One of the best things to come out of all those lockdowns was the boom in new independent businesses – and our new-found appreciation for those based on our doorsteps.
There are brilliant creators dotted all over the north west, but Oldham has got a vast array of crafters and stockists selling handmade gifts that won’t break the bank.
One of those does exactly what it says in the tin – Gifts Under a Tenner sells a massive range of gifts all priced under £10.
It was founded as an online shop in 2016 by former police officer Diane Barlow, who went on to become a fixture at Royton market.
Diane says: “Despite the name people will still say, ‘what, everything is under £10?’
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“It’s a buzz because people are happy, they can buy anything they want and that’s my main philosophy: I want them to be able to pick something up and know they can afford it.”
She says the market was her ‘baby’ between 2017 and 2021, but had to give it up and decided to focus on the shop she and a former colleague opened in Chorley in 2019.
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It’s now expanded into the unit next door where they mostly sell gorgeous wooden toys, as well as gifts ranging from a trinket dish (£2.95), scarves (£5.95) and a ceramic light-up Christmas house (£9.99), as well as personalised Christmas ornaments.
Diane continues: “It’s crazy because every day without fail, even in the summer, I get people saying, ‘I’m coming back at Christmas’ and people do, because they’re beautiful stocking-fillers and a lot of them show you care without spending a lot of money.”
For people who can’t make it to the store her products are also available online, where Diane is passionate about supporting others like her.
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“My Instagram hashtags are all about buying local and supporting small businesses and I’ve started finding independent suppliers because it’s important to me to keep them going. Covid had a massive effect on everyone – a lot of shops and market traders have gone. It’s important to buy local, it really is.”
Based in Chadderton is author and illustrator J C Perry, who has penned five books suitable for ages four to eight, which are available online for around £6.99.
Many of the books feature landscapes that will be familiar to Oldham residents.
She says: “I try to use local scenes, so Dove Stone Reservoir is in I Am a Stone; the tall house in Tom’s Zombie Fright is actually our house, and the tree in The Best Nest is based on one in the cemetery next to us.
“They might not be recognisable to everyone but they’re scenes from where I live and the illustrations have all got a flavour of Saddleworth and Oldham.”
As well as celebrating the borough in print, she also hopes to inspire the next generation of young storytellers with her writing and drawing workshops at libraries.
“Growing up I can’t think of a local children’s author – the ones that visited school didn’t have local accents, they were from London. It’s good for local kids to see an author from the area – in the back of my books I always say where I’m from and it might inspire them to pick up their pen and write a story.”
The self-published writer has a sixth book out in December just in time for Christmas, with several more planned for 2023.
Carolyn Hollinshead is another local business owner who says the encouragement from customers and fellow stallholders at local markets gave her the push to take the leap. She applied to makers’ markets, which led to a spot at Oldham Council’s pop-up shop last year.
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“It’s hard work and I’m learning as I go along but there’s been proud moments,” says Carolyn, a mum of four. “Like when I was asked to do Oldham Made I thought, ‘oh someone’s interested in my things!’”
Beespoke Gifts by Carolyn in Oldham. Credit: Supplied
Beespoke Gifts by Carolyn was born out of lockdown, and a keyring-making activity she and two of her kids did – she soon branched out into jewellery and sourcing items made of slate and wood, candles, and maps of Greater Manchester, which she customises with the worker bee symbol.
She says: “It happened by accident but it’s my little thing now and I have a real passion for it. The feedback I’ve had is that they’re tasteful and unique and I can personalise them, so if you want that special touch there’s that option so they’re a little more thoughtful.”
Carolyn’s affordable handcrafts can be ordered via Facebook and are also stocked at Whispers hair salon in Shaw and at the Little Owl Farm near Delph, which will be transformed into a Christmas shop throughout the weekends in December.
“It’s really important to support local people because I know how much hard work it is – to buy something from a small business as opposed to going into a big shop means so much more.”
Featured image: Supplied
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Inside the beautiful, exclusive gym in the heart of Manchester that’s open to the public for the first time ever
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s most exclusive and comprehensive boutique gyms has opened its doors to the public for the first time.
