Viral fitness brand Gymshark continues to go from strength to strength as they are now set to open a brand-new shop at The Trafford Centre next year.
One of the most well-known gym-wear brands on the planet right now, the company started by a student in the confines of his garage and bedroom back in 2012 is now opening just their third-ever brick-and-mortar location in the ever-busy shopping mall as their ‘IRL’ presence grows.
While it began as an online-only brand and will remain one of the most popular digital retailers for athletic apparel, with more than 10 million customers and a following of nearly double that amount on social media, it’s a pretty safe bet this store will be a welcome addition to The Trafford Centre.
Scheduled for a summer 2025 opening, this will be Gymshark‘s first location in the North so, naturally, they simply had to pick Manchester.
Gymshark Women is its own sub-brand.A glimpse at one of their two existing London locations.(Credit: Supplied)
Set to open a 7,500-square-foot unit on Upper Peel Avenue, the new Gymshark site will become home to all of their high-quality activewear, featuring a vast range of sizes, colours and styles to suit all.
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There is also set to be a number of exclusives available only at the Gymshark Trafford Centre.
Building on an already strong and long-standing relationship with the city – with Manchester hosting one of the first-ever community meet-ups in the city during their early days and greeting thousands of gymgoers to Manchester Central in 2023 at its first post-Covid event, Lift MCR – it’s a natural marriage.
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Having also recently opened a small space in Selfridges in Trafford Centre to great acclaim, General Manager of Wholesale and Retail, Hannah Mercer, says: “We’re a Brummie brand, but we look to Manchester as something of a big brother with its heritage for graft, discipline and authenticity.
She goes on to add: “It’s why we’ve had so many wonderful moments in the city […] whenever we’ve landed here, it’s been incredible. We’ve also done so much in Manchester because we know how passionate the community here is about the gym and fitness […] In short, we love Manchester and can’t wait to open our doors to our Northern community next year.”
When taking into account their ever-growing workforce and group of influencers and/or sponsored athletes, not to mention they now reach a total of 230 countries, it’s fair to say this will be a very popular arrival to the nearby shopping complex.
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Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said of the announcement:“Gymshark is an impressive British success story with a global following, so we’re excited to welcome their first Northern, standalone store right here at Trafford Centre.
“With the activewear and athleisure market continuing to thrive, we’re confident that Gymshark will prove to be extremely popular with our visitors.”
As founder Ben Francis reiterates with every evolution of the company, “Gymshark isn’t a sports brand or an athleisure brand, it’s a gym brand. [It] prides itself on being the brand for creating the tools to help everyone achieve their very best in the gym, not just from the clothing it sells, but from the community it has built around it.”
Featured Images — Gymshark press images (supplied)
Shopping
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet to slash prices even further in major late night shopping event
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet has shared details of a huge late night shopping event, where major brands will be offering major discounts.
The outlet village is one of the top shopping destinations in the North West and a favourite with Mancs looking to save big on fashion, beauty and homewares.
And now there’ll be even bigger savings to be had with the return of the Late Night Shopping Event this week.
If you head across to Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 October, you could save up to an extra 30% on outlet prices.
And there are some big brands taking part, including adidas, Dr Martens, UGG, All Saints, and Levi’s.
Whether it’s a new handbag, a pair of winter boots, or early Christmas presents for the family, the event is the ideal time to get your shopping done.
Highlights of the Late Night Shopping Event will include 20% extra discount at dozens of big-name stores like Calvin Klein, Russell & Bromley, Salomon and The Cosmetic Company, and even bigger discounts at brands like Dr Marten, Lacoste and Jack Wolfskin.
And if you want a break from the shopping, you’ll be able to enjoy magical performances throughout the night.
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet will be open from 10am until 10pm on both the 29 and 30 October.
Away from the Late Night Shopping Event this week, there are plenty more reasons to visit Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet this season.
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet to slash prices even further in major late night shopping event. Credit: The Manc Group
They’ve just unveiled their ice rink ‘Oaks on Ice’, a 600 sq metre rink that has space for 200 skaters, with a unique ice path that leads to a viewing platform.
It has a partially open top, bespoke light rings, and a festive garland for maximum magic, and sits at the heart of the Outlet’s dedicated Christmas events space.
Other attractions include the Winter Village, Santa in the Sky, and the Big Wheel.
“We can’t wait to see the look on people’s faces when they finally step on to the ice.” says Kenny Murray, General Manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
“It’s going to be a proud moment for us and we couldn’t be happier with how it’s looking. The stunning path leading round the tree will be a great moment for families to share.”
There are new openings you might have missed too, like Nike, Abercrombie & Fitch, Lindt, Joe & The Juice, and Gail’s.
Find out more and see all the offers for the Late Night Shopping Event HERE.
Stockport drop first collection in County Classics retro range
Danny Jones
Stockport County have finally released the first drop in their previously teased ‘County Classics’ retro fashion collection.
The Greater Manchester football club are enjoying a great resurgence of late, currently sitting fourth in the table and unbeaten in League One, not to mention boasting three wins on the bounce; it’s a great time to be a Hatter.
Somewhat secondary, of course, but they’ve also got a great selection of well-received shirts this year, too, with all three of their 2025/26 kits inspired by a precious part of their heritage.
Clearly going down a hit, they’ve decided to double down on the nostalgia factor and reignite the vintage spirit of their famous 1996/97 campaign and THAT legendary home shirt.
Speaking on the release, County said in a club statement: “County Classics isn’t just a product range – it’s a series. A journey through time.
“Each drop will revive another era, another shirt, another story that shaped the club we love. This is more than nostalgia. It’s the heartbeat of County history, reimagined for today.”
We already can’t wait to see which iconic kit they tap into next; our money is on the 91/92 away strip that they paid homage to just last season.
Unsurprisingly, numbers of each piece have been snapped up in a flash, with supporters, rivals and neutrals alike dubbing the casual wear and retro footy shirt reissue everything from “amazing” to “sickeningly cool”, with plenty already asking for a restock.
You get a closer look at the collection in full down below.
Credit: Stockport County FC (supplied)
The retro ’90s style training line has completely sold out already, but there are still towels and bucket hats, as well as some of the retro County kit itself left.
With the ‘Back to 1996’ star priced at £50 and the likes of bucket hats costing just £20, you can expect to see plenty of Stopfordians wearing the new gear at Edgeley Park this season and, indeed, for many years to come.
If these classic football shirts and pieces of lifestyle fashion have tickled your fancy, you can see what they have left and grab your item(s) of choice right HERE.
What old County look would you like to see the club recreate next as part of the Classics range, Hatters?
Danny Jones -
30th September 2024 
