Shoppers will soon be able to pick up designer items on a rental basis from Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
The luxury retail destination will be hosting a pop-up shop from By Rotation, an app that allows people to rent, lend and buy fashion items for a fraction of the retail price.
It will be the brand’s first pop-up outside London and is set to land here in the north west next week.
It’s also the first such standalone rental space for McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks.
Credit: Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
Visitors will be able to browse and try on items from the likes of The Vampire’s Wife, Ganni, Jacquemus, Zimmermann, Rat&Boa and Rixo, before booking them through the app for special occasions like a birthday dinner, a wedding, or just a night out.
Shoppers can then complete their looks with accessories from the permanent shops at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, such as Coach, Mulberry, Furla, Kate Spade, Pinko, Kurt Geiger and Burberry.
By Rotation has more than 300,000 users, which it says includes students, professors, lawyers, A-listers, celebrities and even royals.
It allows shoppers to wear special designer items at a fraction of the retail price, and allows those who own luxury items to monetise their own wardrobes.
By Rotation is opening a pop-up shop at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. Credit: Supplied
The pop-up will have a collection of more than 150 items selected by the app’s top ‘rotators’.
By Rotation founder and CEO Eshita Kabra Davies said: “After many successful pop-ups in London, we’re so excited to be popping up in Cheshire Oaks and having a physical presence regionally.
“Our 300K strong community is based all over the UK so I can’t wait to meet our local Rotators as well as introduce our platform to new users. By Rotation is about making luxury fashion available to all, something we and McArthurGlen both have in common.”
Kenny Murray, general manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet said: “Creating unparalleled shopping experiences for Centre guests and the wider community is a priority for us.
“This is why we are so excited to work with such an innovative and meaningful brand as By Rotation, which reflects our own ambitions of creating more sustainable and affordable fashion choices for customers.
“We hope that the partnership will bring together both communities to connect, share and discover even more brands in-centre.”
By Rotation’s pop-up space will open at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet on Friday 22 July, and shoppers can browse and try on items available to rent in the app until 31 July.
Featured image: Supplied
Shopping
Greggs brings back popular Vegan Steak Bake under ‘fresh’ new name
Emily Sergeant
Greggs has announced that one of its most popular bakes is making a comeback after unprecedented fan demand.
Veggies and vegans, happy Friday… this one’s for you.
As any fan of the popular bakery will tell you, the Steak Bake is an absolute staple of the Greggs menu, and is undoubtedly one of the chain’s best-sellers, meaning it’s been a mainstay in stores for years on end now… but sadly, the same couldn’t be said about the plant-based alternative.
In case you don’t quite remember its release, or didn’t get a chance to try it the first time round, the Vegan Steak Bake is exactly what it says on the tin – a vegan version of the iconic Steak Bake.
First launched to mark Veganuary – which is an annual challenge to promote and educate about veganism by encouraging people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the month of January – all the way back in 2020, the Vegan Steak Bake joined the chain’s popular, and still existing, Vegan Sausage Roll to form part of its growing meat-free lineup.
The Vegan Steak Bake was created to mirror some of the original pasty’s features, according to Greggs.
It featured thin layers of puff pastry, and a filling made with pieces of Quorn instead of beef, all mixed in with diced onions and a meat-free gravy.
While the bake seemed to be a hit with vegans, vegetarians, and those who just fancied a meat-free alternative to their day, and even made a short-lived return again in early 2024, it sadly didn’t stick around for too long.
Greggs has announced the return of the popular Vegan Steak Bake / Credit: Greggs
But now, it looks like it’s time for a Vegan Steak Bake comeback again in 2025 – and this time, it’s got a slightly new name and a ‘fresh’ look.
Greggs wrote on its website ahead of the Vegan Steak Bake return: “What’s the big deal?” you might ask. In our humble opinion, tasty steak-free pieces mixed with diced onions and a vegan-friendly gravy is the absolute biggest of deals.
“It’s vegan, it’s incredibly delicious and it’s yours from just £2.10. What more do you need?”
The Vegan Lattice (Steak-Free), as it’s now called, is apparently still ‘super tasty’, despite being named something different.
It’s available to order from all Greggs sites across the UK now.
Featured Image – Greggs
Shopping
Popeyes to give out FREE viral chicken sandwiches when it opens in Manchester Arndale next week
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is getting another new Popeyes next week, and this time it’s coming to the city’s biggest shopping centre.
New Orleans-born fried chicken restaurant, Popeyes® UK, has finally announced the launch date of its newest Manchester restaurant at Halle Place, on the Lower Ground of Manchester Arndale, making it the third location for the city and the chain’s 33rd opening in total this year.
Popeyes has become known for its round-the-block queues on opening day – with both the Manchester Piccadilly and Bury New Road launches attracting hundreds for their first bite of the legendary Chicken Sandwich.
This is why a ‘show-stopping’ launch day is planned for the new Arndale site when it opens from 11am next Friday (29 August), and there’ll be loads of giveaways for shoppers to get their teeth stuck into.
On opening day, not only the first three customers win the ultimate prize of free Chicken Sandwiches for a full year, but the first 50 customers in the queue will be treated to exclusive Popeyes UK merchandise and the first 100 people will bag themselves a free Chicken Sandwich.
With both dine-in and speedy takeaway options available, fried chicken lovers will soon be able to enjoy Popeyes favourites, like the iconic Chicken Sandwich, Hot Wings, Tenders, and Signature Chicken Wraps, when it opens at the Arndale.
All of Popeyes’ chicken is marinated for 12 hours in its signature blend of bold Louisiana seasoning, before it’s hand-breaded and battered to deliver that famous ‘shatter-crunch’.
Popeyes is opening its third Manchester site in the Arndale next week / Credit: The Manc Group
The new Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich will also be available from opening day, following huge demand from fans for its return to the menu.
The Sandwich is joined by the return of the bigger-than-ever Hot Honey range, featuring the brand-new Hot Honey Saucin’ Boneless, the comeback of Hot Honey Saucin’ Wings, and the Hot Honey Box Meal.
“The response to our first two Manchester restaurants has been incredible, and we’re sure our new Arndale location will be just as popular,” commented Tom Crowley, who is the Popeyes UK CEO, ahead of next week’s opening.
“The new opening marks an exciting step in our growth across the city, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests to experience the spirit of New Orleans.”
To be in with a chance of chomping down on a legendary Popeyes Chicken Sandwich for free of charge, you’ll want to make sure you’re one of the first 100 in the queue on Arndale launch day.
Popeyes opens its third Manchester site at Manchester Arndale next Friday 29 August at 11am.
Daisy Jackson -
13th July 2022 
