Shopping

Flying Tiger is opening a new Greater Manchester store next week

The only thing that won't be flying high is my bank account...

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 3rd February 2025

Popular variety store Flying Tiger is set to open a new Manchester location, and it’s arriving later this month.

The genius of Scandinavian couple and entrepreneurs, Lennart and Suzanne Lajboschitz, Flying Tiger opened its flagship store in Copenhagen back in 1995, and nowadays, this shop has everything you could possibly need – and some things you never knew you did.

Flying Tiger has become a staple on Manchester’s high street, thanks to its ability to keep up with the trends and constantly reinvent its products.

You can always trust the Danes to come up with an innovative concept, and ironically, this Danish brand is opening up right next to another new site, LEGO.

Flying Tiger new location in Manchester
Flying Tiger is opening a new Greater Manchester store next week / Credit: The Manc Group

This impressive 1,500 sq ft shop will open in the Upper Peel Avenue area of the Trafford Centre, and its big launch couldn’t be happening on a more fitting day.

ADVERTISEMENT

Opening on 14 February, more widely-known as Valentine’s Day, anyone who’s left their present shopping until the last minute is now in luck, as they can nip in and pick up a selection of bits and bobs for their special someone.

After all, where else would you be able to purchase a desk name plate that reads ‘I love my colleagues’, while also grabbing some kitchen necessities?

ADVERTISEMENT

Flying Tiger is opening its second ever Manchester location inside the Trafford Centre on 14 February.

Read more:

Anyone thinking of popping down on its grand launch day definitely should, as the first 200 customers to visit the shop will receive an exclusive goody bag filled with items from the latest collection.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

Shopping

M&S to expand and create flagship store on major Greater Manchester retail park

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

M&S has announced expansion plans to create a regional flagship store on a major Greater Manchester retail park.

Only a couple of years after the major retailer permanently closed the doors to its multi-floored store in Bolton town centre back in April 2023, citing changing shopping habits and sparking widespread concerns about the town’s high street, M&S has now revealed grand plans to expand its Middlebrook branch.

The M&S at Middlebrook – which is the largest retail park in the UK – became the only store in the borough following the town centre closure.

While the building on Deansgate in Bolton has remained vacant ever since its closure nearly two years ago, ahead of the anticipated demolition and redevelopment of the town’s Crompton Place shopping centre, it’s not the only site set to receive an upgrade.

M&S will be expanding into two vacant units, including the former Wilko unit, at the Horwich-based retail park.

M&S to expand and create a flagship store on a major Greater Manchester retail park / Credit: Google Maps

Developers Orbit Developments is working with M&S to relocate Boots, which is the other unit which M&S will expand into, and on top of this, a small extension built will also be built onto the back.

Alternative premises have been offered to Boots, according to developers, and they expect the company will stay at Middlebrook.

Set to be a “flagship” store for the region following the redevelopment, Orbit Developments says the new M&S will bring a “renewed vibrancy” to the retail park, and will benefit both customers and the wider community.

More than 100 new jobs will also be created.

“This new brand-defining M&S full line store will significantly enhance the shopping experience for customers in the area and strengthen the retail offering for Bolton at Middlebrook, while creating around 108 new jobs and offering a boost to the local economy,” Orbit Developments said in a statement.

Read more:

Expansion work is expected to start later in 2025, with the new store expected to open to the public in December 2026.

M&S says it plans to continue trading throughout the redevelopment.

Featured Image – Google Maps

Shopping

Hello Oriental opens new ‘seriously affordable’ Asian food hall at the Trafford Centre

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester gem Hello Oriental is finally opening its new Asian food hall at the Trafford Centre this weekend.

The renowned East Asian street food hub has already taken Manchester city centre by storm since opening its original venue at Circle Square, just off Oxford Road, back in February 2022, and been has receiving rave reviews ever since – with critics notably calling the experience “a lot of fun” and “seriously affordable”.

But now, the Manchester-founded brand has chosen the Trafford Centre as the first UK shopping centre location to bring its trademark street food dining concept to.

There’ll be more than 100 delicious dishes for customers to choose from when the new site opens in the Upper Orient this Saturday.

Hello Oriental has opened a new Asian food hall at the Trafford Centre / Credit: The Manc Group

Hello Oriental owners and childhood best friends, Ricky Yip and Azim Kourah, say they have selected some of the most popular dishes from the Manchester city centre site’s extensive menu for the new Trafford Centre restaurant.

This means diners at the Trafford Centre can enjoy traditional dishes from across East Asia – including a wide range of Dim Sum, hearty main dishes like Taiwanese pork belly with rice, traditional favourites like beef Ho fun, and loads of different Cantonese roast meats.

There’ll also be a wide selection of street food available, like Korean fried chicken, loaded katsu chicken fries, and three varieties of sticky chicken wings.

There’s also plenty for the little Mancs to tuck into too, as there’ll be a full kid’s menu available at the new Trafford Centre site, with options for both those with “adventurous” junior palates, to those who prefer “more familiar” tastes.

“We’re so excited to open in the Trafford Centre and give shoppers the chance to try our dishes from across East Asia,” commented co-owner, Ricky Yip, ahead of the new opening.

“Many of the dishes on the menu were enjoyed by Azim and I growing up, cooked by my family, or served in family restaurants, and it’s wonderful to see other families come to Hello Oriental to enjoy these flavours.”

Read more:

Hello Oriental will be opening at the Trafford Centre this Saturday (1 February), with thousands of prizes to give away to celebrate Lunar New Year.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

More Shopping

Eats

A coffee shop in Manchester is giving away hundreds of FREE croissants today

Fashion brand Blake Mill to host pop-up shop in Manchester this month

Manchester

Fashion brand Blake Mill to host pop-up shop in Manchester this month

Shopping

Aldi launches UK’s cheapest Valentine’s dine-in meal deal for just £2.99 per person

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches