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.
Antoine Semenyo has officially joined Manchester City
Danny Jones
Yes, Man City have got their man and further bolstered their offensive options, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo having officially joined the club.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.
That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, MCFC have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.
Finally unveiled by club media on Friday, 9 January, Semenyo was pictured for the first time in the sky blue strip.
It was long after that the first reports of the deal being ‘agreed in principle” surfaced online, and it became clear that no other suitors stood a chance of snatching him away from the Etihad Stadium.
Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses were likely to set a rough club record fee in terms of player sales.
Penning a five-and-a-half-year deal, the 26-year-old’s contract will take him through to at least 2031, with the London-born Ghanaian international still yet to hit his peak.
Frightening stuff for Premier League defenders, to say the least.
Sharing a message with his new fan base via the full club statement, Semenyo said: “I am so proud to have joined Manchester City…
“They have set the highest of standards, and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep. I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.
“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position – still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season. The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here, and I hope to show everyone what I can do.”
Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?
Watch Semenyo’s first full interview as a Manchester City player.
Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
Emily Sergeant -
11th November 2021 
