One of Greater Manchester’s biggest fashion success stories is set to open its first permanent store in the city centre.
Founded back in 2011 by Bolton-born brothers, George and Mike Heaton, Represent has gone from strength to strength, and has become, far and away, one of the UK’s best-loved luxury fashion labels over the past decade or so – proving itself to be a proper local success story for the Greater Manchester region.
Represent has collaborated with numerous big-name celebrities since its launch, including Justin Bieber, the Kardashians, and even Manchester’s very-own Liam Gallagher.
The brand already has a bespoke store over in West Hollywood, and a recently-announced planned space in London’s swanky Soho area, as well as having created several pop-ups in both London and Manchester at the likes of Selfridges, Flannels, and Harrods.
Luxury streetwear brand Represent is opening its first permanent Manchester store / Credit: Represent Clo (via Facebook)
But now, to build on its success even further, the rapidly-growing company has announced that it’ll be opening its first permanent retail store outside of the capital later this year.
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And naturally, it’s chosen Manchester as the lucky location.
The city centre‘s major shopping centre, Manchester Arndale, says it’s “delighted” to reveal that it has agreed a 10-year lease deal with the label to open a brand-new 5,419 sq ft store on New Cathedral Street – which is a street already home to other leading luxury retailers like Harvey Nichols, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, and Michael Kors.
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Inspired by retro Mancunian designs, Represent’s popular ranges of t-shirts, hoodies, and trainers are regularly showcased at top fashion destinations worldwide.
The Bolton-born brand is taking up a unit on New Cathedral Street in the city centre / Credit: Represent Clo (via Facebook)
The brand says its new Manchester store will aim to provide a “bespoke luxury shopping experience”, where customers can book an appointment with an advisor who’ll be able to offer recommendations tailored to their needs.
“We are very excited to open our first UK retail store in Manchester, our hometown and base,” admitted George Heaton, who is the co-founder and current Creative Director of Represent.
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“The Represent Manchester location marks an important and iconic milestone for the brand.
“We’ve been on the lookout for the perfect location and managed to come upon this great store in a prestigious part of the city amongst other luxury brands. The space reflects what Represent looks and feels, through the tones, palette it carries, and the textures used throughout the materials used to craft the interior and exterior.”
Represent is set to open in Manchester on New Cathedral Street this autumn, but exact opening dates are to be announced in due course.
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.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Shopping
Home Bargains has announced a special two-day closure of all UK stores
Emily Sergeant
Home Bargains has, once again, announced it’ll be closing all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year.
And it’s to make sure staff get a ‘well deserved break’.
After what has been yet another busy year for the retail industry, many workers have been left feeling like they could do with a little extra time off, which is why Home Bargains is following on with what has become a now-annual tradition by shutting up shop on two bank holidays.
All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Years Day.
Announcing the move in a post on social media, the discount retailer confirmed: “All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Years Day. We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time the retailer has kept its doors shut on bank holidays.
Many shoppers will recall it has made the same decision to give hardworking staff a break every year since 2019.
Explaining a little more about the decision taken to close all its stores, Home Bargains said: “As a family-run business, we know the importance of being together at Christmas with those we care about most, now more than ever.
Emily Sergeant -
11th July 2024 
