Flying Tiger Copenhagen is finally set to open a store here in Manchester, selling everything from cheese graters to toys to gym equipment.
The quirky retailer is loved across the globe for its affordable range of products.
It’s now signed a five-year lease on a unit in the Manchester Arndale shopping centre.
Flying Tiger will be taking over a 2,493 sq ft site on the lower mall, set to open later this year.
It will be one of 83 store locations across the UK with new products launched every month.
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Flying Tiger Copenhagen is set to open its first Manchester store. Credit: Supplied
Shoppers can pick up everything from homewares to stationery to gadgets.
It’s the latest in a string of new brands opening in the Arndale, joining Debenhams.com, Urban Playground, Doner Shack and Slim Chickens, as well as an expanded site for Sports Direct.
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Colin Flinn, spokesperson for Manchester Arndale, said: “The arrival of Flying Tiger Copenhagen further adds to the diverse range of retailers we have at Manchester Arndale.
Flying Tiger when it launched in London. Credit: Facebook, Flying Tiger
“From high-end fashion brands to discount retailers this broad tenant mix, complemented by a growing F&B and leisure offer, helps to attract millions of visitors from across the North West.
“Flying Tiger is expected to appeal to Manchester’s younger demographic, especially its many millions of students as well as those on family visits to the centre.
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“2022 has already seen the centre grow its offering for those wanting a day out in Manchester with the opening of Urban Playground, and the upcoming arrival of F&B outlets Slim Chickens and Kokoro.
“We are looking forward to announcing further exciting new arrivals over the next few weeks as we continue to reinforce Manchester Arndale as an exciting destination for all.”
Michael Burke, managing director of Flying Tiger Copenhagen UK and Ireland said: “We’re delighted to be opening a new store in Manchester Arndale.
“It will mark our next step in developing the UK and Ireland’s strategic store portfolio and expansion in the North of the UK. We look forward to welcoming our new customers very soon.”
One of Manchester’s biggest vintage shops to close after a decade
Daisy Jackson
One of the biggest and best vintage shops in Manchester has announced its imminent closure.
Thrift Shop, which is part of the legendary Cow Vintage family, has said that the landlord of its store has ‘chosen not to renew our lease’.
The beloved vintage shop has been in its spot just off Piccadilly Gardens for a decade, with colourful rails stuffed with pre-loved denim, coats, dresses, accessories, and more.
Ahead of its closure this week, Thrift Shop has announced details of a major closing down sale, aiming to get rid of all its stock.
Initially touted as two for £10 on all thrift items, they’ve now slashed prices even further and are offering three items for £10.
That does exclude their ‘premium’ items, where you can snap up big labels like Carhartt and Levi’s.
Sharing the sad news of its closure online, Thrift Shop Manchester wrote: “We are gutted to announce the closure of beloved Manchester store.
Thrift Shop Manchester is throwing a huge closing down sale
“Last week we found out our landlord chose not to renew our lease after over ten years in this unit.
“To bid our farewell, we’re doing a MASSIVE closing down sale to get rid of all stock !!!! All Thrift items will be 2 for £10 until our last trading day on 30th May!!
“We’ve absolutely loved serving you for all these years, so long, farewell and, as always, get thrifty.”
In the comments, fellow independent retailer Thunder Egg – which just had to move out of its Oldham Street store (but is still in Afflecks) – commented: “So sorry to hear this, retail landlords in Manchester are absolutely in their sh*tbag era right now.”
Thrift Shop Manchester will close for good on Saturday 30 May.
Demolition and regeneration plans for former Manchester shopping centre to begin next month
Emily Sergeant
Plans to demolish and regenerate a former shopping centre in a Manchester suburb are set to kick off from next month.
Following planning approval at the end of 2025, major plans to transform the former Chorlton Cross Shopping Centre into a ‘thriving’ new destination to live and shop are set to commence with demolition in the next couple of weeks.
If you’re unfamiliar with the plans for the new Chorlton neighbourhood, they include 262 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, all with access to outdoor space through balconies and gardens, 53 affordable homes – with 49 of them being available for social rent – and around 3,500 sq metres of public open space with fully walkable routes and outdoor seating areas.
A mix of flexible retail spaces, including a new ‘Makers Yard’ suitable for smaller start-up businesses will also be included, alongside new tree planting.
Phase one of the project will involve the dismantling the former shopping centre and neighbouring Graeme House buildings.
According to developers, the first step will be to close the precinct car park at the end of this month, before new hoardings are installed around the site to close the area off to pedestrians and vehicles for safety reasons.
The demolition work is expected to begin in mid-June, and be completed by August.
Where possible, materials from the existing buildings will be reused during construction of the new neighbourhood in a bid to help reduce the number of vehicles needed to remove materials from the site.
“Demolition marks another major milestone for the project, which will completely transform the former shopping centre,” commented Georgina Lynch, who is the managing director at Manchester-based developers, PJ Livesey.
“Our demolition contractor will carefully manage any issues throughout the work, and we will continue to stay in regular contact with local residents and businesses as the demolition progresses.”
Daisy Jackson -
14th March 2022 
