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
First look at Topshop in Manchester as beloved brand returns to British high streets
Daisy Jackson
Topshop is officially back on British high streets, and if you’re old enough to remember the struggle of contorting yourself into a pair of Joni jeans, you’re going to want to pay attention to this news…
The iconic fashion giant shut its stores back in 2021, leaving a huge hole in shopping centres across the nation.
But now Topshop and Topman are back in stores, with 32 new Topshop retail spaces and seven new Topman locations launching today.
Mancs will now be able to shop cult denim, statement jackets, and trend-driven wardrobe staples (just like the golden days of Topshop) at the Trafford Centre.
It’s all thanks to a new nationwide partnership with John Lewis, which will see a curated edit of around 130 styles available in-store across womenswear, menswear and footwear.
In store, that includes a full range of jeans (including those beloved Joni and Jamie jeans, plus more modern barrel-leg styles), graphic tees, knitwear, bomber jackets, and dresses.
There are Topshop retail spaces inside John Lewis at both the Trafford Centre and in Cheadle, but our closest Topman will be across in Leeds.
John Lewis has also become the exclusive UK physical retailer for Topshop footwear for SS26.
Inside Topshop at the Trafford Centre in ManchesterThe iconic Joni and Jamie jeans are back
Michelle Wilson, managing director of Topshop, said: “Today is about making it easier for customers to access the Topshop and Topman pieces they love.
“From our cult denim to new‐season footwear, you can see it, feel it and take it home the same day. Partnering with John Lewis brings Topshop back to high streets across the UK with the level of service our customers expect.”
Peter Ruis, managing director of John Lewis, added: “Topshop and Topman are brands with enormous cultural relevance, and their return to physical retail is something our customers are genuinely excited about.
“This partnership reflects our focus on bringing iconic names, strong style and compelling experiences into our stores.”
First Look: Matcha Made and The Trafford Centre makes for a perfect marriage
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s newest matcha spot just dropped, and we know it’s an easy pun, but it really does feel like a match made in heaven.
Just picture the scene: there’s a big birthday or holiday coming up, so you’ve arrived at The Trafford Centre early to get in a full day of shopping, eating and being generally leisurely – but you need an early caffeine fix and maybe some light, fluffy yet still filling pastry to keep you going.
There are very few places better to start this kind of day than at Matcha Made, who’ve just opened up in the North West’s massive and most famous shopping mall.
Fronted by a lovely lineup of smiling staff who couldn’t do enough for you and are more than happy to give you advice or simply plug their own recommendations, we can see ourselves coming back here for the service alone.
They’ve arrived in the big leisure complex just in time for February half-term, too, meaning any parents needing an alternative caffeine hit can fuel up right here.
Specialising in the Japanese and super healthy green tea craze that currently has the UK in a chokehold, only directly out of a tap – almost like a zen twist of draught beer taps – the art is not only in how green the raw matcha itself tastes but in the flavours and finishing touches.
This stylish pastel green hatch might not be the only place to get your matcha on in The Trafford Centre, but it might just be the best already.
It was immediately apparent that the staff had a clear favourite: the Biscoff foam version, but they said their simple but sweet and satisfying strawberry one has also proved to be one of the most popular.
There’s plenty of fruity options to choose from; they’ve got their own take on the fellow contemporary trend of banana pudding for anyone looking for a fix, and even ume plum, or you can just go for a straight-up coffee or hot chocolate as well.
So yeah, even if your partner isn’t quite ready to admit they’re a secret ‘matcha girlie’, then they can spend a little bit more time lying to themselves over this side of the menu.
Whether you want it topped with cream, shavings or a light dusting of cocoa powder, you can make this little drink just about as decorative as you like.
Besides being more reasonably priced than we were expecting, given the ongoing matcha boom, you’ve also got the big bonus of a fridge stocked with bakes from local favourite La Chouqette. Sold.
Daisy Jackson -
10th February 2023 
