Back in the day, vending machines used to be for one thing – snacks.
But nowadays – especially in countries like Japan – you can buy just about anything from one of the huge gadgets.
Hot meals, groceries, cocktails, milk, gifts, toiletries, you name it, you can buy it without setting foot in a shop or speaking to a single human.
It was only a matter of time until Manchester got in on the vending machine action, and there are some very high-tech options springing up around the Arndale.
The first that caught our eye in this huge shopping centre is a robot machine selling candy floss creations.
At the touch of a few buttons and depositing £5.20 of your hard-earned cash, a robotic arm will spin sugar into flowers, love hearts, and stars, in an array of pretty pastel colours, before politely handing it back to you through a cat flap.
Located right in the corner of the Manchester Arndale’s food court (bewilderingly close to the toilets), this flashing neon attraction is definitely about as cute as vending machines come.
But it’s not alone.
Down in the main shopping area, just outside Next, stands another pink machine, this time filled with beauty products.
A vending machine selling false lashes in the Manchester ArndaleA vending machine selling false lashes in the Manchester Arndale
There are false eyelashes disguised as cheese and onion crisps, lipglosses dangling on a keychain, eyebrow gels, lip oils, and false lashes in just about every shape, size, colour and volume you could think of.
They’re cheaper than a lot of lashes too, with pairs starting at £3.
Right next to this is another machine where you can rent a power bank for charging your phone.
Not too long ago there was a cupcake vending machine right outside Wilko (RIP), but in all the months it was there I never once saw it operating.
It’s now been replaced by a Marvel arcade machine.
A toy vending machineAnd a false nails vending machine next to it
But just around the corner opposite one of Manchester’s many Subways is another row of pastel-hued flashing vending machines.
One sells items for as much as £23. And what do you get for that? A toy.
This one is the ECTOYS Robo Shop, where you can buy collectable characters like Hello Kitty, Shinwoo and Farmer Bob, plus adorable pandas undertaking different activities.
And just next to that is another beauty-focused vending machine, this one specalising in press-on nails.
Prices for the false talons range from £4.99 to £8.99.
Lidl is giving away £10 vouchers to celebrate the England Women’s Euro 2025 win
Thomas Melia
To celebrate England Women’s football team winning UEFA Euro 2025, Lidl is giving away £10 off vouchers to lucky customers.
The supermarket retailer is celebrating England women’s football team’s historic second-consecutive win by giving away £10 vouchers to members who sign up to the Lidl Plus app.
After securing their second Euro victory, the Lionesses have brought home the gold for England, and also scored us money off our next shopping trip – get in.
Titled ‘The Triumphant Tenner’, the German-founded supermarket has launched its latest campaign after the Euro 2025 result, exclusively on its Lidl Plus app.
Lidl has celebrated the Lionesses Euro 2025 victories before, as it gave away £2 off vouchers to 15,000 fans after our ladies scored two goals against Sweden in last Thursday’s match.
The retail giant even gave a free sweet treat to 50,000 Lidl plus app customers from its much-loved bakery after the Lionesses secured their place in the final.
Now, to celebrate the Euro 2025 win, Lidl is giving 100,000 football fans 25% off fruit, as well as 2,025 vouchers for £10 off your next shop.
This isn’t the first time that England Women’s football team have brought home the Euro trophy after beating Germany in the final back in 2022.
It’s also not the first time Forward player Chloe Kelly has led the Lionesses to victory scoring the winning goal at both Euro championships in 2022 and 2025.
The ex-Manchester City Women’s, now Arsenal, star is definitely proud of the team’s achievement, as in a post on the UEFA Women’s Euro account, she cheers: “The first time was so nice, we had to do it twice”.
If you fancy 25% off fruit and a chance to win £10 off your next shop, enter code ‘CHAMPS2025’ into your Lidl Plus app can find more information via their app and online HERE.
Featured Image – England Women’s / FA Communications via Supplied
Shopping
Viral K-beauty brand Pureseoul is opening ‘second, even bigger’ store in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
K-Beauty brand Pureseoul has announced plans for a second Manchester store, and this time, they’re taking on the Trafford Centre.
Packed full of cult Korean beauty products including skincare and make-up, Pureseoul had an impressive launch into the city with its Arndale opening last year.
Anyone with a passing interest in skincare and beauty knows that no one makes products quite like Korea.
From facemasks and serums to lip tints and eyeshadow palettes, Pureseoul is a haven for all things beauty.
And following its northern debut last year, the beauty retailer is now setting its sights on an ‘even bigger’ base for us.
Pureseoul has confirmed it’s taken on a unit at the Trafford Centre in Manchester, which will be its 11th in the UK.
Co-founder Gracie Tullio said: “This isn’t just another Manchester store.
PureSeoul is opening a second Manchester store at the Trafford Centre. Credit: The Manc Group
“Our northern community is incredibly loyal and engaged. Arndale brought the bright energy of the city – students, young professionals, Gen-Z K-Beauty lovers.
“Trafford Centre offers an opportunity for something different: families, day-trippers, weekend explorers, with time to dwell and explore our curations.
“We’ve always known there were thousands more fans we hadn’t been able to reach – until now!”
Viral K-beauty products at Pureseoul. Credit: The Manc Group
Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: “We’re really excited to welcome PURESEOUL to Trafford Centre – it’s a fantastic addition to our ever-growing beauty offering.
“We’re seeing a real boom in the beauty sector at the centre, with more and more visitors coming to us as a one-stop destination for all things beauty.
“As the top-rated Korean beauty brand in the UK, with a hugely popular following, PURESEOUL brings something fresh and exciting to that mix, which we’re sure will really resonate with our visitors.”
Daisy Jackson -
17th February 2024 
