Shopping

You can swap your clothes for free beer at the Trafford Centre this week

All for a more sustainable winter... plus also, free beer

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 15th November 2022

You’ll be able to trade in your clothes for a free beer at the Trafford Centre this week, as a collaboration between one of the country’s best-known breweries and a clothes waste charity.

The Camden Chilly Traid-Off will invite shoppers down to swap their old clothes for a cold one.

The scheme has already travelled to Leeds and is now heading to London, before arriving in Manchester on Wednesday 17 November.

It all comes from Camden Town Brewery – who are launching a new Chilly Cold IPA – and Traid, who want to encourage people to shop more sustainably this chilly season.

The brewery’s new Cold IPA is actually named after the new hybrid brewing style, rather than its serving temperature.

Camden Town Brewery and Traid are coming to the Trafford Centre. Credit: Supplied

The tour of the UK will allow people to take in their pre-loved clothing to the Traid van, from too-long trousers to too-big dresses, and swap them for a can or two of Chilly.

Traid says that more than 300,000 tonnes of clothing ends up in landfill every year in the UK, 40% of which is estimated to be in a reusable condition.

The charity also found that there are 1.6 billion pieces of unworn clothing in British wardrobes, so say it’s ‘time to give those garms to people who will love ‘em in return for fresh beer’.

Jose Baladron, TRAID’s Recycling Development Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Camden Town Brewery to keep clothes in use for longer.

“Our wardrobes are full of clothes we no longer wear or need and extending the life of the clothes we already have is one of the most environmentally beneficial things we can do to reduce our waste, water and carbon footprints.”

Fred Nesbitt, head of marketing at Camden Town Brewery, said: “We are so excited to be working with TRAID again for the Camden Chilly TRAID Off.

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“There’s nothing we love more than good beer for a good cause, and we are encouraging Brits to dig deep into the back of their wardrobe this winter, to come down and donate any unwanted coats or jackets in exchange for our freshest new IPA.

“We usually have the pleasure of visiting Manchester and Leeds in summer for our Tank Party Tour, so we are really looking forward to heading on tour this Chilly season instead!”

The Camden Chilly Traid-Off will be at the Trafford Centre with free beers between 12pm and 4pm on Wednesday 17 November.

Featured image: Supplied

Shopping

Trafford Centre’s massive student night returns next month with up to 30% off on big brands

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Shopping at the Trafford Centre

Students can get themselves up to 30% off on food, activities, and loads of big-name brands at the Trafford Centre next month.

With thousands of new and returning students set to start arriving for the new academic year at Greater Manchester‘s universities over the next couple of weeks, one of the region’s biggest student nights will be making a long-awaited comeback for one night only next month, and there’ll be lots of exclusive offers and free entertainment to make the most of across the evening.

Taking over the Trafford Centre in early October, the popular one-off student night is happening in partnership with Student Shopping UK, and gives cash-strapped students the chance to shop a variety of incredible discounts all under one roof.

Just some of the big brands offering big discounts include 20% off at Levi’s, 20% off at Tommy Hilfiger, 20% off River Island, 20% off at All Saints, 25% off at Boux Avenue, and 15% off at both Hotel Chocolat, and Monica Vinader at Selfridges.

Rituals, Flying Tiger, New Look, and Office are just a couple of the other shops you can head to for some savings.

It’s not just retail brands you’ll be able to save some pennies on either, as many of the Trafford Centre’s restaurants and cafes will also be offering discounts and freebies on the night too, with 20% off at places like Wagamama and Barburrito, 25% off The Real Greek, and £5 pizzas and exclusive discounts at the new Franco Manca.

You can also tuck into cut-price foodie feasts at Yo Sushi, KFC, and Costa, while places like Gymshark, Boots, Paradise Island Adventure Golf, and Selfridges are some of the places doing giveaways, workshops, offering freebies and prizes, and more.

And, if all of that wasn’t exciting enough as it is, you can expect live music to entertain you whilst you shop – with DJ blasting tunes all night long.

Trafford Centre’s massive student night returns next month with up to 30% off on big brands / Credit: Trafford Centre

“Our annual Student Night is always hugely popular,” commented Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre.

“This year we’ve secured some amazing deals and exclusive savings from many of our stores and restaurants.

“With frequent tram services from Manchester city centre on Metrolink’s Trafford Park line, plus regular buses from all over the region, now’s your chance to experience the unique vibe of the Trafford Centre.”

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The Trafford Centre’s Student Night is happening on Thursday 2 October from 6-10pm, and students can now reserve themselves a spot by registering online here.

Featured Image – Trafford Centre

Shopping

Asda is being praised for its revolutionary and affordable new ‘adaptive’ clothing range

Danny Jones Danny Jones Asda launch new disability friendly adaptive clothing range

UK supermarket ASDA and its in-house clothing brand, George, are being praised for their affordable new ‘adaptive’ clothing range, which could prove revolutionary for countless Brits.

The new 28-piece collection is aimed at people with additional and complex needs, providing comfortable and carefully designed clothes to suit disabled individuals.

Announced on Monday, 8 September, the new accessibility-driven line of fashion is set to be made available to order online next week.

Speaking via an official press release, qualified medical professional Sarah Phillips (who has been directly involved in the initial adaptive trial herself) has dubbed the upcoming range as nothing short of “a game-changer.”

Credit: George at Asda (press shot)

Phillips, who lives with a neuromuscular disease that requires a feeding tube, catheter, and extensive scans, says ASDA’s adaptive range is “not just designed for people who need it – it’s designed by people who need it, and that’s what sets it apart.”

Noting that the impressive amount of first-hand knowledge pulled from those living with various disabilities is what makes “it far better than anything else available” on the market right now, the revolutionary adaptive range is crucially costed up at a price point in keeping with ASDA‘s values.

For example, the cheapest item starts at just £11 and the most expensive is still only £24.

Most importantly, all of the designs include key features to create as much ease in the wearer’s life as possible, such as hospital-friendly plastic zips, openings for feeding tubes, discreet pockets for stoma bags and more.

This comes after Alex Newman – the husband of late breast cancer campaigner, Nicky Newman, whose story inspired this particular adaptive range – said that struggling to get in and out of clothes was not only a frustrating part of her battle, but that she “found it undignified”.

“She looked for adapted clothing she could wear”, he adds, “but there wasn’t much choice. She bought a jumper from one brand and, while it really helped her, it cost £90 – a huge expense at a time when our finances were already impacted by her leaving her job due to the effects of cancer on her health.”

Nicky sadly passed away on 17 September 2023.

Karl Doyle, Vice President of George Clothing, said in an official statement: “We have worked closely with Nicky, Alex and their network of friends to create this bold adaptive range that we hope has fulfilled Nicky’s wishes.

“We have taken time and passion to really understand the specific needs of each item produced – how we can make them more comfortable, fashionable, affordable and dignified. Today is such a proud moment to see the range launch; we hope it’ll benefit many more people with specific treatment needs.”

The entire ASDA adaptive clothing range drops online-only in full on Monday, 15 September; for now, you can see the full list of all 28 items, find out more information on each, and read more touching tributes about Nicky and the journey behind this disability-friendly clothing revolution HERE.

Congratulations to everyone involved with this inspirational and heartwarming project – you’ve done yourselves, Nicky and countless people living with disabilities SO proud.

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Featured Images — ASDA/George/@eastleighbusman (via Flickr)

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