Gimli, the Cheshire Oaks-obsessed cat with her very own Facebook page
From curling up in a hidey hole at All Saints to making herself part of L'Occitane's window display, one thing about Gimli is clear. The cat's got excellent taste.
If you’ve ever spotted a furry tail whipping around corners or burrowing into blankets whilst on a shopping trip at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, well, then this cat will likely need no introduction.
Gimli, or as she’s more commonly known, Gimli Queen of the Oaks, is the Cheshire Oaks-obsessed cat who loves to tunnel into blanket piles in homeware sections and carry out regular health and safety inspections in the designer outlet’s back-of-house.
An unofficial mascot for the designer outlet, she’s so often spotted playing mannequin in the store windows or curled up on shelves that she’s even got her own Facebook page detailing her luxury outlet adventures.
Image: Facebook
Run by her loving owner, 5-year-old Gimli’s page has over 4,300 followers – drawing in shoppers and staff from the Oaks alike, all keen to be kept informed of her latest escapades.
The pair live right behind the designer outlet, just a two minute walk away – making it easy for Gimli to pop over for some fuss, then back home for her breakfast and a snooze whenever it pleases her.
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Her owner has had her since she was a kitten, and says that from the moment she first spotted her she was immediately ‘drawn to the kitten that was trying to escape the box/bed she was in with her litter mates’.
Evidently, Gimli’s always been somewhat of an adventurer.
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Photos posted on her page are often sent in by visitors to the shopping outlet who manage to clock her, often depicting her strutting her stuff down aisles and looking sassily into the camera as if to say ‘how did you find me here?’
Others come from staff, amused at finding her once again roaming their stores.
From Visitor Information Officer, to Health and Safety and Public Protection Officer, it appears Gimli has many roles to play at the Oaks – and wherever she goes, she finds new fans.
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Image: Facebook
One recent post, showing her curled up under a trio of mannequins wearing the new collection ospring/summer dresses at Polo Ralph Lauren, reads: “After spending most of the day napping on my bed her majesty decided it was time to go out… For another nap at Ralph Lauren.
“I wish I had time for as many naps as my cat.”
Another, shared in March, styles her as somewhat of a guardian angel: “This one made me smile… ‘Hi! Just thought you’d want to know I sometimes finish work late and Gimli will emerge from the bushes nearby and come for a pet! She sits on my lap for some cuddles until I get picked up haha.’
Image: Facebook
“So it seems we can add personal protection officer to Gimli’s list talents! There was a little video that came along too but technology is letting me down and won’t let me save it.”
Speaking about the elusive Gimli, her owner told The Manc: “Personality-wise she’s a stereotypical cat really, quite aloof mostly but also has moments of being incredibly sweet and enjoys a fuss on her terms, but when she’s had enough if you don’t spot the warning tail twitch she’ll definitely let you know”
As to why she thinks Gimli is so enamoured with the Oaks, she confessed that she’s not entirely sure.
“I have zero idea if I”m honest, [my] best guess is she found a whole heap of people that she could convince she hadn’t been fed for days with her cries (lies of course) combined with warm comfy spots under shop heaters for a snooze.”
From curling up in a hidey hole at All Saints to making herself part of L’Occitane’s window display, whilst her motivation for constantly visiting isn’t neccessarily apparent, one thing about Gimli is clear.
The cat’s got excellent taste.
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To follow more of her adventures at Cheshire Oaks, check out her Facebook page here.
Feature image – Facebook
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‘If only he was here’: Peter Hook reflects on Ian Curtis as Joy Division join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Danny Jones
We were lucky enough to play a part in a bit of music history (albeit only a small one) this week, as we had the privilege of chatting with the one and only Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order, as the pair were finally admitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A long overdue bit of recognition, if you ask, but a momentous day nonetheless.
Chatting with Hooky and a long-time friend, collaborator, and beloved Manchester-based DJ, Graeme Park, in the aftermath of being named in the ‘Class of 2026’, he was visibly moved and honoured by the announcement. Here’s what he had to say…
Joking from the off by repeating Graeme’s initial question, “How does it feel?” (an absolute tap-in, that one), the 70-year-old bassist and co-founder of both iconic Greater Manchester groups admitted that they “had a couple of false starts”, to put it mildly, but went on to add: “we can only thank our fans.”
Confessing there has been somewhat of a mixed reaction about “what it means” to them and/or in the industry these days, he made it clear that on a personal level, it’s still a huge moment.
Put simply, he said: “Without the fans, we’d all be nothing.”
He also went on to praise the sort of no-nonsense, DIY and unapologetic approach of the Manc music scene, quipping: “You know, what would Simon Cowell have said about Ian Curtis, Bez, Shaun [Ryder] – Ian Brown, for god’s sake?!”
Acknowledging that while no one was necessarily an “accomplished singer” (often the case when you start early and just pursue a passion), his caveat was that “they had heart and soul” and “they embody something deep within us all that has lasted and will continue to last.”
Noting a de facto ‘Renaissance’ that a few names have enjoyed – especially following the passing of certain notable figures – he believes, rather, that they never went anywhere and that Northern crowds and beyond have helped those songs stretch to three, four, even five different generations.”
He’s not wrong: they’ve never stopped connecting with audiences, and they NEVER will.
Once more, it was an absolute joy (again, pardon the pun) to chat with Peter and Parky, who clearly haven’t lost their love for each other, nor this business – even after all these decades.
Congratulations to both bands, Hooky, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Tom Chapman, Phil Cunningham, as well as every session musician who’s ever played these tunes and kept them alive.
Last but not least: forever and always, rest in peace, Ian Curtis.
Inside Soho House Manchester as rooftop pool finally opens
Daisy Jackson
Soho House Manchester finally opened its doors to members late last year – but there’s still more to come.
The exclusive members’ club, which costs from £2,400 per year to access, faced several years’ worth of unavoidable delays as it transformed the old Granada Studios.
And even now that members can finally visit the space for networking, dinner and drinks, events, and working, Soho House isn’t actually finished.
Instead, the hotly-anticipated venue is opening in phases – the latest of which is that beautiful rooftop pool, with views overlooking the city from the top of the former television studio.
New images taken inside Soho House Manchester show several of the completed spaces, from lounges with beautiful natural light flooding through skylights, to stylish candlelit dining rooms, to gorgeous bedrooms.
In keeping with the building’s history, the Soho House design team have stuck with a premium mid-century interior, including terrazzo flooring and warm wood details, muted green and orange colour palettes, and chrome furniture.
Have a look inside Soho House Manchester:
Soho House Manchester is now open. Credit: SuppliedBeautiful interiors. Credit: SuppliedA bar space. Credit: Edvina BruzasRestaurant spaces. Credit: Edvina BruzasDetails of Soho House Manchester. Credit: Edvina BruzasMid-century details at Soho House Manchester. Credit: Edvina BruzasInside Soho House in Manchester. Credit: Edvinas BruzasNew spaces are still opening. Credit: Edvinas BruzasThere are 22 bedrooms inside. Credit: Harry Crowder
There are now 22 beautiful bedrooms up on the sixth floor, exclusively available to Soho House Members, which carry on the 1950s heritage design.
As the build continues, members will soon have access to a Soho Health Club with a gym, reformer Pilates studio, smoothie bar, and infrared sauna and steam room.
Every Soho House has a strict no-photos policy to protect to privacy of members – which means unless you fancy forking out £333.33 a month, you might never see inside it beyond the club’s official photography.
Georgina Pellant -
6th April 2022 
