What's On
This Bongo’s Bingo event is putting its middle finger up to Blue Monday
Sam Ridgway -
6th January 2020
Sam Ridgway -
6th January 2020 What's On
The Pop Up Club – pop-up shop for independent retailers to return to Manchester this weekend
Thomas Melia
The Pop Up Club is coming back to Manchester city centre this weekend, offering a prime retail space to independent businesses and small creators.
The initiative aims to transform unused public spaces and invite designers, makers and artists along to add cultural and commercial value to the local area.
Through providing this platform for these businesses, The Pop Up Club has managed to help its traders earn £1.5 million across all their previous events which run up and down the UK.
The brilliant pop-up retail space was previously on King Street in Manchester, but this time The Pop Up Club is moving into the Manchester Arndale.
Shoppers will be able to choose from the curated traders on offer, such as beautifully handpainted watercolour illustrations from By Tilly, celestial and nature inspired jewellery by Sian Mellor designs and beaded bracelets from That Wild Feeling.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s also helping to promote local talent as it shares the work of Manchester based unique printed homewares from Lydia Meiying.
Moonshine Prints, a trader who creates a variety of fascinating and eclectic wall art for everyone to buy and display in their homes, will also be at The Pop Up Club when it returns to Manchester.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Pop Up Club will offer a chance to browse local traders who normally wouldn’t have a platform as big as this, while also supporting art and culture direct from the north.
The businesses The Pop Up Club uplifts and works with may be small but the amount of traders definitely isn’t – they’ve shone a spotlight on more than 500 independent retailers since setting up the social enterprise.
It’s also nice to hear that creatives who have worked with them in the past would more than likely consider working with The Pop Up Club again as according to the statistic on their website, ‘100% of traders said they would return’.
The venture was founded by Tillie Peel, who says: “Manchester has always welcomed us with open arms, and the friendly Northern spirit was calling us back once again.
“Utilising an empty space at the Manchester Arndale is a dream come true for us, as it puts us at the heart of shopping in the city and with events such as the Christmas Markets returning, the footfall of the city centre will be highly welcomed by us and all our traders in our Manchester store.
“With over 5 million small businesses in the UK*, there are so many that deserve attention and shopping small can bring huge benefits to the economy as well as supporting local income. This Christmas is the perfect time to shop from small businesses and independent traders, where a purchase can make a real difference to that brand.
“Our network of independent businesses have found being in our stores offers real value, as well as allowing them to speak to customers, see the reactions in real time to their items and to get a taste of what the high street has to offer.”
Shoppers who just can’t wait to get on down to The Pop Up Club can browse the shop in person on 16 November at Manchester Arndale.
Read more:
- 10 of the best and fanciest advent calendars on sale in Selfridges
- Viral bakery Half Dozen Other set to open new site this December
- Aldi reveals date that viral Kevin the Carrot Christmas toys return to UK stores this week
Featured Image: Publicity Picture
What's On
Doves announce first hometown gig for 15 years in Manchester on UK tour
Daisy Jackson
Doves have announced a massive homecoming show – their first Manchester gig in 15 years – on their upcoming tour, but without frontman Jimi Goodwin.
The Manchester-founded band are heading out on a full UK tour in support of their sixth studio album Constellations for the Lonely.
Doves will be heading to Aviva Studios for a huge show, along with dates in Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and London, to name a few.
The new tour dates are in addition to the already sold-out intimate dates in Stoke, Birkenhead and Hebden Bridge.
Lead singer Jimi Goodwin will sit out the live tour to focus on his health – the band had previously cancelled their 2021 tour to protect his wellbeing.
He has said that his current circumstances are ‘not compatible with a mad, city-to-city schedule’.
Instead, Andy and Jez Williams will alternate on vocals and are promising a ‘one-of-a-kind experience’.
In a heartwarming statement about their Doves bandmate, they said: “This tour is incredibly special as Jimi is stepping back from live to focus on his well being.
“Mental health has always been central to Doves, and we fully support him in his decision.”
Doves announced their new album Constellations For The Lonely last week, shortly before confirming their UK tour and Manchester homecoming gig.
The band have recorded tracks, including recent Goodwin-fronted single Renegade, through a patchwork of in-person and remote recording sessions.
Doves UK tour dates in full
- Tue 25 Feb – Glasgow, SWG3
- Wed 26 Feb – Edinburgh, La Belle Angele
- Thu 27 Feb – Newcastle, Boiler Shop
- Sat 1 Mar – Leeds, Beckett SU
- Sun 2 Mar – Sheffield, Leadmill
- Tue 4 Mar – Liverpool, O2 Academy
- Fri 7 Mar – Manchester, Aviva Studios, home of Factory International
- Sun 8 Mar – Birmingham, O2 Institute
- Mon 10 Mar – Nottingham, Rock City
- Tue 11 Mar – Norwich, Waterfront
- Thu 13 Mar – London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
- Fri 14 Mar – Bristol, SWX
- Sat 15 Mar – Southampton, Engine Rooms
- Mon 17 Mar – Brighton, Chalk
- Tue 18 Mar – Oxford, O2 Academy
Tickets for all dates go on general sale on Thursday 21 November at 9.30am HERE.
Read more
- You can be a part of Christmas movie history by travelling on The Polar Express near Manchester
- This little hidden Manchester cinema is screening loads of classic Christmas films this festive season
- Manchester Christmas Markets 2024 – dates, locations, times, map and stalls
Featured image: Publicity picture
More What's On
Audio
Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute
Eats