An enormous charity supermarket, where you can shop several different charity shops in one space (much like a department store) has opened its doors in Greater Manchester.
Fans of thrifting and pre-loved fashions will lose hours of their life browsing the huge selection of clothes, accessories and homeware on offer at Charity Super.Mkt’s first northern location.
It’s taken over a massive unit at Quayside MediaCity in Salford Quays, with charities trading inside including Age UK, All Aboard, Havens Hospices and St Vincent de Paul.
You’ll find some pre-loved big brands, some of the latest trends, and up-cycled furniture aplenty.
On our trip, we found Prada trainers for £40, and a whole rack full of designer denim and vintage football shirts.
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This is the first time that national and local charities have collaborated for a multi-charity shop like this, sharing floorspace, tills, and volunteer staff.
And it’s already been a big hit. In just the first two hours of Charity Super.Mkt opening, just shy of £4,000 was raised for charity through 370 transactions.
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Shoppers on the opening night snapped up everything from a Balenciaga handbag to Yves Saint Laurent shoes, a black Dolce & Gabbana skirt to Ray-Ban sunglasses, and a collection of over ten Vivienne Westwood scarves.
Charity Super.Mkt also has donation bins in the doorways, which have already seen hundreds of items donated.
The concept first launched just six months ago and has already ticked off six pop-ups around the UK, selling more than 100,000 second-hand items and saving 30,000 kg of fabric from going to landfill.
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Inside Charity Super.Mkt in Salford QuaysInside Charity Super.Mkt in Salford Quays
The money raised through its retail pop-ups has also helped to fund nearly 200 extra days of cancer nurses for Cancer Research UK, 15 days of emergency helpline cover for Shelter, 3,000 hours of nursing care for Marie Curie, and paid for people with learning disabilities to gain part time employment through Brandon Trust’s social enterprises, to name but a few.
Charity Super.Mkt is co-founded by Maria Chenoweth, CEO of sustainable clothing charity TRAID and Wayne Hemingway MBE, of HemingwayDesign and co-founder of British fashion brand Red or Dead.
On the opening night, Wayne Hemingway MBE, said: “We were so happy to see the great turnout as it confirmed our beliefs that fashion is changing and growing as people become more conscious of their choices and the effect they have on the planet.
“It was great to see the shopping centre rocking and with all those local street food traders at Kargo MKT at Central Bay and with Seven Bro7hers upcoming venture 11 Central, it shows how purposeful and locally focused retail really can be the future of great shopping experiences.
A rail of retro football shirtsPrada trainers inside charity supermarket Charity Super.Mkt in Salford. Credit: The Manc Group
“Keep your eyes peeled as we’re here until mid-December and there will be plenty more special events to get involved, make a donation and buy yourself something nice that will help a good cause.”
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Maria Chenoweth, commented: “I’ve dedicated my life and career to highlighting the importance of second-hand and charity fashion as the most impactful way to dress ourselves.
“Our mission with Charity Super.Mkt is to take charity retail mainstream by getting these great brands into the places and spaces that would otherwise not be accessible.
“We’re extremely proud to be setting up the first pop-up in Greater Manchester, and let’s hope it’s not the last one in the region.”
Charity Super.Mkt is now open in Quayside MediaCity until 13 December, from 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday, with later opening to 8pm on Thursdays, then 10am to 7pm on Saturdays and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
Manchester Arndale will be taken over by the MCR Student Social shopping event once again this month, with major retailers offering discounts, prizes, entertainment and loads more.
The annual celebration welcomes new and returning students to the shopping centre for a night of deals, offers and freebies across its shops, restaurants and leisure venues.
This year’s event features live DJs, giveaways, and a roaming Party Tuk Tuk, as well as the return of the Audio North x The Manc DJ truck on Market Street.
The Audio North x The Manc DJ truck will be manned by student DJs from dBs Institute Manchester, who’ll be spinning the finest hip-hop, funk and party anthems throughout the day.
The MCR Student Social will also be getting the Arndale dancing with a huge silent rave right outside Next, hosted by the Super Star MCs.
