Retail in Greater Manchester [Archive] - Page 12

jrb

September 8th, 2008, 09:10 AM

Eccles really is knackered. Morrison's killed it. The same will happen in Urmston once Sainsbury's is trading.

Councillor wants more retail in areas of Salford
Swinton, Eccles need more store to stop "gradual decline'
By Simon Binns

A Salford councillor is appealing to national retailers to help save parts of the city from “a gradual decline” and a lack of identity.

Martin O'Neill, councillor for Swinton South, wants to establish a forum of businesses, academics and local people to secure investment in parts of Salford he thinks are failing.

O'Neill has targeted retailers such as River Island, Topshop, Starbucks and JJB to try and reverse the trend of empty shop units in towns such as Swinton and Eccles.

“If you look at those places, the only businesses that have survived are £1 shops or bookmakers,” he said. “Salford may be riding high in the regeneration charts, but most of that is being ploughed into the Quays. The rest of Salford is getting left behind and is going rapidly downhill.”

The councillor has also contacted Manchester University and Salford University's respective business schools to try and establish a forum that would ask existing retailers and residents in Salford what they would like to see in the area.

However, O'Neill knows that Salford could be a hard sell to some of his targets, although he believes his ward has the right demographic to attract high-profile names.

“Swinton has a large population, high footfall, lots of through traffic, although there does need to be free parking in the area, and a large number of office workers from the civic centre opposite the precinct.

“There must be a few thousand office workers in Salford City Council's head office alone — surely somebody like Starbucks would see the attraction in a captive audience like that.

“I understand that retailers want to see sustainability and towns like Swinton need that solid base of established high street names in order to make it attractive to independents. Subway has recently come to Swinton — it would be fantastic to see more names like that.

Bid for change

“Trafford has the Trafford Centre, Manchester has the Arndale — what does Salford have? There is a gravitational pull towards Manchester city centre. I'd like to reverse that.

“I want to make sure that kids coming out of school in Swinton don't spend all their money in the bookmakers or the pub then end up in the funeral home next door.

“If the TIF bid goes ahead, lots of people living in outer Salford with retail jobs in Manchester or Trafford would probably welcome the chance to work near their home and not have to cross a congestion charging ring.

Michael Pucci, owner of Puccini's restaurant in Swinton, said an improved retail offering in the town may persuade shoppers to stay local.

“There are local people who want to spend money on nice things, but there are only cheap shops in Swinton precinct,” he said. “That's fine if that's what you want, but if we had a Marks and Spencer, for example, I could buy some nice trousers locally.

“Better shops would keep people in Swinton, but it's too easy to get to Manchester or the Trafford Centre.”

A spokeswoman for Topshop told Crain's: “Basically for Topshop and Topman, Salford would be too small a market for us to consider trading in, particularly as it is a suburb of Manchester city centre, where we have a major store and two department store concessions as well as our recently expanded Trafford Centre store.

“We aim our stores at main shopping centres in the top 300 markets, so this area would not fall into our business expansion programme.”

flange

September 8th, 2008, 12:47 PM

First supermarket dentist opens

Amanda Crook

8/ 9/2008

SHOPPERS will soon be able to get their teeth checked at the checkout - as the country's first supermarket dentist opens its doors in Greater Manchester.

Celebrity dentist Lance Knight is opening a new branch of his private dental practice at Sainsbury's in Sale offering appointments from £16 - almost the same price as an NHS appointment.

Dr Knight, who already runs the Ultimate Smile Spa, in Manchester, says the new branch will provide general and cosmetic procedures at a `fair' price by opening from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 12 - 4pm on Sunday.

And he plans to expand his clinics to create 50 more supermarket surgeries within three years if this trial, which starts next Monday , is successful.

Dr Knight, whose celebrity clients include boxer Amir Khan and models Caprice and Danielle Lloyd, said: "The old model of dentistry isn't working - I hear all the time from clients who can't see a dentist because they can't take time off work for an appointment.

"This surgery will open twice the hours of a normal practice and it will allow someone to have a check-up while they're picking up their tea and they will be able to park easily - it is a system organised around the patient rather than the dentist.

"We're simplifying the pricing structure so people know what the costs will be and we're keeping the cost similar to NHS prices so we're relying on local people to support us but from the feedback we've had so far we think this could revolutionise dentistry in this country."

The practice will book appointments but also provide care on a first come first served basis including fillings from £30.

It follows the launch of the first GP surgery in a supermarket, earlier this year at Sainsbury's in Heaton Park.

Sainsbury's David Gilder said: "There is a shortage of dental practices in the UK and the launch of this new service goes some way to providing local people with greater access to dental advice and a range of procedures.

"We have a long history of providing health care services in our stores, from pharmacies and travel clinics to the launch of the first ever GP's surgery in our store in Heaton Park.

"These services have been enormously popular with customers wanting access to health care professionals at convenient locations and at flexible times."

The government estimates that there are currently over two million people who wish to register with an NHS dentist but cannot find a surgery willing to take on new clients.

In some parts of the country half the population are not registered with a dentist.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1065815_first_supermarket_dentist_opens

flange

September 8th, 2008, 01:15 PM

Azendi to more than double store count by 2010

In-store gems: turnover is expected to be £5 million this year

Jewellery chain Azendi has embarked on an expansion drive to more than double its store portfolio to 22 shops by the end of next year.

Five stores will open this year, including sites in Leicester, Westfield London, Milton Keynes, Bristol's Cabot Circus and Manchester's Arndale.

Azendi managing director Ian Jones said that he hoped to increase turnover next year to more than £12 million. It is expected to be £5 million this year.

http://www.retail-week.com/Stores/2008/09/azendi_to_more_than_double_store_count_by_2010.html

neil081273

September 9th, 2008, 08:13 PM

Henri Lloyd are opening a new concept store in the former Lacoste shop in the Arndale.
This looks as if it might be in addition to the one that is due to open in the Acresfield development in St Ann's Square

flange

September 9th, 2008, 08:18 PM

Thanks neil it might be a Henri Lloyd Marine store as there are no stores holding their Marine brand in Manchester.

http://www.henrilloyd.com/index_marine.asp

flange

September 9th, 2008, 08:51 PM

As well as Nisa opening a store underneath the NCP at Spinningfields a Drycleaners will also be opening in the unit aswell, Nisa will be taking most of the unit though.

Ian Jones

September 12th, 2008, 11:33 AM

Azendi will be opening in Manchester Arndale soon, I would think they might be going in the unit that Animal used to be in.

thats correct

http://www.azendi.com

flange

September 12th, 2008, 11:35 AM

Thanks for the confirmation of the location, do you have an idea of when Azendi will be opening in the Arndale yet.

flange

September 12th, 2008, 12:00 PM

Adidas will be relocating from their Market Street location into the Arndale and they will be opening on upper New Cannon Street Mall in the former Bershka unit.

flange

September 12th, 2008, 12:06 PM

Cortefiel plans UK stores

Spanish retail giant Cortefiel Group is bringing its lingerie chain Women'Secret to the UK and will also open standalone stores for its young fashion chain Springfield next year.

Cortefiel made its UK debut with its Springfield and Cortefiel concessions in Debenhams stores in London's Oxford Street and Guildford in Surrey this week. Alex Cara, general manager for the franchise division of Cortefiel, which operates a mixture of company-owned and franchise stores globally, told Drapers it was in discussion with property agents about taking standalone sites for the chains next year.

Women'Secret will go head-to-head with the likes of lingerie specialist La Senza and market leader Marks & Spencer. Springfield competes with H&M.

Cara said: "I am looking at strong malls such as the Arndale Centre in Manchester, MetroCentre in Gateshead and Lakeside in Essex. I am also interested in stores near the M25. We could also look at doing company-owned stores."

Cortefiel has about 970 standalone shops and 345 franchise stores across 37 countries. Its fascias also include womenswear chain Pedro del Hierro and upmarket suiting chain Milano.

http://www.drapersonline.com/news/2008/09/cortefiel_plans_uk_stores_standalonecloth.html

flange

September 12th, 2008, 12:17 PM

Desigual enters House of Fraser

Spanish young fashion business Desigual is teaming up with department store House of Fraser to expand its retail presence in the UK.

Desigual launched a flagship store on London's Regent Street 18 months ago, and this autumn will open concessions in seven House of Fraser stores in Manchester, Birmingham, Gateshead, Leamington Spa in Warwickshire, Bath, Milton Keynes and Croydon in Surrey.

Chief executive Manel Adell told Drapers that the company is also in talks about opening a store in London's Covent Garden. A 6,000sq ft store in the Westfield London scheme in White City will open in October.

He added that the brand was also talking to Selfridges about going into its London store for autumn 09.

Desigual has 150 UK department store and independent stockists for its men's and women's young fashion range.

Adell said Desigual's target shoppers were aged between 15 and 55, and added that he was "quite happy" with the Regent Street store's performance. "It is trading well and improving. People didn't really know about us when we arrived but there is more awareness now," he said.

Desigual has 3,000 stockists worldwide and 70 stores in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy and the UK. Its turnover for 2007 was €84 million (£67.1m).

http://www.drapersonline.com/youngfashion/news/2008/09/desigual_enters_house_of_fraser.html

flange

September 12th, 2008, 12:19 PM

Secret Drawer opens in Metquarter

Lingerie independent Secret Drawer will open its second store in Liverpool's Metquarter next month.

The 1,000sq ft store will sit alongside retailers including DKNY Jeans, Hugo Boss and Flannels at the shopping centre.

Secret Drawer opened its first store two years ago on College Road, also in Liverpool. Owner Leona Nicholas said there is a lack of independent lingerie retailers in the north of England. She has already set her sights on a location for her third store.

"The south of England is already catered for but there is a distinct lack of lingerie indies [in the north] doing what we do, which is to offer pretty and sexy lingerie at different price points," she said. "I'm looking at Manchester for the next store."

Nicholas added that the Secret Drawer store on College Road is trading well and attributed the strong performance to its customer service. "I think there is a real lack of good personal service in retail at the moment, especially in multiple retailers."

Secret Drawer's brands include Ted Baker, Valery, Huit, Aubade and Lepel, with Myla being introduced for autumn.

"I think lingerie retailers should offer an intimate environment for their customers and I like to provide the whole package," said Nicholas.

http://www.drapersonline.com/independents/news/2008/09/secret_drawer_opens_in_metquarter.html

Architecty

September 13th, 2008, 10:58 AM

Hoardings up around the new Co-Op on Picc Approach, so presumably work has or is about to start; and the Orange shop in the station has closed (with a sign in the window saying it is permanent).

The Longford

September 13th, 2008, 12:12 PM

Adidas will be relocating from their Market Street location into the Arndale and they will be opening on upper New Cannon Street Mall in the former Bershka unit.

:eek2:
They must have been in Market Street for what...........like............10 minutes or something?
And that couldnt have been a cheap fit out either.
Madness!

jrb

September 14th, 2008, 11:37 PM

Manchester Art Market

An artful premier for Manchester Markets

Manchester Markets is to get its very first art market. The new addition will launch in St Ann’s Square this weekend as part of the Manchester Arts Fair.

This is the first time that Manchester Markets have held an art market, which will be open Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September.

Artwork available will include photography, ceramics, tapestries, painting, glass and much more besides. The wide range of art will suit all tastes and budgets and is the perfect place to find quirky collectables for the home or office.

Manchester Art Market is being held as part of the Manchester Arts Fair. The fair which runs 12 – 21 September is a newly established annual event in the city centre to support national and regional artists and to encourage members of the public to take an interest in their work.

For more Manchester City Council information visitwww.manchester.gov.uk

Confidential is offering 10% off your first purchase at Manchester Arts Fair. To claim your discount please enter your details into the form below.

Manchester Art Market 12 – 14 September

St Ann’s Square

flange

September 15th, 2008, 10:49 AM

Fashion label American Apparel is on the verge of signing a lease to occupy retail space in the Arndale Centre, Crain's has discovered. The retailer will occupy Unit 6 on Market Street, according to its own website. The company, the largest clothes manufacturer in the US with a focus on ethical products, has stores in Brighton, Liverpool, London, Glasgow and Nottingham. American Apparel, headquartered in Los Angeles, arrived in the UK in September 2004 with its first store on Carnaby Street. London.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080915/SUB/309159962/1162/toc/-/-/whats-news

Interesting that it says American Apparel could be opening in the Arndale, unless Crains have got the location wrong.

flange

September 15th, 2008, 10:59 AM

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/040-7.jpg

First Taste duo take a bigger bite out of sandwich market

Brothers open outlet on Cross Street and plan more across country

By Claire Shoesmith

Two Manchester brothers are expanding their £2m turnover corporate catering business based at Trafford Park with the rollout of a chain of deli-style sandwich shops around the country.

Barney and Leo Taylor, who already have one retail outlet on Manchester's Oxford Road that focuses mainly on pre-packed sandwiches, last week opened a new-look First Taste store on Cross Street. Unlike the original store, the new outlets will bake their own bread on-site.

If all goes to plan, Barney Taylor said the brothers hope to open another three retail outlets in Liverpool, Leeds and Birmingham over the next 12 months. Following that, First Taste will look further afield at cities such as Nottingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow, he said.

“There is increased demand for made-to-order fresh food at both breakfast and lunchtime and we are responding to that,” he told Crain's.

Chester-based Philpotts deli and sandwich chain, which was bought by retail entrepreneur Richard Tonks for £8m in 2006, has recently increased its presence in Manchester city centre to five outlets with the opening of a new store in City Tower. Company secretary Jane Mann said people will always want to eat and as a result food retail is a good market to be in. In addition, she said there was always room for more players in the market, particularly if they offer something slightly different.

“Consumers want choice,” she said. “As long as it is slightly different or quirky they will try it.”

Barney also said that First Taste was looking at new cities to roll out its corporate catering business, which currently focuses on Manchester city centre and Salford Quays. It counts PricewaterhouseCoopers and the city's Key 103 radio station among its clients.

It has already expanded outside of Manchester to include Leeds and Birmingham and Barney believes there is significant potential to replicate the model in other cities.

“The corporate business is very successful and will rollout around the country very easily,” he said, adding that while London is an obvious target, the pair are also looking at Scotland and the North East.

First Taste currently employs 59 people, with 30 based at the group's head office at Trafford Park and a further 12 in Birmingham. The remainder are based in Leeds and at the two Manchester retail stores.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080915/SUB/309159978/1117/toc/-/-/first-taste-duo-take-a-bigger-bite-out-of-sandwich-market

flange

September 15th, 2008, 11:01 AM

Frank Rostron owner to double size of store

Bespoke shirtmakers Frank Rostron is doubling the size of its Manchester store and taking on more staff. Adam Dooley (pictured), who bought the business earlier this year, said that demand for made-to-measure shirts from affluent clients had not slowed and he is embarking on a refit of the company's Princess Street shop. A factory on the first floor has been relocated to an industrial unit just outside the city centre which will house 11 new machinists, and the first floor space is being converted to house more ranges. The shop has temporarily relocated to Mosley Street, Manchester, until the refit is finished. Dooley said that around half of the firm's clients are based in the US and the rest are in the UK. He said the firm's American clients are among the wealthiest in the world. “They are recession proof,” he said. “People are saying the economy is shot to pieces but we have not seen any of that. It has always been a strong business.” The company sells around 80 handmade shirts a week, which retail in price from £100-£150. It was founded in 1968 by Frank Rostron.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080915/SUB/309159961/1162/toc/-/-/frank-rostron-owner-to-double-size-of-store

flange

September 15th, 2008, 12:27 PM

Just read in the MEN that UGG are opening their first store in the North-West in the Triangle

Ugg Store Launch

Ugg- O-licious

By Amy W

In true A-list style, a red carpet and champagne awaited invitation –only guests outside the main entrance.

Inside the store people mingled and browsed the range of UGG’s on display, whilst an elegant string quartet played in the background. The atmosphere was calm, and rather cosy – much like the feeling of when you wear UGG’s. – soft, warm and comfortable.

All staff (including men) wore the latest UGG styles from knitted and leather to silver metallic which I have to say stood out by far. They looked as though they had been brought back from of the Babylon Zoo ‘Space Man’ video.

Although the smell of fish was rife, the Sushi presentation was to perfection and everyone appreciated the food. As guests enjoyed the Sushi that was on display, other guests mingled and tried on the latest styles with one lucky guest winning a pair of UGG’s.

If you love UGG’s then you’ll love the new store, even more so because they are cheaper than other UGG stockists. Visit the UGG store as soon as possible and you’ll find your perfect Winter UGG collection including hats and gloves.

Aspecto/ UGG Unit 22, The Triangle Exchange Square. Manchester. M4 3TR

http://www.manchesterfashion.com/c/19/97/ugg-store-launch

The Longford

September 15th, 2008, 12:55 PM

Frank Rostron owner to double size of store

Bespoke shirtmakers Frank Rostron is doubling the size of its Manchester store and taking on more staff. Adam Dooley (pictured), who bought the business earlier this year, said that demand for made-to-measure shirts from affluent clients had not slowed and he is embarking on a refit of the company's Princess Street shop. A factory on the first floor has been relocated to an industrial unit just outside the city centre which will house 11 new machinists, and the first floor space is being converted to house more ranges. The shop has temporarily relocated to Mosley Street, Manchester, until the refit is finished. Dooley said that around half of the firm's clients are based in the US and the rest are in the UK. He said the firm's American clients are among the wealthiest in the world. “They are recession proof,” he said. “People are saying the economy is shot to pieces but we have not seen any of that. It has always been a strong business.” The company sells around 80 handmade shirts a week, which retail in price from £100-£150. It was founded in 1968 by Frank Rostron.

I wonder why this business does so well and yet the shirt maker in the NQ failed?

flange

September 16th, 2008, 09:30 PM

The opening of the second Bagel Nash in Manchester at Spinningfields has been put back a month to November 2008.

http://www.bagelnash.co.uk/BranchDetails.php?BX=|lll|i|l|ll&S=3

markydeedrop

September 17th, 2008, 06:46 PM

A few pictures from Flickr (not mine) relating to the newly extended Market Place shopping centre in Notlob, sorry Bolton!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2377/2862661909_c7090c0794_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2862676425_b7bbe4d3c3_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2862687277_8f702e9067_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2863528098_dfceff5499_b.jpg

flange

September 17th, 2008, 07:08 PM

Thanks marky

A few pictures from Flickr (not mine) relating to the newly extended Market Place shopping centre in Notlob, sorry Bolton!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2377/2862661909_c7090c0794_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2862676425_b7bbe4d3c3_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2862687277_8f702e9067_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2863528098_dfceff5499_b.jpg

New-look Market Place a big hit with shoppers

3:10pm Wednesday 17th September 2008

By Joanne Rowe

Bolton's new £40m shopping centre has opened its doors to the public giving a major boost to the town centre.

Shoppers queued outside the revamped Market Place yesterday ahead of an official ribbon cutting ceremony by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Anthony Connell.

Work has been under way for 18 months to controversially transform the old Market Hall into a new retail space, attracting High Street names such as Zara, H&M and Lush to Bolton for the first time.

Shoppers, encouraged by the offer of £50 vouchers to the first 50 people through the door, queued up from 7am.

First through the door were cousins Shazia Hussain and Saiqua Resman, from Great Lever, who had even offered to help Andrea Ferguson, owner of Westwell florists, unload her stock ready for the grand opening.

The women were rewarded with a bouquet from Westwell, the centre’s oldest tenants, who have been trading there since 1858.

Despite the history, it is the future that Kevin Leaver, senior development manager for centre developers Warner Estates, is looking forward to.

“This relaunch has been many years in the making,” he said.

“It has been a complex project working within a listed building. Hopefully people will see we have given a new lease of life to the Market Hall.”

Contractors were putting finishing touches to the centre throughout the night, even painting walls and delivering furniture in the minutes leading up to the 10am opening.

Following the ribbon cutting, Cllr Connell said the centre will be a significant asset to the town. “It is wonderful to see a beautiful Grade II listed hall restored to its former glory,” he said.

When plans to redevelop the centre were first announced, they sparked anger among many people, with opponents raising a 77,000-name petition against the move to force out more than 50 stall-holders.

Market Place manager Rod Neasham said: “I think a lot of people feared we were going to knock the old building down or do something drastic but they can see we haven’t. We have brought the place to life.”

Twenty four of the new units are already let, 23 of them to retailers new to Bolton and centre bosses say that by the time the centre is fully occupied, up to 500 new jobs will have been created, 200 of them going to long-term unemployed local people.

There was excitement among staff at the new stores as they prepared to welcome their first customers with free samples, vouchers, chocolates and balloons.

Starbucks was opening its first coffee shop in Bolton on the upper floor of the mall, with manager Jayne Delvard and Wanderers mascot Lofty welcoming customers with samples of coffee and cake and supporting charity Breast Cancer Care.

In the afternoon, Wanderers star Gretar Steinsson put in an appearance with his wife, Manuela, to support the charity by signing mugs for fans.

Mrs Delvard said: “In the past 18 months or so, out-of town locations and retail parks have been the key focus, so it is nice to bring trade back to the town centre.”

Principles is using its new store in the Market Place to pioneer its personal shopping service.

For the first time outside London, it has created a special lounge at the store, with clothes specially selected by trained advisers to suit customers.

Principles retail director Alana Mazza said: “This has been planned as part of the store from the start.

“Everybody is so into Trinny and Susannah but what they can’t do at the moment is get that sort of advice in the High Street.

“This is something we really want to develop.”

Retailer Zara, which has nearly 4,000 stores worldwide, is opening its first Bolton store.

Human resources director Vanessa Corley believes it will attract more people new to the brand and mean customers no longer have to travel to Manchester or the Trafford Centre to shop.

Other new stores opening yesterday included Oasis, Jane Norman, Warehouse, Lush, Game Xchange and Carphone Warehouse.

Existing local retailers relocating to the revamped centre include Cappuccinos, C&J Carter Jewellers, Photoworld, Varanni and The Bag Shop.

Following the opening, VIPs and civic dignitaries celebrated with brunch at the Holiday Inn.

Bolton Council’s director of development and regeneration, Keith Davies, said the arrival of the new retail space will give a boost to the whole of the town and encourage more people to shop locally rather than head for locations such as the Trafford Centre.

“People have a real alternative. They don’t have to travel elsewhere now,” he said.

The celebrations are planned to continue in coming months, with visitors given the chance to win use of a new Ford Fiesta for a year.

And on October 30, there will be a royal visit from the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, who will unveil a plaque.

In recent months, artists and poets have been working with local schools to create unique artwork which will be hung as permanent features in the centre and new Christmas decorations, including a huge tree, have been ordered to help the centre mark a sparkling first Christmas.

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/boltonnews/3676302._New_look__Market_Place_a_big_hit_with_shoppers/

jrb

September 17th, 2008, 09:52 PM

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/

Boots anchors second phase of Altrincham shopping centre
17 September 2008, 14:15

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/400x175.2/jun_08/pnw__1212679399_Park_Lane_Elevation_Phase_two_.jpg

Boots is relocating within Park Lane Estates' Stamford Quarter in Altrincham to become the anchor tenant in the second phase of its redevelopment.

The health and beauty retailer has taken 21,000 sq ft over two floors and is due to open its new store in the autumn.

Boots was previously located at Stamford Square on George Street. The second phase of the £40m revamp of Stamford Quarter opens shortly with a remodelled car park and ten extra shops totalling 75,000 sq ft.

Phase One opened in 2007 with tenants such as Desire by Debenhams, Next, Waterstones and Orange.

The overall scheme will create 146,000 sq ft of new retail space and 203,000 sq ft of refurbished space.

Tushingham Moore and Lunson Mitchenall are letting agents.

The Longford

September 18th, 2008, 10:48 AM

New-look Market Place a big hit with shoppers

3:10pm Wednesday 17th September 2008

By Joanne Rowe

Bolton's new £40m shopping centre has opened its doors to the public giving a major boost to the town centre.

Shoppers queued outside the revamped Market Place yesterday ahead of an official ribbon cutting ceremony by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Anthony Connell.
blah blah blah

So? All the independent traders have been turfed out and replaced by local buisnesses like Starbucks, Oasis, Carphone Warehouse etc etc :ohno:
Just what a place like Bolton needs to set it apart from every other fucking town !

flange

September 18th, 2008, 07:21 PM

No I think the redevelopment of the Market Place has got a mix of high street retailers and indepent retailers.

Work has been under way for 18 months to controversially transform the old Market Hall into a new retail space, attracting High Street names such as Zara, H&M and Lush to Bolton for the first time.

Other new stores opening yesterday included Oasis, Jane Norman, Warehouse, Lush, Game Xchange and Carphone Warehouse.

Existing local retailers relocating to the revamped centre include Cappuccinos, C&J Carter Jewellers, Photoworld, Varanni and The Bag Shop.

monkey_rat

September 18th, 2008, 08:29 PM

Can't recall it being mentioned in this thread:

Little Big Planet has opened next to starbucks in piccadilly plaza. Having wandered past several times unable to determine what the hell it was it turns out its a shop to promote an RPG video game prior to its release...!

http://www.wonderwallweb.com/story-1511-Little-Big-workshops-coming-to-Manchester.html

jrb

September 19th, 2008, 09:32 AM

From Crains.

Even the Wilmslow lot are tightening their Gucci and Prada belts. :lol:

jrb

September 19th, 2008, 09:41 AM

Click on link for detail of the proposal. Under article.

The square plans will go ahead
Katherine Vine
18/ 9/2008

CAMPAIGNERS have lost their lengthy battle against changes to a controversial shopping centre in what has been dubbed a "sad day for the people of Hale Barns."

Residents have been fighting against the proposals drawn up by Citybranch since the council refused to approve the redevelopment of The Square over two years ago.

But on Wednesday evening, Trafford's planning committee voted to approve a revised plan for the site, although many councillors said they did so reluctantly in the belief that if they turned it down the decision would not stand up at appeal.

Tony Woolf is spokesman for Hale Barns Residents' Response, the pressure group which has been leading both a fierce and costly fight against the plans.

After the meeting, he told Metro News: "This is something that the people of Hale Barns never wanted and it has been foisted upon them by the council.

"We have fought long and hard against this but, at the end of the day, what more can we do?

"We raised over £60,000 for the public enquiry, purely through public donations, which is an amazing amount and goes to show how much people cared.

"This is a sad day for the people of Hale Barns."

After the council refused permission again in July 2007, Citybranch appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.

Following a lengthy public inquiry, the appeal was rejected on the grounds that the proposed Waitrose supermarket was too big and would draw too many shoppers from central Hale and Altrincham.

In June, Citybranch submitted a revised proposal for a smaller supermarket, but campaigners say it is still too large and will harm other shops and businesses in the area.

HBRR member David Zucker spoke against the application at Wednesday's meeting and urged the committee not to base its decision on statistics.

"The issues in this application are tied up with the lives of your constituents," he said.

"The question is whether the interests of big business will take precedence over our well being.

"Whatever you decide tonight, make sure when you go home you can look in the mirror and know you did the right thing for the people of Hale Barns."

Hale Barns Councillor Bernard Sharp also spoke against the application, saying he had received hundreds of letters from residents opposing the scheme.

"In my 18 years as a councillor, I have never received so much correspondence on one issue, which I think speaks for itself," he said.

A spokesperson for Citybranch told the committee they had "complied with each and every single one" of the recommendations made by the Planning Inspectorate.

"No one can argue that this area should not be invested in," he said.

"This is a development which is needed to serve the community."

Some of the councillors spoke in favour of the application for the upmarket Waitrose store.

Councillor June Reilly said that "not everyone in Hale Barns is rich."

"A large supermarket in the area might be helpful for those less well-off," she said.

Councillor Sean Anstee also highlighted how run down the area is at the moment, calling it a "dilapidated catastrophe."

He said: "Something has to happen to it. At a time of such difficulty, to have such a big development is a real vote of confidence in the future of the area."

However, many committee members said they felt the development was still too large and not appropriate for the site, but that because Citybranch had addressed the specific issues raised by the Planning Inspectorate a refusal would be overturned on appeal.

Councillor Laurence Walsh said: "I don't like this development - I don't like the design - and it has not changed for me.

"But the problem we have is that our hands are tied.

"I would imagine that most of this committee reject the Inspector's views, but our hands are tied by them, so it is with a heavy heart that I move the recommendation to grant."

From http://www.hbrr.co.uk/

PLANNING APPLICATION APPROVED

At the Trafford Council planning meeting held on 17 September 2008, the revised planning application for The Square was approved by a majority vote. The Councillors on the planning committee who listened to the community and understood our deep concerns were Cllrs Whetton, Fishwick, Cordingley and Mitchell. No other councillor voted against the proposal, although one or two expressed their opinion that they did not like the development design or size and the revisions made by the developers were not substantial (or in the words of one Councillor - they were 'nothing'), but their hands were tied, they said by the Inspectors report. Cllr Bernard Sharpe spoke at the meeting in objection to the development, and we are grateful for him making his feelings known, but Cllr Myers, who in his election manifesto said that he supported HBRR and opposed these plans, did not attend the meeting last night. Empassioned pleas were made on behalf of the community and Cllr Mitchell summed up our feelings when he commented that this is the wrong development and it is a wasted opportunity for something that could have been wonderful for all parties!

After a very brief discussion amongst the councillors, where Trafford's position was hardly challenged at all, and at the strong urging of Trafford Planning Officers, the majority of the planning committee voted for the development.

THIS IS A SAD DAY FOR BOTH HALE BARNS VILLAGE, FOR COMMON SENSE AND FOR THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

Overview and render.

http://www.thesquarehalebarns.co.uk/

The Longford

September 19th, 2008, 10:43 AM

^^ Dont like it - dont use it (bet they all will though)

Mancunian Monkey

September 19th, 2008, 05:37 PM

Excellent news, it's about time those dullards in Hale got their comeuppance.

flange

September 19th, 2008, 07:04 PM

Calender Club are opening up two temporary store in the Arndale over Christmas, job applications are online now.

Sherunsheruns are opening a store in the Arndale soon, this will be their third store after Bluewater and Meadowhall, job applications are online now

http://www.sherunsheruns.co.uk/about.htm

flange

September 19th, 2008, 07:16 PM

Fraser Hart have opened in the former Elle store on lower Regents Crescent.

River Island are expanding into the former Fraser Hart unit on lower Regents Crescent.

Disney have now reopened their store on lower Regents Crescent after their store refurbishment.

Elvi have closed their store on upper Regents Crescent.

The Perfume Shop is closed for refurbishment on upper Peel Avenue they will reopen on 27th September.

Claires have opened next to Thorntons on upper Peel Avenue.

Miss Selfridge have closed their store next to HMV and opened a new store next to the new Topshop and Topman on upper Regents Crescent.

HMV have refurbished their store to their new style store.

Dorothy Perkins are relocating to the former Topshop and Topman store.

markydeedrop

September 20th, 2008, 09:54 PM

New Whitefield Morrisons
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/001-7.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/004-7.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/006-9.jpg

All other pictures from the city centre
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/019-11.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/033-11.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/054-7.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/056-7.jpg

flange

September 20th, 2008, 10:04 PM

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/033-11.jpg

The website for Simply Delish

http://www.simplydelish.co.uk/

flange

September 20th, 2008, 10:06 PM

Thanks marky for all the photos

New Whitefield Morrisons
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/001-7.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/004-7.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/006-9.jpg

Brand New Morrisons Store Opens in Whitefield!

The brand new Morrison's store in Whitefield, brought forward by Dransfield Properties, has opened to shoppers this week.

It was offically opened by Sir Ken Morrison as well as the mayor of Bury and the MP Ivan Lewis.

The fantastic new store employs 300 people, most of them from Whitefield and Bury and has been built on a six acre site on Stanley Road in Whitefield.

The site also houses the popular cafe Roma which was rebuilt at the side of the store while redeveloping the new site.

Whitefield's new store also includes local art work reflecting the history of the local area.

Mark Dransfield, Managing Director of Dransfield Properties Ltd, attended the new store opening.

He said: "A great deal of work has gone into getting this development to this stage and it is great to see all the shoppers using the store. We knew from very early on in our public meetings and discussions that there was a great need in Whitefield for a store of this size and quality and we have had a lot of support and encouragement from the local community."

Local residents Christine and David Leach, who live near the new store said: "We want to thank everyone involved in bringing Morrisons to Whitefield.

"The superstore looks great and is a big improvement to the area - well done everyone for your effort."

http://www.dransfield.co.uk/news.php?id=408&DPLSESS=92d35fb8f832c14111717628bcac1071

flange

September 20th, 2008, 10:07 PM

Demolition Underway on £40 million Openshaw Development Site

Work will get underway next Spring on a £40 million mixed use development, set to bring a brand new commercial heart to Openshaw in East Manchester create around 750 jobs in the area.

Demolition work to clear the 11.9 acre site has already started and the Yorkshire based developers Dransfield Properties Ltd are planning to start construction next Spring to deliver the 250,000 sq ft mixed used scheme off Ashton Old Road in Openshaw.

The development will house:

a 79,250 sq ft Morrisons store
a further 80,000 sq ft of smaller retail units
670 car parking spaces
stand alone office space
a new health and fitness centre
improvements to outdoor spaces in the centre
The plans for this ambitious district centre development, being brought forward in partnership with New East Manchester, were given the go-ahead in May 2007.

The company has already acquired two thirds of the land needed to deliver the scheme and a Compulsory Purchase Order Inquiry was held last month to further the assembly of the site.

All local property owners affected by the development are being consulted over relocation opportunities.

Local salon The Hair Team has already moved to new premises on Ashton Old Road.

Owner Duncan Berry said: “We are delighted with our new premises and are really pleased that we were given the opportunity to relocate. We are all looking forward to seeing this development come forward; it’s what this area needs.”

The new development has been planned in line with New East Manchester’s regeneration plans for the area to bring new housing and facilities to this part of Manchester and double the population by creating family neighbourhoods that retain existing residents and attract new families.

The Openshaw development will serve that growing population and bring much needed new shops and facilities to the area.

Eddie Smith, Chief Executive of New East Manchester, said: “Development of the new District Centre will complement other improvements in the Openshaw neighbourhood.

“The new Health Centre a short distance away on Ashton Old Road provides a modern base for GPs and a wide range of other health services, and a new community centre and learning facility will open early next year.

“Other recent developments in the area include the top class local sporting facility Sporting Edge and the high quality family homes in the first phase of new building now taking shape on the former St Peter’s High School site.

“These improvements will all help to transform Openshaw into a vibrant and sustainable neighbourhood.”

Retail Property Developer for Dransfield Properties, Andrew Malley, said: “We are pleased to be moving forward with our scheme in Openshaw. There is a great need in this area for this kind of investment and we are hoping to be on site next Spring. This part of Manchester is undergoing a great transformation and it is exciting to be part of that.”

http://www.dransfield.co.uk/news.php?id=407

A6 Bypass

September 22nd, 2008, 08:07 AM

Not sure if this is the right part of the forum but I have the need to rant.

Anyone used the Victoria Station car park outside of working hours recently?
Took family to Printworks (Nan has gammy leg so no Metrolink before you ask). Intended usual trick of dropping of at Printworks by Urbis, park car at Vic, pay by mobile (painstakingly set up many moons ago) for £4 as a rule.
Plenty of spaces - bit unusual for a nice Sunday but is 5pm.

Couple of dodgy looking blokes try to sell me a used ticket. Bound to be a scam so said no. Start to look for site number to key into mobile. No number. New car park owner. Gits.

Look for pay and display. Can only pay pay for 12hrs. Oh well. See I can pay by phone, got a bit of time to set up so start to do it. Can only pay for 24hrs @£8. On a Sunday!! Gits!

Go to Pay and Display. No change and wont take notes. So try card. Wont work. At any of the machines. :gaah:

Aformentioned bloke comes up again and very nicely informs me of the unfortunate situation and again offers me a ticket for £2. No brainer. Go and see Dark Knight to get some ideas.

jrb

September 22nd, 2008, 08:51 AM

From Crains.

Barton Square rival may be in the works
Credit crunch fails to deter Dutch developers from marking Greater Manchester for scheme
By James Chapelard

http://ckimg.sv.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CK&Date=20080922&Category=SUB&ArtNo=309229975&Ref=AR&Profile=1026&maxw=300

Dutch property developer Bouwfonds is planning a huge furniture and homewares shopping centre in Greater Manchester.

The concept — known as Domus and already built in Paris — will contain 50 shops and could create up to 500 jobs.

Bouwfonds, based in The Hague, told Crain's it was in talks with one property developer in the region and has already identified key sites within Greater Manchester.

It has also earmarked London and Glasgow for development but said Greater Manchester was the region most likely to see a Domus centre built.

The project, which will be between 250,000 and 400,000 sq ft, will be a direct rival to Peel Holdings' £90m Barton Square extension to the Trafford Centre, which opened in March.

Bouwfonds insisted the project was very much still on despite the credit crunch but it admitted that the current climate had slowed down its plans.

In Rosny, east of Paris, Bouwfonds has built a 600,000 sq ft Domus centre with 100 shops and parking for 500 cars. The centre includes names such as Laura Ashley and Roche Bobois but also more specialist shops. It has an outlet devoted to Asian futons, one devoted entirely to sleeping products and one selling solely cupboards for the home.

The Dutch company, part of Rabo Bouwfonds, has been owned by Rabobank since 2006 and last year announced pre-tax profits of E243m, a rise of 28 per cent.

Jacques Sinke, director of international retail for Bouwfonds said he welcomed competition from Peel but said the Domus concept went much further than general furniture retail.

He said: “Although Barton Square is a substantial development, it does not cover the whole spectrum of home furnishing. We go further than that and have more specialist retailers. We look to be a key centre for the furniture industry, from antiques to specialist shops who only sell door handles. We also have a garden centre in Domus Paris. It's about the completeness of the offer.

“Barton Square is a very tough competitor offering in the UK with a unique range of products in a very attractive location. Competition is good because it gives you the possibility to be different.”

Sinke said any development would involve finding a joint partner in the UK to build the mammoth project.

He added: “We are monitoring and looking for opportunities. We are looking for a local developer who would be our joint venture partner because would never want to take that on our own. We are definitely looking.

“What is not helping is the current economic climate. The market conditions in the long term are good. We believe in Greater Manchester. We have seen one or two sites that are viable.”

Sinke said it was impossible to tell at this stage when the project might be built, adding that the current climate was not helping. Sinke declined to name any location being looked at, but the Paris development is out of town and on a major ring road, which suggests that any Manchester location would ideally be close to the M60.

John Walley, head of the Manchester office of Drivers Jonas, said such a large scheme could face planning issues but it would not be impossible for it to get approval.

He added: “Planning laws favour town and city centres against out of town developments. If you were contemplating something like the Trafford Centre again it would be very difficult to get planning permission.

“Depending on what they want to do there might be some planning issues. The other issues are car parking and traffic generation. But planning may depend on benefits. It might bring jobs and further investment. I am sure Bouwfonds will have done its homework.”

flange

September 22nd, 2008, 12:14 PM

Azendi will be opening around mid October in the Arndale.

The Longford

September 22nd, 2008, 06:40 PM

staticmeltdown

September 22nd, 2008, 08:33 PM

^ This will be a test of whether councils truly believe in vibrant town centres, reducing congestion and generally improving people's quality of life.

Or whether they like a bit of cash.

flange

September 23rd, 2008, 09:07 PM

The Tie Rack stand at Piccadilly Station has been refurbished to their new style.

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/4012/manchester019sh2.jpg

Hurleys women and kids next to Greggs on London Road is closing down.

Looks like work could be starting soon on the former Barclays Bank on Market Street, people were looking around the store today.

Yosef are opening in the former JJB Sport store on Market Street.

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/372/manchester21pc1.jpg

Henri Lloyd are opening a new concept store in the former Lacoste shop in the Arndale.
This looks as if it might be in addition to the one that is due to open in the Acresfield development in St Ann's Square

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/4263/manchester23wk9.jpg

More cash machines have been installed in the Arndale next to TK Maxx.

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/8504/manchester22ev9.jpg

Hoardings have been put up around the former Dolcis and Ann Harvey stores in the Arndale and construction has started on a new store there as you can here the workmen in the unit, no mention of a retailer on the hoardings though.

Base has closed down in the Arndale.

Hoardings are now up around the new Azendi store in the Arndale, they will apparently open on 15th October.

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/1006/manchester24tl6.jpg

Hoardings are up around the new Levi and Adidas stores on upper New Cannon Street Mall.

Hoardings have been put up around the Phones 4 U store next to Druckers.

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/1800/manchester25pu5.jpg

Partners has now been refurbished to Rymans in the Arndale.

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/9246/manchester26it3.jpg

Pink Inc are opening in Blue Inc on Market Street.

http://www.mypinkinc.co.uk/

Comdot

September 23rd, 2008, 11:09 PM

had my first ever krispy kreme today. got it from the piccadilly plaza shop. had no idea they were that good! :eat:

http://nymag.com/images/2/daily/food/06/12/09_krispykreme_lg_l.jpg

uklad1979

September 24th, 2008, 02:03 PM

Hoardings have been put up around the Phones 4 U store next to Druckers.

It's not the Phones 4U store it's the o2 store which I think is having a refit.

flange

September 24th, 2008, 02:23 PM

Ya sorry I knew it was one of the mobile phone stores.

spoonsbeatfish

September 24th, 2008, 03:20 PM

Gavin

September 24th, 2008, 05:35 PM

I think that having this at the First St development would be excellent too.

flange

September 24th, 2008, 08:14 PM

The new Salad Bar is now open in the Food Court at Lowry Outlet Mall.

And as uklad1979 said a while back Chicken Cottage will be opening soon in the mall next to the Salad Bar in the Food Court.

flange

September 25th, 2008, 11:08 AM

Trafford Centre rents most expense in region

By James Chapelard

The Trafford Centre in Trafford Park is the most expensive rental location in the North West, according to a Colliers CRE report.

At £400 per sq ft, up from £375 in 2006/2007, the centre remains more expensive than the newly opened £1bn Liverpool One Shopping centre on Merseyside — one of its rivals.

Headline zone A rents for Liverpool city centre, including Liverpool One, are £320 per sq ft. This is ahead of Manchester city centre, which can command rents of £300 per sq ft.

Stockport commanded rents of £190, Warrington £145 and Bolton £140.

The figures however do not include the incentive packages which landlords are likely to have given retailers to sign up to their development in the current downturn.

Between May 2007 and May 2008, prime-in-town retail rents in the North West rose, on average, by 2.7 per cent compared with an increase last year of 1.8 per cent and above the UK average of 1.1 per cent.

In real terms, however, the region experienced a rental fall of 1.6 per cent over the 12 months to May 2008, better than the UK average of 3.1 per cent.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080925/FREE/809259990/1117

flange

September 25th, 2008, 11:20 AM

The website for Thomas Street Post Office now has a holding page on it.

http://www.thomasstpostoffice.com/

flange

September 25th, 2008, 07:44 PM

Scoop Ice Cream Cafe are opening soon in the Arndale, job applications are online now.

http://scoopicecream.com/

neil081273

September 25th, 2008, 09:53 PM

Dorothy Perkins on King Street has closed down and Crombie is having a closing down sale 'Due to Relocation'

flange

September 26th, 2008, 11:11 AM

Not surprised that Dorothy Perkins has closed, as their lease on the King Street store has been up for sale for a quite a while time now, so there is no surprise in them closing.

Crombie closing is a bit of a shock, at least they will be relocating somewhere else, I wonder where there new store will be though.

I would expect a few more closures on King Street in the future.

jrb

September 26th, 2008, 11:30 PM

From Crains.

John Lewis stores see decline in sales
By James Chapelard

Sales at both John Lewis’s stores in Greater Manchester have seen more dramatic falls in sales.

The store in Cheadle reported an 18 per cent drop in the week to September 20 (week eight) while the store in Trafford saw sales drop 16.5 per cent compared with the same period last year.

For the eight weeks of John Lewis’ half year, sales at the Cheadle store are down 6.4 per cent and sales at the Trafford store are down 2.2 per cent.

The retailer said sales across all stores were down 5.6 per cent for week eight but up 2.2 per cent for the half financial year so far.

John Lewis said the week to September 20 had experienced poor trading because of good weather and the uncertainty in the financial markets.

flange

September 30th, 2008, 05:32 PM

Thought that something was up today when I went past the store and it was closed.

JOY goes bust

The popular Arndale store goes into administration

Just under a year ago, Confidential reported on the expansion of possibly the best shop in the Triangle, JOY. They'd made a bold move to the new part of the Arndale, selling a wider range of limited edition clothing, novelty gifts and impressive homeware. There was even talk of making the old JOY in the Triangle into a JOY clearance store.

Back then, excited area manager, Paul Murphy, said of the new store: “We’ve got a bit of everything for everyone. It sounds really cheesy but we live up to our name; JOY. We like to have fun.” Today however, the fun has come grinding to a halt as the company has announced that it has gone into administration.

A spokesperson for JOY said: “Maureen O’Brien Limited, trading as JOY, has entered into administration. The company, which has 28 stores across the UK and employs 370 staff, offers a range of innovative fashion-led designs, gifts and homeware.

“Insolvency practitioners were appointed on Friday 26 September to manage the administration. The administrators are reviewing the financial position of the company and are currently negotiating the sale of the business. Through their endeavours they are seeking to preserve the maximum number of jobs and to ensure the best possible realisations for the company’s creditors.”

It was only last week that the store was offering students 20 per cent discounts. Now we can probably expect further reductions to get rid of stock if this is the end of the company. JOY aren't currently commenting on why it's been forced to close stores, but here's guessing that the two dreaded C words are at the root of the financial disarray.

If a seemingly busy JOY was in fact struggling, then other less popular stores can't be far behind. The credit crunch is claiming more and more retail casualties nationwide and with big stores such as JOY closing so suddenly, it's widely believed that the looming recession could mark the end of the high street as we know it. Is the current economic environment affecting your shopping habits?

http://www.bodyconfidential.com/index.asp?Sessionx=IpqiNwy6IWAlKaqiNwF6IHqi&

flange

September 30th, 2008, 05:46 PM

Orange at St Ann's Square has been refurbished

Adidas is now closed on Market Street and reopens on upper New Cannon Street Mall in the Arndale on 16th October.

Yosef is nearly complete.

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/2740/manchester027lv7.jpg

Henri Lloyd is also complete, but not open yet.

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/5316/manchester028md8.jpg

Hoardings have been put up around Just Pink.

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/646/manchester029ab3.jpg

flange

September 30th, 2008, 07:10 PM

As was rumoured when reports of Adidas moving into the Arndale came out, Adidas Originals will close their Traingle store and reopen within the new Arndale store when it opens 16th October, the lease for the Adidas Originals store is now up for sale.

http://www.shopproperty.co.uk/Pdf/40000100322EIOD.pdf?id=bfb7df3f738e4f72a7a3134efda628a7

monkey_rat

September 30th, 2008, 08:36 PM

Had a rather depressing stroll down King Street the other day, so many empty units.

I think the expansion of the Arndale will go down as one of the biggest mistakes Manchester has made as a city, it acts as a black hole sucking in retail from areas with more character.

There is no other decent city I can think of that has such a huge indoor retail area slap bang in the centre.

flange

October 1st, 2008, 10:53 AM

Dorothy Perkins on King Street has now been completly stripped out and looks like a new store could be opening there soon, I think that this might be the location for Charles Tyrwhitt.

Russell & Bromley is still being refurbished at St Ann's Square whilst the store is open, the majority of the store is hidden behind hoardings now and about a third of the store has been refurbished to their new style.

neil081273

October 1st, 2008, 07:20 PM

New Lingerie shop to open in the old Formes shop on Police st
lucileandco.com

flange

October 1st, 2008, 07:23 PM

New Lingerie shop to open in the old Formes shop on Police st
lucileandco.com

Thought there was a new store opening in there, as there was information about job applications in the windows but I did not see who was opening, the website says Lucile will be opening in November

flange

October 1st, 2008, 07:25 PM

The outside of the Triangle Shopping Centre, which is run by fund management firm Morley, is to get a facelift. A new glass-and-fabric canopy will be added that will stretch from the main entrance around the centre. A planning application for the project is expected to be presented to Manchester City Council within the next few weeks.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080225/FREE/950477327

The planning application has now gone in for this, no documents are online for both of them yet though.

The Triangle
Exchange Square
Manchester
M4 3TR

Erection of glazed canopy at Hanging Ditch entrance to shopping centre, including supports within paved area within Exchange Square

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=K6D5MWBC02600

The Triangle Shopping Centre
Exchange Square
Manchester
M4 3TR

Erection of 31 window canopies on Cathedral Street, Fennel Street and Hanging Ditch

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=K5N7DEBC02600

flange

October 2nd, 2008, 08:14 PM

Scoop Ice Cream Cafe are opening soon in the Arndale, job applications are online now.

http://scoopicecream.com/

The license has gone online for this now.

Scoop Ice Cream Cafe, 54B Barbirolli Mall, Manchester Arndale, Maket Street, Manchester, M4 2HU

Application Type Premises Licence (New)

Proposal Proposed trading hours for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises:
Mon to Fri 0900 to 2000
Sat 0900 to 1900
Sun 1100 to 1700

Proposed trading hours for the provision of regulated entertainment (live music, recorded music):
Mon to Fri 0900 to 2000
Sat 0900 to 1900
Sun 1100 to 1700

Proposed opening hours for the premises:
Mon to Sat 0900 to 2000
Sun 1100 to 1700

I think the location that Scoop will be going into is the old Dolcis unit.

The Longford

October 3rd, 2008, 11:06 AM

The planning application has now gone in for this, no documents are online for both of them yet though.

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=K6D5MWBC02600

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=K5N7DEBC02600

Another piece of tat on a previously attractive building.

flange

October 6th, 2008, 04:51 PM

A different type of retail now, Selco Builders Warehouse opened today (6th October) in Ardwick, there is a big blimp with the Selco logo flying above the location of the store.

http://www.selcobw.com/en/our-branches/north-west/ardwick.aspx

flange

October 6th, 2008, 04:52 PM

Plans for the new Tesco at Princess Street underneath the new office block have been approved and the license for the store is now online.

Tesco, 55 Princess Street, Manchester, M2 4EW

Application Type Premises Licence (New)

Proposal Proposed trading hours for the supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises:
Mon to Sun 0600 to 2315

Proposed opening hours for the premises:
Mon to Sun 0600 to 2315

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=500047&documentID=610&pageNumber=11

jrb

October 6th, 2008, 11:56 PM

Fast grain fantasies

Rice is the spice of Piccadilly life

http://www.piccadillymanchester.com/images/6102008rice.jpg

With the hustle and bustle you come to expect from an original back street Hong Kong take-away, Rice Piccadilly has plenty to offer with an energetic vibe and efficient service. The secret is a healthy and fresh approach to its cooking, whilst infusing a whole bunch of flavours from all corners of the World, with skilled chefs to match.

With the first of the Rice restaurants opening in Piccadilly three years ago, the Rice proposition is growing from strength. Now you will find Rice in the Selfridges' Food court which illustrates its strength as a brand. In February 2009 Rice will be opening another fast food restaurant on Deansgate and converting the Pizza Hut restaurant.

So what is the philosophy? Simple:cook healthy, filling and tasty food.

Rice don't compromise on quality as they use only the freshest ingredients. With a calorie controlled food (nothing is cooked in oil), you can be assured that what you're eating is healthy and nutritious.

Rice strive to make the food the way you want: if you have any particular requests they are more than happy to help and knock up the dish you want. It is made in an open kitchen where you can view exactly what is going on, the cooking is energetic and dramatic and key to the ambience that Rice promotes.

From Monday 6 October, you can enjoy the Sushi Express station situated separate to the main kitchen, providing the sushi chef with all the space required to delicately prepare the fresh sushi before your very eyes. With the fresh produce and skilled chefs you can create your own box of fresh sushi to meet your sushi needs.

jrb

October 7th, 2008, 09:02 AM

MEN online.

Sandwich shops take bigger bite

7/10/2008

THE spate of new sandwich bars opening in the central Manchester shows no sign of slowing.

Two further deals agreed this week adding to the number of food-on-the-run eateries.

In the latest deals the Cheshire Building Society has assigned its leasehold interest in 62 Cross Street and 66 King Street, Manchester, to EAT.

It will pay a rent of £161,000 for the 776 sq ft shop.

The deal was brokered by Ward Griffiths Associates and Kennymoore.

In a separate deal, Subway, advised by Savills, has acquired space at a new retail development on Ashton New Road in Clayton, after talks with discount retailer Aldi.

The sandwich chain has agreed a 15-year lease on the store, which totals 1,000 sq ft and is adjacent to a new Aldi supermarket under construction. Subway will pay an annual rent of £20,000.

Aldi was represented by Lamb & Co.

future.architect

October 7th, 2008, 04:36 PM

am i the only one who thinks that the arndale still isnt good enough? it's been blighting manchester for 20 years and even tho its been remodled many times, its still not quite good enougth.

the new half is great but the old half looks worse because the new half is so much better.
if i was going to be thorough in sorting it out, i would get rid of the foodchain overpass, that would never get through planning these days. there are so many empty units in the arndale, i'm sure the foodchain could be accomodated somwhare else, the top floor of the former c&a unit for example.

i would also redefine some of the entrances. next would be to sort of the high street elevation and the BHS corner. these parts are the worse. why they wernt dealt with back in 2003 when most of market street was re clad, i dont know.

the next stage would be to make the style and decor into something more concistent. the old half looks a bit 1990's and dusty. moving from the new half to the old half, the old half feels rather oppressive and cramped comared to the new half. the baulistrades havent changed since the 80's and the rooflights look a bit pedestrian.

and the final part of the plan would be to re clad the tower. i'm not sure exactly how you would do this as its basicaly fully occupied.

the council should probably be persuading the arndales owners to do something since the trafford centre is still as poupular as ever and liverpool, urmston, altrincham and even bury are getting their acts together. manchesters retail may be doing well in the £'s per square foot, but it is slipping down the tables as far as ambience is concerned.

Slow Burn

October 7th, 2008, 08:50 PM

Work seems to have started at 55 Princess Street fitting out the Tesco store

monkey_rat

October 8th, 2008, 01:28 AM

...

Hear Hear.

They should sort out the building that houses Boots also, they've done so well in regenerating those side streets so far, but that one is still diabolical thanks to the piss-tiles.

flange

October 10th, 2008, 06:27 PM

Hi guys all way from New York, Menkind are opening in the Arndale again with the temporary christmas store on 18th October.

jrb

October 10th, 2008, 08:57 PM

From Crains.

No Name fashion seller targets Manchester
By James Chapelard

Athens-based fashion retailer No Name, which makes its UK debut this autumn in London, plans to expand into Manchester next year.

No Name director Alex Christofi said the opening at Westfield London’s new shopping centre is likely to be followed by a roll out across the country. He told Retail Week : “We’re are looking at Manchester and Birmingham next and have been in discussions with Selfridges and John Lewis about concessions.”

