Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet has today welcomed a much-loved local business, Be+Positive (BEPO), who have opened a new pop-up shop.
The brand, which makes a lot of its items from recycled materials including parachutes, had a hugely successful stint at the shopping centre back in 2022.
Be+Positive (BEPO) is a sustainable, low carbon footprint clothing brand with a mission to destigmatize mental health
And now that it’s back, it’s brought along some brilliant Cheshire-based creators, who can show off their start-ups.
BEPO is sharing space with The Oh Design Foundation, which supports creative enterprises and its growing collective of sustainable, purpose driven and talented designers, makers and artists.
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The pop-up at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet promises to be positivity-focused, with the chance to meet talented creators.
Inside Be+Positive (BEPO) at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. Credit: SuppliedInside Be+Positive (BEPO) at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. Credit: SuppliedInside Be+Positive (BEPO) at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. Credit: Supplied
Brands from the Oh Design Foundation at the BEPO pop-up
Designer Oscar Munro, whose work includes a capsule collection of denim trousers, jacket coats and travel bags.
Mother-daughter duo TDS, who specialise in creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories using locally sourced fabrics and dead-stock materials.
Award-winning fashion designer Lili Sipeki, whose work focuses on creating unique apparel through reconstruction and re-purposing of waste denim and dead-stock fabrics.
The Felt Mistress, a local stitcher who creates a range of oine-off bespoke creatures with her partner, illustrator Jonathan Edwards.
Critically acclaimed illustrator, comic artist and toy designer Jonathan Edwards, whose artwork has also graced the covers of records by artists such as The Black Eyed Peas and The Jungle Brothers.
Industrial designer Alfie Munro, whose work focuses on biophilic design, helping individuals reconnect with the natural world.
Cheshire-based design studio Forest and Clay, which specialises in handcrafted luxury furniture, pottery and homewares.
Woodspring Co., known for their soy wax candles using essential oils and fragrance oils that come in biodegradable and recyclable packaging.
The pop-up space at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet will also host members of the inclusive boxing community with special educational needs. The Wirral Boxing Club will be making an appearance on Sundays, when Jay Montessori and the Inclusive Hub’s coaches will host their regular Sunday Sessions, catering to participants of all abilities.
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The artisans showcasing their crafts alongside BEPO will be at the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet from 29 July until 10 September.
Kenny Murray, general manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, said: “We always consider our guests’ feedback whenever we review new pop-ups at the Centre, and BEPO stands out as one of our visitors’ favourite local brands to support, receiving glowing reviews after each activation at the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
“We have always stood behind the brand’s mission to encourage our guests to prioritise their mental wellbeing, which is why we are thrilled to announce the return of BEPO this summer.
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“We encourage all our Centre visitors to feel empowered to open up about their wellbeing and seek those resources that could help with their situation.”
Ben Taylor, co-founder of BEPO and NHS Maintenance Support worker, said: “Each pop-up at the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet is a fantastic opportunity for us to interact with Centre guests and champion the causes we believe in.
“This year, we’re very excited to bring along some incredible handcrafted products created by local artists and makers who are aligned with the BEPO mission. Whether looking for a statement t-shirt or a handmade Mac, the pop-up will be sure to have something on offer for everyone, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to return to the Centre.”
Featured image: Supplied
Shopping
Eyewear brand IOLLA are offering one-to-one glasses styling sessions at Hatch
Danny Jones
Our favourite eyewear brand IOLLA has just celebrated it’s first anniversary since opening up right here in Manchester and as part of the birthday celebrations, they’ve opened up an exclusive glasses styling pop-up event over at Hatch.
While glasses manufacturers started out in Scotland, Mancs have had the pleasure of their innovative eyewear offerings and expertise from their showroom on St Anns Square for over 12 months now and although you always get a very bespoke and personalised experience from their flagship English store, they’re always looking to branch out further.
So that’s why they’ve decided to set up a one-of-a-kind ‘Style Session’ over Hatch with the hope of spreading the word at the beloved independent trading village before it closes at the end of the month.
Known not only for its food and drinks vendors, student nights and live music but countless indie businesses selling clothes, vintage goods, beauty services and more. Now, for the rest of this week only, you can even sort yourself some glasses or shades to suit your style perfectly.
Credit: The Manc Group/IOLLA
The temporary ‘Style Station’ in Hatch is giving customers an insight into the brand’s ethos by displaying glasses on hangers, grouped together by style and shape to show how you can build your eyewear wardrobe and have different glasses for all looks and occasions.
Whether it’s a regular pair for the office or something more flashy for a night out, customers will get the chance to experience a one-to-one consultation session to find the right frames for the occasion with one of the brand’s experienced stylists.
Just like no two faces are the same, every combination of handmade IOLLA frames and lenses is unique, and choosing the perfect pair relies on the perfect balance of fit and style to suit your face shape.
With a range spanning prescription and non-prescription, as well as glasses and sleek shades in all the same style, IOLLA offers an option for everyone.
The limited-time-only pop-up is running from 12-7pm until Sunday, 24 September exclusively over at Hatch, but don’t worry if you don’t manage to find the time to make it over before the end of the week as you can always head to their St Anns Square showroom to try-on the collection of IOLLA glasses.
The best part is, it doesn’t matter what pair you pick: they all cost just £85 with no added fees and no unnecessary hassle. Did we mention that all their designs are completely unique, made with high-quality materials and handmade? Well, they are and that’s why we love them.
While we have your attention, we’re absolutely gutted to see Hatch as we know it shutting down but when we were last there, we thought we’d put together a fun little guide on how to spend the perfect day there.
Show this place and all of its amazing traders some love whilst you still can.
Featured Image — IOLLA/The Manc Group/Hatch (via Instagram)
Shopping
30% of Brits have apparently already started doing their Christmas shopping
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that 30% of Brits have apparently already started doing their Christmas shopping this year.
As much as many of us find ourselves running around the shops like headless chickens on Christmas Eve in a bid to buy all those last-minute gifts we forgot, on the flip side of that, we all know a few organised people who like to get their presents bought and wrapped well in advance so they can enjoy a relatively stress-free festive season.
But is September just a bit too early to start? Apparently not for three in 10 Brits.
According to a new survey by American Express – of which some 2,000 people nationwide took part – a surprising 30% of adults who celebrate or shop for Christmas in the UK have already started buying things for the festive period.
Presents for others were the most-common items already in the basket, but while gifts may be the obvious one, that’s not all.
30% of Brits have already started doing their Christmas shopping / Credit: Freestocks (via Unsplash)
As well as this, some have also admitted to grabbing things like wrapping paper and gift bags, Christmas cards, and decorations too.
Not only that, but as festive food and drink becomes a more common occurrence on shop shelves nationwide, and with many of the UK’s leading supermarket chains having already released their Christmas menu offerings this year, a good chunk of the survey respondents have also owned-up to buying themed snacks with long sell-by dates.
Nearly four-fifths (79%) also say they feel it’s important to support local businesses when doing their shopping for the festive season.
Presents for others were the most-common items already in the basket / Credit: Pxhere | Kerkez (via iStock)
And when it comes to money, among those survey respondents who have started their seasonal spending, it was revealed that they have already spent an average of £94 on gifts, but closer to £110 when taking into account everything else they’ve bought.
Speaking on the survey results, Andrei Ciripitca – who is the Vice President at American Express – called the festive period “an important time for businesses and shoppers alike”.