If you’re looking to get a head-start on your Christmas shopping with the festive season just around the corner, then there’s arguably no better place in the north west than Cheshire Oaks.
Based in Ellesmere Port and just less than an hour’s drive from Manchester city centre, Cheshire Oaks is the largest Designer Outlet in the UK, and is home to over 400,000 square feet of retail space, with more than 150 boutiques, restaurants, and cafés to choose from.
Living up to its name, there’s up to 60% off the RRP in all of the brands on site, all year round.
No matter what it is you’re looking for, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste, with athletic labels, including Nike and Adidas, and high-street favourites such as Marks & Spencer and Next, to a selection of iconic fashion brands like Burberry, Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, Mulberry, Coach, Kate Spade, and so many more – so it’s not wonder it’s a brilliant destination to grab presents for all your loved ones this Christmas.
If all that shopping’s got you hungry, then you can even dig into Lebanese delights at Comptoir Libanais, ‘healthy’ street food at Leon, or make your way through Asian dishes at Yo! Sushi and wagamama – the list of restaurants on site is endless.
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But even though Christmas shopping is probably at the front of your mind right now, that’s not all you could be getting up to at the outlet over these next few weeks and throughout December.
Here’s everything happening at Cheshire Oaks this festive season.
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Winter Village
Winter Village / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
If you’re in need of a break from all of your gift shopping and you’re looking to grab a bite and properly get into the festive spirit, then the bookable snug huts at Cheshire Oaks’ Winter Village are the perfect place to stop, unwind, and soak up everything the season has to offer with loved ones after a buys day.
You can enjoy some traditional German bratwurst from the swing grill, or warm up with mulled wine at the bar, all under the twinkly lights of the UK’s largest Christmas tree.
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It’s important to note that the huts only be booked three days in advance.
Each bookable hut accommodates up to six people and can be pre-booked for one hour for a £10 deposit, with a £25 minimum spend per group.
No festive visit to Cheshire Oaks is complete without a visit to see the big man himself, and this year is certainly no different – but this time, you can help make all your little ones’ festive wishes come true with a morning they’ll never forget by grabbing breakfast with Santa at Carluccio’s.
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All kids eat free when two adult breakfasts are ordered from the main breakfast menu.
Breakfast With Santa at Carluccio’s is available to book every Saturday and Sunday between 9am-11am, from Saturday 4 December right through to Sunday 19 December.
For those with a creative edge, wreath making workshops are undeniably one of the best ways to get yourself feeling festive.
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So you can head on down to Cheshire Oaks throughout November and December to take part in one of the dedicated wreath making workshops, where Cheshire-based floral designer Heather will guide you through creating your very own Christmas wreath using a variety locally sourced and seasonal decorations and foliage.
There’s a range of classes on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout November and December, with tickets priced £68.32.
If you’re unfamiliar with this popular festive feature at the Designer Outlet, then it’s simple – if you’re big into your shopping, or you’ve just got lots of gifts to buy this Christmas, then all you’ve got to do is spend over £200 on site and you can receive your very-own personalised bauble to hang on your Christmas tree at home.
You can find out more about Bauble Bar at Cheshire Oaks here.
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#ShareTheMagic
#ShareTheMagic / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
It’s time to #ShareTheMagic
If you do end up taking a trip to Cheshire Oaks throughout November and December, then make sure you snap a festive selfie with your nearest and dearest, and the outlet will donate £1 to its nominated charity – Passion for Learning – for every selfie it receives.
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Find the most Instagrammable spot for the ultimate seasonal selfie, as from giant red baubles, to a 110ft Christmas tree, magical winter village, and so many more, you’ll have your feed sorted for at least the next year – so get snapping, and don’t forget to use hashtag #ShareTheMagic on Instagram.
Castlefield is being transformed into Gotham amidst more Hollywood filming in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Castlefield, with its iconic viaduct and cobbled streets, is once again being used for big-budget filming as the latest Batman/DC Universe title, Clayface, looks to be setting up in the eye-catching Manc corner.
Whether it’s football kit reveals and brand shoots, BBC dramas or the next upcoming Netflix series, production crews can’t get enough of Castlefield, it would seem.
For those who hadn’t heard, work on the new Clayface movie revolving around the cult favourite Batman villain is well underway, and the North West has been used as the backdrop on multiple ocassions this month already.