No Name trades from 24 standalone stores in Greece, Egypt and Cyprus with additional openings planned in Bucharest. The company was founded in 1984 as a designer, manufacturer and wholesaler of menswear. It added women’s wear in 1997.

uklad1979

October 10th, 2008, 09:52 PM

Flange are you in NY? If so hope you are having a great time. I am off their for NYE I can't wait.

flange

October 10th, 2008, 11:34 PM

Yes i am in New York uklad flying home on Sunday night, is so sunny compared to Manchester and it is great so far thanks

jrb

October 11th, 2008, 12:00 AM

Luxury British fashion brand Mulberry has appointed interiors specialist Universal Design Studio to create its new store concept.

http://www.designweek.co.uk/assets/getasset.aspx?uiAssetID=9d890b33-8cc3-4bf7-b566-076f051c07ea

Universal won the brief following a paid five-way pitch in mid-September, and will be working on developing Mulberry's fresh interior look over the next few months.

The consultancy has revealed that, initially, it will focus on a new £600 000, 325m2 store in Manchester, which opens next autumn, as well as one unspecified smaller store, to 'test' the concept over a range of scales.

1Mulberry brand director Georgia Fendley says the design brief called for a 'hard-working retail space that reflected our core brand philosophy of intelligent English luxury, excellence in craftsmanship, authenticity and a sense of playfulness'. She adds, 'As a business, we create fashionable things that become favourite things - and it is crucial for the interior scheme to embrace that.'

With more than 300 stores internationally, Mulberry is fast becoming one of the UK's leading high fashion labels, and Universal director Jonathan Clarke believes it is important to express that progression.

'Mulberry's current look sits alongside what the brand used to be, which was a very confident luxury accessories store. What it doesn't have is the edginess that has been injected into the brand over the past couple of years,' says Clarke.

'Our work seeks to reflect Mulberry's progression into an interesting, tough couture and lifestyle brand.'

Clarke hints that close attention will be paid to the manufacture of bespoke joinery items within the stores, to mirror this new balance between fine craftsmanship, lifestyle and couture.

Mulberry previously worked with interior design group Four IV, which created the scheme for Mulberry's White City store in London, set to open later this month, and also for its store at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 (pictured).

Fendley says that the relationship with Four IV worked very well, 'but by next year it will be four years old, and it is time to move on'.

heatonparkincakes

October 11th, 2008, 02:53 AM

Jrb that Mulberry expansion begs the question about how retail will map out in the face of a price adjustment/recession/depression.

Last time we had such a decline in 1980 and less so in 1992, we started from an overall lower point in terms of general prosperity, expectations, consumption and debt.

So I wonder how it will go. The End of Brands, the birth of the neu DIY cool or the redesigner of the designer?

Whatever the piss coloured piss tiles of the Arndale will be there.

flange

October 14th, 2008, 12:53 PM

State of the art multi-player gaming to hit more stores.

London, UK. - October 13th 2008. HMV today announces its acquisition of Gamerbase Limited, a state-of-the-art multiplayer gaming company.

Gamerbase first opened its doors inside HMV's Trocadero store in London's Piccadilly Circus, last December 2007 on a concession basis. This new retail concept aimed to provide HMV customers with an unrivalled gaming experience and a ‘try before you buy' opportunity to sample new release games on PC and console formats ahead of purchase.

Following a successful Trocadero trial, which has also seen a lift in the store's games software sales, HMV now plans to site this state-of-the-art gaming centre within several more of its stores around the country over the next twelve months and beyond.

Full details will be announced in due course, but the first of these will be sited in HMV's Manchester Market Street superstore. The HMV Manchester Gamerbase will be located on the store's lower ground adjacent to the newly refurbished Games department, which has recently moved down from the first floor. The new state-of-the-art facility will feature over fifty player units occupying some 2,000 sq.ft., and is due to open in time for Christmas.

This development of the Gamerbase format within HMV, including the Manchester launch, will be led by the company's co-founders, Dominic Mulroy and Sujoy Roy, who have been retained by HMV in a senior managerial capacity.

Explains Mulroy: "We're delighted and excited to bring Gamerbase into the HMV fold. Over the past year we've seen how it's helped to attract in new customers into the Trocadero store while also complementing its wider games offer". He adds: "Gamerbase is passionate about enabling gaming enthusiasts to enjoy a premium-quality experience, while also offering customers the facility to purchase the very games they are playing directly from the store. We believe this development provides an excellent platform for HMV to connect with customers they may not always have reached in the past."

Tim Ellis, HMV Head of Games, agrees: "We've been developing our games offer in a number of ways, and we see instore gaming as an important strand in our overall strategy." He adds: "Where we roll them out, we'll be looking to locate the Gamerbase centres next to our games departments to bring the whole offer together for our customers - so if someone's enjoyed playing a game online, they can pre-order or purchase it there and then." Ellis goes on: "The Trocadero Gamerbase has gone down really well - even games publishers and technology partners have been using it for product promotion and launches, and quite a few companies have been hiring it for corporate hospitality and staff events."

HMV MD Simon Fox comments: "A key element of HMV's ‘get closer' strategy is to continually improve the in-store experience for our customers - establishing our stores as multi-channel, interactive destinations and bringing to life the product that they're so passionate about. HMV is uniquely placed in entertainment retailing to bring this about." Fox continues: "With Games becoming an increasingly significant part of our product mix, we're delighted to announce that Gamerbase is now a part of the HMV Offer, demonstrating our commitment to Games, and enabling us to develop a premium-quality gaming experience. Gamerbase has shown that the idea of a social gaming experience within a retail environment can be beneficial to our customers and the Games Industry alike."

Dominic Mulroy continues: "The model of a gaming cyber centre has been extended to include official competitions and events staged by games publishers, where gamers can prove their skills for a variety of fantastic prizes. So far, in 2008, Gamerbase has hosted events with a combined prize value in excess of £300,000. As Gamerbase expands around the country this will open up great opportunities for HMV to become involved in regional and national competitions, which, of course, will benefit the games industry as a whole."

http://gaming.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=15875

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/8482/gbmsmall1bz8.jpg

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/9301/gbmsmall2rp6.jpg

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/5798/gbmsmall3wq5.jpg

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/1581/gbmsmall4gz0.jpg

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/6008/gbmsmall5td5.jpg

flange

October 14th, 2008, 01:40 PM

Dorothy Perkins opened their new Trafford Centre store on Saturday in the old Topman/ Topshop store.

uklad1979

October 14th, 2008, 09:39 PM

Barefruit Juice in the Arndale seems to have closed down.

SleepyOne

October 14th, 2008, 10:42 PM

Crains are reporting that Crombie are moving to smaller premises on King Street rather than exiting altogether.

SleepyOne

October 14th, 2008, 11:12 PM

From Manchester Confidential

http://www.bodyconfidential.com/index.asp?Sessionx=IpqiNwy6IWAnIaqiNwF6IHqi&

Babycakes

Lynda Moyo on a little shop with a big following

http://www.bodyconfidential.com/images/10102008bab3.jpg

WHERE IS IT:
Babycakes
Edge Street
Northern Quarter
Manchester
M4 1HW

www.bbycks.com

"If you live in Manchester the shop is well worth a visit. It'd be rude not to, given that there's a whole 'scene' of kids outside the UK who would probably sell their own parents for a chance to visit the Edge Street HQ."

http://www.bodyconfidential.com/images/10102008bab1.jpg

THE HISTORY:
Unbeknown to most of Manchester, on 10 August 2008, Edge Street- a usually vacant area at the back of Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter- was swarming with what I would call 'scene kids' (although they would call themselves 'club kids'), eager to be the first into new clothes shop, Babycakes and equally as eager to get a glimpse of founder Paul Griffiths. But why?

Well, 21-year-old Paul has become something of a celebrity thanks to his clothing label and MySpace. Like many others his age, Paul used MySpace to network and blog before using it to promote the t-shirts he was designing in his spare time away from a mundane telesales job. The brand grew rapidly and Paul was able to ditch his day job and open up an online store followed by this shop in the Northern Quarter.

http://www.bodyconfidential.com/images/10102008bab2.jpg

It's not just clothes though. There's a whole sub-culture or scene which goes with Babycakes that has made it so appealing to its followers. This includes plenty of exaggerated net speak (OMGZZZZ is net speak for Oh my God), 8-bit Gameboy music ( a sub-genre of electronic music created from modified 8-bit consoles such as NES, Atari, Sega Master System, and cartridges) and hairspray. Lots of it.

WHO SHOPS THERE:
Babycakes has an unprecedented cult following. According to Paul it's “more than I could ever have imagined.” So why hadn't I heard of it? “Well you have to be on the scene really.” Oh. Note to self: must get down with the kids more often.

He's right though. I've visited this shop on four occasions now and each time I've come out with the urge to get a sweeping fringe cut and start removing the vowels from all my sentences. It's easy to see why it's become so popular. These kids are fun-loving, non-conforming conformists with brilliant hair, of course.

http://www.bodyconfidential.com/images/10102008bab5.jpg

WHAT DOES IT SELL:
The big deal is the t-shirts. They're fantastic. Brightly coloured and extremely eye-catching with slogans such as:

'OMG WE ARE THE CLUB KIDS'

'CUTECORE'

'BBYCKS IS BTTR THN UR BF'

On their opening night, Babycakes made 100 limited edition t-shirts emblazoned with '2008 cutecore'. Groupies were clambering over each other to get their sticky Babycake fingers on them. They also sell funky underpants, jewellery and other bits and bobs to complete the look.

WHY GO THERE:
The shop is how I'd imagine a modern day take on the Hanzel and Gretel house. Whereas the typical version had old fashioned bourbon creams and pink wafers, this one is marshmallows and gob-stoppers. It may not actually sell sweets but it brightens up an otherwise dull, deserted street.

