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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
You can watch The Devil Wears Prada 2 for ‘FREE’ across Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
Did you know you can watch The Devil Wears Prada 2 for free across Greater Manchester just by taking a quick trip to the shops?
If you’re eager to watch Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) and the Runway Magazine crew on the big screen once again, you can do so for ‘FREE’ – well, basically…
After making its cinema premiere earlier this month, 20 years since the first film, The Devil Wears Prada 2 continues the story with more iconic quotes and a whole host of celebrity cameos.
One of these is pop phenomenon Lady Gaga, who also appears on the soundtrack for this stylish sequel alongside artists like Miley Cyrus, Doechii, and Brit acts Raye and Olivia Dean.
Just like real life, the story follows the real-life fashion news outlet and media brand, Runway Mag, undergoing some major changes.
For instance, they’re wrestling with scrapping print editions of their beloved publication and swapping this for online short-form content.
The sequel to this fashion-focused film also sees role reprisals from Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt, with new additions from Lucy Liu, Kenneth Branagh and Justin Theroux.
Now, enough of us talking at “a glacial pace”, let’s get all of you fashion fans those free cinema tickets before they go out of style.
An all-new promotion courtesy of not one, but three notable names: The Devil Wears Prada 2, Diet Coke and Sainsbury’s.
The UK Supermarket chain is currently running a promotion during the film’s big-screen run, where if you purchase a 30-pack of Diet Coke, you can get free tickets to The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Simply purchase one of the big crates of Diet Coke between Wednesday, 29 April and Tuesday, 19 May, before snapping a picture of your receipt and uploading it online.
So it really is that simple, all you have to do is buy a 30 pack of Diet Coke and get a free cinema ticket for doing so – did somebody say girl maths?
For more info and to upload your receipt, visit the promotional website HERE.
There’s even an exclusive The Devil Wears Prada 2 X Diet Coke pop-up in Manchester city centre TODAY (Friday, 8 May) at Exchange Square from 12-8pm.
And they’re not just handing out a few Cokes; there’s even limited edition merchandise and more to get your hands on.
Major Canadian lifestyle brand Garage to open in Manchester Arndale AND Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
A major lifestyle and activewear brand, Garage, is finally coming to Manchester – and they’re not stopping at one store.
The Canadian fashion group will be opening two locations in the city, with one at Manchester Arndale and another opening at a later date at The Trafford Centre.
Montreal-born and loved by women globally for its off-duty essentials and active lifestyle pieces, Garage will be opening inside Manchester Arndale this summer.
It already has a whopping 231 stores across North America, making its UK debut down south just earlier this year.
And it’s expanding fast, thanks to its die-hard Gen Z following and monthly drops of new pieces.
Garage has recently celebrated 50 years of business, creating a huge range of activewear, swimwear, and elevated essentials that take you from barre to brunch to bar.
Garage will land at Manchester Arndale this July, with the Trafford Centre store opening later on this year.
Garage is heading to Manchester Arndale this July
Scott Linard, Portfolio Manager for M&G Real Estate, said: “We are delighted that GARAGE has selected Manchester Arndale for one of its first North West locations. Following recent openings, this addition further enhances our retail offer and complements our existing tenant mix.
“Our strategy remains focused on curating a strong lineup of best-in-class brands to meet the evolving demands of visitors from Manchester and beyond.”
Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, said: “Bringing GARAGE to Manchester Arndale is a fantastic addition to our growing fashion line-up.
“The brand has built a strong reputation internationally, and we’re proud to be the destination chosen for its first store in the North West.”
Daisy Jackson -
17th November 2023 
