Small businesses, boutiques and independent labels are the bread and butter of Manchester, they’re our beating heart.
However, after a difficult year of store closures and mapping a pandemic, our local businesses may not be as safe as we once presumed.
If we want these boutiques to always be around the corner, it’s crucial we keep supporting them.
If times are tight and you can’t shell out loads of cash doing so, not to worry! Here are some of the best alternative ways to support your local creatives.
Small businesses need our help more than ever / Image: Tim Mossholder via Pexels
Leave a review
We’ve all been there before – about to book a table at a restaurant or visit a new coffee shop, but we can’t help but check the reviews beforehand just in case.
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Too often, we will leave a negative review if we’re dissatisfied with the service, but people rarely think to leave some positive words when they have enjoyed something.
Not only will your praise mean the world to a small business owner, it will also help potential customers make an informed decision when visiting.
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Interact with their social media posts
Due to the pandemic, a lot of local businesses have shifted their efforts online, either fully abandoning their brick-and-mortar stores or putting more focus on a website.
Therefore, social media is an invaluable tool for many independents trying to reach new audiences and attract customers.
A little really goes a long way – sharing Facebook posts, mentioning them in an Instagram story or liking their TikToks take two seconds, yet could make a massive difference.
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Recommend them to friends
If you love a certain small business, chances are your friends and family will too.
Why not introduce them to your latest discovery in Manchester’s independent scene? You never know, they might just fall in love with it.
Plus, it feels great as a small business owner to know that people are talking about your work and loving it.
Something as simple as leaving a review can make a huge difference to independents / Image: Rachel Claire via Pexels
Shop with them for presents
From Mother’s Day to graduation and everything in between, there’s always another occasion or event to buy gifts for.
Instead of doing a quick Amazon order or shopping from a global chain, why not support a local creative and shop from their store to find the perfect piece?
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Chances are you’ll find something unique that can’t be found anywhere else, plus the dedication and effort to find the perfect piece will definitely gain you some bonus friendship points.
Purchase a gift card
Gift cards don’t have to be a present, you can even use them yourself when making purchases.
This is a great way to show your loyalty and return to the store numerous times to try something new.
If you can’t physically get into their store (or, worst-case scenario, we enter more restrictions), this is a great way to still demonstrate your support.
Neglect the chain when treating yourself
Whether it’s an iced coffee and cake on a summer’s day, or splurging on a fancy dress, why not turn towards a small business when treating yourself?
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It’s easy to visit your local chain and buy something, but chances are you’ll pay a similar price for a much nicer product (plus an incredible evening) by staying local.
Even if it’s only something small, these swaps will make a massive difference in the long run.
Businesses are trying to recover after a tough 18 months / Image: Amina Filkins via Pexels
Show your appreciation
Above all, remember to be a nice customer! Don’t hide it if you like something – you can guarantee the owners will love to hear about it!
Visiting a local small business with a smile on your face and telling the staff how much you love their work may seem like a small act, but in reality it’ll make their day.
While this doesn’t help in terms of money, that positive experience may just be the motivation they need to continue with their craft.
Tesco are introducing ‘VAR-style’ self-checkouts in the UK
Danny Jones
Many people think VAR has already gone too far and want it gone from football full stop, and we’re here to tell you that you’re a fool; your hopes are in vain, and the technology is only going to become more common as time goes on. Sorry.
So much so, in fact, that Tesco look are bringing in their own virtual referee into self-checkout systems in shops. You could say the ‘game’s gone…’
Of course, we’re being a bit flippant here, but if you have seen ‘VAR’ and ‘Tesco‘, you’re not seeing things: this is genuinely a thing that is being rolled out here in the UK, with video footage of the supermarket chain’s next self-checkout technology going viral online.
Thought you’d got away with sneaking an extra little something in the bag without paying? Think again.
— UB1UB2 West London (Southall) (@UB1UB2) May 28, 2025
We’ll admit, this was the first time we’d come across the technology, but as it turns out, the updated self-checkout service has been in place for a while.
Similar VAR checkouts have already been installed at other retailers, Sainsbury’s and ASDA, although some reports claim that while stores capture footage of shoppers to check if they’ve scanned all of their items, it is thought that not all of these self-service tills show a playback when an error is detected.
Although this particular speculation has sparked some uproar and debate online, many have quite rightly pointed out that CCTV records your movement in any given shop.
Regardless, it’s fair to say that aside from the obvious memes and people poking fun at the new system, many on social media have shared some pretty strong opinions on the matter.
Not that it matters much – it’s likely this will soon become increasingly the norm, with the likes of Sainsbury’s having already introduced barriers which require customers to scan their receipt in order to leave at branches such as the site on Regent Road Retail Park over in Salford.
As yet, it’s unclear how many of these new self-service tills are in operation and whether they are limited to larger supermarket locations of their Express convenience stores, but don’t be surprised if you come across one.
Put simply, if a barcode isn’t registered before being put on the scale and/or set aside to be packed away, the Tesco till will read: “The last item wasn’t scanned properly. Remove from bagging area and try again.”
Addressing these new VAR-style checkouts in an official statement, a company spokesperson said: “We are always looking at technology to make life easier for our customers.
“We have recently installed a new system at some stores which helps customers using self-service checkouts identify if an item has not been scanned properly, making the checkout process quicker and easier.”
What do you make of the new Tesco and their new VAR self-checkout technology?
A premium car brand is opening up its first-ever UK city garage in Manchester
Danny Jones
Premium performance car brand, CUPRA, is set to open its first-ever UK city centre garage right here in Manchester next month.
It’s just their 12th British branch and will be one of their most impressive yet.
CUPRA, which primarily makes its models in Spain, is one of the fastest-growing manufacturers in Europe, especially in the performance market, and has recently launched in the likes of Mexico City and Sydney too.
Now set to open their latest location here in England this June, the new CUPRA space is set to be more than just your average garage/car showroom.
Due to open up on St. Ann Street (Manchester M2 7LP) next to the city centre square of the same name, the premium dealer is promising more than just a space to show off their cars.
As per an official statement, it will be “a bold new destination that blends Mediterranean attitude with Manchester’s disruptive spirit.”
Detailing that they chose our home due to its “unrivalled cultural impact and creative energy”, they went on to describe Greater Manchester as a “high-impact cultural hub rooted in music, design, wellness, food, and electrifying performance, it’s designed to connect people, ideas, and communities.”
The press release goes on to explain that at the core of CUPRA’s Manchester launch will be their new ‘Counter Culture‘ calendar of immersive experiences and events, with this new venue looking to innovate when it comes to programming and collaborations with Manchester independents and more.
CUPRA have steadily been announcing their arrival in town via various special activations, but come 26 June, they’ll be here full-time.
The CUPRA Dark Rebel landed on UK shores recently at Diecast Manchester!
Speaking about the launch, Marcus Gossen, CUPRA UK Brand Director, said: “Manchester was the natural destination for the latest CUPRA City Garage. The desire to continually evolve and transform is something we share with this great city, as well as its disruptive spirit.”
Having surpassed 800,000 cars sold worldwide and boasting big sponsorship deals with famous athletes like FC Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas, not to mention being a leading partner of the rising Baller League competition, their presence in the UK is growing, and fast.
To mark the occasion here in 0161, a special launch event with live music, entertainment, as well as food and drink, will be taking place; the lineup is still yet to be announced.
Once again, CUPRA Manchester – their first UK city garage and showroom – opens in 2–14 St. Ann Street on Thursday, 26 June.
Daisy Bradbury -
16th July 2021 
