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.
Stockport’s brand-new M&S Food Hall has finally opened its doors / Credit: Supplied
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.”
A FREE shopping event dedicated to saving students money is returning to Manchester Arndale
Thomas Melia
One of the city centre’s most popular shopping events helping students save money is returning to Manchester Arndale and the city centre.
MCR Student Socialis heading back to the city with its big discounts, freebies, giveaways and plenty of entertainment to keep you busy while you browse.
This interactive shopping event encourages new and current students to wander roundManchester Arndaleand the surrounding streets while snapping up some seriously good deals.
Expect discounts of up to 50% off at 120 stores including big high street retailers like Champion, Søstrene Grene, Selfridges, Sephora, and Berghaus.
This incredible 50% off deal continues into some of Manchester Arndale’s big-name food vendors like Wingstop, Archie’s, Barburrito, Sides, HOP Vietnamese and more.
If you’re after carrying thatZara Larssonenergy into your next academic year, the Arndale’s Rhinestone Rodeo celebration includes a Charm Bar in Exchange Court, where you can turn photos into personalised charms.
No shopping trip is complete without a matcha in-hand and you can bag yourself a free hot or iced drink in Exchange Court at the Cult Beauty Matcha Station.
Look out for our Audio North truck on Market StreetThe Manchester Arndale MCR Student Social is back
There’s even the Arndale’s Party Tuk Tuk which will be roaming around the city-centre shopping complex blasting out hip-hop tunes and some of your song requests.
Just outside Manchester Arndale on Market Street, there’s plenty of activities split across three dedicated zones, like Food & Drink by familiar foodie faces like Franco Manca and Great British Doner.
The Party Zone will be buzzing as Footasylum, Museum of Illusions and Urban Playground all unite, while there’s plenty of giveaways over at the Info Zone with brands like Science + Industry Museum and RSPB.
And, our very ownAudio North x The Manc DJ Truck is soundtracking Market Street with student DJs playing out everything from dance and funk to classic party anthems.
MCR Student Social is taking place on Thursday 24 September at Manchester Arndale from 12pm to 7pm and you can find more information via its official websiteHERE.
M&S launches new Too Good To Go partnership – with NINE Greater Manchester stores signed up
Emily Sergeant
M&S has finally decided to partner with food waste charity, Too Good To Go.
As of yesterday, a total of 350 M&S stores across the UK – including nine major sites in Greater Manchester – now offer new Too Good To Go ‘Surprise Bags’ that are made up of surplus bakery goodies, giving customers the chance to collect quality food at a reduced price at the end of the day directly from in-store bakeries.
The launch follows a trial in a select number of UK stores, and the Surprise Bags will include bakery treats such as pastries, cookies, and fresh bread.
The partnership with Too Good To Go is the latest move in M&S Food’s work to reduce surplus food and ensure good food doesn’t go to waste.
Greater Manchester stores that will be taking part in the new Too Good To Go partnership include Manchester Market Street, Trafford Centre, Stockport, Spinningfields, Prestwich, Wigan Robin, Bolton Middlebrook, Bury The Rock, and Ashton Moss.
Each of the Surprise Bags will include three to four bakery products to a minimum retail price of £10.20 for just £3.80.
Available Monday to Saturday, customers can order their Surprise Bags through the Too Good To Go app, and collect them one hour before their local store closes.
“It’s great to be involved in this new launch with Too Good To Go to help reduce food waste,” commented Chris Parker, who is the Store Manager at M&S Bolton Middlebrook.
“Our in-store bakeries are incredibly popular with customers, and at the end of the day, customers will now be able to order and collect surprise bags offering fantastic surplus bakery products at great value.
“By finding new ways to re-purpose surplus products, we’re helping ensure more food is enjoyed rather than wasted. This partnership is another positive step towards reaching our goal of halving food waste by 2030.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th June 2023 
