Stores like Cow Vintage, Blue Rinse, and Pop Boutique, not to mention the numerous charity shops and pop-ups that line Oldham Street, have turned that corner of town into a haven for lovers of the fashions of yesteryear.
But now there’s a new outpost in the heart of Chinatown – and it’s possibly the most stylish, charming vintage store in the city yet.
Stare Society opened last December, and has put some serious effort into both sourcing the items it sells, and decorating the space it sells them from.
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Tucked away up a flight of stairs in a corner unit above Red Chilli, you’ve probably walked straight past it a dozen times already.
Stare Society in Chinatown, Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
But glance up above the long-standing Chinese restaurant and you’ll notice a slowly rotating disco ball in the window, giving just a taste of all the treats in store.
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Venture inside and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped right back in time to the 1970s, greeted by the sound of Fleetwood Mac being piped through the speakers (the legendary group are also the stars of a huge framed photo above the fireplace inside).
Stare Society is decorated to the nines – fringed lampshades, rattan screens, glitter ball plant pots, guitars, and a huge leopard print chaise lounge in the window, draped in retro-printed cushions, vinyl records and vintage hats.
There are 1970s-inspired scented candles named things like Cherry Bomb, Tiny Dancer and Rebel Rebel, and all sorts of knick-knacks (sunglasses, tiny mirrors, antique glassware) hailing back to the glory days of rock n roll.
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Then there’s the clothes – racks full of leather jackets, leopard-print furry coats, and fringed suede waistcoats.
Retro t-shirts with contrasting collars, with ‘Manchester 1970’ and ‘Chinatown 1970’ scrawled across them.
Cowboy boots painted with stars, piles of colourful felt berets, and loudly-patterned blouses.
The space is so beautiful, it’s actually available to hire, for things like photoshoots and private events, with a vision to host intimate gigs inside in the future.
Stare Society joins the booming vintage scene in Manchester, like Bare Necessities, the online giant that recently hosted a pop-up store on High Street that everyone lost their minds over.
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You’ll find Stare Society at 20 Nicholas Street on the edge of Chinatown in Manchester.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Shopping
Poundland relaunches its £1 engagement rings ahead of Valentine’s Day
Emily Sergeant
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and Poundland has hatched a plan to help those on a budget this year.
You can propose to your other half at any time of the year, but it’s fair to say that Valentine’s Day is a date much more popular than others – especially for those who want to surprise their partner with a gift they’ll never forget for the special occasion.
But with the cost of living crisis sadly still making its impact felt across the UK, a costly engagement ring is not something everyone is able to afford.
Luckily, for anyone keen to make the grand romantic gesture but while saving a few pennies at the same time, Poundland has decided to bring back its £1 engagement rings ahead of the season of love, so you’ll have plenty of time to get planning how you’ll pop that all-important question.
The budget retailer first launched its affordable engagement rings back in 2020, and they proved massively popular.
Poundland has brought back its £1 engagement rings ahead of Valentine’s Day / Credit: Poundland
At just £1 each, Poundland says these symbolic rings – which are available in more than 10 different designs – are a “thoughtful” way to showcase your love for Valentine’s Day and beyond, and can help make the occasion “unforgettable”, all without breaking the bank and keeping your budget intact.
From timeless solitaire designs, to romantic heart-shaped details, each ring in the 2025 range is “uniquely crafted to add a touch of charm and elegance to your Valentine’s Day proposal”, according to the retailer, so whether your partner adores classic simplicity or something with a playful edge, there’s supposedly a ring to match every style.
And the best part? Each £1 ring comes beautifully presented in a red velvet heart-shaped box, so your proposal can “feel as special as the love you’re celebrating”.
Poundland’s £1 engagement rings are now available both online and in stores nationwide, and you can view the full range here.
Featured Image – Poundland
Shopping
LEGO-loving little Mancs can now compete against the world to become a ‘Mini Master Model Builder’
Emily Sergeant
Little Mancs who love LEGO can now enter a worldwide competition and battle it out to become a ‘Mini Master Model Builder’.
Is your child a LEGO super fan? Do they reckon they could build impressive LEGO creations in their sleep? Well, if they’re feeling brave enough and are ready to put their skills to the test, then you’ll want to take them down to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester, as the hunt is one for a talented youngster to be crowned the UK’s newest ‘Mini Master Model Builder’.
Young LEGO fans will have the chance to let their imaginations run wild in a “bricktastic” competition, by building the most epic creation entirely out of LEGO bricks in an attempt to take home the coveted title.
Participants are invited to “demonstrate their imagination and creativity” by constructing something extraordinary that will leave the judges in awe – with the judges particularly interested in an array of building techniques and a strong creative flare, so entrants should “think outside the box” and let their personality and interests shine through.
Little Mancs who love LEGO can now compete to become a ‘Mini Master Model Builder’ / Credit: Supplied
Finalists will be chosen by the LEGOLAND Master Model Builders and Playmakers.
Each Discovery Centre in Manchester and Birmingham will then crown its own ‘Mini Master Model Builder’, and the winners will work with the local Master Model Builder to create their final models, which will then compete in the global final.
Winners will be given the unique opportunity of having their creation displayed at the iconic LEGO House in Denmark, plus a prize of £100 to spend in the LEGOLAND store, and a Local Annual Pass for them and their family too.
Up to the challenge then? All hopeful Mini Master Model Builders will need to get themselves down to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester at Trafford Palazzo – which is next to the Trafford Centre – any weekend up until the start of February.
Entry into the competition is included in the price of one standard admission ticket to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester.
All entries must be made by those under the age of 18, and only one entry per person can be made.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd February 2023 
