After an incredibly long few months of clothing shops being closed, Manchester’s high street will finally reopen on April 12.
I’m sure many people are already geared up for their first post-lockdown shopping trip, whether it’s a visit to The Trafford Centre or stocking up on Primark’s latest offerings.
But there is much more to Manchester’s shopping scene than these big-name brands – the city is filled with hidden gems that will also be welcoming back customers on Monday.
If you’re looking to shop somewhere new while supporting local businesses, we’ve got just the list for you.
Here are some of our favourite independent clothing boutiques in Greater Manchester that you’ll be able to visit from April 12.
McQueen Independent has been a staple of Manchester’s high street since 1994, offering a variety of colourful and creative garments with a personal touch.
Owners have curated a collection of lesser-known labels to build a lasting wardrobe for customers, plus these stylish pieces are also sustainable.
If you’re sick and tired of your existing wardrobe, this secondhand clothing hotspot will be your go-to location for discovering some fresh new pieces.
Lief operates a swap shop to find new homes for your old clothes, as well as selling many quirky and artistic pieces from independent makers.
Newly launched in February 2021, Mockingbirds is Withington’s trendiest boutique catering to all tastes, styles and needs.
This is a clothing store that isn’t afraid to step out of the ‘comfort zone’ with bold colours and designs – and it appears like there’s something here for everyone.
There’s no better place to embrace the iconic Mancunian street style than with this boutique, which offers premium hand-picked vintage and modern clothing.
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Bionic Seven covers all of menswear musts – from authentic Levis to Burberry and everything in between.
Established in 1995, Abayas is the pioneer of stylish Islamic and modest clothing.
The brand has its finger right on the pulse of what’s trendy, showing that “conformity to Islamic guidelines need not compromise on elegance and style.”
This glamorous and girly boutique isn’t afraid to push the boat out with adventurous but still incredibly on-trend pieces.
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Whether you’re looking to make a statement in a faux leather coat or embrace your inner 70s with a fringed jacket, Eternal Envy will be your one-stop-shop for any spring wardrobe essentials.
If you’re not afraid to have some fun with your fashion, this quirky and retro boutique is for you.
The store has become a staple of the Northern Quarter with energetic and vintage-inspired pieces, offering everything from pastel rainbow crochet shackets to cat print midi dresses.
Manchester dentist loved by celebs is knocking £1000 off popular Invisalign treatment
Daisy Jackson
A luxury dentist in Manchester is offering Invisalign treatment with a massive saving this month.
Ruh Dental, which counts the likes of Molly-Mae Hague and Helen Flanagan as patients, will be offering packages with more than £1000-worth of savings.
The special offer is part of the boutique dental practice’s Invisalign Open Week, with discounts on the hugely popular clear brace system which straightens teeth discreetly.
Most cases are able to be completed within six months, with noticeable differences in just three months.
Invisalign can close gaps, and fix overbites and misaligned teeth with less clinic visits than traditional ‘train track’ braces.
Molly-Mae Hague reviewing her treatment with Ruh Dental. Credit: YouTubeRuh Dental. Credit: The Manc Group
Anyone who books in for a consultation and takes up treatment during Invisalign Open Week will save over £1000, thanks to a free consultation (worth £75), free 3D digital scan and simulation of your teeth (worth £300), £400 off aligners, free Vivera Retainers worth £500, and free teeth whitening worth £175.
The open week will run between 29 March and 5 April, with the offer valid for five days after the consultation.
Ruh Dental is based in the heart of Spinningfields and is trusted by the likes of Jill Scott, Helen Flanagan and Olivia Attwood.
The private practice has no waiting lists, with patients seen ASAP, and focuses on restorative and cosmetic procedures.
Its dental team is led by the award-winning Dr Billal Arshad, an expert in his field who trains colleagues nationally and internationally and is famed for his attention to detail and artistic flair.
Another Ruh Dental deal currently running is a Mother’s Day offer, where you can claim a free afternoon tea at The Ivy and a free hygiene appointment when you refer your mum for an appointment with Dr Arshad.
Trafford Centre’s new interactive ‘Wonderwall’ experience helps you style your home
Danny Jones
The Trafford Centre has come up with a novel way to design your home with their exciting new ‘Wonderwall’ experience.
On until Sunday, 26 February, the fully interactive Wonderwall is a fun new touchscreen approach to styling your home and selecting fine new furnishings, featuring furniture and homeware items from various Trafford Centre retailers.
Doing up your gaff can be a fun but often stressful and challenging task, with the sheer amount of choice sometimes feeling overwhelming and the notion of making appointments with a stylist or a full day of shopping around is simply too much faff when you’re trying to get on with everyday life.
That’s where the Wonderwall comes in: not only do you get to create your own mood board on the fly with countless top-quality items from the likes of John Lewis, H&M, Selfridges, Next and more, but you also get on-the-go styling advice as you build out the look for each of your rooms.
Credit: The Manc Group
Moreover, you never have to risk that dreaded scenario of your order turning up and being nothing like you expected or it was advertised online, as the best part is you can literally go and look, feel and test every piece you pick from the shops within the Trafford Centre.
Better still, if you sign-up to become a Pulse member — TC’s dedicated loyalty which provides you early and exclusive news, perks and events from all of their retailers — you can win yourself a limited-time only gift card to put towards styling your home.
All you have to do is sign-up by joining the WiFi when you’re there. Happy days.
Last but not least, with less than a week left of half-term, not only is the Trafford Centre the perfect place to take the kids but the Wonderwall can also help keep them occupied as well as get them involved in the redesign.
Thanks to their ‘design your dream bedroom‘ colouring competition, you and your little ones can also be in with a chance of winning a £100 Trafford Centre gift card. Full T&Cs apply.
The Wonderwall is located at Orient Way from Monday, 20 February until Sunday, 26 February.
Get yourself down there before the end of the week and be sure to get a photo there with the hashtag #tchome.
Daisy Bradbury -
9th April 2021 
