Shopping

Someone is selling the life-size animal lanterns from Manchester’s Lightopia festival

How did they end up there?!

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 28th March 2024

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
Someone is selling the life-size animal lanterns from Manchester's Lightopia festival
Someone is selling the life-size animal lanterns from Manchester's Lightopia festival
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.

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Featured image: Facebook Marketplace

Shopping

River Island reopens Manchester Arndale store – and it’s unrecognisable

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson River Island has reopened in the Manchester Arndale after a refurbishment. Credit: The Manc Group

River Island in the Manchester Arndale shopping centre is ready to reopen after a major makeover, and it’s bigger than ever.

The stunning space now spans 13,947 square feet and comes with interactive fitting rooms where you can order extra sizes on an iPad, self-checkouts, and a limited-edition collection exclusive to the Arndale.

The huge shop’s refurb follows a similar move at their Trafford Centre store, where River Island moved into the former Topshop unit.

Now, the three-storey store in the heart of the Arndale has been given a lick of duck-egg blue, and transformed into a beachy paradise.

Officially throwing its doors open this morning, Thursday 25 April, with Lucy Mecklenburgh cutting the ribbon, the huge shop is already welcoming hordes of shoppers.

Over the weekend, you’ll spot plenty of activations to celebrate River Island’s relaunch.

There are people carrying gigantic shopping bags handing out scratch cards with different discounts on, a Spin the Wheel with prizes, free coffees, a pop-up flower cart and loads more.

And the first people to spend more than £55 on each day between 25 and 28 April will receive a limited-edition tote bag.

High-tech changing rooms at the new River Island in the Manchester Arndale
High-tech changing rooms at the new River Island in the Manchester Arndale
Accessories in River Island's new Manchester Arndale store
Accessories in River Island’s new Manchester Arndale store
The kids' clothing collection in River Island
The kids’ clothing collection in River Island
Accessories in River Island's new Manchester Arndale store
Accessories in River Island’s new Manchester Arndale store

This new River Island store has a limited-edition collection of one-off, premium pieces featuring exclusive fabrics and luxury detailing.

The 19-piece, bohemian-inspired collection starts at £45 and will only be available in the Arndale store.

Inside you’ll find all the usual River Island goodies, including a huge amount of holiday shop items, plus denim, occasion-wear, shoes, handbags, and kids’ clothing.

The new River Island store will open on 25 April in The Arndale shopping centre in Manchester.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Shopping

Sephora confirms opening date for new megastore at Manchester’s Trafford Centre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Sephora confirms opening date for new megastore at Trafford Centre

Beauty fans rejoice – Sephora has finally announced plans to open a store in Manchester, and soon.

The world-famous retailer, which stops luxury skincare and makeup brands as well as cult items, has secured a spot in the Trafford Centre.

This will be the third UK store for Sephora, which currently has two shops down in London, and its first trip up north.

And after a fair bit of teasing and plenty of rumours, they’ve confirmed that their next megastore will be right here in Greater Manchester.

Hoardings have appeared inside the Trafford Centre, plastered in Sephora’s black and white branding, around a unit next to AllSaints.

The signs read: “Manchester, you called it. Our first Northern store in 2024.”

Sephora says it will ‘redefine the beauty landscape in the North with an extraordinary product range that caters to the diverse needs of beauty enthusiasts’.

Cult brands stocked at Sephora include Huda Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, The Ordinary, Glossier and Makeup by Mario.

Sephora wrote on Instagram: “You heard correctly — Sephora is coming to the TRAFFORD CENTRE, MANCHESTER.

“Get your shopping baskets ready as we’re on our way up north! More to be revealed soon, see you in 2024…”

The Trafford Centre shared: “You asked, we listened! The wait is over….your @sephorauk opens late Spring 2024.”

Sarah Boyd, managing director of Sephora UK, said: “We are extremely excited to bring Sephora to Manchester, one of the most vibrant cities for beauty in the UK.

“Expanding our presence beyond London is something that consumers have been screaming out for, and we are listening hard to them when deciding where to go next.

“The Trafford Centre, known for its iconic atmosphere and diverse retail offering, is the perfect location for our third store.”

Russell Loveland, managing director at Pradera Lateral – Trafford Centre’s Asset Managers, said: “This iconic beauty giant already has a cult following, and our own social media has been blowing up with enquiries from excited customers eager for Sephora to open.

“We are very proud Sephora chose the Trafford Centre for its next location, which will be its first store in the North of England, and know it will be a fantastic success and a great addition to our strong international brand lineup.”

One person commented on Sephora’s Instagram post: “This is the best news I’ve heard all year!”

Another said: “OMG ITS HAPPENING, STAY CALM”

And someone wrote on Trafford Centre’s post: “Omg omg can’t wait.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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