contract. His influence in the dressing room, let alone on the pitch, remains of critical importance.”

It’s hard to gauge exactly what manager Pep Guardiola makes of all of it, either; apart from his farewell message included as part of the club statement confirming his contract expiry, this is pretty much all the Catalan coach has had to say on the matter thus far:

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)

Business

Landmark Manchester building Campfield Market to reopen as creative ‘mega campus’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Landmark Manchester building Campfield Market to reopen as creative 'mega campus'

Finally, Manchester’s historic Campfield Market is being brought back to life, set to turn into a creative tech campus.

The huge space – part of which was previously the Air and Space Hall at the Science and Industry Museum – will soon reopen as a ‘mega campus’ for the city’s creative and tech businesses.

The plans revealed by Allied London show a whopping 130,000 sq ft campus across three buildings, including the two landmark Victorian market halls.

Set to launch this June, Campfield will be home to flexible workspaces, cafes, media studios, a bar, and plenty more.

A highlight will be Campfield House, ‘the city’s newest destination for socialising and entertainment’, home to a cafe, event space, the Campfield House Bar, and weekend craft markets and food stalls, all set beneath the building’s iconic glass roof

At the heart of the mega campus will be Department at Campfield, with a range of cutting-edge facilities and flexible workspaces from private offices to creative studios to co-working areas.

There’ll also be mixed media studios, workshops, meeting rooms, all based on the success of existing Department workspaces established in 2020 across Manchester and Leeds.

Elsewhere, the creative tech-specialising Exchange will provide critical resources, coaching and community to businesses – it’s already supported more than 1000 individuals and 200 businesses.

The vision for Campfield in Manchester
The vision for Campfield in Manchester

Of the two listed former market halls, the smaller will become Campfield Studios, with production spaces and studios around a dramatic central atrium available for hire.

And completing the Campfield campus will be Castlefield House, where members will find a dynamic media workspace and hospitality hub, with a Bauhaus-inspired design and a spacious courtyard cafe.

Campfield will join other restored, repurposed and revolutionary landmarks in St John’s, like Aviva Studios, Bonded Warehouse and Manchester Goods Yard.

Michael Ingall, Chief Executive of Allied London, said: “Campfield will provide creative, tech and media businesses with the infrastructure and facilities they need to grow and develop. Importantly, it will once again be open for social gatherings and for the public to enjoy.

“The project will see these historically significant buildings given a new life and fully equipped to play an integral part in the next generation of artistic and creative output from the city’s new creative district.”

The vision for Campfield in Manchester
The vision for Campfield in Manchester

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Campfield is a much-loved historic site that has sat empty and underutilised for so long. We’ve been supporting this project from the start, bringing these important heritage buildings brought back into active use, supporting the city’s ongoing growth and boosting employment opportunities in some of the city’s key emerging sectors.

“Manchester’s reputation is growing globally as a leader in the creative, tech and media industries, and this new hub is another example of creating a supportive ecosystem where businesses can start-up, scale-up and thrive. It’s great to see this scheme come to life, bringing a renewed energy to Campfield.”

Tanya Grady, Commercial Director of Allied London, said: “The sustainable reimagination of the historic Campfield campus will become a catalyst for a new creative community. We recognise that a place for creative, tech and media companies needs a diverse set of amenities to enable innovators to produce their best work.

“Campfield will maximise the number of businesses and founders we can support in fulfilling their creative potential. Campfield possesses everything founders need to take their tech, media and creative businesses to the next level.”

Abigail Gunning, Operational Director of Department, said: “Department Campfield will offer thoughtfully designed, service-led workspaces that enable businesses to succeed.

“The new campus represents our commitment to providing amenity-rich environments where people feel fulfilled, and businesses can attract the best talent. We’re excited to continue growing our community and support businesses shaping the future of Manchester’s creative and tech landscape.”

Read more

Featured image: Supplied

ADVERTISEMENT

Business | 14/04/25

Business | 09/04/25

Business | 05/04/25

Beloved local bakery shares ‘depressing’ cost of ingredients in brutally transparent statement

More Business

Cheshire Oaks shopping

Business

You can win a ‘shopping trip of a lifetime’ with a £3,000 budget at Cheshire Oaks

Rachel Reeves, Keir Starmer, and Angela Rayner

Business

More than 80% of Brits think the Government is badly handling the cost of living crisis

Long Boi's Bakehouse in Levenshulme

Business

Beloved local bakery shares ‘depressing’ cost of ingredients in brutally transparent statement

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches