Style

The local boutiques offering last-minute Christmas gift ideas for her

If you're struggling to find some last-minute Christmas presents, these local boutiques have got you covered.

Daisy Bradbury Daisy Bradbury - 17th December 2020
Eugenia Vysochyna / Unsplash

It’s been a tough year for Manchester’s small businesses, with many of the city’s hardworking creatives struggling to survive due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With Christmas is almost upon us, we need to look out for one another – supporting the Mancunian independents that our creative city is renowned for wherever we can.

Manchester is filled with unique businesses offering festive, fun gifts, so if you’re braving the busy high streets and frantically searching for last-minute Christmas presents, why not support some of these local creators?

For those who enjoy a pamper evening…

Everyone deserves to feel indulged and spoiled around Christmas, especially after the insane year that 2020 has been.

Soapy J, which is based in Afflecks, is selling some amazing bath bombs that are handmade and kind to your skin, whilst still packing an incredible punch with their striking scents and vibrant colours.

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This relaxing range will go down a treat on a winter evening – as well as their classic mini-figure range of bath bombs which will hopefully be back in stock in the new year.

For the loungewear lover…

Kay Lou Klub

Our time in lockdown loungewear doesn’t seem to be entirely over yet – so it’s likely that comfy jumpers and joggers will still be a staple going into the new year.

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Kay Lou Klub’s ‘The Universe Has Got Your Back’ range is the most comforting kind of clothing after a chaotic year, reminding us to stay strong whilst keeping cosy.

The company also offers a variety of other sweatshirts and t-shirts in their efforts to launch Manchester’s mental health movement through clothing.

For the fake tan aficionado…

Rose & Caramel

As holidays abroad still feel like a distant dream, fellow Mancunians shouldn’t have to forfeit their sunkissed look.

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If you need an injection of bronze now more than ever, Holly Hagan’s collaboration with Mancunian brand Rose and Caramel is exactly what you need.

This set has got you covered for the ‘ultimate tan up’, with everything from products to prep your skin to their revolutionary 3-minute tan remover.

If you know someone who’s sick of scrubbing off patchy fake tan, this gift set is an absolute necessity.

For the plant mum…

Glass House on Princess Street has launched a ‘plant gang pack’, offering everything you need to keep your greens alive this winter.

This is perfect for anyone who’s developed a greenfinger and has been steadily transforming their home into a tropical paradise.

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Glass House is also selling a variety of houseplants, succulents and dried flowers from their Manchester-based boutique, as well as hosting workshops in the run-up to Christmas.

For the sustainable skincare queens…

Grüum

Buying someone a gift set of shower gels can seem quite impersonal, but opt for a zero-waste alternative and suddenly your prezzie has a lot more thought behind it.

Grüum is a Manchester brand aiming to create planet-friendly skin and body care, and these gifts would be the perfect addition under the Christmas tree for anyone who is environmentally conscious.

Although Gruum offer various gifts, you can’t beat ‘The Sustainables‘ set of zero plastic pamper products, including their award-winning shampoo bar.

For the jewellery obsessive…

If you plan on giving some elegant jewellery this Christmas, or you know someone who takes pride in these lavish accessories, then having somewhere to display these items is essential.

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Not only is Benji’s boho face jewellery stand practical as it stops them from getting tangled, it’s also the height of trendy interiors right now.

Gorgeous jewellery deserves to be adorned for all to see (that is, when we’re allowed visitors in our homes again), and what better way to do so than with this stunning holder.

Benji’s is also selling a variety of elegant and eclectic homeware that would make the perfect Christmas present.

For the fragrance fanatic…

WIFF

Candles are quite an obvious gift idea, but why not spice things up a bit and opt for a set of wax melts instead?

These super cute stocking fillers provide a great opportunity to try out some new scents and give your home a fresh feel as the new year approaches.

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Although there are many on the market, you can’t beat WIFF’s selection of unique fragrances with hilarious names that’ll definitely be the topic of conversation around the Christmas dinner table.

For the face mask fiend…

If you know someone who is into creative, reusable face masks, rather than the disposable, surgical-esque ones, then this is a thoughtful and extremely practical gift.

It’s the gift that we never could’ve seen coming last Christmas – but is now an absolute necessity for everyone.

The Norah Store in Stockport are selling these stylish options that will become the focus of any outfit, allowing you to be both confident and cautious when heading out

Style

The 11 best and most popular gyms in Manchester, ranked by price

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

You do not need to wait for January to get your body moving again – there’s no time like the present.

The trick to sticking with your health kick is often to find the right routine for you, and when it comes to exercise, finding the gym that will make you feel supported as well as pushed physically is key.

