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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
“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 begins months-long refurb of its iconic The Orient foodhall
Emily Sergeant
A new era for The Orient is on the horizon, as the Trafford Centre has begun its months-long refresh of its iconic foodhall.
Forming part of its ongoing commitment to ‘enhancing the visitor experience’, the Trafford Centre is investing in a major refresh of seating and customer facilities within The Orient – creating a more vibrant and welcoming environment for guests to eat, meet and relax.
Works are now underway and will be delivered in phases over the coming months.
Improvements are being carried out in phases to minimise disruption to shoppers, while creating a more comfortable and contemporary dining environment at the same time.
The refreshed area will increase seating capacity by more than 60%, introducing a range of new seating styles in the process – including banquettes, family-friendly tables, accessible seating for guests with mobility requirements, and dedicated areas equipped with phone and laptop charging facilities.
The Trafford Centre begins months-long refurb of its iconic The Orient foodhall / Credit: The Manc Group
Inspired by The Orient’s longstanding maritime heritage, the design takes cues from a contemporary cruise liner, and the space will also feature upgraded furniture and enhanced lighting, alongside flexible areas designed to encourage visitors to spend more time in there.
There’ll also be modern furnishings and a ‘refreshed’ colour palette to create a brighter and welcoming environment.
“The Orient is one of the most popular destinations within Trafford Centre, welcoming millions of visitors each year,” a Trafford Centre spokesperson said on the refurb.
“This investment reflects our commitment to continually improving the experience for our guests, creating a more modern, comfortable and social environment where visitors can meet, dine and spend time together.
“The improvements will not only significantly increase seating capacity but also deliver a much more flexible and accessible space for all visitors to enjoy.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Shopping
Home Bargains has announced a special two-day closure of all UK stores
Emily Sergeant
Home Bargains has, once again, announced it’ll be closing all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year.
And it’s to make sure staff get a ‘well deserved break’.
After what has been yet another busy year for the retail industry, many workers have been left feeling like they could do with a little extra time off, which is why Home Bargains is following on with what has become a now-annual tradition by shutting up shop on two bank holidays.
All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Years Day.
Announcing the move in a post on social media, the discount retailer confirmed: “All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Years Day. We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time the retailer has kept its doors shut on bank holidays.
Many shoppers will recall it has made the same decision to give hardworking staff a break every year since 2019.
Explaining a little more about the decision taken to close all its stores, Home Bargains said: “As a family-run business, we know the importance of being together at Christmas with those we care about most, now more than ever.
Daisy Jackson -
15th November 2022 