They’ll be pulling together an evening of dance challenges, shout-outs and a chance to win goodies.
There’ll be plenty more entertainment and freebies between 12pm and 7pm on the night too, like sittings to have a special portrait created by an artistic illustrator for your student digs, and a live DJ at Halle Place.
Roaming the Manchester Arndale all evening will be the Party Tuk Tuk, packed with giveaways and accepting song requests.
Looking for a refuel? The Food and Drink Zone on Market Street will have treats from Manchester Arndale’s top food and drink traders, including Barburrito, Creams, Franco Manca and Popeyes, while at Exchange Square Papa Johns and Tango will be in situ.
Last year’s MCR Student Social for Manchester Arndale. Credit: The Manc Group
Market Street will also be hosting performances from GFF Damian Dance Studio.
In the Party Zone, students can get stuck into games, prizes, freebies and giveaways from Fusion, Hollister, Iolla, King Pins, PureGym, Søstrene Grene and Urban Playground.
And head to the Info Zone for discounts, giveaways, and interactive games from 42nd Street, Manchester Central Library, National Football Museum, NatWest and Recycle 4 GM.
Not forgetting the shopping itself, with huge discounts available between 12pm and 7pm for students.
That includes up to 50% off at more than 130 shops and services, some of which are listed below.
50% off one pair of glasses from the £70 & above range at Specsavers* in the Arndale.
40% off laser hair removal and skin treatments at Laser Clinics
35% off hair styling tools at Amory London
Up to 30% off at shops including JD, Footasylum, AllSaints, Levi’s, Adidas, The North Face, Neal’s Yard Remedies, Space NK, Nike Flying Tiger, Mango, Victoria’s Secret, Barbour and more
Up to 50% off food, drink or leisure* at the likes of Michaels Coffee House, Barburrito, HOP Vietnamese, Popeyes, Archie’s, Immersive Gamebox and King Pins
Organised by Manchester Arndale and Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, the annual student shopping event will once again welcome new and returning students to the city.
The MCR Student Social is taking place on Thursday 25 September from 12pm until 7pm – find out more HERE.
One of Manchester’s most historic buildings is set to host a huge home show full of vintage finds next month.
The Vintage Home Show is taking over Victoria Baths for their second event of the year.
For anyone looking to add a retro touch to their homes, this is a chance to feast your eyes on a carefully-curated collection of furniture, homeware, ceramics, artworks, vinyl records, and more stocked by more than 60 knowledgeable sellers in a welcoming atmosphere amid the empty Grade II-listed swimming pool.
Planning to renovate in a vintage style? Or looking for one missing piece of the puzzle? This event can help you track down that something special for your home.
From one-off minimalist pieces, to mass-market retro and kitsch classics, with prices for items starting from as little as £1, you’ll have the chance to shop the collections of dozens of quality independent dealers from right around the UK, all under one historic roof.
Browse a selection of vibrant stalls featuring pieces spanning from the mid-century decades to the bold brightness of the 1990s, and everything in between.
No matter what your budget, you’ll find that gorgeous something to suit your impeccable taste.
Once you’ve finished shopping everything you need to transform your home, you can stop off at Victoria Baths’ on-site cafe to treat yourself to a selection of cakes, savouries, pastries, and soup, as well as both hot and cold drinks.
A huge vintage home show will be taking over the historic Victoria Baths in Manchester next month / Credit: Vintage Home Show
The Vintage Home Fair will take over Victoria Baths on Sunday 5 October, kicking off from 10:30am for keen shoppers after ‘Early Bird’ entry, while ‘Standard Entry’ starts at 11am and runs through the day until 3:30pm.
Due to popularity, the event will be operating a timed ticket entry process, that way organisers can manage the numbers of visitors in the building at any one time to allow everyone a chance to see everything.
Tickets are now on sale, priced anywhere from £2 to £6 depending on the time you go, so you simply need to arrive anytime within your allocated hour and stay as long as you wish.
Daisy Jackson -
17th November 2023 
