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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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?
ADVERTISEMENT
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?
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
First vendors confirmed Glossop Market Hall, including two indie Manc traders
Danny Jones
The first vendors for the upcoming Glossop Market Hall have been announced, and the lineup includes two beloved Greater Manchester independent businesses.
Better still, the third is another noteworthy name from the North West.
Glossop Market Hall is scheduled to launch later this year, setting up shop in the historic town hall complex, where the High Peak Borough Council, a retail shopping arcade and various other municipal buildings have stood in various different iterations for nearly well over a century.
With the Derbyshire town set to celebrate the opening of the newly revamped market hall, those behind the new Glossop attraction have now revealed the first three names set to take up residence there.
As you can see, the biggest names already signed on to cook from one of the six kitchens is a Manchester favourite food hall in its own right: Hello Oriental.
The Pan-Asian paradise not only has a subterranean space below Circle Square, but also at The Trafford Centre, as well as a dessert spin-off in Freight Island.
Indie trader number two comes in the form of B&V Trading, who are based at Stanley Square in Sale and specialise in eco-friendly, UK-made treats, toys and essentials for four-legged friends.
After proving a hit with the locals, their small stall at nearby Altrincham Market has grown to see them open up not just a second site in the leafy Cheshire suburbs of Knutsford back in 2022, but now boast a third location in neighbouring Macclesfield.
Speaking of Macc, local gin and whisky makers, Forest Distillery – based up at the famous Cat and Fiddle Inn pub towards the Peaks – they round out the first wave of regional businesses set to pop up in Glossop Market Hall (GMH) when it finally arrives this winter.
And once again, as the update on social media reads: “This is just the beginning”.
Natives, day-trippers and tourists from all over are bound to visit this place when it opens sometime in November (exact date still TBC), and with space not only for a dedicated bar, dining space and a coffee shop, but a total of 17 retail spaces, we can’t wait to see what comes next.
GMH becomes just the latest among a growing trend of food and drink halls popping up all over our part of the country, with virtually every Greater Manchester borough now boasting at least one of their own – or, in the city centre’s case, what feels like a dozen now.
Exhibit number… not sure, we’ve lost track at this point.
Northern Rail have announced their latest flash sale with train tickets available from just £2
Danny Jones
Finally, we’ve got some good news on the train lines once again, as Northern Rail has just announced the return of their fantastic flash sale, which sees literally millions of discounted tickets made available to the general public.
With the last promotion from Northern having delighted Brits up and down the country, the train company are once again offering affordable tickets, with prices starting from just £2.
The only catch is that you’ve got just a few days to make the most of the savings.
Confirming the flash sale across the Northern Assist social media accounts, the rail operator has now detailed both start and end dates, as well as the valid travel dates.
The 2025 Northern flash sale began at 8am this Tuesday, 30 September, with thousands of train journeys having already been booked.
A full list of all the routes with cut-price tickets on until Thursday, 2 October can be found HERE.
According to Northern, the top destinations with the most tickets available in Northern’s Flash Sale are as follows:
Manchester and Manchester Airport
Leeds
Bolton
Preston
Manchester Airport
Blackpool North
Shipley
Rochdale
Stockport
Bradford
Sheffield
Wigan Wallgate
Hebden Bridge
Blackburn
Meadowhall
Liverpool Lime Street
Skipton
Wilmslow
Doncaster
Ilkley
Hull
Wakefield Westgate
Although it remains an ever-essential network and the UK’s second-largest national rail service, the PR around Northern isn’t always positive when it comes to efficiency, quality and reliability.
Their estimated 2,650 daily lines across more than 500 stations often come under fire, especially in comparison to public transport down towards the capital.
With all that being said, the arrival of the latest Northern flash sale is a much-needed plus for the firm.
Commenting on this week’s flash sale, Northern’s commercial and customer director, Alex Hornby, said: “With three million tickets up for grabs, there’s something for everyone in Northern’s Flash Sale.
For our existing customers, it’s the perfect opportunity to visit somewhere new, and hopefully, we can encourage those who don’t currently use the train to give it a try.
We believe the Flash Sale will inspire everyone to explore everything our fantastic region has to offer, from bustling cities to the countryside and stunning coastlines. Customers will need to book early to avoid disappointment – once they’re gone, they’re gone!” You can grab your tickets online NOW.
Once again, the Northern Rail flash sale runs for just three days and closes this Thursday, 2 October, with tickets valid for travel strictly between Monday, 6 October and Friday, 24 October 2025.
Tickets can be bought on Northern’s app, online, at ticket offices and on ticket machines in stations managed by Northern – please make sure to check terms and conditions.
Daisy Bradbury -
16th July 2021 