There’s no shortage of brilliant gyms here in Manchester, from the do-it-yourself commercial gyms to the fitness facilities manned by highly-qualified trainers who will guide you every step of the way.

Whether you’re a fancy girl who needs fancy facilities to coax you into the gym, or you’d rather get your head down and save some cash, we’ve got you covered.

Here are 11 of the best to try in 2024 – and how much it’ll cost you.

Ultimate Performance – prices are bespoke and available on request

Ready to transform your body or lay the foundations for lifelong health, and feeling pretty serious about it?

Ultimate Performance is the gym in Manchester to join if you want to stick to your plan and achieve whatever goals you set yourself, from fat loss to muscle building to general health, with some of the world’s best personal trainers coaching from here.

The transformation photos of previous and current U.P clients speak for themselves – you will get results here.

You can find out more or enquire here.

Barry’s Bootcamp – up to £308/month (for unlimited)

Barry’s is the gym loved by all the famous LA-dwelling beautiful types, and first opened here in Manchester in 2018.

Workouts take place in the ‘red room’, where rows of benches, dumbbells and treadmills promise a total body workout.

It’s now a global phenomenon, with gyms everywhere from the USA to the UAE to Australia to Mexico.

It ain’t cheap though – memberships start at £125 per month, which gets you eight classes, or you can book a drop-in class for £20. The most expensive membership will set you back £308. Check out all the offers here.

Blok – £205/month for unlimited

Blok in Manchester has a mix of classes and is one of the city's best gyms
Blok in Manchester has a mix of classes and is one of the city’s best gyms. Credit: Blok

This gym is genuinely very beautiful, taking over a corner of the historic Ducie Street Warehouse.

It’s another one with three different studios to choose from – you can do pilates and yoga, take on full-body strength-focused or boxing workouts, or try out barre and cardio exercises.

There are top-notch changing rooms for getting refreshed in afterwards too.

Unlimited membership is £205 a month, but if you’re happy to commit to a set number of classes there are cheaper packs available too. Check it out here.

Form – £168/month

You will not find a nicer or more supportive group of trainers than the ones who work at Form – you also won’t find any who take away your ability to walk up stairs quite so efficiently.

As well as one-to-one training, they offer their ‘reload’ programme with small groups training together at their New Bailey Street gym, and the best pilates and yoga classes in town at their Reset gym on Marble Street.

Form promises a longterm change to your life – this is no flash-in-the-pan fitness phase.

Memberships start from £168 a month and we promise you get a lot of bang for your buck. Find out more at formmcr.com.

F45 – £165/month

Manchester gyms - F45
Credit: F45

First created in Australia, there are now more than 1,000 F45 studios all over the world, creating what it claims is the most innovative fitness gym on the planet.

Each 45 minute session blends cardio and HIIT-style workouts for ‘sweat-dripping, heart-pumping fun’.

The circuits in the Manchester gyms will kick your ass, in a good way.

It’s £165 a month if you commit to six months, otherwise you’re looking at £195 a month – check it out here.

Zeno Training Clubs – £99/month

Hero Training Club gym in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Hero Training Club gym in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

With four different fitness studios to choose from, Zeno (formerly known as Hero) offers a little something for everyone.

You can seriously test your cardio in their spin studio or in the Athletic studio (where you can also take on boxing classes), push your strength in the Stronger studio (which are basically like small group PT sessions), or reset a bit in the Rejuvenate studio. There’s also an open gym upstairs.

Zeno has some of the best facilities in the city – seriously, there are more squat racks in here than in some of the biggest commercial gyms – and a bloody lovely group of trainers to guide your every move.

Memberships start from £99 a month, and there are class bundles available too. Find out more at herotrainingclubs.com.

TRIB3 – £79/month

TRIB3 is one of the best gyms in Manchester
Credit: TRIB3

This ‘next-level fitness studio’ follows a pretty similar modal to V1BE, but factors in assault bikes (ouch) and has classes with a more tailored focus.

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There are three different TRIB3 classes to choose from – upper body and core, lower body, and full body – broken down into three zones of treadmill, resistance and intensity.

It’s proving to be a very popular option for Mancs.

Unlimited memberships are £79/month but there are loads of other options too. Find out more at trib3.co.uk.

V1BE – £59/month

V1BE is one of the best boutique gyms in Manchester
Credit: V1BE

It’s all about the cardio at V1BE, Manchester’s boutique gym group that will literally display your heart rate on a giant screen for all to see.

