The Royal Exchange will be throwing a luxury Christmas shopping event this week – with free cupcakes to fuel your browsing.
The historic landmark in Manchester, which is home to shops, cafes and restaurants, will dial up the festivities this weekend.
Its luxury Christmas shopping event will run on Saturday, with special offers and lots of surprises in store.
Shoppers will be serenaded by the amazing Victorian Carol Singers, who will walk around the building treating passers-by to Christmas carols.
The Northern String Quartet will also be performing festive tunes inside the Christmas Tree-lined arcade.
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For the early birds, The Royal Exchange will be handing out free cupcakes inside the arcade while stocks last.
Visitors to French Connection will be welcomed by an in-store Christmas event, with its own music, competitions, goody bags (for the first 20 purchasing customers), festive drinks and mince pies.
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You can ease all those pre-Christmas stresses at Amaranth Health & Beauty, which will offer a free 10-minute taster massage, Pukka herbal tea tasting, and Raw vegan chocolate tasting.
It’s also throwing in a free goody bag when you spend £30 or more, and has special offers on NEOM Organics.
The freebies continue at L’Occitane, where anyone who spends more than £45 will be able to select a free beauty bauble of their choice.
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It’s 15% off at the Yards Store for anyone who signs up to their newsletter in store on Saturday, and there’s 10% off all purchases in store at Diamond Heaven, as well as free jewellery engraving for items bought on the day.
The Royal Exchange’s Luxury Christmas Shopping Event will take place on Saturday December 4, between 1pm and 4pm.
Featured image: Supplied
Shopping
M&S launches massive recruitment drive in Greater Manchester with hundreds of jobs available
Emily Sergeant
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Greater Manchester.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit more than 300 new colleagues to support its store teams across Greater Manchester this festive season.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Greater Manchester – including Altrincham, Bolton Middlebrook, Bury The Rock, Manchester Market Street, Prestwich, Sale, Stockport, Stretford, Trafford Centre, and Walkden.
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive in Greater Manchester with hundreds of jobs available / Credit: M&S Manchester | Supplied
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Shopping
Trafford Centre begins months-long refurb of its iconic The Orient foodhall
Emily Sergeant
A new era for The Orient is on the horizon, as the Trafford Centre has begun its months-long refresh of its iconic foodhall.
Forming part of its ongoing commitment to ‘enhancing the visitor experience’, the Trafford Centre is investing in a major refresh of seating and customer facilities within The Orient – creating a more vibrant and welcoming environment for guests to eat, meet and relax.
Works are now underway and will be delivered in phases over the coming months.
Improvements are being carried out in phases to minimise disruption to shoppers, while creating a more comfortable and contemporary dining environment at the same time.
The refreshed area will increase seating capacity by more than 60%, introducing a range of new seating styles in the process – including banquettes, family-friendly tables, accessible seating for guests with mobility requirements, and dedicated areas equipped with phone and laptop charging facilities.
The Trafford Centre begins months-long refurb of its iconic The Orient foodhall / Credit: The Manc Group
Inspired by The Orient’s longstanding maritime heritage, the design takes cues from a contemporary cruise liner, and the space will also feature upgraded furniture and enhanced lighting, alongside flexible areas designed to encourage visitors to spend more time in there.
There’ll also be modern furnishings and a ‘refreshed’ colour palette to create a brighter and welcoming environment.
“The Orient is one of the most popular destinations within Trafford Centre, welcoming millions of visitors each year,” a Trafford Centre spokesperson said on the refurb.
“This investment reflects our commitment to continually improving the experience for our guests, creating a more modern, comfortable and social environment where visitors can meet, dine and spend time together.
“The improvements will not only significantly increase seating capacity but also deliver a much more flexible and accessible space for all visitors to enjoy.”
Daisy Jackson -
2nd December 2021 
