Shopping

A look inside the brand-new M&S Trafford Centre ‘mega store’ as it finally opens its doors

It's taken over the former Debenhams unit, and promises shoppers “an even bigger and better store”.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 1st December 2023

It’s been a long time coming… but the brand-new M&S at the Trafford Centre has finally opened its doors to the public.

And the first look images of the place prove it’s just as swanky as we were expecting.

In case you hadn’t heard, after it was revealed all the way back in January that M&S would be relocating from its old unit and taking over the former Debenhams site inside the Greater Manchester shopping centre, the retailer’s brand-new Trafford Centre store welcomed its first customers yesterday.

The new ‘mega store’ officially threw open its doors yesterday (30 November) at 10am, and it’s all just in time for Christmas, so shoppers can get stuck in to buying all their festive food and gifts before the big day arrives.

The brand-new M&S at the Trafford Centre has finally opened its doors / Credit: Supplied

Having opened as part of M&S‘ ongoing plans and wider investment to regenerate vacant sites in major UK shopping centres, the new M&S Trafford Centre store spans across a whopping 98,000 sq ft of commercial space.

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Promising shoppers “an even bigger and better store”, there’s huge new “spacious and stylish” Clothing, Home, and Beauty departments, as well as a brand-new M&S Cafe, and the star of the show being the all-new “market style” Food Hall – which stocks the full M&S Food range, and has “wider and brighter aisles”, with free designated car parking to make shopping “more convenient”.

Percy Pig was on-hand to welcome shoppers to the new store, with the first 200 customers through the door handed ‘golden tickets’.

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Every golden ticket holder was guaranteed a win. whether that be a free bag of Percy Pigs, freshly-baked cookies from the new M&S Bakery, or something even bigger – with one lucky customer even bagging a £200 M&S voucher to take home.

It promises shoppers “an even bigger and better store” / Credit: Supplied

180 new jobs have been created by the opening of the new store, and staff at M&S’ former Trafford Centre store have also transferred over to the new location.

The store is led by Store Manager, Laura Smith, along with a team of 420 M&S colleagues.

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Soaking up the opening day celebrations, Laura said: “We are thrilled to officially open our brand-new store in the Trafford Centre. The last few weeks have been so exciting for us all as we’ve seen the store take shape, and I’d like to thank everyone in the team for all their hard work to make sure everything is ready for our customers today.

“The store is an exciting investment in the future of M&S in Trafford, and I can’t wait for our customers to explore all the new features that the store has to offer.”

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The new M&S Trafford Centre store is now open from 8am-10pm Monday to Friday, 8am-9pm on Saturday, and 12-6pm on Sunday.

Featured Image – Supplied

Shopping

Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as naughty

Danny Jones Danny Jones Get Baked new pistachio flavour Bertha cake

A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked that finally landed in Manchester this month – or, more accurately, the massive lines that followed.

Well, what if we told you were about to do the same all over again very soon?

Much to our personal delight and the dismay of our waistlines, Get Baked is set to cause more chaos in the Northern Quarter and beyond with their latest flavour, which is sure to go down a storm.

We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…

Credit: Get Baked (via Instagram)

Yes—scratch that; HELL YES! Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.

Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?

Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar’, people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.

With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.

Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”

In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:

@the.manc @GET BAKED® are giving away 1000 slices of Bertha right now at their new store in Northern Quarter and Manchester, you turned up 👏 #themanc #manchester #getbaked #giveaway #newopening #bakery #queue #manchesterfood #manchestereats #cake ♬ original sound – The Manc

Our friends over at The Hoot weren’t lying when they said this place was going to make a big splash when it landed in 0161 – and no, we won’t be telling you how much we’ve spent there already.

As for the Pistachio Bertha, Get Baked has confirmed that although there will only be a limited amount of portions up for grabs, it will be available both in person and to order online.

Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”

We’re also glad to hear she is on the mend following a recent health scare; we hope she eats as many slices of Pistachio Bertha as possible to celebrate. Big love and stay healthy – The Manc x

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Get Baked (via Instagram)/The Manc Group

Shopping

Huge queues expected in Manchester as £110 tram-inspired trainers go on sale

Danny Jones Danny Jones Drama Call tram trainer collab Adidas limited edition

Manchester is preparing for huge queues of ‘sneakerheads’ to descend upon the city centre as a local fashion label Drama Call is set to release a limited run of limited edition tram-inspired trainers in partnership with Adidas.

The UK fashion scene continues to ‘Head North’.

Yes, that is the name given to this exciting new collaboration between streetwear brand Drama Call, who have gone viral on numerous occasions with their exclusive drops, and one of the most iconic names in sports apparel on the planet.

In truth, these shoes would have been snapped up in an instant regardless, but there’s something about a Manchester designer teaming up with a global clothing brand to create a product so distinctly like Manc like a pair of trainers inspired by our tram network that just tickles our fancy.

Credit: Adidas x Drama Call (supplied)

You’re looking at Adidas’ Superstar II model the ‘Drama’ edition: a creative twist on an old-school classic design inspired not only by Drama Call’s growing streetwear aesthetic but, more specifically, a retro look at Manchester’s Metrolink trams.

The Superstar II ‘Drama’ features teal accents that pay homage to the city’s classic tram design – long before the yellow of the modern era, let alone the Bee Network, and is the follow-up to their previous crossover shirt with both Adidas and Manchester United.

For this first release in what is set to be a multi-drop collab collection, you can see Drama’s unmistakable star-shaped logo reimagined on the Originals mainstay shell-toe, as well as an updated heel tab, tongue, sole and a silver hangtag

There are even nods to the insignia in the small star-shaped slits found between the trademark three stripes which help with breathability.

You can see these features up close and in greater detail down below:

Credit: Supplied

Speaking on their latest crossover, Adidas said: “This partnership between adidas Originals and Drama Call demonstrates the true power of collaboration.

Born from our shared love and deep-rooted heritage within British culture, the Superstar II ‘Drama’ expertly blends the best of Drama Call with an icon of adidas Originals design, adding even more stars to our shell-toe for 2025.”

As for Drama Call founder, Charlie Bows, he added: “We can’t wait for people to Head North and get their hands on the Superstar II ‘Drama’, a shoe that combines Drama Call’s Mancunian roots with an iconic adidas Originals silhouette.

“We wanted to do our city justice and pay homage to the place that has grown and sculpted us, so we placed the map of Manchester on the under-sole of the shoe, allowing your feet to always be rooted in the city.

“We decided to completely re-create the shoe box to look like the old tram we would get on as kids growing up in Manchester, representing a simpler and easier time. The graffiti artwork on the side of the shoe was done by a close friend of mine who I grew up skating with, to really bring it round full circle.”

Credit: Supplied

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Like what you see? Well, you’ll have to have a fair bit of luck on your side if you want to get your hands on them as we don’t even know how many shoes are up for grabs.

A limited run of the Superstar II ‘Drama’ will be available exclusively on Saturday, 22 March at Adidas Originals and Drama Call’s ‘Head North’ pop-up which will be located just a short walk from Manchester’s Piccadilly Station.

These tram-inspired trainers will be available for £110.00 a pair, from 65 Ducie Street from around 1pm. They’re not the only thing up for grabs either (see down below).

Given that hordes of fans line up to try and get their hands on the latest Drama Call release whenever a new piece is about to drop, you can expect so serious queues around Piccadilly and a few viral videos capturing the chaos, we’re sure.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Drama Call x Adidas Originals

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