Shopping

H&M virtually unrecognisable as it reopens on Market Street, with Manchester’s first H&M Home

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 17th November 2023

H&M is finally ready to reopen its huge Market Street store in Manchester city centre – nature is healing.

The massive two-storey shop has been undergoing a major refurbishment and now includes the hotly-anticipated H&M Home section.

The Manc had a sneak peek ahead of the shop’s official launch on 17 November, finding a bright new space that’s awash with white fixtures and lush plants.

H&M’s Manchester store has had its layout updated, creating space for an H&M Hub click and collect lockers, self check-outs, a large beauty space, and – of course – H&M Home.

The Swedish retailer branched out into homeware several years ago, adding everything from plant pots and bedding to its huge collections of clothing and fashion accessories.

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For a while it was only available to shop online, but when the Trafford Centre site relaunched they carved out a section dedicated to its Home range.

H&M closed most of its Market Street shop earlier this year to carry out the refit, creating a small temporary retail space in the front of the shop.

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Inside H&M's Market Street store in Manchester after its refurb
Inside H&M’s Market Street store in Manchester after its refurb
H&M Market Street has new self checkouts
H&M Market Street has new self checkouts
The changing rooms at H&M Market Street in Manchester
The changing rooms at H&M Market Street in Manchester
H&M Market Street is virtually unrecognisable
H&M Market Street is virtually unrecognisable

But now the hoardings are down and the space is fully open in all its glowy, beautifully-designed glory for a luxury shopping experience.

Henrik Nordvall, UK CEO at H&M, said: “We are delighted to further enhance our H&M offering in Manchester at our newly refurbished Market Street store.

“Along with the latest womenswear, menswear and kidswear, H&M HOME will also be on offer in-store, with our Manchester customers now able to enjoy curated collections of contemporary décor and home accessories alongside our fashion collections and styles.”

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The new Manchester H&M includes an H&M Home
The new Manchester H&M includes an H&M Home
The new Manchester H&M includes an H&M Home
The new Manchester H&M includes an H&M Home

H&M Manchester will reopen on Market Street from 10am on 17 November.

The first 100 customers in the queue will be offered a complimentary gift-with-purchase, and visitors can experience exclusive launch day in-store activations.

On 17 November only, H&M Members will get 20% off their purchase in-store.

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@the.manc

H&M on Market Street in Manchester’s had a major transformation. We’ve got an H&M Home! 🙌 #manchester #marketstreet #hm

♬ So Low – Shiloh Dynasty & LofiCentral

Featured image: The Manc Group

Shopping

Flashbacks: The timelapse of the Trafford Centre construction that’s gone viral

Danny Jones Danny Jones

The Trafford Centre might look like some decadent Roman emperor’s palace or as if it was plucked from the heart of Ancient Grecian city, but as anyone old enough to remember it’s opening and/or construction will tell you, it seems strange to think its not even been around for three decades yet.

As Greater Manchester’s and one of the North West’s most famous shopping centres full stop, the iconic attraction first began being built back in 1996, when John Major was Prime Minister, Manchester United were still Premier League champions, Britpop was at its peak and George Michael was number one.

It’s fair to say that a lot has changed since then and although Oasis might be back come 2025, The Trafford Centre and surrounding area are pretty unrecgonisable compared to nearly 30 years ago.

All told, it took approximately 27 months to erect the neo-classical epicentre of all things shopping, leisure, food and fanciness – and here’s what the process looked like:

Pretty wild to watch it all back, right?

With the initial 14 million sq ft shopping centre being completed in September 1998 following approximately 810 days of work, The Trafford Centre debuted to the Manc public and beyond.

It took more than 3,000 builders to bring the 60 hectare site to life at the peak of construction and since then the plot has only grown bigger, bolder and more ambitious over time.

Present day, it has everything from cinema screens and a mini Legoland to a Sea Life location, multiple bowling alleys and countless other forms of entertainment beyond just rows of shops and restaurants – hence why it remains busy pretty much year-round.

Back then, British celebrities, popular local names of note, politicians, dignitaries and prominent figures from the retail industry got to visit as part of exclusive preview events in the days before its launch date.

You can see the spectacle and fascination surrounding the official opening event here:

Seems surreal watching this today but the construction of the Trafford Centre was a huge moment not just for 0161 but all of the North.

But of course, the entire complex itself has seen multiple extensions over the years, including massive developments such as Barton Square and The Great Hall.

At the outset, it cost more than £600 million to build The Trafford Centre; the major renovations mentioned above which took place in 2008 cost another £100m and the Trafford Palazzo revamp around a decade later came in at around £75m.

There has and always will be lots of money put behind this intruguing monument to modern consumerism, and big brands will continue to flock to open units within the huge expanse whenever they can: some of the most recent being Archie’s, Flying Tiger, Sephora, Tiffany, Gymshark and more.

We’ll admit the aesthetic still makes us double-take from time to time (though not as much as confused Londoners visiting for the first time), but it’s not like this part of the world hasn’t boasted plenty of other curiosities in the past…

Five forgotten Manchester landmarks and sculptures from years gone by
We love looking back at the Greater Manchester of old.

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Featured Images — Charles Bowring (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group

Shopping

Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters

Jellycat has launched a shiny new store, this time in Manchester city centre – and they brought exclusive new characters with them.

The beloved soft toy brand has unveiled its newest location within Selfridges on Exchange Square, filled with all the adorable plushie animals and objects you already know and love, plus some new friends that are exclusive to Manchester.

Making their debut in our city are Salty Steve and Vinny Vinegar, two adorable smiling condiment bottles, plus Clemont Lemon, a sunny yellow soft toy, and Charlie Chip in his flat cap.

As part of the iconic Fish & Chips range, Mancs will also be able to take home Lily Fish, Cosy Chips, and Dot and Peggy Mushy Peas.

The Jellycat Fish & Chips van became a social media sensation after launching in London.

And the arrival of Jellycat General Store at The Trafford Centre in Manchester last year was a similarly exciting addition to the city.

Inside the adorable space are larger-than-life oversized Jellycat favourites including Amuseables Cosy Chips, and Chip Seagull, perfect for a photo opportunity.

Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters - Vinny Vinegar
Vinny Vinegar
Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters - Clemont Lemon
Clemont Lemon
Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters - Charlie Chip
Charlie Chip
Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters - Lily Fish
Lily Fish
Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters
Inside the new Jellycat store
Jellycat launches new Manchester store, with exclusive characters
Eggetha Egg & Lance Soldier

Jane Sharrocks, Store Director at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the Jellycat General Store to Selfridges Exchange Square.

“We know our customers are huge Jellycat fans so we can’t wait to bring this iconic destination to our store.

“This launch means that our customers can purchase the characters from the exclusive Fish & Chips collection for the first time outside of Selfridges London which is so exciting.

“With so many Jellycat favourites, it’s going to be hard to choose which ones to take home!”

The new Jellycat store is open today – Monday 17 February – at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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