An empty retail unit in a popular Oldham shopping centre has been transformed into a pop-up shop full of all things handmade.
With Oldham Council keen to make March “a month of celebration” of the eclectic mix of independents right across the bustling borough, an empty retail unit in Spindles Town Square shopping centre is to begin a new life as a pop-up shop from tomorrow in an exciting collaboration between the local business community and the Council.
The pop-up shop is called ‘Oldham Made’, and will be open all throughout March.
The new store is selling everything from crafts, clothes, and handmade gifts, to locally-brewed beers, and candles sourced from a range of independent businesses across Oldham.
Oldham Council says the idea for the shop was born out of public consultations with residents at the recently-held ‘Big Oldham Conversation’ events, where plans for the Town Centre redevelopments were discussed, and at those meetings, locals said that empty units in the town should be made available for small businesses.
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“Now we’ve delivered on that promise,” Oldham Council said.
🎉 Oldham Made opens tomorrow at 9am 🎉
A one stop shop for gifts, crafts, arts and clothing (for humans and dogs 🐕).
Speaking ahead of the launch of the new shop tomorrow, Cllr Arooj Shah – Leader of Oldham Council – said: “Oldham Made will showcase the amazing range of talent we have in Oldham, while giving our local entrepreneurs and makers a helping hand.
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“By providing a space where small businesses can come together to show off their fantastic range of products, we hope to create a buzz about shopping small and shopping local – but what’s really exciting, is that Oldham Made is just one small part of our plans for Spindles and the regeneration of our town centre.
“It’s just one of the many ways we’re supporting the small and independent businesses doing awesome things in our borough.”
‘Oldham Made’ will be open all throughout March / Credit: The Manc GroupOldham Council keen to make March “a month of celebration” of all the borough’s independent businesses / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as celebrating independents and being full of handmade gifts, Oldham Council says the shop – which has been made possible thanks to funding from the Welcome Back Fund, set up by the European Regional Development Fund and the government – will also feature larger-than-life installations, Instagram-worthy elements, and plenty of exciting product demos for shoppers to get involved with.
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From 5 March, visitors to the store will also be able to collect four specially-designed bags for life, and all they’ll need to do is spend £5 in one of the independents, then bring their receipt to the Oldham Made store and exchange this for their exclusive bag.
The Oldham Made shop will be open Monday to Saturday from 9am until 5pm, and you can find more information here.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Sensory-friendly Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Emily Sergeant
This week marks the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference, according to the most recent statistics, and Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-20 March 2026) highlighting the importance of championing, raising awareness of, and accommodating neurodiverse people.
And Printworks is marking the occasion in its own special way, with a series of new initiatives designed to create a more ‘inclusive’ and ‘sensory-friendly’ environment.
You may already know that the popular indoor entertainment complex in the heart of Manchester city centre is home to more than a dozen bars, restaurants, and leisure activities – including one of the largest IMAX screens on the continent – and Europe’s largest digital ceiling too, of course, but this week’s experience is unlike anything the venue has welcomed before.
Throughout the week, Printworks will be transforming its digital ceiling with calming Northern Lights and constellations which have been specifically designed to create a relaxed, sensory-friendly atmosphere for visitors with additional sensory needs.
Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week / Credit: Supplied
As part of a long-term commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, Printworks is also introducing a weekly sensory-friendly hour every Sunday too, where lighting throughout the venue will be dimmed, and music and SFX volumes reduced for a reduced-stimulus environment.
200 free sensory packs – which can be collected at Vue cinema – with a pair of ear defenders and sensory-friendly toys, designed to support visitors who may benefit from sensory tools while enjoying the venue, are also on offer throughout the course of the week.
On top of this, there’s also a range of autism-friendly cinema screenings taking place on the last Sunday of every month at 10:30am.
An additional autism-friendly screening will be taking place with a showing of Hoppers this Sunday 22 March at 10:30am, with tickets now available from Vue’s website.
“Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an important time for brands and venues to recognise and support the diverse ways visitors and audiences experience the world,” commented Dan Davis, who is the General Manager at Printworks.
“We endeavour to ensure that all visitors feel comfortable and welcome when spending time at Printworks.”
Find out more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week on Printworks’ website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Lovely last-minute Mother’s Day ideas from Selfridges in Manchester
The Manc
Mother’s Day is this Sunday – and if those words have just sent you into a blind panic, just take a breath and head straight across to Selfridges.
The huge department store has come up with all sorts of things that make for perfect last-minute gifts and experiences.
That includes a carefully curated selection of gifts available in-store, plus a very special Morning With Mum beauty workshop so you can spend some quality time together on Mother’s Day.
Selfridges can be your one-stop shop for the big day.
In both Exchange Square and Trafford Centre stores, you can pick up lovely gifts like feast-filled hampers, fabulous accessories, luxury chocolates, candles, and even cards.
As always, there are gifts you can have personalised in-store for a sentimental present for the mother figure in your life.
If you’re really stuck, you can pop along to the Beauty Concierge and book her an experience.
And over in Selfridges Exchange Square, you can pick up a beautiful fresh bouquet from The Royal Exchange Florists.
Selfridges has loads of last-minute Mother’s Day ideas
There’s rarely a gift more precious than quality time together, which is why Selfridges will be hosting a special Mother’s Day floor-wide beauty event on Saturday 14 March.
Ticket-holders will receive expert beauty advice from your favourite brands, while enjoying complimentary drinks and sweet treats.
There’ll also be plus exclusive gifts with purchase available, and giveaways on the day, and you can redeem the £20 ticket price against products purchased on the day.
You can even grab an artist print for mum at the vending machine.
Tickets for the Morning With Mum beauty workshop are on sale HERE.
You could also share a moment over a glass of champagne at San Carlo in both locations, or grab a sweet treat from the bakery in the Trafford Centre store.
Emily Sergeant -
28th February 2022 
