Manchester Craft & Design Centre is getting ready to welcome shoppers back into its Victorian market building once lockdown ends this weekend.
Like many small businesses, the studio community at Manchester Craft & Design Centre – which is home to 30 of the most talented independent artists, makers and designers in the region – has been hit hard by the unpredictable events of 2020, but the makers embraced the times and enhanced their online presence, even taking part in an Instagram pop-up, as well as offering their pieces through the Centre’s gift voucher scheme.
But now, the Northern Quarter-based centre is looking forward to giving its loyal customers the opportunity to browse and buy beautiful, unique and meaningful Christmas gifts for their loved ones once again.
As a completely COVID-safe environment, the centre will be open every day from Wednesday 2nd December in the run up to Christmas, until 5.30pm on Christmas Eve.
And the choice is wide-ranging.
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From knitted cushions, ceramic homeware, pewter creations and impressive lighting features, to one-of-a-kind pieces of jewellery, woollen scarves, and handmade leather bags and purses to suit every pocket size, customers will be spoilt for choice.
— Manchester Craft and Design Centre (@ManchesterCraft) November 30, 2020
The Centre will this year feature different handmade collections from makers such as Katherine Lees, who creates decorative features for the home – from bold looking ceramic pots, bottles, vases, and planters to wall pieces all printed with images of birds, octopuses, butterflies and bees – and the use of the silk screening printing allows each and every vessel to be completely unique, making for a beautiful gift.
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A collection of other makers create gorgeous jewellery.
Clare Hillerby carefully crafts personal pieces of jewellery incorporating old ephemera such as handwritten notes, postcards and photographs into ‘line of fragments’ necklaces, while Charlotte Verity is inspired by light to combine precious metals, handmade glass components and faceted stones into jewellery, and Ella McIntosh uses contemporary pewter to create a range of gifts influenced by the urban landscapes of the North.
Manchester Craft & Design CentreLaura Hutchinson / Manchester Craft & Design Centre
Speaking on the reopening tomorrow, Kate Day – Director of Manchester Craft & Design Centre – said: “We were so saddened to close at the beginning of November when the national lockdown began, but have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure Manchester customers are able to enjoy the Christmas shopping experience in-person once again.
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“This year, we’ve all come to realise the value of friendships and relationships we hold dear.
“So, with Christmas round the corner, why not show someone you care with an extra special present that also supports independent creatives from the grassroots Manchester community?
“Give handmade this Christmas.”
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You can buy from Manchester Craft & Design makers at the centre on 2nd December from 10am – 5:30pm up until Christmas Eve, or online via craftanddesign.com/GiveHandmade.
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Make sure to also follow MCDC on its social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – for all the latest updates this festive season, including another Instagram pop-up on 5th December from 12 – 9pm.
Use the hashtag #MCDCPopUp to take part.
You can find more information via the Manchester Craft & Design Centre website here.
What's On
Cheshire Oaks to debut first-ever ice rink with iconic Christmas tree in the middle to skate around
Emily Sergeant
Cheshire Oaks has unveiled its big plans for the upcoming festive season.
With less than 100 days until Christmas is here, and festive events being announced left, right, and centre, Cheshire Oaks has now joined in on the action, and for the first time ever this year will be adding a bespoke ice rink into the mix, which is set to become centrepiece of its festive celebrations this Christmas season.
The Designer Outlet shopping mall is already known and loved in the North West for its Christmas events each year, and 2025 is set to be no different.
The highly-anticipated ice rink attraction will launch in late October, and it’s already promising to be an ‘unforgettable experience’ that organisers say blends the timeless joy of ice skating with contemporary design and community spirit.
A brand-new ice rink is coming to Cheshire Oaks with a big Christmas tree in the middle to skate around / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of the new ice rink will be a custom-designed ice path that gracefully weaves around Cheshire Oaks’ iconic oak Christmas tree in the centre.
The rink itself will be nestled within a dedicated Christmas events space at the shopping village.
“We are incredibly excited to soon introduce this bespoke ice rink experience to our guests,” says Kenny Murray, who is the General Manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
“It’s more than just a place to skate – it will be a destination where families and friends can create cherished festive moments.”
There’ll be lots of other fan-favourite festive activities returning too / Credit: Supplied
The new ice rink will officially open on Friday 24 October, and tickets will be available soon, with the option to book in advance online or on the day, so keep your eyes peeled.
Alongside the exciting new ice rink addition will, of course, be some of Cheshire Oaks’ fan-favourite Christmas attractions – including the ‘The Big Wheel’ and ‘Santa in the Sky’ experiences, as well as festive film screenings, and the massively popular Winter Village.
The Winter Village is the perfect place to head to if you’re in need of a break from gift shopping and somewhere to soak up the Christmas spirit, as here you can grab a cosy seat and tuck into some traditional German bratwurst from the swing grill, warm up with mulled wine at the bar, and marvel at the UK’s tallest Christmas tree.
You can also book a little wooden hut to relax in, with each hut accommodating up to six people.
The Big Wheel is also one of Cheshire Oaks’ best-loved experiences each year, as here you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy watching the festivities unfold below you, with each flight taking 10 minutes, or you can upgrade to Santa in the Sky to meet the main man in the most unique way possible.
Find out everything happening at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Huge vintage home show to take over historic Manchester building next month
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most historic buildings is set to host a huge home show full of vintage finds next month.
The Vintage Home Show is taking over Victoria Baths for their second event of the year.
For anyone looking to add a retro touch to their homes, this is a chance to feast your eyes on a carefully-curated collection of furniture, homeware, ceramics, artworks, vinyl records, and more stocked by more than 60 knowledgeable sellers in a welcoming atmosphere amid the empty Grade II-listed swimming pool.
Planning to renovate in a vintage style? Or looking for one missing piece of the puzzle? This event can help you track down that something special for your home.
From one-off minimalist pieces, to mass-market retro and kitsch classics, with prices for items starting from as little as £1, you’ll have the chance to shop the collections of dozens of quality independent dealers from right around the UK, all under one historic roof.
Browse a selection of vibrant stalls featuring pieces spanning from the mid-century decades to the bold brightness of the 1990s, and everything in between.
No matter what your budget, you’ll find that gorgeous something to suit your impeccable taste.
Once you’ve finished shopping everything you need to transform your home, you can stop off at Victoria Baths’ on-site cafe to treat yourself to a selection of cakes, savouries, pastries, and soup, as well as both hot and cold drinks.
A huge vintage home show will be taking over the historic Victoria Baths in Manchester next month / Credit: Vintage Home Show
The Vintage Home Fair will take over Victoria Baths on Sunday 5 October, kicking off from 10:30am for keen shoppers after ‘Early Bird’ entry, while ‘Standard Entry’ starts at 11am and runs through the day until 3:30pm.
Due to popularity, the event will be operating a timed ticket entry process, that way organisers can manage the numbers of visitors in the building at any one time to allow everyone a chance to see everything.
Read more:
Tickets are now on sale, priced anywhere from £2 to £6 depending on the time you go, so you simply need to arrive anytime within your allocated hour and stay as long as you wish.
Emily Sergeant -
1st December 2020 
