Stockport’s brand-new M&S Food Hall has finally opened its doors, and some new images have been released so shoppers can have a sneak peak inside.
It’s been a long time coming – but after it was announced earlier this year that the Greater Manchester town would see the return of M&S after the retailer notably-closed its large department store inside the Merseyway Shopping Centre back in 2021, Stockport‘s brand-new M&S Food Hall opened its doors for the first time yesterday.
Staff were joined by the retailer’s iconic mascot Percy Pig to do the honours of cutting the ribbon, and welcoming the over 300 dedicated local customers who’d started queuing from 7am to get the first look inside the store.
The new 16,000 sq ft “market-style” Food Hall is located on Stockport Retail Park.
Inside the new store, shoppers will find fresh produce displays “brimming with great quality”, a show-stopping bakery with fresh bread, pastries, and sweet treats that are all baked daily, and impressive array of fine cheeses from across Europe at a dedicated cheese counter.
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There’s also an M&S Wine Shop inside the store – with an award-winning selection of drinks to match and sommeliers on hand to tell you more.
The reason there were hundreds of shoppers queued up outside so early in the morning yesterday was because the first 200 people to step foot inside the new store were handed special ‘golden tickets’, with every ticket guaranteeing a win, whether the win be a free bag of Percy Pigs, freshly baked cookies, or something even bigger.
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And to mark the occasion of the new opening, one lucky customer even won a £200 M&S voucher
“We are thrilled to open our brand-new Food Hall in Stockport,” Store Manager Anna Priest said at the grand opening yesterday.
It’s among the first of 20 new M&S stores that are due to open across the UK in 2023 / Credit: Supplied
“The last few weeks have been spent putting the finishing touches to our new store and I’m exceptionally proud of my amazing team who have all worked so hard to make sure everything is ready for our big opening day.
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“The store is an exciting investment in the future of M&S in Stockport, and I can’t wait for our customers to explore all the new features that the store has to offer.”
The Trafford Centre launches Premium Parking service where shoppers pay up to £217
Daisy Jackson
For the first time ever, the Trafford Centre is charging for parking – but it’s not quite what it seems.
While all of us are used to forking out a small fortune to park in the city centre, Trafford Centre has always been free.
Now, the huge shopping centre has launched a Premium Parking service, with guaranteed spaces right near the shops and plenty of other perks.
Shoppers will pay from £4 an hour for the privilege of having access to bigger bays in a newly resurfaced section of the car park, just outside Selfridges.
But prices will go all the way up to £217 for valet parking, where your car is taken from you at the entrance to be deep-cleaned and then parked back in a bay.
That Ultra Valet service even includes a clean of your engine compartment.
Premium valet parking, without the deep clean, is a £25 flat rate.
The Premium Parking at Trafford Centre gets you a space as close as possible to the shops. Credit: The Manc Group
Once you’re done shopping, you can summon your vehicle back at the touch of a button on your phone, and it will be brought straight back to the entrance for you.
No need to trudge for miles in the rain battling against thousands of other Christmas shoppers.
The Premium Parking service is aimed at those looking for an elevated service and an enhanced shopping experience.
Shoppers have never had to pay for parking at The Trafford Centre before but if you’ve ever experienced the stress that is finding a decent space during the Christmas shopping rush, maybe it’s money well spent?
How much is Premium Parking at the Trafford Centre?
And the good news is that some of them are much smaller, quieter and more intimate than the madness that is the main Manchester Christmas Markets.
Venture outside your usual wooden huts and show your support for all the different Alternative Christmas Markets popping up around the city this December.
Alternative Christmas Markets in Manchester
Manchester Made Market at Deansgate Square
Manchester Made at Deansgate Square is an alternative Christmas Market in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
In the shadows of the Deansgate Square skyscrapers, a cosy and magical Christmas night market will take shape, filled with twinkling Christmas trees, food, drink, live music, and even a grotto.
More than 40 artisanal traders and small businesses will take part over the three-day event, selling food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Highlights include a 20-piece choir, Gooey sweet treats, a Wild Grill experience plus German sausages from Millington Hall Farm, a Christmas tipi, and a Santa’s Grotto.
4pm to 9pm on Friday 6 December; 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December| Tickets are free but you can pre-book HERE.
The Night Market UK at Fairfield Social Club
People gathering to celebrate the festive season at Fairfield Social Club.Some of the stalls you can expect to see at The Night Market UK.Credit: Joel Chester via supplied
Bordering on Angel Meadows Park and only a short stroll from Manchester Victoria, Fairfield Social Club are hosting a dusk to nighttime event that is the gift that keeps on giving.
