Meet Benji’s: The Ancoats homeware brand born in lockdown
After both losing their hospitality jobs due to Manchester's Tier 3 measures, Ben and Jamie jumped headfirst into launching their cosy and creative homeware brand: Benji's.
With England plunging into ‘Lockdown 2.0’ – this time with wet weather and darker evenings – feeling cosy and comfortable at home is more important than ever.
Thankfully, there’s a little company over in Ancoats that’s committed to keep the entire city of Manchester comfortable: Benji’s.
A homeware brand specialising in quirky and creative decorations, Benji’s was launched after the two founders Ben and Jamie received countless compliments from friends and family on their unusual homeware pieces that couldn’t be found on the high street.
The duo realised that there may be a wider market for offbeat homeware – and decided to leap head first into their work.
Earlier in the year, Ben and Jamie both lost their hospitality jobs as Manchester moved into Tier 3, but being made redundant proved to be a blessing in disguise.
ADVERTISEMENT
It encouraged them to take their venture full time.
Speaking to The Manc, the owners said: “This was a big leap and a big risk, but […] it wasn’t ever a hesitation…”
ADVERTISEMENT
“It was fight or flight – so we took an idea and ran with it.
“By no means are we graphic designers, interior designers or even marketers. We’re just two boys with a passion for home comforts, and we’re making a go of something we enjoy.”
Operating Benji’s from their Ancoats home, Ben and Jamie are all-too-aware of the struggles of living in a place that can’t be customised and doesn’t truly feel like home.
ADVERTISEMENT
Their adorable home accessories offer small but important additions to help people transform a particular space.
“Benji’s has always been about loving the space that you’re in”, the owners tell us.
“We’re renters, and we know that small finishing touches really can make you appreciate your home more.”
The unique designs of Benji’s combine the pair’s inspirations to create a quirky yet cosy collection.
Ben offers the more ‘out there’, eclectic pieces like the zebra vase and bold planters, whereas Jamie’s frequent visits to Norway have added more of a Scandi vibe to the collection with throws, cushions and candles.
Although their inspiration has taken them far afield, Benji’s’ homeware collection is very much rooted in Manchester – with the brand keen to pay “homage to the city and all its greatness.”
Ben is a born-and-bred Mancunian; Jamie has been an adopted northerner for six years.
Their passion for the city is reflected in their range of worker bee products: The emblem of Manchester.
Moving ahead, the main priority for Benji’s is to stay true to themselves and their undeniable love for homeware.
“We started this as a passion, sourcing things we would actually have in our home,” they said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“A lot of products don’t make the cut, because we only want to bring pieces that we genuinely enjoy.”
It’s this genuine spirit that really makes their collection stand out.
Whether you know the perfect person to gift a wild Zebra vase or you want a cosy throw to snuggle under while watching some festive films, you will be spoilt for choice this Christmas with Benji’s range of cute and creative products.
Although the future is daunting for many small businesses during the pandemic, Ben and Jamie remain upbeat.
“We’re taking every day as it comes, and love what we’re doing.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’re constantly thinking about the next step, whilst being realistic.”
We’re confident that they’ll be one to watch in the new year.
You can also follow their Instagram and Facebook to be the first to find out when products arrive back in stock.
Style
Manchester United home kit for 2026/27 ‘leaked’ online in unboxing video
Danny Jones
Manchester United’s new home kit for the 2026/27 campaign has reportedly been leaked online in a YouTuber’s unboxing video ahead of next season.
We know fake shirts and dupes can be pretty accurate these days, but it looks very much like this could be the real deal.
Shared by dedicated football kit reviewer, ‘Retro Man‘, who has seemingly revealed the latest Man United jersey, this unveiling lines up with the previously rumoured designs circulated on social media.
A Red Devil himself, the creator has teased previous releases that turned out to be true in the past, so we’ll leave it up to all of you to decide how bona fide you think this supposed home strip is. Ever-reliable footy fashion peers, Footy Headlines, have also shared these images:
Uploaded to the channel on 25 April, Retro Man did a full overview of the United 26/27 home shirt, highlighting key features such as a red-forward collar with black and white accents.
That same trim is repeated on the ends of the sleeves – reminiscent of the 2011/12 iteration, only differing in the more crew neck style – and the back of the neck now simply reads “UNITED”.
It is worth noting that this is specifically the replica shirt that most fans will purchase.
Should it prove to be the genuine article, this will be the 11th Manchester United kit by adidas since they returned as manufacturers over a decade ago, a.k.a. the start of the Louis van Gaal era.
Retro Man has since posted another video showing off what he claims to be the ‘authentic’ version, too; you can check it out in more detail down below.
Looks pretty legit…
As you can see, the official player edition that will be worn on the pitch by actual United squad members (though they are still available to purchase by the public) appears to hold some key distinctions.
Besides some differences around the panelling and stitching, there is also a noticeable textured section along large sections of the interwoven fabric as part of the brand’s breathable and trademark ‘Climacool’ technology.
Elsewhere, the badge itself also looks to have a more embossed/raised finish. If this is the real deal, what do you make of it?
This isn’t the only United kit that’s caught some attention of late, either:
Featured Images — Retro Man (screenshots via YouTube)
Style
Claire’s is closing down stores in the UK and Ireland with more than 1,300 jobs set to be lost
Danny Jones
In another hit to domestic shoppers, Claire’s Accessories is closing down en masse across the UK and Ireland after entering into administration once again.
Falling into an unfortunate financial status for the second time in less than a year, Claire’s will be shutting down all of their standalone stores across Britain, along with their IE branches.
A total of 154 stores will soon disappear, with more than a thousand people set to be put out of work.
Once a mainstay of British high streets up and down the country, the accessory shop known for all things jewellery, piercings and more has ceased trading effective immediately.
Announced at the start of the week and the end of the first full month of Q2, it was confirmed that Claire’s closed their final locations on Monday, 27 April.
With administrators, Kroll, appointed to wrap up business proceedings, an estimated 1,300 English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh workers have now lost their jobs.
Founded way back in 1961 over in the United States, Claire’s has operated across the Atlantic for more than three decades.
However, with various other contemporaries and cheaper online options having appeared over the years, they’ve struggled not just to remain profitable but to compete full stop.
They most recently filed for bankruptcy in the US this past August (2025), with their Belgian, Spanish, and Dutch divisions having already called it quits.
Manchester location(s) have changed a lot over time, but now they’re on the way out (Credit: Arndale)
For many, the outcome isn’t all that surprising, but it will nevertheless be a sad loss for many who have seen multiple generations visit these venues over the years.
Daisy Bradbury -
12th November 2020 
