Cheshire Oaks is set to host a day of free workshops teaching fashion fans how to upcycle their clothes ready for the summer.
With the fashion scene continuing to rapidly evolve, more and more people are now starting to see the benefits of upcycling their clothes and accessories, rather than constantly trying to keep up with fast-moving trend cycles – and this is why Cheshire Oaks is giving people the chance to learn how to “renew, recreate, repair, and restyle” at a pop-up event this weekend.
The Cheshire-based Designer Outlet is teaming up with actress and slow-fashion advocate, Kimberly Hart-Simpson, for the ‘Refresher Oaks‘ event on Saturday 22 April.
As the founder and owner of Hartwork – a clothing boutique that specialises in reworked items and vintage wear – when Kimberley is not starring on the small screen in Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, and Celebs Go Dating, she spends her time educating people about sustainable fashion and is passionate about breathing new life into her customers’ existing wardrobes.
Cheshire Oaks to host a day of free fashion ‘upcycling’ workshops / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
“The speed that fashion and trends evolve these days is hard to keep up with, not just for our minds, but for the planet and for our bank balance too,” Kimberley admits.
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“I’m passionate about taking what you have and making it work for you, so that everything you buy is timeless and built to last, and so I’m very much looking forward to sharing my years of expertise and practice with the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet community”.
Four free fashion-focused workshops, each with a different sustainable theme, are all set to take place throughout the day.
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‘Refresher Oaks’ will teach you how to rework your wardrobe for summer / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
Kicking off the day from 10:30am-12pm, Kimberly Hart-Simpson’s ‘Renew’ class will teach lifelong upcycling skills and show people how to rework an item of clothing into something they’ll love wearing again and again, all before little ones are invited to take part in the ‘Recreate’ class from 12:15-1:30pm.
This interactive class will not only teach kids about the benefits of upcycling, but also give them the chance to create their very-own personalised tote bags using recycled fabrics, paints, and embellishments.
The first workshop of the afternoon from 2-3pm will focus on learning how to ‘Repair’, with a seamstress sharing how to fix and adjust your own clothes with minimal effort, before the day will be rounded-out with the final workshop, ‘Restyle’, teaching how to turn old unworn clothes into fashionable cushions from 3:30-4:30pm.
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People are encouraged to bring along pieces from their own wardrobes to upcycle during the workshops, but Cheshire Oaks will also be on hand to provide items if not.
The Designer Outlet has partnered with Kimberley Hart-Simspon for the one-day event / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
“We believe that fashion should last a lifetime, not a season,” Cheshire Oaks’ General Manager, Kenny Murray, said ahead of this Saturday’s event.
“We know that visitors to McArthurGlen Cheshire Oaks value high quality clothing and accessories from premium brands, which is why we are thrilled to partner with Kimberly Hart-Simpson to create the first-ever ‘Refresher Oaks’ campaign… [and] continue our commitment to creating unique experiences for our guests by giving the opportunity to breathe life into their unwanted clothes.”
Refresher Oaks is arriving at McArthur Glen Cheshire Oaks Design Outlet on Saturday 22 April, and you can find out more and sign up to workshops for free here.
Featured Image – Cheshire Oaks
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Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Featured Images — Great Run Company/AJ Bell (supplied)
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A candlelit Queen tribute concert is returning to Manchester
Danny Jones
Yes, you read that right: a candlelit concert dedicated to the one and only Queen, with a spectacular West End Cast and a talented live rock band, is coming to Manchester city centre in January.
In fact, it’s coming home, as this wonderful event started right here in 0161 back in 2021.
Concerts by Candlelight themselves host concerts up and down the country at various points throughout the year, but their much-loved ‘Queen by Candlelight‘ special knows all about lighting up Manc venues.
Having since gone on to become an internationally acclaimed live concert experience, we’re glad we still get to see the ‘Princes of the Universe’ on our doorstep.
Credit: Concerts by Candlelight (supplied)
With the likes of Bridgewater Hall and the magical Manchester Monastery all having played host to the promotion on many ocassions, this time Queen by Candlelight is coming to the legendary Manchester Opera House in the new year.
One of our most historic and legendary theatres, it’s only fitting, really, that they be chosen to welcome a night of equally iconic tunes.
But it’s worth reminding more casual fans that these aren’t just British rock and pop anthems; Queen‘s discography is one that still has global recognition to this day.
That’s why this specific show has been taken to virtually every corner of the world, with the incredibly talented cast of singers and musicians delighting audiences in Dubai, Australia, New Zealand and New York, to domestic crowds here in town and down in London’s West End.
‘Queenies’ or ‘Darlings’, as Freddie Mercury used to call them, can expect all the big hits, from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Are The Champions’, to ‘It’s a Kind of Magic’ and ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ and plenty more from the back catalogue.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store this coming January:
With tickets already flying out fast, we really would recommend securing your seats early before they inevitably sell out.
To quote the promoters themselves, “this spectacular celebration of Queen’s biggest hits is guaranteed to rock you.”
Coming to the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, 6 January, you can book your tickets for Queen by Candlelight right HERE.
And if you’ve never been to one of their candlelit events before, you only need to see how much of a ball we had at their country event earlier this year to find out how much fun they are…
Emily Sergeant -
20th April 2023 
