A new pop-up has appeared in Manchester ready to solve all your Christmas shopping woes.
The Forever Manchester Gift shop has opened its doors at the Corn Exchange and it’s stuffed full of proper Manc gifts made by some proper Manc artists.
For the second year running, the shop has taken shape in a beautiful glass extension off the historic building, hoping to raise £25,000 for local community activities across the region.
Located right next to the Manchester Christmas Markets, the gift shop sells everything from music-inspired tea towels to Manchester-inspired Christmas cards to socks, coffee, mugs and more.
The main wall is covered with huge framed artwork, including colourful prints, photography and maps.
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Throughout, there are gifts featuring This is the Place, the Tony Walsh poem that’s become synonymous with Manchester, on coasters, postcards and limited-edition prints by Trevor Johnson.
The Christmas gift shop. Credit: The Manc Group
The Forever Manchester Christmas gift shop opened its doors for the first time last weekend and will remain open until 18 December.
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All profits go to Forever Manchester, the only charity that supports and funds community activity across the whole of Greater Manchester.
There are also festive Captain Manchester tombola tickets on sale at just £5 online or in store, which gives entrance the chance to win £2000 in time for Christmas.
Inside the Forever Manchester Christmas gift shop. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s the second year that Forever Manchester has located its Christmas Gift shop at the Corn Exchange, who have kindly donated the space to the charity for the five weeks’ duration.
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Dan Davis, general manager at the Corn Exchange said: “We are really pleased we could offer the space again to Forever Manchester this year. It is a charity that we have supported for a number of years.
“There are some fantastic gift ideas for Christmas and the store really adds to the Corn Exchange’s festive atmosphere.”
Liz Page from Forever Manchester said: “We are excited to open our doors again at the Corn Exchange this year in the lead up to Christmas. We would like to thank the team for their ongoing support. It truly is a fantastic historic location in the heart of the city.
“Last year was great and this year we envisage even more customers as restrictions are no more and we can meet up with family and friends. We are looking to raise £25k to go towards community activities across our city.
“There is literally something for everyone who loves Manchester in our store. If you can’t decide on what to go for, why not buy your friends or family members a Captain Manchester’s festive Magical Tombola ticket at just £5 – if they win £2000 – you will be popular this Christmas!”
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Forever Manchester’s Christmas pop-up shop at the Corn Exchange is open Monday to Saturday, 10 to 6pm, and 11am to 4pm on Sundays.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Shopping
Huge vintage home show to take over historic Manchester building next month
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most historic buildings is set to host a huge home show full of vintage finds next month.
The Vintage Home Show is taking over Victoria Baths for their second event of the year.
For anyone looking to add a retro touch to their homes, this is a chance to feast your eyes on a carefully-curated collection of furniture, homeware, ceramics, artworks, vinyl records, and more stocked by more than 60 knowledgeable sellers in a welcoming atmosphere amid the empty Grade II-listed swimming pool.
Planning to renovate in a vintage style? Or looking for one missing piece of the puzzle? This event can help you track down that something special for your home.
From one-off minimalist pieces, to mass-market retro and kitsch classics, with prices for items starting from as little as £1, you’ll have the chance to shop the collections of dozens of quality independent dealers from right around the UK, all under one historic roof.
Browse a selection of vibrant stalls featuring pieces spanning from the mid-century decades to the bold brightness of the 1990s, and everything in between.
No matter what your budget, you’ll find that gorgeous something to suit your impeccable taste.
Once you’ve finished shopping everything you need to transform your home, you can stop off at Victoria Baths’ on-site cafe to treat yourself to a selection of cakes, savouries, pastries, and soup, as well as both hot and cold drinks.
A huge vintage home show will be taking over the historic Victoria Baths in Manchester next month / Credit: Vintage Home Show
The Vintage Home Fair will take over Victoria Baths on Sunday 5 October, kicking off from 10:30am for keen shoppers after ‘Early Bird’ entry, while ‘Standard Entry’ starts at 11am and runs through the day until 3:30pm.
Due to popularity, the event will be operating a timed ticket entry process, that way organisers can manage the numbers of visitors in the building at any one time to allow everyone a chance to see everything.
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Tickets are now on sale, priced anywhere from £2 to £6 depending on the time you go, so you simply need to arrive anytime within your allocated hour and stay as long as you wish.
Manchester Arndale to host FREE beauty event with mini makeovers, live demos, and more this weekend
Emily Sergeant
A new free beauty event is coming to Manchester Arndale this weekend, featuring top brands such as Sephora and Space NK.
Taking over Exchange Court in the Arndale for two days, which is next to Next inside the major shopping centre, The Beauty in You event will be offering free mini makeovers and one-to-one consultations, as well as showcasing live demos, offering the chance to win exciting beauty prizes, and so much more.
Sephora, Space NK, The Body Shop, Bperfect, and Rituals are just some of the renowned brands set to be involved across the two-day event, while Boots-based and designer beauty brands like L’Oreal Luxe, MAC, and Estée Lauder will also be there.
Shoppers can discover new looks and upgrade their beauty routine with consultations and live demos from professional makeup artists.
There’s also a chance to be rewarded when you shop, as all weekend you simply just need to spend £50 or more across any of Manchester Arndale’s health and beauty stores, show your receipts to the event staff in Exchange Court, and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a £500 Beauty Bundle packed with must-have products to take your routine to the next level.
You can shop from the likes of PURESEOL, BPerfect, KIKO Milano, Bath & Body Works, and Lush for a chance to win big.
For the chance to win even more prizes, you can try your luck on the Spin to Shine Wheel to unlock some ‘uplifting’ rewards – from exclusive vouchers to brilliant prizes.
Manchester Arndale is hosting a free beauty event with mini makeovers, live demos, and more / Credit: Supplied
Don’t forget to strike a pose and snap a selfie at the interactive photo experience too.
Plus, as well as expecting to hear insider advice from some of the biggest names in beauty, the Arndale’s feel-good ambassadors, The Beauty Spots, will be at the event all weekend handing out compliments, encouragement, and just spreading general joy.
The Beauty in You event is the ultimate chance to ‘test, try and transform’ your routine all in one place, so make sure to head to Exchange Court this Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September.
The event runs from 12-6pm on Saturday, and 12-5:30pm on Sunday.
Daisy Jackson -
18th November 2022 
