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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Manchester’s Barton Aerodrome announces huge line-up of outdoor gigs including McFly, JLS and UB40
Daisy Jackson
Three new shows have been announced for an open-air gig series at Barton Aerodrome this summer.
Barton LIVE has today confirmed that McFly, JLS and UB40 will be taking to the stage, where the backdrop will be the bustling runway of Barton Airport.
The summer series also includes performances from The Jacksons Live, 90s Baby Festival, and Boogietown North.
Barton LIVE’s summer series takes place at one of the country’s most unique and exhilarating settings at Barton Aerodrome, where the worlds of music and aviation come together.
The three new shows that have just been announced kick off with McFly on Thursday 12 September.
The pop-rockers, famed for their hits like Five Colours In Her Hair, All About You and Obviously, will take centre stage with a typically high-energy performance.
Then on Saturday 14 September, the stage will be given over to British boy band royalty JLS, whose chart-topping hits include Beat Again, Everybody in Love, and She Makes Me Wanna.
Their signature blend of R&B, pop, soul and silky-smooth vocals will be part of Barton LIVE’s star-studded end-of-summer line-up.
Finally, on Sunday 15 September, legendary reggae band UB40 featuring Ali Campbell will perform.
They’ll be whisking audiences away to the warm and vibrant Caribbean through their iconic reggae rhythms and songs like Red Red Wine, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and Kingston Town.
Tickets for McFly, JLS and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell at Barton LIVE will be available on Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up for tickets via www.bartonlive.co.uk
Over the course of the summer, the stage at Barton Aerodrome will welcome the likes of Ronan Keating, The Jacksons, Peter Andre, Blue, Eternal, Sister Sledge Ft Kathy Sledge, Soul II Soul, Boney M and many more.
Barton LIVE line-up in full for outdoor gig series at Barton Aerodrome
Friday 19July – The Jacksons LIVE (The Jacksons, Kenny Thomas, Soul Boutique Collective) – tickets £39.50 plus booking fee via Skiddle here.
Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July – 90s Baby Festival (Ronan Keating, Eternal, Peter Andre, Blue, Five, A1, Scott Mills, 911, Sonique, Blazin Squad, Dave Pearce, Phats & Small, N-Trance, Happy Clappers Ft Sandra Edwards, Baby D, Alison Limerick, Ultrabeat, JX, Livin Joy Ft Luzahnn, Urban Cookie Collective, Nick Coulson + support) – tickets £39.50 from Skiddle here.
Saturday 27 July – Boogietown North (Sister Sledge Ft Kathy Sledge, Soul II Soul, Tunde Of Lighthouse Family, Boney M, Trevor Nelson, Craig Charles, Gina Breeze, Supernatire Disco, Nick Coulson) – tickets £39.50 from Skiddle here.
Thursday 12 September – McFly – tickets £44.50 plus booking fee, on sale Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up via bartonlive.co.uk
Saturday 14 September – JLS – tickets £49.50 plus booking fee, on sale Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up via bartonlive.co.uk
Sunday 15 September – UB40 featuring Ali Cambell, tickets £39.50 plus booking fee, on sale Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up via bartonlive.co.uk
Featured image: Supplied
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Popular Manchester Italian restaurant launches great-value express menu and mouth-watering new dishes
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s best Italian restaurants is ready to launch a brand new menu – with a top-value express deal too.
Italiana Fifty-Five, formerly known as the foodie favourite Cibo, is expanding its offering with even more authentic pastas, pizzas, salads and seafood dishes.
The restaurant has sites across Greater Manchester, including in the Great Northern, on Liverpool Road, and in Didsbury, all serving up authentic Italian food.
And now the family-friendly eatery is ready for a new season, with a whole host of new dishes to sink your teeth in to.
Italiana Fifty-Five’s new menu features a brand new Rigatoni Italiana, a spicy and rich pasta dish that’s baked so that it becomes a bubbling bowl of molten cheese and creamy tomato sauce.
Meatballs at Italiana Fifty-Five. Credit: The Manc GroupBurrata bruschetta and tiger prawns from Italiana Fifty-Five. Credit: The Manc GroupRisotto Zafferano with king prawns
They also have a new Risotto Zafferano, a risotto cooked in saffron and pecorino cheese so that it arrives glowing a healthy yellow, with the option to add king prawns on top.
For starters, there are new dishes like a mozzarella, avocado and tomato salad, meatballs swimming in a hearty tomato sauce, and a seafood stew with gigantic prawns and mussels.
You can also order huge tiger prawns cooked in garlic and chilli, their tender meat served still in their shells, or a roasted tomato bruschetta topped with fresh burrata.
All these new menu items (and more) are available at Italiana Fifty-Five now, along with a brand new Italian Express set menu.
Dishes on Italiana Fifty Five’s express menu. Credit: The Manc GroupSalami pizza at Italiana Fifty FiveDishes on Italiana Fifty Five’s express menu. Credit: The Manc Group
If you dine from the Express menu, you can get a delicious Italian dish served with a tea, coffee or soft drink, for only £14.75.
Choose from a creamy mushroom risotto funghi, the aforementioned Rigatoni Italiana, a classic chicken Caesar salad, pan-fried seabass with parsley, lemon and spinach, or a fiery Diavola pizza covered in spicy salami and red onion.
To find out more about Italiana Fifty-Five and to book your table, click here.
Emily Sergeant -
20th April 2023 
