Over in Levenshulme, there’s a person who’s set up a popular zero-waste store in their garden shed. – and we’re in love with how quirky it all is
Known to locals as The Sustainable Shed, the shop encourages residents to minimise their plastic use and impact on the planet, by creating a place where old bottles and containers can be refilled with eco-friendly products.
According to its owner, only a third of plastic packaging used in consumer products currently gets recycled every year.
But with a little neighbourly goodwill (and some help from his trusty shed), they are hoping to help change that.
Image: The Sustainable Shed
Accessed via a back alley, or ginnel, the shed’s address is simply listed as ‘The Alley’ – and when you pull it up on Google Street View, it can barely be seen.
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It really is a place designed to be discovered, adding a bit of adventure to your sustainable shopping trip.
Making sure to practice what they preach, at The Sustainable Shed all products are bought in bulk and then returned to distributors to be recycled.
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Venture inside, and you’ll discover walls full of refillable cleaning products, ethical shampoo, conditioner, and bathing products – including a large selection of the popular Faith in Nature vegan haircare range.
You’ll also find recyclable kitchen towels, laundry detergent sheets, and EcoZone soap nuts, the shells of which contain a natural soap, called Saponi, which creates a soaping effect when mixed with water.
Image: The Sustainable Shed
Elsewhere, you’ll find all sorts of eco-friendly personal hygiene products like shaving bars, exfoliating sheets, facial cleansing bars, and innumerable styles of soap.
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Bamboo toothbrushes, jars of body butter, and various other lotions and potions can also be found in plentiful supply.
Surprisingly full for such a small space, but not to the extent where you have to watch your step as you move around, you really can find everything you need here to help you live a more sustainable and eco-friendly life.
Open on the weekends only, pop down between 11am-2pm on Fridays, 11am-4pm Saturdays and 11am-3pm Sundays to get your eco fix at what must be the most unusual and quirky zero waste shop in Manchester.
Feature image – The Sustainable Shed
Shopping
M&S to expand and create flagship store on major Greater Manchester retail park
Emily Sergeant
M&S has announced expansion plans to create a regional flagship store on a major Greater Manchester retail park.
Only a couple of years after the major retailer permanently closed the doors to its multi-floored store in Bolton town centre back in April 2023, citing changing shopping habits and sparking widespread concerns about the town’s high street, M&S has now revealed grand plans to expand its Middlebrook branch.
The M&S at Middlebrook – which is the largest retail park in the UK – became the only store in the borough following the town centre closure.
While the building on Deansgate in Bolton has remained vacant ever since its closure nearly two years ago, ahead of the anticipated demolition and redevelopment of the town’s Crompton Place shopping centre, it’s not the only site set to receive an upgrade.
M&S will be expanding into two vacant units, including the former Wilko unit, at the Horwich-based retail park.
M&S to expand and create a flagship store on a major Greater Manchester retail park / Credit: Google Maps
Developers Orbit Developments is working with M&S to relocate Boots, which is the other unit which M&S will expand into, and on top of this, a small extension built will also be built onto the back.
Alternative premises have been offered to Boots, according to developers, and they expect the company will stay at Middlebrook.
Set to be a “flagship” store for the region following the redevelopment, Orbit Developments says the new M&S will bring a “renewed vibrancy” to the retail park, and will benefit both customers and the wider community.
More than 100 new jobs will also be created.
“This new brand-defining M&S full line store will significantly enhance the shopping experience for customers in the area and strengthen the retail offering for Bolton at Middlebrook, while creating around 108 new jobs and offering a boost to the local economy,” Orbit Developments said in a statement.
Expansion work is expected to start later in 2025, with the new store expected to open to the public in December 2026.
M&S says it plans to continue trading throughout the redevelopment.
Featured Image – Google Maps
Shopping
Hello Oriental opens new ‘seriously affordable’ Asian food hall at the Trafford Centre
Emily Sergeant
Manchester gem Hello Oriental is finally opening its new Asian food hall at the Trafford Centre this weekend.
The renowned East Asian street food hub has already taken Manchester city centre by storm since opening its original venue at Circle Square, just off Oxford Road, back in February 2022, and been has receiving rave reviews ever since – with critics notably calling the experience “a lot of fun” and “seriously affordable”.
But now, the Manchester-founded brand has chosen the Trafford Centre as the first UK shopping centre location to bring its trademark street food dining concept to.
There’ll be more than 100 delicious dishes for customers to choose from when the new site opens in the Upper Orient this Saturday.
Hello Oriental has opened a new Asian food hall at the Trafford Centre / Credit: The Manc Group
Hello Oriental owners and childhood best friends, Ricky Yip and Azim Kourah, say they have selected some of the most popular dishes from the Manchester city centre site’s extensive menu for the new Trafford Centre restaurant.
This means diners at the Trafford Centre can enjoy traditional dishes from across East Asia – including a wide range of Dim Sum, hearty main dishes like Taiwanese pork belly with rice, traditional favourites like beef Ho fun, and loads of different Cantonese roast meats.
There’ll also be a wide selection of street food available, like Korean fried chicken, loaded katsu chicken fries, and three varieties of sticky chicken wings.
There’s also plenty for the little Mancs to tuck into too, as there’ll be a full kid’s menu available at the new Trafford Centre site, with options for both those with “adventurous” junior palates, to those who prefer “more familiar” tastes.
“We’re so excited to open in the Trafford Centre and give shoppers the chance to try our dishes from across East Asia,” commented co-owner, Ricky Yip, ahead of the new opening.
“Many of the dishes on the menu were enjoyed by Azim and I growing up, cooked by my family, or served in family restaurants, and it’s wonderful to see other families come to Hello Oriental to enjoy these flavours.”
Georgina Pellant -
28th April 2022 
