Shopping

Inside Manchester Arndale’s new Flying Tiger shop full of beautiful bargains

Nearly everything will give you change from a tenner

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 22nd October 2022

One of the world’s coolest retailers has finally landed in Manchester, with the opening of our very first Flying Tiger.

The Danish variety store sells everything from kitchenware to stationery to toys to fancy dress to spices – and prices are unbelievably affordable.

We’re talking greetings cards from 50p, classic board games from £4, and genuinely beautiful plant pots for a fiver.

You can get a kids’ xylophone for £5 if you like them, or embarrass them by dressing them up as a bright orange pumpkin for Halloween for £8.

For crafty types, there’s a hot glue gun for £7, as well as balls of yarn, bags of googly eyes, and a paint-by-numbers kit (stocking filler sorted).

There’s even a mini handheld sewing machine for just £6.

Outside Flying Tiger in the Arndale. Credit: The Manc Group
Fancy dress galore. Credit: The Manc Group

As if that’s not all cheap enough, there’s an actual clearance section, where prices are slashed and candle holders and picture frames are sold for as little as a quid.

It’s an absolute dream for stocking up on gifts and trinkets without breaking the bank (which, given that cost-of-living nightmare, is perfect timing).

Shoppers are taken on an IKEA-like journey, with a clear one-way system zigzagging past row upon row of treats.

Click or swipe through the gallery below to see more from Flying Tiger

Halloween items at Flying Tiger
Kids’ toys
A handheld sewing machine
A wall of slippers
Kitchen gadgets
More kitchen items
A wall of spices

Need some giant marshmallows? They’ve got it. Novelty unicorn slippers? Yep, and there are dragon ones too. Desperate for some reading glasses? You can get them at Flying Tiger for £6.

Mancs have been crying out for Flying Tiger to open a shop here for years – our mates in Sheffield and Leeds already have stores, with loads more dotted around the country (and 27 in London, naturally).

Disgrunted tweets have included this one: “WHY ISN’T THERE A FLYING TIGER STORE IN MANCHESTER it is the bane of my bloody life.”

And this one: “Manchester doesn’t have a flying tiger shop ??? Where the f*ck do you all buy nice bits for a bargain value ??? I’m cancelling the north and returning to the south immediately.”

Then once the news of its arrival was announced back in March, excited outbursts included: “a flying tiger is opening in manchester arndale gonna pee my pants.”

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And this: “this is the best thing ever, i was so sad about not having a flying tiger in manchester. literally the best shop ever.”

But anyway, it’s here now, and taking up a unit on the Arndale’s lower mall near the new Paperchase.

Its opening coincides with news that the old Topshop unit will finally be back in use, with Clarks and Gilly Hicks both moving in.

Happy shopping!

Featured image: The Manc Group

Shopping

Trafford Centre’s massive student night returns next month with up to 30% off on big brands

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Shopping at the Trafford Centre

Students can get themselves up to 30% off on food, activities, and loads of big-name brands at the Trafford Centre next month.

With thousands of new and returning students set to start arriving for the new academic year at Greater Manchester‘s universities over the next couple of weeks, one of the region’s biggest student nights will be making a long-awaited comeback for one night only next month, and there’ll be lots of exclusive offers and free entertainment to make the most of across the evening.

Taking over the Trafford Centre in early October, the popular one-off student night is happening in partnership with Student Shopping UK, and gives cash-strapped students the chance to shop a variety of incredible discounts all under one roof.

Just some of the big brands offering big discounts include 20% off at Levi’s, 20% off at Tommy Hilfiger, 20% off River Island, 20% off at All Saints, 25% off at Boux Avenue, and 15% off at both Hotel Chocolat, and Monica Vinader at Selfridges.

Rituals, Flying Tiger, New Look, and Office are just a couple of the other shops you can head to for some savings.

It’s not just retail brands you’ll be able to save some pennies on either, as many of the Trafford Centre’s restaurants and cafes will also be offering discounts and freebies on the night too, with 20% off at places like Wagamama and Barburrito, 25% off The Real Greek, and £5 pizzas and exclusive discounts at the new Franco Manca.