This hidden fitness space is within the Treehouse Hotel, which opened on a prime spot on Deansgate last year.
The beautiful gym space had only been accessible to hotel guests until now, who have been lucky to train on top-spec equipment while visiting Manchester.
But now Treehouse Hotel is welcoming in the wider public to The Playground, with a strictly limited number of memberships up for grabs – and we’ve got a lovely 50% off discount code for you too (more on that below).
With two membership options to choose from, members can enjoy 24/7 gym access, preferential rates on padel court hire and complimentary access to premium recovery equipment, alongside luxury changing facilities.
The space looks beautiful as well as being functional too, with huge skylights overhead and plenty of greenery on the walls.
At a time when Manchester is seeing changes to its boutique fitness scene, The Playground offers a chance to train in a design-led space that has everything you need to prioritise your health and fitness.
Inside The Playground gym at Treehouse Hotel. Credit: The Manc Group
The Technogym equipment inside The Playground at Treehouse Hotel includes two squat racks, cable machines, a leg press, free weights, a full suite of cardio equipment including stairmaster, rower and treadmills, plus a full track with a sled.
There’s also a studio area in one corner, with digital workouts ranging from pilates to HIIT.
And in the recovery zone, members can make use of Therabody RecoveryAir compression boots and Theragun massage devices, placing recovery on equal footing with performance.
There are two membership options available at The Playground, catering to different fitness and wellness needs.
Sprout Membership – £65 per month
The Sprout Membership includes 24/7 gym access, preferential rates on padel court hire throughout the week and complimentary use of the recovery equipment, including pneumatic compression boots and massage guns. Members can also enjoy private changing facilities, complimentary chilled towels and fresh fruit-infused water.
Treetop Membership – £80 per month
For those looking to make wellness a bigger part of their routine, the Treehouse Membership includes everything in the Sprout package, alongside a range of additional benefits.
Members receive 15% off Good Sauna sessions and plunge baths, as well as exclusive discounts on padel bookings, with 15% off weekday and 10% off weekend bookings.
The membership also includes discounts on selected wellness food, drinks and products, as well as one complimentary freshly prepared smoothie every month.
Theraguns in the recovery zoneMore machines at The Treehouse hotelGreat facilities in The Playground
With 24/7 access to the gym, additional wellness benefits and a premium recovery offering, The Playground provides a new way to stay active in the heart of Manchester.
You can get a whopping 50% off for your first month’s subscription with our code ‘THEMANC’.
The officer is valid for purchases made until 31 October 2026.
Manchester Art Fair returns this autumn with more than 180 exhibitors under one roof
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s largest art fairs is back in Manchester this autumn, bringing more than 180 exhibitors together all under one roof.
Not only is it one of the UK’s largest and one of the most significant art fairs, but it’s by far one of the most celebrated cultural events in Greater Manchester‘s social calendar too.
Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, the event draws in tens of thousands of visitors, and will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists this year – all of whom will be showing new works.
2026’s edition will be its biggest yet too, as the event is returning to Manchester Central for four days this year instead of the usual three.
Returning from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November, the fair will have more than 600 artists there for an exceptional showcase of modern and contemporary art, with thousands of works available to discover and buy from both world-renowned names and some of the most exciting emerging creative talent.
In a significant move, the fair’s highly anticipated Preview Night will move to Thursday evening, opening an expanded programme of art, talks, workshops, and new experiences across the four days that follow.
Leading the lineup of new features are Manchester Art Fair’s Art Masterclasses, which have been created for developing artists looking to advance their creative practice.
These new experiences will sit alongside a rich programme of artist talks, panel discussions, Q&As, live demonstrations, and other hands-on creative workshops.
More than 180 exhibitors will all gather together under one roof / Credit: Supplied
Manchester Art Fair 2026 will first open at Manchester Central with an exclusive preview night on Thursday 19 November, before it then continues on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November – with tockets now on sale.
Tickets are priced at £15 for a day ticket or £25 for a preview night ticket, including access throughout the weekend, all with booking fees applying.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd November 2022 
