You don’t need us to tell you that everything is costing a fortune these days and finances are looking generally grim for most of us.
But that feels particularly upsetting with Christmas now on most people’s minds – no one wants to be cutting corners when it comes to spoiling our loved ones and celebrating together.
So we’ve found the solution to all your festive budgeting woes, in the form of a tiny maze of a shop in Manchester city centre.
Sostrene Grene, a Danish retailer based in The Royal Exchange, is an absolute haven for tasteful gifts and trinkets, as well as homewares, craft supplies and those all-unimportant-but-absolutely-magical Christmas decorations.
Sostrene Grene uses a one-way maze-like layout, which has led to it being nicknamed ‘little Ikea’. Credit: The Manc Group
The brand is often labelled a ‘mini Ikea’, thanks to two things – one that it sells just about everything you can think of for your home, the other that shoppers are taken on a one-way maze through the departments.
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It’s a place to buy all the annoying things you can never think where to go for – like napkin rings, nail clippers, kids’ craft kits, and egg cups – which also makes it a great place for gift inspiration.
At this time of year, you enter into a little Scandinavian Christmas wonderland, with a forest of decorative pine trees made from wood, ceramics and even paper, as well as dangling paper snowflakes.
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There’s a whole wall of reasonably-priced wrapping paper and gift bags (£1.54 for wrapping paper is a darn sight cheaper than some of the big brands nearby).
Christmas collections in Sostrene Grene. Credit: The Manc Group
Further into Sostrene Grene you’ll find even more Christmas wonder, like an eclectic range of baubles, so you could have a sparkling panda peering through the branches of your pine tree or a glittery croissant dangling amidst your fairy lights.
There’s even a festive section in the craft area, where you can pick up the bits to make your own wreath or build your own Scandinavian nativity scene, down to mini felt deer, tiny post-boxes and even miniature fairy lights.
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Elsewhere, craft fans can browse a massive range of yarn and string, canvases and paint brushes, jewellery-making kits and more.
The craft section. Credit: The Manc Group
Things that are normally incomprehensibly expensive, like picture frames and mirrors, are far more affordable here than you might expect (around £25 for a huge mirror that looks straight off a Pinterest board).
The same goes for things like candles and decorative jars – there are rows and rows of candlesticks and pillar candles in a rainbow of colours for just 40p each.
The bathroom and candles sections. Credit: The Manc Group
You can buy things like a back-scratcher here, or a ceramic loo brush that’s so beautifully made you’d be tempted to display it on a shelf (if that wasn’t gross).
The surprising bargains continue in the kitchen section too, with things like glass and wooden jars in various sizes for around the £4 mark – we can never understand why other shops charge so much for these things.
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There are pizza cutters and place settings, colanders and cutting boards, baking trays and beautiful ceramic bowls.
You can even buy retro sweets while you’re queueing up for the tills – we’re talking the sort of hard-boiled fruity sweet that your parents would also chuck at your intermittently to keep you quiet on long car journeys.
Sostrene Grene looks better than ever now that Christmas is nearing, each window transformed into a welcoming scene.
Would the staff judge you for pulling up a chair at the dining table covered in dishes and novelty festive glasses? We might go and find out.
The former pub in Hulme that’s now a haven for salvaged mid-century treasures
Daisy Jackson
If you’ve ever wondered where old stained-glass windows, vintage toilets, and dazzling chandeliers go when they’re rescued from demolition, the answer is probably Insitu Manchester.
Standing on Chester Road in Hulme, Insitu occupies the former Turville pub, a Grade II listed Victorian building dating back to around 1870.
What was once a neighbourhood boozer is now one of Manchester’s most fascinating places to browse, packed to the rafters with architectural salvage, antiques, and quirky design pieces.
Spread across three floors, every room feels like a treasure hunt. One minute you’re admiring an elegant fireplace, the next you’re standing in front of a huge stained-glass church window wondering if it would fit in your downstairs loo.
The real showstopper is upstairs. The former billiards room has been transformed into a bright, sunlit showroom that feels more like an art gallery than a salvage yard.
Founded in 1984 as a business specialising in reclaimed doors and fireplaces, Insitu has spent more than four decades saving beautiful objects from being lost forever.
Today, its stock ranges from reclaimed timber flooring and cast-iron radiators to stained glass, doors and other architectural features.
The former billiards room is now a beautiful showroomA beautiful mid-century tiled tableVintage sinks and toiletsIncredible stained glass windows at InsituA room packed with mid-century treasure at Insitu in ManchesterPaintings, stained glass, and ornate furnitureThe outside of Insitu in Hulme, ManchesterA glimpse inside Insitu in ManchesterA glimpse inside Insitu in Manchester
During our visit, we spotted a mid-century tiled coffee table, ornate chandeliers, vintage glass lampshades, paintings and fireplaces.
But perhaps the most unexpected room was downstairs, where an entire collection of antique sinks and vintage toilets is displayed. Who knew a loo could be so beautiful?
Part of the fun is that you never quite know what you’ll find around the next corner. Every item has a story, and many have been carefully rescued from buildings that no longer exist.
Come for the fireplaces, stay for the vintage toilets. Trust us.
Berghaus’ first North West standalone store set to arrive in Manchester Arndale
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Berghaus has chosen our very own Manchester Arndale to be the home of its first standalone brand store location in the North West, opening later this year and we couldn’t be happier about it.
This brand new 2,750 sq ft retail space is set to join a wave of recent arrivals at the Arndale including Arc’teryx, Alo Yoga, Pro:Direct, GARAGE and Represent, further equipping you for all of your fashion, sportswear, and lifestyle retails needs.
This iconic British outdoor clothing and equipment brand was founded in 1966, by a pair of mountaineers, Peter Lockey and Gordon Davison, who have always led with the view that ‘the outdoors belongs to everyone.’
This belief is reflected through the design of pieces with practicality in mind, encouraging us all to spend a little less time glued to our screens and a little more outside in nature.
Berghaus is widely known for its trusty cutting edge technologies, making it popular with athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, with the clothing aiming to accommodate exploration of the world and all of the wonderful and wild weather conditions it offers.
With this said, in recent years Berghaus has also gained a cult following of young consumers, seeking fashionable items, in the light of the gorp-core and athleisure craze – it turns out you can explore and look good doing it.
As Franck Denglos, EMEA President, Pentland Brands, commented: “60 years after Berghaus was founded in the North of England, opening our first standalone in the North West feels like a natural homecoming.
“As a bold, outdoor and British brand, we’re excited to put down roots in Manchester and connect with consumers in one of the UK’s most vibrant retail destinations. Manchester Arndale’s scale, energy and reach make it the perfect stage for the next chapter of the Berghaus story.”
Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, said: “Berghaus joining Manchester Arndale is a clear example of how leading retailers are responding to evolving consumer trends and investing in standout physical retail destinations.
“The brand is a fantastic addition to our lineup and further enhances the scheme’s appeal to Gen Z consumers who are driving the popularity of gorpcore and outdoor-inspired fashion.”
Moreover, Scott Linard, Portfolio Manager for M&G Real Estate, added: “Securing Berghaus for its first standalone store in the North West is another major endorsement of Manchester Arndale and the strength of our retail offer.
“The brand’s decision to open its first brand store UK location here reflects the confidence major retailers have in the destination and the continued demand we’re seeing for premium outdoor and sportswear brands.”
What a win for Manchester.
If you’ve been waiting for the right excuse to finally commit to that hike or camping trip this summer – here it is.
Get yourself kitted out and get outdoors – it’s time to touch some grass.
Daisy Jackson -
4th November 2022 
