Shopping

Superdrug in the Arndale has DOUBLED in size and now has a beauty studio inside

It's undergone a big transformation and is finally reopen today.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 10th February 2023

Manchester Arndale’s Superdrug has just reopened after an extensive makeover, which has seen the popular high street health and beauty retailer double in size.

The huge new store is still in the same spot as before (opposite the former Topshop) but has now grown into a neighbouring unit and spans 6,300 sq ft.

Superdrug’s refurbishment has included adding in a brand new beauty studio, with services including a nail bar, brow bar and even piercing.

The business has also created an extra 12 jobs for the local economy.

Inside the modern new shop are brands including NYX, Maybelline and Rimmel, as well as cult favourites like Revolution, e.l.f. and Starface.

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Superdrug’s own lines of beauty, haircare and skincare are also on offer (many of which have gone viral for being affordable dupes of luxury items), like its Studio London by Superdrug range.

Haircare in Superdrug. Credit: The Manc Group
Cult favourites like Starface pimple patches are on sale in the new-look Superdrug. Credit: The Manc Group
The new Superdrug’s perfume counter. Credit: The Manc Group

The shelves are well-stocked with other best-selling ranges including B. Skin, Me+, Vitamin E, Optimum and Naturally Radiant.

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Manchester-based fashion giant Missguided also has its line of beauty products on sale.

For several months, Superdrug’s Arndale shop has been partly surrounded by hoardings while the refurbishment took place.

The boards have finally come down and the doors thrown open today, Friday 10 February.

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Nail treatments on offer at the beauty studio inside the new Superdrug. Credit: The Manc Group
The beauty studio inside the new Superdrug. Credit: The Manc Group

A new fragrance counter has opened in time for Valentine’s Day, with premium brands like YSL, Viktor & Rolf, Giorgio Armani, Prada and Valentino sold with Superdrug promotions.

There are even better deals on offer for anyone who signs up to Superdrug’s Health & Beautycard, which unlocks member prices, birthday treats and a loyalty points scheme.

Nigel Duxbury, property director at Superdrug, said: “We are so pleased to be announcing the exciting re-
opening of our Manchester Arndale store.

“With a wide range of popular health and beauty brands, a luxury fragrance counter, and a professional Beauty Studio, we’re confident that our customers will love this enhanced shopping experience.”

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It’s good news for the Arndale too, on the same week that sadly saw beloved brand Homesense announced its departure from the shopping centre.

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New retailers have also been found for the former Topshop unit, with Clarks and Gilly Hicks set to move in.

Elsewhere, brands including Flying Tiger, Miniso and Sports Direct have all taken up new units too.

Featured image: The Manc Group

Shopping

The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess to host ‘Merch Market’ in aid of bands

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Tim Burgess, frontman of legendary band The Charlatans, is set to launch a one-off ‘Merch Market’ event, and its core purpose is to support bands.

He might have a ‘Jesus Hairdo’ but he’s currently serving as a good Samaritan as The Charlatans‘ Tim Burgess is putting on an event solely focusing on funding bands via gig merch and other apparel.

Running across a variety of live music locations within Manchester city centre, the day-long event is called ‘Merch Market’, and it’s encouraging music lovers and bands alike to tag along.

Although ticket sales, album sales and streams are critical in funding the careers of all the artists we know and love, one key drive in securing actual revenue in the music industry is merchandise.

The Charlatans Tim Burgess to host 'Merch Market' supporting bands.
Expect to pick up some rare finds and own some limited edition collections.
The Charlatans Tim Burgess to host 'Merch Market' supporting bands.
Band merch will be front and centre at this event which is hosted by The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess.
Credit: The Hoot/Audio North

‘Merch Market’ is taking place at O2 Ritz as well as adjacent venues Gorilla and Dog Bowl across the road with a special appearance from ‘Tim Peak’s Diner’, the caffeinated brainchild of Tim Burgess.

The whole point of this event is to make sure that bands can receive the full 100% of merch sales without any cuts from any third party.

Fronted by The Charlatans lead singer Tim Burgess, ‘Merch Market’ is building off his 2021 gathering, which had a similar initiative with ‘Vinyl Adventure’ encouraging the sale of physical music and media.

Alongside stocking up your wardrobe with all the latest band t-shirts, hoodies and everything in between, there will be an array of interesting performances and talks happening throughout the day.

Entry to this incredible celebration of bands is completely free of charge and, better still, there are chances to win some seriously cool prizes – including some tasty festival tickets.

The Charlatans Tim Burgess to host 'Merch Market' supporting bands.
Gorilla is one of the live music venues that ‘Merch Market’ is taking place at.
The Charlatans Tim Burgess to host 'Merch Market' supporting bands.
The Manc and Antony Szmierek outside O2 RItz, another venue which will be taking part in ‘Merch Market’.
Credit: The Manc Group

Expect stalls, live DJ sets, interviews, panels and even a chance to bag yourself VIP tickets for UK festival, Kendal Calling, which Burgess will be returning for 2025.

Burgess is a man of many talents as he will not only be hosting this fantastic initiative, but he will also be hosting a stall of his own and singing a couple of his biggest hits.

Bands don’t have to worry about forking out a fortune for renting a stall either as tables at ‘Merch Market’ are free, the only thing musicians have to bring is their merch and charming personalities.

So whether you’re an artist with leftover stock from your last tour or a music lover who just missed out on snagging a snap back, head down to these three venues on 25 May.

This also doubles as the perfect opportunity for any fans of The Charlatans to buy that all-so-important merch ahead of their Castlefield Bowl gig this summer.

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And if you needed any more reason to go, may we remind you that Salford’s very own blonde, bowl-cut bombshell, Tim Burgess, will be in attendance.

Once again, ‘Merch Market’ hosted by the man himself is taking place on 25 May and is completely free to attend.

Bands and businesses looking to sell their merch can sign up through Help Us Help Bands HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

Shopping

Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as naughty

Danny Jones Danny Jones Get Baked new pistachio flavour Bertha cake

A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked that finally landed in Manchester this month – or, more accurately, the massive lines that followed.

Well, what if we told you were about to do the same all over again very soon?

Much to our personal delight and the dismay of our waistlines, Get Baked is set to cause more chaos in the Northern Quarter and beyond with their latest flavour, which is sure to go down a storm.

We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…

Credit: Get Baked (via Instagram)

Yes—scratch that; HELL YES! Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.

Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?

Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar’, people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.

With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.

Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”

In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:

@the.manc @GET BAKED® are giving away 1000 slices of Bertha right now at their new store in Northern Quarter and Manchester, you turned up 👏 #themanc #manchester #getbaked #giveaway #newopening #bakery #queue #manchesterfood #manchestereats #cake ♬ original sound – The Manc

Our friends over at The Hoot weren’t lying when they said this place was going to make a big splash when it landed in 0161 – and no, we won’t be telling you how much we’ve spent there already.

As for the Pistachio Bertha, Get Baked has confirmed that although there will only be a limited amount of portions up for grabs, it will be available both in person and to order online.

Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”

We’re also glad to hear she is on the mend following a recent health scare; we hope she eats as many slices of Pistachio Bertha as possible to celebrate. Big love and stay healthy – The Manc x

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Get Baked (via Instagram)/The Manc Group

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