‘Shopping chores’ are about to become ‘shopping cheers’ as 50 local makers, bakers and shakers are about to tempt you with their irresistible treats.
There’s standouts like Killa Carbs and FSC Garden Kitchen for your mind and body, with live music from DJs for your soul.
4pm to 11pm on Saturday 7 December | Tickets are £4 or there’s a two-ticket deal for £7 HERE.
This one’s less about shopping and more about Christmas Markets vibes – St John’s tennis court venue has been transformed into a winter wonderland, swapping green lawns for an ice blue rink.
There’s marshmallow roasting, a street-food truck and an open-air cinema where you can watch festive faves like ‘The Grinch’.
While taking in all your surroundings why not sip on a luxury hot chocolate with flavours spanning from honeycomb to chocolate orange.
8am til late Monday to Friday throughout December; 12pm til late Saturday and Sunday | No tickets required.
Makers Market (across various locations)
An insight into the stalls on the day at Makers Market.Smiles all around at the Northern Quarter pop-up.One of the many intricate gifts you can buy at Makers Market.Credit: Supplied
The Makers Market is a staple in Northern Quarter with a recurring visit the second Sunday of each month, and December is no different.
These independent artisan creators are working just as hard as Santa’s Elves to bring the best handcrafted gifts to West Didsbury, Sale and Quayside.
Not limited to Manchester, for those wanting to have a mini Christmas excursion, there’s stalls running every weekend up until the big day in Chester too.
11am to 5pm on Sunday 8 December (Northern Quarter) | No tickets required, more locations HERE.
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Victorian Christmas Market in Stockport
Nutella Cafe at Merseyway, ran by the same company.That cheeky Elf on the Shelf is even making an appearance.Credit: Matthew Nichol via supplied / Supplied
Live your Dickens dream this winter as Stockport are putting a Victorian twist on the usual Christmas Market experience to make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Enjoy fairground rides and food as well as a live choir to soundtrack and enhance your journey through these vintage huts.
Show off to all your friends about your time here with the on-site family Christmas picture area and enjoy some nutella covered treats. The chocolatey goodness may not have been around back then, but we can’t go a day without that gorgeous spread.
9am to 4pm Saturday 7 December | No tickets required.
Melanin Markets: Winter Wonders at The Royal Exchange
Those ever-so-cute Mélange Dolls at Melanin Markets in Manchester.Black creatives will be setting up stalls selling a variety of products including artwork like this.
This annual event is the largest festive celebration of Black-owned businesses and this time it’s residing at The Royal Exchange with a variation of vendors on hand to help you find your next cherished item.
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The name of this event may be frosty, but you’ll be nothing but warm as you soak up the live music covering everything from blues to reggae.
Esteemed traders Mélange Dolls will be selling toys that reflect the diversity of mixed-race and ethnic heritage children and CalyxDrinks will be selling some thirst-quenching Vegan beverages.
12pm to 5pm on Sunday 8 December| Tickets are free but you can pre-book HERE.
Winterhood at Diecast
This 250,000 square foot site has had a full Christmas transformation with the Tinsel Town Trailer Park, Club Leno and Brooklyn Beer Hall.
Mulled wine has some competition from the new festive spirit champ, mulled negroni, but there’s also cookie crumble hot chocolates on offer too, yum!
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There’s karaoke parties, fire pits, clubbing, steins and lots lots more, as Diecast has really decked the halls this year.
13 November to 31 December | Walk-ins welcome however book in advance to guarentee your table HERE.
FREE Santa’s Grotto at Bury The Rock
Christmas can be a costly feat however, Bury has got you covered with their free Santa’s Grotto running throughout December and everyday from 16 December til the lead up to Christmas.
Kids who visit the Grotto get to meet the big fat man with the long white beard when he stays in town for the month.
Although the Grotto is free, there are a handful of stalls surrounding this cosy cabin selling various sweet treats and kid-friendly attractions.
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Every weekend leading up to Christmas, everyday from 16 December to 24 December | No tickets required, opening times vary HERE.
These Christmas super fans started their celebrations off all the way back in November , so it’s no surprise they find themselves featured in this Alternative Christmas Market rundown.
From their giant-sized tree to their fairground attractions like the helter-skelter, Cheshire Oaks is flying the Christmas flag high for the North West.