You can now buy yourself a life-size light-up zebra, as seen at Manchester’s huge Lightopia lantern festival.
In what is undoubtedly the most unusual Facebook Marketplace listing we’ve seen in a hot minute, someone is selling off a flock of the animal-shaped lanterns.
These huge glowing beasts flocked the fields of Heaton Park for several years as part of the Lightopia festival, which created beautiful installations in a family-friendly light trail.
Probably the most popular of all the installations every year were the animal sections.
Because who doesn’t want to be walking in the dark through the woods and suddenly be faced with a life-size illuminated bull?
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Lightopia left Manchester for good in early 2023 (replaced last year by the Christmas at Heaton Park light trail, from the makers of Christmas at Kew), and we have actually been wondering what happened to all the massive lanterns that had filled the park.
Well, turns out they’ve ended up in what appears to be someone’s back garden in Bolton.
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And now they could be yours, if you have a couple of hundred quid in the bank and an urge to have a big fake lion in your garden.
The animal lanterns for sale include a massive bull, a zebra, and a lion, though the lion’s rear end looks like it’s seen better days.
It’s not cheap to adopt a light-up wild animal though – they’re asking £300 each, but £350 for the bull, but are open to offers for a bulk buy, if you fancy starting your own very stationary zoo.
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Someone is selling the huge animal lanterns from Manchester’s Lightopia festival. Credit: Facebook
The listing states: “These were part of Lightopia who ran lighting festivals throughout the year.
“All have internal lights (which will need checking).
“They will need some maintenance some the thin like plastic covering split or missing built on steal frames.
“Collection only you need big van I know a van man to.”
Brb, off to bring home a lion with a hole in its haunches.
Søstrene Grene announces official opening date for new Manchester Arndale store
Emily Sergeant
Søstrene Grene has now confirmed the official opening date for its brand-new store inside Manchester Arndale.
In case you missed it, the beloved Scandinavian lifestyle and home decor retailer announced back in September that Manchester Arndale was the latest location to get the ‘Grene’ light for a new 4,952 sq ft store – with the shopping centre saying it was ‘delighted’ by the addition.
Known for its contemporary – yet surprisingly affordable – home decor, furniture, and stylish lifestyle products, stepping foot inside a Søstrene Grene is store is arguably unlike any other experience on the high street, thanks to its unique layout and winding aisles making it feel like you’re discovering something new around every corner.
The retailer offers a wide assortment of homeware, kitchen items, craft supplies, soft furnishings, toys, gift ideas, seasonal décor, and everything in between.
Søstrene Grene has just announced the official opening date for its new Manchester Arndale store / Credit: Supplied
The new Søstrene Grene store follows a recent flurry of other openings and announcements at Manchester Arndale, including Sephora, Alo Yoga, PureSeoul, Represent, and more, and also comes after the lifestyle brand announced that it would be opening a new store in Stockport.
And now, it’s been confirmed that the Arndale store will officially open its doors later this month on Thursday 26 March.
“Manchester has always had a special atmosphere and opening a second store here is a reflection of the city’s creativity and enthusiasm for design,” commented Mikkel Grene, who is the Group CEO and co-owner of Søstrene Grene, as the opening date was announced.
“Each new store allows us to bring more of our Scandinavian-inspired vision to communities across the UK, offering spaces that are calm, thoughtful and full of inspiration.
“This launch is another exciting step in our UK journey and we’re proud to continue sharing what makes Søstrene Grene unique.”
The official grand opening of Søstrene Grene at Manchester Arndale will take place on Thursday 26 March at the (very specific) time of 9:59am.
Featured Image – Supplied
Shopping
JD and Nike are hiding free pairs of Air Max shoes in InPost lockers at the Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
JD are celebrating the return of the Nike Air Max 95 ‘OG Neon’ with a major giveaway, hiding pairs of the limited trainers inside InPost lockers at the Trafford Centre.
There’ll be a chance for Mancs to unlock exclusive prizes, including those iconic shoes, plus Air Max 95 jackets, pants, and t-shirts.
JD started teasing the drop of the Neons last week, with a video of a stock room filled with Air Max boxes and a crew packing.
Then details started dropping too, with Liverpool grime star Kasst 8 revealing himself as the sender.
In the campaign, the unapologetically Northern artist appears stationed on JD x Nike Air Max branded lockers, firing off texts reading ‘I’ll be there soon’, ‘SHIPPED OUT’, and ‘Check your InPost’.
And now JD has revealed its major competition with Nike, giving you the chance to bag a pair of Air Max 95 OG Neons.
Special Air Max branded InPost lockers will be stationed in-store at JD at the Trafford Centre (and at Liverpool One), each one stuffed with Air Max shoes and apparel.
To be in with a chance of unlocking a locker, you just need to submit your details HERE.
Then select winners will be chosen from a random draw and sent a unique code, which you can take to your chosen locker and reveal what you’ve won.
The Air Max 95 OG Neons are an iconic shoe designed by Sergio Lozano, with a human anatomy-inspired design that includes ribcage laces and vibrant neon accents against grey gradients.
JD have been teasing the launch of this campaign, with the Air Max 90 and 95 Neons dropping in-store and online on Thursday 5 March.
If you missed last year’s Air Max OG Neon drop, JD’s throwing you a lifeline.
Enter before 9am on Tuesday 3 March HERE for your chance to unlock – winners will be picked at random and contacted this week to collect at JD Manchester Trafford Centre.
Daisy Jackson -
28th March 2024 
