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 GroupCult favourites like Starface pimple patches are on sale in the new-look Superdrug. Credit: The Manc GroupThe 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 GroupThe 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.”
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
A big preloved school uniform shop is opening in Greater Manchester this summer
Emily Sergeant
A popular pre-worn school uniform shop where you can grab items at ‘affordable’ prices is reopening in Greater Manchester for the summer.
As the cost of living crisis sadly still continues to make its impact felt nationwide, Stockport‘s popular pre-worn uniform shop will throw open its doors for the fifth year running, and families are encouraged to clear out wardrobes, pass on school uniform items, and help local children head back to school for a fraction of the usual cost.
The initiative has seen thousands of items donated and sold to the local community throughout the past few years, helping families save money while also keeping perfectly wearable school uniforms out of landfill.
Not only that, but the scheme has also raised thousands of pounds for local charities thanks to incredible public generosity – with all proceeds from this year’s shop going towards Emmie’s Kitchen.
A big preloved school uniform shop is opening in Greater Manchester this summer / Credit: Matthew Nichol (Supplied)
As always, the shop will be popping up inside the town’s Merseyway Shopping Centre for the summer holidays to provide locals with massive savings.
Before then though up until Monday 10 August, a dedicated donation bin will be available for shoppers to drop off clean, reusable, good-quality school uniform items ready to be resold at affordable prices.
The pop-up shop will then return for one week only from Friday 14 – Friday 21 August, offering every item for 50p each, making it easier than ever for families to stock up on school essentials.
The scheme accepts items that are suitable for Stockport-based schools, however families with children outside of Stockport will find a variety of suitable items too.
“It’s incredible to see how this initiative has grown over the last five years,” commented Victoria Nichol, who is the Centre Manager at Merseyway.
“What started as a simple idea has become something the whole community gets behind, with families returning year after year to donate uniforms, shop sustainably and support local charities.
“School uniforms are only worn for a short time before children outgrow them, so if your child’s is still in great condition, why not pass them on? Every donated blazer, jumper, PE kit or pair of shoes could make a real difference to another local family, while also helping reduce clothing waste.
“It’s a small gesture that has a huge impact.”
Featured Image – Matthew Nichol (Supplied)
Shopping
Drama Call opening first-ever flagship shop in Manchester
Danny Jones
Streetwear superstars Drama Call are opening their new flagship store and first-ever permanent site in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Expect massive queues and lots turning up wearing the increasingly recognisable starry logo.
Already a much-loved brand not just here in 0161 but across the nation at large, the native independent business turned street-style favourites and UK fashion phenomenon are no strangers to HUGE pop-ups in their hometown.
However, they’ve never had a mainstay location anywhere in the country, let alone Greater Manchester – well, until now, that is…
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Debuting in the Northern Quarter this Sunday, the venue located on Tib Street will effectively serve as Drama Call‘s new HQ.
The local label has done everything from popping up vans with Manc rapper Aitch to collaborating with Man United for multiple limited edition collections, so it only felt like a matter of time before they’d make a big brick-and-mortar splash in our fair city.
Most notably, they’re also taking over the same unit as the Sheep Shop, a former skate shop and legendary urban clothing tastemaker of the 90s; they were one of the first places in Britain to stock famous names like Stüssy, Supreme, Carhartt, The North Face and many more.
With that in mind, it feels only fitting that they carry on the trendsetting tradition from the same premises, and just spitting distance from the likes of Note, as well.
And that’s not all, either: before the full launch, they’ll also be holding an exclusive cash-only shirt swap event, where a limited number of certain collector’s items will be sold for as little as £10.
Other things to note are the additions of signed vinyls by homegrown artists such as the aforementioned Aitch and even The Smiths.
In fact, the store will also feature strictly Mancunian exclusives, too.
Everything from polo shirts and tees to branded mugs, matchboxes and other accessories will be available in-store only.
NQ is bound to be buzzing across launch weekend, with doors officially opening to the public on Sunday, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see people camping outside the front well ahead of time.
What a moment the Manc shopping scene is having right now.
Daisy Jackson -
10th February 2023 