You can see early glimpses of the set being put together down below.
Come on, how cool is it that we get to stumble on stuff like this right on our doorstep so often?
Speaking to The Manc, a source detailed that the set is being assembled today (Tuesday, 16 September) ahead of a single day of principal photography on what we can only assume is more Clayface filming sometime tomorrow.
While she could not confirm with us directly, she said, “If you’re a comic book nerd and look at the posters, you’ll be able to figure it out.” We’ve certainly been studying all the easter eggs already.
It might not quite be as dark and gritty as Gotham City, but this particular part of Manchester has been used in TV and film – especially period dramas – many times for good reason.
The Victorian-era steel structure, dark red brick and overall industrial aesthetic work so well when it comes to creating a believable and cinematic world.
Besides perhaps the most famous instance of Peaky Blinders shooting in these parts, you can add multiple music videos, several Manchester United and Man City shirt launches, and so many more that we’re starting to lose track.
As for Clayface, this isn’t even the first time the upcoming DC ‘body-horror’ flick has popped up in Greater Manchester.
Last week saw the equally striking Art Deco facade of the old The Plaza Super Cinema in Stockport turned into a fictional movie premiere to stunning effect:
Speaking of, another childhood favourite is filming here in Manchester right now, too.
Besides perhaps the most famous instance of Peaky Blinders shooting in these parts, the new Narnia adaptation by Greta Gerwig may just be one of the biggest projects that has ever landed underneath the familiar ‘birdcage’.
ln fact, it just so happens that there are actually multiple noteworthy small and silver screen works fighting over the Castlefield shooting schedule at the moment…
Manchester City staff member sacked after wearing Man United shirt to shift
Danny Jones
Man City have divided a fair few supporters after they sacked a barman for wearing a United shirt to their shift during the Manchester derby.
Although it’s not exactly surprising, the decision has ruffled plenty of feathers on both sides, as well as among neutral fans.
The Blues emerged victorious in the 197th clash between the two local rivals, winning 3-0 on an evening that paid tribute to the late, great Ricky Hatton, but another backstory looming over the fixture that caught the attention of football fans online was the City staff member who lost his job.
Working on concessions inside the Etihad Stadium before the game, the barman was made known to the official MCFC Matchday Support channel on X, who quickly confirmed he had been let go before the game even began.
In the since-deleted post, the home fan who reported the worker wrote: “Absolute joke – letting one of the bar staff in block 315 wear a United shirt on Derby Day.”
Although many City fans applauded the fast action by the club on the day, it’s fair to say that sacking him so soon that he didn’t even last until kick-off has rubbed many others the wrong way.
One Liverpool fan commented: “I hate United way more than City, but to sack him from a job because of an item of clothing is crazy. So, so poor from Manchester City, this. It’s just football lads, he’s not wearing a political or derogatory symbol. It’s literally a football team…”
Another neutral added: “Getting a minimum wage worker sacked for having a bit of fun instead of just winding him up is the absolute sad state this country is in.”
Even the ‘Out Of Context Football Manager‘ parody account chipped in, writing: “The guy’s been sacked for this. All he needed was a formal warning. I get he’s taking the p*ss – but losing a salary he might really need over this?!
While many have been even more outspoken in their response, as you can see, many supporters – be they Red or otherwise – have come up with arguably the perfect solution:
Manchester City are yet to comment on the backlash, apart from the initial confirmation that the still-anonymous staff member has been released from his position, but as for Man United, simply sticking him on the kiosks in the Stretford End could prove to be a very easy bit of positive PR.
Besides the growing frustration around the fanbase, as Ruben Amorim has yet to turn things around at Old Trafford (pressure was growing even before the derby day defeat), the Red Devils could no doubt do with some positive press for a change.
In fact, it was only earlier this year that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and the wider INEOS Sports administration sanctioned a second round of redundancies at United, with approximately 450 individuals losing their jobs.
That being said, although some have labelled the sacking of the now ex-City barman as “absolutely horrendous behaviour” for Man City, many jumped to quip back that “[United are] more likely to sack more bar staff, not hire them”, as well as simultaneously taking aim at their significant transfer spending.
Emily Sergeant -
11th November 2021 