You can also tuck into cut-price foodie feasts at Yo Sushi, KFC, and Costa, while places like Gymshark, Boots, Paradise Island Adventure Golf, and Selfridges are some of the places doing giveaways, workshops, offering freebies and prizes, and more.

And, if all of that wasn’t exciting enough as it is, you can expect live music to entertain you whilst you shop – with DJ blasting tunes all night long.

Trafford Centre’s massive student night returns next month with up to 30% off on big brands / Credit: Trafford Centre

“Our annual Student Night is always hugely popular,” commented Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre.

“This year we’ve secured some amazing deals and exclusive savings from many of our stores and restaurants.

“With frequent tram services from Manchester city centre on Metrolink’s Trafford Park line, plus regular buses from all over the region, now’s your chance to experience the unique vibe of the Trafford Centre.”

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The Trafford Centre’s Student Night is happening on Thursday 2 October from 6-10pm, and students can now reserve themselves a spot by registering online here.

Featured Image – Trafford Centre

Shopping

Asda is being praised for its revolutionary and affordable new ‘adaptive’ clothing range

Danny Jones Danny Jones Asda launch new disability friendly adaptive clothing range

UK supermarket ASDA and its in-house clothing brand, George, are being praised for their affordable new ‘adaptive’ clothing range, which could prove revolutionary for countless Brits.

The new 28-piece collection is aimed at people with additional and complex needs, providing comfortable and carefully designed clothes to suit disabled individuals.

Announced on Monday, 8 September, the new accessibility-driven line of fashion is set to be made available to order online next week.

Speaking via an official press release, qualified medical professional Sarah Phillips (who has been directly involved in the initial adaptive trial herself) has dubbed the upcoming range as nothing short of “a game-changer.”

Credit: George at Asda (press shot)

Phillips, who lives with a neuromuscular disease that requires a feeding tube, catheter, and extensive scans, says ASDA’s adaptive range is “not just designed for people who need it – it’s designed by people who need it, and that’s what sets it apart.”

Noting that the impressive amount of first-hand knowledge pulled from those living with various disabilities is what makes “it far better than anything else available” on the market right now, the revolutionary adaptive range is crucially costed up at a price point in keeping with ASDA‘s values.

For example, the cheapest item starts at just £11 and the most expensive is still only £24.

Most importantly, all of the designs include key features to create as much ease in the wearer’s life as possible, such as hospital-friendly plastic zips, openings for feeding tubes, discreet pockets for stoma bags and more.

This comes after Alex Newman – the husband of late breast cancer campaigner, Nicky Newman, whose story inspired this particular adaptive range – said that struggling to get in and out of clothes was not only a frustrating part of her battle, but that she “found it undignified”.

“She looked for adapted clothing she could wear”, he adds, “but there wasn’t much choice. She bought a jumper from one brand and, while it really helped her, it cost £90 – a huge expense at a time when our finances were already impacted by her leaving her job due to the effects of cancer on her health.”

Nicky sadly passed away on 17 September 2023.

Karl Doyle, Vice President of George Clothing, said in an official statement: “We have worked closely with Nicky, Alex and their network of friends to create this bold adaptive range that we hope has fulfilled Nicky’s wishes.

“We have taken time and passion to really understand the specific needs of each item produced – how we can make them more comfortable, fashionable, affordable and dignified. Today is such a proud moment to see the range launch; we hope it’ll benefit many more people with specific treatment needs.”

The entire ASDA adaptive clothing range drops online-only in full on Monday, 15 September; for now, you can see the full list of all 28 items, find out more information on each, and read more touching tributes about Nicky and the journey behind this disability-friendly clothing revolution HERE.

Congratulations to everyone involved with this inspirational and heartwarming project – you’ve done yourselves, Nicky and countless people living with disabilities SO proud.

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Featured Images — ASDA/George/@eastleighbusman (via Flickr)

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