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
Manchester Storm announce partnership with USAsports including NHL pop-ups and more
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have announced a landmark new deal with USAsports, a dedicated home for British fans of North American sporting disciplines and global merchandising suppliers, which will see various exciting events this upcoming season.
Confirming the collaboration ahead of the pending 2026/27 campaign, this crossover will involve everything from special pop-up events to player sponsorships and much more.
USAsports specialise in officially licensed NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB clothing, and while you may have seen the odd jersey here and there at various Greater Manchester locations, they are now gearing up to work with Manchester Storm to deliver better exposure.
Whether you’re just a die-hard member of the Storm Shelter or an ex-pat who still follows an NHL franchise overseas, kit collecting and the fascination surrounding limited edition team jumpers is a big part of ice hockey fandom and culture not just here in the UK but around the world.
Sharing their own announcement, they wrote: “Manchester Storm are thrilled to announce a new partnership with USAsports for the 2026/27 Motorpoint Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season as the club embarks on an exciting new chapter at the AO Arena.
“As part of the partnership, USAsports will sponsor a Manchester Storm player throughout the season and deliver multiple NHL Pop-Up Shop events at Storm home games during the forthcoming campaign.”
On the subject of sponsorship, commercial entities are the only people who will be given the opportunity to back big players this term, as Storm are once again bringing back their ‘own-and-loan’ scheme.
Speaking on working closely with their new partners, the club’s General Manager, Ryan Finnerty, added: “We’re delighted to have USAsports on board for the 2026/27 season.
“Their passion for the fan experience really stood out to us, and their NHL Pop-Up Shops throughout the season will be a fantastic addition to game days at the AO Arena.
“We’re looking forward to working together throughout what promises to be a very exciting season.”
As casual fans here at The Manc, we’ll admit that watching the growing buzz around the resurgent ice hockey team, especially ahead of their Manchester city centre ‘homecoming’, has got us amped to dive deeper into the sport when it gets back underway next month. We’re not the only ones, either…
Aldi on Market Street is closed and Mancs say ‘that’s ruined my f***in day’
Daisy Jackson
Aldi on Market Street is something of a Manchester legend, and often for the wrong reasons.
Easily one of the busiest, noisiest, most overwhelming places in the city centre, it’s nevertheless a lifeline for those who live and work in town.
Where else are you buying an aubergine and a tin of spaghetti hoops on the busiest shopping street in the North West, on a not-quite-payday-yet budget?
So you can imagine the small panic that’s rippled around Manchester when shoppers have arrived to the Market Street Aldi to find it closed.
Huge sheets of brown paper have been tacked into the windows and the shutters pulled firmly down for the last couple of weeks, leaving people to face the walk to the Aldi in Ancoats or – worse – Lidl on Piccadilly Gardens.
One person (whose username is, fittingly, Anxious Pirate) posted on Reddit: “Freaking out, what’s happened to Aldi Arndale?”
Meanwhile, a Tiktok video said: “Great Ancoats Street Aldi is going to be rammed. Niche but I’m sure others will feel my pain.”
Aldi on Market Street is currently closed
In the comment section, one person asked: “I need to know why this wasn’t a bbc breaking news update”
Another said: “That’s just ruined my f**kin day.”
And someone else joked: “Just say you hate me and want me dead fgs.”
The good news is that the Aldi on Market Street hasn’t closed for good, and is just one of 25 stores undergoing a much-needed refurb.
The bad news is that’s going to take a while – the Manchester city centre Aldi isn’t set to reopen until 28 August.