Shopping

Cheese and onion eyelashes, toys, and candy floss – the high-tech vending machines taking over Manchester

Who knew you could buy yourself a set of fake nails without even speaking to a human?

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 17th February 2024

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 Arndale
A vending machine selling false lashes in the Manchester Arndale
A vending machine selling false lashes in the Manchester Arndale
A 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It’s now been replaced by a Marvel arcade machine.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 machine
A toy vending machine
And a false nails vending machine next to it
And 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.

It’s all getting a bit Wall-E out there…

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Shopping

adidas and Oasis launch exclusive 90s-inspired collection with new Manchester store

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson adidas and Oasis launch exclusive 90s-inspired collection with new Manchester store

Rock ‘n’ roll giants Oasis have officially partnered with adidas to launch an exclusive Oasis Live ‘25 collection as part of a new Original Forever campaign.

The legendary Manchester band and the pioneering sportswear brand have dropped a full collection of 90s-inspired adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparel. 

The 26-piece collection lands just in time for the massive Oasis reunion shows this summer, which includes five homecoming gigs at Heaton Park.

And it’s launching in Manchester in a big way – with a brand-new adidas store that will host the exclusive Oasis collaboration collection. 

The new adidas store is set to open on Thursday 3 July on Market Street, in the heart of Manchester’s busiest shopping district, and will have a packed programme of events to celebrate the city that shaped this iconic band. 

Those events include a free after-hours opening party (you can sign up for the exclusive event through Eventbrite HERE), with free food and beer, plus a tote bag full of limited edition gifts for the first 150 in the queue – first come, first served. 

Bada Bing will be in store serving up a specially curated menu of signature sandwiches, alongside beers from local craft brewery Track Brewing.

The adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparel
The adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparel
The adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparel
The adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparel

Manc icons Mani from the Stone Roses and DJ Paulette will be DJing the event, along with giveaways, raffles, gifts with purchase, and a free photobooth. 

The opening party is set to be a celebration of adidas within the city, of Oasis’s return to Manchester, and the city’s loud and proud legacy. 

Later in the month, on Thursday 10 July, there’ll be a live podcast recording in-store – The Band With The 3 Stripes Podcast with The Face will take fans behind the scenes of Oasis, with photographer Lawrence Watson who’s known for capturing iconic images of the band’s raw energy and style. 

His work with the band over the years helped to define the visual identity of the era and adidas’s influence on British youth culture. 

The event will include complimentary drinks throughout the evening, with a personally signed A6 postcard print by Lawrence Watson as a gift with purchase if attendees purchase any one item from the range.

Between 18 and 21 July, from 10am to 6pm, adidas will collaborate with Vinyl Exchange on a record store takeover, featuring listening stations and a free branded slip mat with any purchase from the collection. 

Exclusive to the adidas x Vinyl Exchange pop-up, select records will also be available at a set price for the special event.

A new adidas store opens on Market Street next week, with a huge launch event
A new adidas store opens on Market Street next week, with a huge launch event
A new adidas store opens on Market Street next week, with a huge launch event
A new adidas store opens on Market Street next week, with a huge launch event

Back to that collaboration though – Oasis and adidas have announced their official partnership to celebrate 30 years of shared history and culture-defining style. 

The Original Forever campaign film shows euphoric crowd-surfers as they journey through each historic era that Oasis has touched, including iconic moments like Knebworth, Wembley and Rio – set to the soundtrack of Live Forever.

The adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparel collection consists of looks from the 90s that have been reimagined for modern day, with quintessentially British style. 

At their heyday, Oasis were deeply entrenched in UK terrace culture and lifelong football fans, leading to this new football-casual collection of Firebird tracksuits (Noel’s favourite), raglan sleeve jerseys, coach jackets and bucket hats. 

Chris Walsh, VP Brand at adidas, said: “adidas and Oasis share a story defined by originality and cultural impact, with roots that run deep and  have long been entwined in the fabric of music and style. 

“This official partnership represents more than  just two icons coming together; it reignites a timeless piece of cultural music history. 

“‘Original Forever’ continues to build on adidas’ lasting legacy in music and celebrates the powerful role music and style  play in shaping culture across generations,”

The adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 collection is available now within adidas retail stores including the brand-new adidas store in Manchester, and adidas.co.uk.

The new adidas Manchester store opens on Market Street on Thursday 3 July, with the exclusive Oasis collection in store. 

Find out more HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Shopping

Seven Brothers have brought back a beloved British fizzy drink, only now it’s boozy

Danny Jones Danny Jones Seven Brothers Lilt flavour beer

Local brewmasters Seven Brothers have brought back one of the UK’s most beloved former fizzy drinks and reimagined it as their latest beer.

The Salford-based brewery, who now boast multiple locations across the North, is no stranger to perfecting creative craft beers, but the latest addition to the 7 Bros lineup is sure to be as firm a favourite as the original soft drink.

If it wasn’t already blatantly obvious, we’ll give you a hint: this tropical twist on pale ale contains hints of pineapple and grapefruit – and it looks an awful lot like an old can of Lilt…

Yes, bringing back the British corner shop staple as an alcoholic version, no less, let us introduce you to Seven Brothers’ new ‘Lilty’ flavour.

What’s better than an ice-cold Lilt on a hot day, we hear you ask? A boozy one, that’s what.

In case you had been wondering why you hadn’t seen the familiarly colourful can on shelves recently, that’s because you haven’t.

Lilt was officially discontinued after 50 years back in February 2023, having been available since 1975 in the likes of the UK, Ireland, Gibraltar, and the Seychelles. Well, sort of.

Still part of Coca-Cola, who also own the likes of Fanta, Powerade, Minute Maid, Schweppes and many more, Lilt has since been rebranded as ‘Fanta Pineapple & Grapefruit’.

However, it doesn’t have quite the same bright white, green and yellow scheme, and maybe it is just the packaging, but it does feel like it hasn’t quite tasted the same since.

Fortunately, we now have an alternative that not only captures all of those Caribbean and citrusy notes but that packs plenty of punch at 6% per tin.

The original
The upgrade
Lilt didn’t walk so ‘Fanta Pineapple & Grapefruit’ could run; it was so ‘Lilty’ could get you well on your way to tipsy. (Credit: Press shots)

Now available in 440ml cans, this is actually the latest iteration of the first attempt at the drink launched back in July 2024, only now they’ve fine-tuned the recipe, and we can’t wait to drink by the gallon-full, or at least by the pint.

The description reads as follows: “This lilty little pale ale is a tongue-tingling throwback to fruity pop days gone by. Packed with pineapple and grapefruit flavours for a proper tropical punch.

“Immerse yourself in a wave of vibrant, tropical flavours with a generous double-hit of Amarillo and Mosaic hops taking centre stage. Juicy, fruity, fresh and fun with no bitter goodbyes, it’s basically sunshine in a tin.” It also happens to be vegan, which is a nice little bonus, isn’t it?

Seven Brothers’ brand new flavour is being rolled out as we speak, and we suspect it won’t be long before you see plenty of people asking for a ‘totally tropical taste’ at the taproom, their Ancoats Beerhouse or over in Media City (rest in peace, the Middlewood Locks site).

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Featured Images — Seven Brothers (supplied)

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