The Trafford Centre has today welcomed a brand new River Island store – and it’s absolutely massive.
With high-tech changing rooms, an in-store coffee tuk tuk, and a huge selection of the high street brand’s clothing, the old Topshop unit has been completely transformed.
River Island’s brand new concept store spans 21,000 sq ft and has opened its doors for a weekend-long fashion event over this weekend.
One of its major selling points is the high-tech, interactive changing rooms, which detect which items you’ve carried into the space with you.
Then, if something’s not quite the right size or fit, you can use the touch pad in your changing room to request a new size, without having to traipse back across the huge site.
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The changing rooms look beautiful too, decorated with pink floral wallpaper on walls and ceiling, plus huge black-lit mirrors to see your new outfit from all angles.
The changing rooms in River Island. Credit: The Manc GroupOutside River Island in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupAccessories display. Credit: The Manc Group
Back in the main store and everything’s split neatly into three departments – women’s, men’s, and kid’s.
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The largest space has been stripped back to brick, with natural drapes, plants, and soft lighting suspended from the industrial ceiling.
There are boho rugs chucked about and marble tables displaying River Island’s huge range of accessories.
And on the men’s side of things, the seating has been taken from a car, and coffee tables are made from engines.
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The new Trafford Centre shop was launched today with the help of Louise Roe, a fashion journalist and broadcaster, who hosted a styling workshop.
Menswear at River Island. Credit: The Manc GroupComplimentary floral bouquets from The Bud & Pot. Credit: The Manc GroupMenswear at River Island. Credit: The Manc Group
Gemma Scarfe, digital and marketing director, said: “We are extremely excited to announce that River Island is opening a brand new store in the Trafford Centre.
“Manchester has been on our radar for some time; it has continued to receive huge investment over the last few years and has cemented its position as a world-class city.
“We’re delighted to have identified a new, larger retail space that will deliver a fun and refreshing shopping experience to our loyal customers as well as complement the thriving city.”
Bruce Gardner, brand experience director at Trafford Centre, said: “River Island is a high street giant and hugely popular brand with our visitors, so we’re really excited to see their stunning, vibrant new store open in a new location here at The Trafford Centre.”
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As part of River Island’s launch weekend, shoppers who spend more than £75 will be able to take home a complimentary flower bouquet from The Bud & Pot.
River Island’s new store is open now at the Trafford Centre.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Shopping
Tesco launches 2026 Valentine’s dine-in deals with its ‘most generous’ menu yet
Emily Sergeant
Tesco has unveiled the menu for this year’s edition of its Valentine’s dine in meal deal, and it’s sounding tastier than ever.
Last year, thousands of Brits headed on down to their nearest Tesco to make the most of the retailer‘s always-popular Valentine’s dining deal and celebrate the international day of love in a more low-key way from the comfort of their own home – but this year, Tesco says it wants to top that success, and is hoping its ‘most generous’ menu yet will do the trick.
Launching early next month (9 February), this year, there’ll be two different dine-in deals to choose from based on your budget.
The Tesco Finest Valentine’s Dine In range includes one starter, one main, two sides – for the first time, giving customers more choice when building their meal – one dessert, and one drink, setting you back £20 with a Tesco Clubcard.
Or if you want to keep things a bit more budget-friendly, you can get the simpler Valentine’s Day Dine In option, which includes one main, one side, one dessert, and one drink, for just £15 instead.
Tesco has unveiled its Valentine’s dine-in menus for 2026 / Credit: Tesco (Supplied)
50% of the menu on offer is new for 2026 too, offering you some fresh foodie inspiration alongside much-loved favourites.
Some of the starter highlights include the Tesco Finest Camembert with Garlic & Parsley Dough Balls, Tesco Finest Coquilles St Jacques, Tesco FinestMediterranean Style Breaded Prawns with Hot Honey Dip, or if you’re vegan, you can try out Tesco Finest Mushroom Parcels instead.
For mains, on the menu we have Tesco Finest Salmon & Prawn En Croûte, and Tesco Finest Beef Bourguignon Pies served with a red wine jus, or the Tesco Finest Mushroom Stroganoff Pies for vegans.
But it’s the sides that are taking centre stage this year, with the expanded selection including the likes of Tesco Finest Samphire, Petit Pois & Sliced Cabbage with Mint Dressing, Tesco Finest Rosemary & Parmesan Fries, Tesco Finest Baby Potato Traybake with Chantenay Carrots & Tenderstem Broccoli, or Tesco Finest Garlic & Parsley Ciabatta, just to name a few.
There’s two different deals available this year, depending on your budget / Credit: Tesco (Supplied)
There’s also a selection of sweet treats to finish the night off, with everything from the Tesco Finest Belgian White Chocolate Delice Hearts, to the Tesco Finest Banoffee Pudding on the cards to pick from.
Drinks are also included this year too, with the likes of soft drinks, cocktails, beers, and award-winning wines to choose.
As mentioned, both Valentine’s Dine In deals launch in Tesco stores across the UK from 9 February, so you’re covered no matter whether you’re sharing a romantic moment, creating a spread for loved ones, or simply treating yourself at home.
Featured Image – Tesco (Supplied)
Shopping
The Boots recycling scheme where you can get £5 off every shop
Thomas Melia
UK high street retailer and healthcare shop Boots has launched an innovative recycling scheme that entitles customers to £5 off their future shopping trips.
If you’re still struggling to come up with a New Year’s resolution, why not try a spot of recycling and earn some money off your next cosmetics shop while you’re at it?
Started in 2020, the Boots Recycling Scheme allows Advantage Card holders the opportunity to get money while also being more conscious about how we recycle our used health and beauty products.
Their third-party app, Recycle at Boots, uses a ‘Scan2Recycle‘ system where users can upload items from various beauty brands by taking a picture of the empty packaging before identifying its form.
This scheme takes items that can’t usually be recycled at home, such as lotion pumps, toothpaste tubes, lipstick, mascaras, travel minis, make-up palettes and more.
Once you have five items approved, head over to your nearest participating Boots store, drop off your empties and scan the QR code on the deposit box.
After you’ve followed all these steps, a voucher will appear entitling you to 500 Advantage Points when you spend £10 in-store at your nearest location, and not only do you have £5 worth of points with your name on it, you’re also an eco-warrior.
There’s even a dedicated section of the app to recycling empty medicine and vitamin blister packs, which gives customers 100 Advantage Points when they spend £5 in-store.
Brilliant.
Credit: Publicity pictures (supplied)
Items dropped into these deposit boxes are taken to MyGroup, a recycling and waste management service which works around the clock to help divert waste from landfill.
These empties will be washed and traditionally recycled into a material called MyBoard, a construction board material most similar to plywood, with lots of different uses.
Nearest Boots locations in Manchester running the Recycle at Boots scheme:
Manchester Market Street – 32 Market Street, M1 1PL
Salford Regent Park – Regents Park, M5 3TP
Manchester Didsbury – 736-740 Wilmslow Road, M20 2DW
The Trafford Centre – 10 Peel Avenue, M17 8BD
Trafford Retail Park – Neary Way, M41 7FN
If you’re up for getting money off your next Boots splurge while also helping recycle cosmetics containers and more, you can download the Recycle at Boots app and find your nearest HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
6th May 2023 
