Two increasingly popular clothing brands, UN:IK and bound, are joining forces to bring a week-long celebration of independent business and indie fashion culture to Manchester with an exciting pop-up which opens this week.
From this Friday (27 October) until Saturday, 4 November, the UN:IK x bound hybrid pop-up shop will be open throughout the day in one of the city centre’s newest mini-districts and tourist traps Road, Circle Square over on Oxford Road.
Already home to various exciting and similarly thriving independent bars and restaurants, as well as growing gig venue Canvas, the area will soon play host to the new pop-up event where shoppers can check out lines from both burgeoning brands.
They can do all this whilst also enjoying complimentary treats not only from Manc favourite dessert spot, Gooey, but the likes of Allpress and Companio, as well as some cheeky free booze from Sly Dog Rum and another local fave, Shindigger. You had us at free.
The pop-up itself kicks off on Friday with an exclusive preview for friends, family and special guests from 4pm onwards, where there will be free coffee courtesy of Allpress and pastries from artisan bakery Companio, not to mention a few pizza slices from Nell’s.
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However, the week-long event as a whole promises plenty of freebies for everyone, as well as performances from resident NAM DJs such as Stell’s Selections, Mezrec’s and Didds; Neil Summers, Disco Stu, Enos, Shadev.
Once again, there will be a range of beverages (both alcoholic and soft ) served by Shindigger, Laid Bear, Intune CBD and Seven Brothers, and when the pop-up opens to the public on Saturday, customers can grab their free coffee and a famous Gooey cookie on the house. We’d go for that alone, to be honest.
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While the collaboration officially ends next Saturday, there’s plenty of time to stop by and make the most of the limited-time-only showcase and on Tuesday, 31 October, shoppers can enjoy a special Halloween-themed event taking place with Sly Dog Rum and Shindigger — and more cookie, of course.
The UN:IK and bound pop-up’s closing Party will take place on Friday, 3 November, which will be soundtracked by the local DJs mentioned above, along with the freebies we’ve already mentioned.
In the time between Friday and then, however, all visitors can get their hands on a free coffee at the very least, as well as a co-branded coffee bag by bound x Allpress available to purchase in-store.
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There will also be a special Mele x Club Bad release for UN:IK Clothing, as well as three new in-house brands on show at the store, not to mention an exclusive sale rail of existing lines.
It doesn’t stop there either; a range of different cuisines throughout the week is yet to be unveiled (we’d put our money on some tasty snacks from NAM since they’re already attached), as well as more local DJs supplying sounds and free gifts being handed out.
The pop-up will be open from 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday and from 11am-4pm on Sunday, but the venue will still open later on the days of the special events. See you there.
Featured Image — UN:IK Clothing/Circle Square (via Instagram)/bound
Shopping
River Island reopens Manchester Arndale store – and it’s unrecognisable
Daisy Jackson
River Island in the Manchester Arndale shopping centre is ready to reopen after a major makeover, and it’s bigger than ever.
The stunning space now spans 13,947 square feet and comes with interactive fitting rooms where you can order extra sizes on an iPad, self-checkouts, and a limited-edition collection exclusive to the Arndale.
The huge shop’s refurb follows a similar move at their Trafford Centre store, where River Island moved into the former Topshop unit.
Now, the three-storey store in the heart of the Arndale has been given a lick of duck-egg blue, and transformed into a beachy paradise.
Officially throwing its doors open this morning, Thursday 25 April, with Lucy Mecklenburgh cutting the ribbon, the huge shop is already welcoming hordes of shoppers.
Over the weekend, you’ll spot plenty of activations to celebrate River Island’s relaunch.
There are people carrying gigantic shopping bags handing out scratch cards with different discounts on, a Spin the Wheel with prizes, free coffees, a pop-up flower cart and loads more.
And the first people to spend more than £55 on each day between 25 and 28 April will receive a limited-edition tote bag.
High-tech changing rooms at the new River Island in the Manchester ArndaleAccessories in River Island’s new Manchester Arndale storeThe kids’ clothing collection in River IslandAccessories in River Island’s new Manchester Arndale store
This new River Island store has a limited-edition collection of one-off, premium pieces featuring exclusive fabrics and luxury detailing.
The 19-piece, bohemian-inspired collection starts at £45 and will only be available in the Arndale store.
Inside you’ll find all the usual River Island goodies, including a huge amount of holiday shop items, plus denim, occasion-wear, shoes, handbags, and kids’ clothing.
The new River Island store will open on 25 April in The Arndale shopping centre in Manchester.
Sephora confirms opening date for new megastore at Manchester’s Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
Beauty fans rejoice – Sephora has finally announced plans to open a store in Manchester, and soon.
The world-famous retailer, which stops luxury skincare and makeup brands as well as cult items, has secured a spot in the Trafford Centre.
This will be the third UK store for Sephora, which currently has two shops down in London, and its first trip up north.
And after a fair bit of teasing and plenty of rumours, they’ve confirmed that their next megastore will be right here in Greater Manchester.
Hoardings have appeared inside the Trafford Centre, plastered in Sephora’s black and white branding, around a unit next to AllSaints.
The signs read: “Manchester, you called it. Our first Northern store in 2024.”
Sephora says it will ‘redefine the beauty landscape in the North with an extraordinary product range that caters to the diverse needs of beauty enthusiasts’.
Cult brands stocked at Sephora include Huda Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, The Ordinary, Glossier and Makeup by Mario.
Sephora wrote on Instagram: “You heard correctly — Sephora is coming to the TRAFFORD CENTRE, MANCHESTER.
“Get your shopping baskets ready as we’re on our way up north! More to be revealed soon, see you in 2024…”
The Trafford Centre shared: “You asked, we listened! The wait is over….your @sephorauk opens late Spring 2024.”
Sarah Boyd, managing director of Sephora UK, said: “We are extremely excited to bring Sephora to Manchester, one of the most vibrant cities for beauty in the UK.
“Expanding our presence beyond London is something that consumers have been screaming out for, and we are listening hard to them when deciding where to go next.
“The Trafford Centre, known for its iconic atmosphere and diverse retail offering, is the perfect location for our third store.”
Russell Loveland, managing director at Pradera Lateral – Trafford Centre’s Asset Managers, said: “This iconic beauty giant already has a cult following, and our own social media has been blowing up with enquiries from excited customers eager for Sephora to open.
“We are very proud Sephora chose the Trafford Centre for its next location, which will be its first store in the North of England, and know it will be a fantastic success and a great addition to our strong international brand lineup.”
One person commented on Sephora’s Instagram post: “This is the best news I’ve heard all year!”
Another said: “OMG ITS HAPPENING, STAY CALM”
And someone wrote on Trafford Centre’s post: “Omg omg can’t wait.”
Danny Jones -
27th October 2023 