Most workouts are spread between sprint sessions on the treadmills and weighted circuits on the floor, but they also have STR1KE classes that factor in some intense boxing drills.

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You will be sweaty, you will get competitive with yourself, and you’ll definitely love it (once the hill sprints are over).

Membership starts from £59 a month (that’s for open gym access and six classes), or you can go all-in for £79 a month. Find out more here.

Nuffield Health – £51/month

Nuffield is one of Manchester's biggest gyms, with its own pool
Nuffield is one of Manchester’s biggest gyms, with its own pool

What makes Nuffield Health so extraordinary of all the gyms in Manchester is that is has a real life swimming pool, which is quite a luxury in a city centre as crammed as ours.

The gym has an army of treadmills and bikes, plus a functional fitness room, a free weights room, and several different studios.

There are also physiotherapists and personal trainers based here to help you build the healthiest body possible.

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It’s £51 per month, or you can go off-peak for £43 a month. Sign up at nuffieldhealth.com/gyms/manchester-printworks

JD Gyms – £19.99/month

With a rapidly-growing number of gyms nationwide, it’s easy to see why JD Gyms are becoming more and more popular – and it’s got a lot to do with the price.

Their gym in Manchester city centre has more than 300 classes a month, a sauna, and literally hundreds of pieces of strength and cardio equipment.

There’s a large free weights zone, a sprint and sled track, bootcamps, boxing, and personal trainers.

Basic membership is £19.99 a month, which includes classes, but for £25 a month you can also get 10% off at JD Sports online and use any of their gyms nationwide – find out more here.

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PureGym – £12.99/month

PureGym has several gyms around Manchester
PureGym has several gyms around Manchester. Credit: PureGym

Oh well all know PureGym, let’s be honest.

As one of the country’s biggest gym groups, they’re famed for being cheap and practical, with 24-hour opening times.

Facilities are very good for the price and there are four PureGym gyms in Manchester city centre alone. You just have to get used to their weirdly futuristic beam-me-up-Scotty entrance vestibules.

You can get a membership from just £12.99 – find out more at puregym.com/city/manchester.

Read more about all things sport in the North here.

Featured image: The Manc Group / Reset by Form / PureGym

Style

Viral beauty brand Morphe suddenly shuts ALL UK stores including Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Morphe has announced the sudden closure of all its UK stores. Credit: Publicity picture

Cult beauty favourite Morphe has suddenly shuttered the doors to all of its stores across the UK, including here in Manchester.

The brand has had a large presence in the Manchester Arndale shopping centre since late 2019, opening to huge crowds at the time.

But this week, the doors to its make-up store in the city centre (as well as its six other locations across the UK) have closed.

The viral brand will continue to trade online and as a concession in other stores.

Many have taken to social media to criticise the way the physical store closures have been handled, with dozens of staff members saying that they were made immediately redundant with ‘no notice’.

Some stores have also already been cleared of stock, with reports that some of the viral Morphe products are already being sold off at beauty outlets.

The LA-born brand was created in 2008 ‘among the artists and influencers’ and was originally famed for its brushes before branching out into other make-up products, like its cult favourite colourful eyeshadow palettes.

At the height of its popularity, Morphe was behind sell-out collections with the likes of Jeffree Star, James Charles and Jaclyn Hill.

Morphe in Manchester Arndale has closed, along with its six other beauty stores in the UK. Credit: The Manc Group
Morphe in Manchester Arndale has closed, along with its six other beauty stores in the UK. Credit: The Manc Group
Morphe opened in Manchester Arndale in 2019. Credit: Publicity picture
Morphe opened in Manchester Arndale in 2019. Credit: Publicity picture

In a statement, the company said: “Forma Brands has made significant progress over the last year positioning our business for growth by focusing on our flagship Morphe brand largely through our wholesale and e-commerce operations.

“During that time, our owned Morphe stores in Europe, which have consistently provided an extraordinary experience for our customers, faced disproportionately high store rent obligations.

“We have therefore made the difficult decision to close our seven UK and one Amsterdam retail locations. This move aligns with our strategy to prioritize and expand our successful wholesale and e-commerce operations, similar to our model in the U.S. We also facilitated an ownership transition of our UK wholesale and e-commerce businesses, which will operate as FORMA BRANDS UK LTD., effective immediately.

“We are immensely grateful to our incredible store teams for their dedication and passion over the years and are working to support them through this transition.

“Due to store closures, impacted store team members were made redundant immediately. In recognition of their dedication, the parent company Forma Brands LLC has provided goodwill payments to all affected employees, equivalent to an enhanced redundancy package.”

Read more

Featured image: Publicity picture

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