Babycakes make more money through their online store and there is a wider range on there. However, I'd say if you live in Manchester the shop is well worth a visit. It'd be rude not to, given that there's a whole scene of kids outside the UK who, given the chance, would probably sell their own parents for a chance to visit the Edge Street HQ.

http://www.bodyconfidential.com/images/10102008bab4.jpg

THE FUTURE:
Babycakes started with one designer and one wearer: Paul. It now has so many fans that Paul was reluctant to have his photo taken for this article. You see stars only like to be photographed when they feel they look their best and Paul is no exception. He has a massive fan base to keep happy and his image plays a huge part in that.

As his personal MySpace page states: “if you think you have been talking to me anywhere else on the internet, im afraid that you havn't. weirdo's use my photos because they are too ugly to talk to girls.”

Babycakes is also lapping up passing trade who are drawn towards the bright shop as though it were the end of the rainbow. Paul has recently returned from a trip to L.A. and is looking to open up a shop there and maybe London.

Having come from a predominantly music based networking site, Babycakes is sticking with this theme by planning their own record label, hosting gigs and of course getting all the bands to wear their t-shirts. Clever.

They also plan to bring out sunglasses...for Christmas. You can't get any cooler than that. The future is vivaciously bright for Babycakes and the marketing possibilities, like a rainbow, are endless.

VERDICT:
I <3 bbycks

The Longford

October 15th, 2008, 01:37 AM

^^ I feel old!

Comdot

October 15th, 2008, 02:05 AM

So? All the independent traders have been turfed out and replaced by local buisnesses like Starbucks, Oasis, Carphone Warehouse etc etc :ohno:
Just what a place like Bolton needs to set it apart from every other fucking town !

good point. seeing the pics of the new marketplace i thought i had a good new reason to visit bolton. that seems prematuire now.

flange

October 15th, 2008, 08:29 PM

flange

October 15th, 2008, 08:32 PM

£1.5 million Xmas light spectacle for Trafford Centre

3:33pm Wednesday 15th October 2008

By Robert Downes

THE countdown to Christmas starts in earnest next week with the annual Christmas lights switch on at the Trafford Centre expected to pull in thousands of people for a spectacle bosses there have dubbed ‘the biggest light show in the north west’.

The centre has spent a whopping £1.5million pounds on what it describes as an ‘extraordinary lighting scheme’ set to drench the Mall with festive illuminations and bring an early splash of seasonal cheer.

The illuminations will be turned on with the flick of a switch at the crescendo of a star-studded stage show in The Orient, as famous faces from stage and screen turn out to help launch the festivities, including former Hollyoak’s beauty Gemma Atkinson, and Key 103’s.

And for the first time, the new Barton Square homewares development will show off its new yuletide finery as it is transformed into a winter wonderland with an illuminated Father Christmas climbing the 67metre campanile tower and curtains of icicle lights draped around the inside and outside of the landmark building.

The festivities start at 4:30pm on Thursday, October 23, with the big switch on lined up for 7.30pm.

http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/3760562.__1_5_million_Xmas_light_spectacle_for_Trafford_Centre/

flange

October 15th, 2008, 08:35 PM

River Island is now reopen after the store was extended and refurbished at the Trafford Centre.

flange

October 17th, 2008, 09:38 AM

Market to be best yet

Don Frame

17/10/2008

MANCHESTER'S famous festive markets are returning for their 10th year - and this time they will run up to the last weekend before Christmas.

It all started in 1998 with a small 17 traders from Frankfurt. Now, it is now one of the biggest events of its kind in Europe.

This year there will be 200 stalls offering a heady mix of European and local produce, arts and crafts, fashion items and gifts.

Organisers have responded to complaints that the markets end too early by extending their run to Sunday December 21.

This includes the last big shopping weekend before Christmas. There will be six sites across the city, with the addition of a new location in Exchange Square.

Last year the markets brought an estimated £42m of extra business to the city.

An average of 43,000 people a day visited the main Albert Square market over the five-week run.

Coun Pat Karney, city centre spokesman said: "The Christmas market continues to go from strength to strength, and we are delighted to be celebrating 10 years of what has become the mainstay of our events calendar."

The main European market in Albert Square opens on Tuesday, November 18. The layout has been re-planned to ease congestion, increase space and improve the shopping experience.

St Ann's Square will host the German market, Brazennose Street a world market and Exchange Street an arts and crafts market. There will also be markets on New Cathedral Street and Exchange Square.

Mark Legomski, the city's head of markets said: "The success of the Christmas market is phenomenal."

Manchester's Christmas lights switch-on, which heralds the start of the city's festive season, will take place between 6pm and 7.30pm on Friday November 7.

The fun will include celebrity guests, live music, costumed characters and a firework finale.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1073137_market_to_be_best_yet

flange

October 17th, 2008, 04:36 PM

flange

October 17th, 2008, 07:17 PM

Adidas opened today (Friday 17th October) in the Arndale in the former Bershka unit

The adidas store in the Manchester Arndale centre consists of two floors, on the ground floor you find our Sport Performance store. The adidas Sport Performance store has one guiding principle: to equip all athletes to achieve their own impossible. While adidas is proud to support athletes in all sports this store is mainly focused on running, football and training. This store also features the exclusive adidas by Stella McCartney range. On the first floor is our adidas Originals store with authentic sports lifestyle and fashion footwear and apparel commemorating the adidas heritage under the famous trefoil and the credo "Celebrate Originality".

http://www.manchesterarndale.com/store_profile-2450.htm

Azendi opens tomorrow (Saturday 18th October) in the Arndale in the former Animal unit.

Leeds No.1

October 19th, 2008, 11:19 AM

Does anyone know when 'Dolcis' (I think that's its name) on Market Street is closing? It seems to have been 'closing down' for weeks.

flange

October 20th, 2008, 04:22 PM

Barefruit Juice in the Arndale seems to have closed down.

Barefruit Juice were taken over by Lovejuice earlier this year so they will probably be closed for refurbishment, as all their menus had been changed to the Lovejuice style a while back.

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4259/lovejuice1zv8.jpg

Joy at the Traingle and Arndale are both closed after the store went into administration recently.

The hoardings are now starting to be taken down around the Acresfield buildin at St Ann's Square, so Henri Lloyd, Fat Face, Camper and Links of London will be opening soon here.

The old Oilily store at Barton Arcade is now being worked on, no mention of who will open there yet though.

Russel & Bromley will be fully reopened on Thursday 30th October after the store has finished their refurbishment.

Trevor Sorbie is now open at 19 Spring Gardens.

La Senza has been refurbished at the Arndale.

Work is going on in the units next to Bon Marche and BB's Coffees and Muffins but there is no mention of who will be opening there, I think though that they could be the locations for temporary Menkind and Past Times Christmas store.

Also work is going on in the former Bratz unit could this be T Mobile fitting out the unit for their second Arndale store.

Sherunsheruns are opening in the former Base unit in the Arndale on Saturday 25th October

The Fragrance Shop are opening in the Arndale in the old Just Pink store, they were putting stock into the store today so imagine it will be open by the weekend.

Calender Club have opened two stands in the Arndale for Christmas, one on the mall opposite Republic and Curry Digital and another next to the entrance to the market.

Pancake Express looks to have closed their Cross Street store.

Central Perk Manchester have opened next to Subway on Piccadilly Approach.

AMT Coffee have opened in Piccadilly Station at the Fairfield Street entrance

monkey_rat

October 20th, 2008, 06:12 PM

Pancake Express looks to have closed their Cross Street store.

Aye, noticed this.

They lasted how long? 2 months?

They seemed to be quite popular also, strange.

butterfingers22

October 20th, 2008, 07:14 PM

I cant believe there's a shop called love juice, am i the only one who thinks it sounds slightly wrong?

flange

October 20th, 2008, 07:59 PM

Aye, noticed this.

They lasted how long? 2 months?

They seemed to be quite popular also, strange.

Yes and the Cross Street one is their second store after the one in the Trafford Centre, not sure if that one has closed though.

The Longford

October 21st, 2008, 01:42 AM

The unit that Pancake Express was in is cursed.
Everything that goes in there goes tits up.

flange

October 21st, 2008, 04:27 PM

New shops add to footfall at Arndale

Manchester Arndale claims to be bucking the retail gloom with a rise in footfall so far this year.

The centre saw 23 million visitors in the first 38 weeks of 2008, an 11 per cent increase on the same period last year. In July footfall was up 14.8 percent and August saw a 9.3 percent uplift.

The centre is benefiting from new openings including Nike, Adidas, footwear company Crocs, jewellers Azendi, Levi’s, The Fragrance Shop and clothing chain Bon Marche.

Fashion boutiques Vero Moda and Jack and Jones have been added to the centre. Scoop, BB’s Coffee and Muffins, Poundland, specialist fitness equipment retailer She Runs He Runs and Past Times are also new tenants.

Andrew Foulds, director of asset management at PRUPIM, which manage the 1.55m sq ft property on behalf of joint owners Prudential and Capital Shopping Centres said: “Manchester Arndale is a major success story and continues to out perform the recent national retail trends. Our tenants are taking advantage of centre’s dominant position in the city’s retail hierarchy. There is a backlog of interest from prospective tenants and we expect to announce many more exciting new retailers in the coming weeks.”

In the first half of 2008, Hawkins Bazaar, Transform Your Images and Puma launched in the centre.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081021/FREE/810219979/1083

flange

October 21st, 2008, 05:29 PM

The old Dolcis/ Ann Harvey unit in the Arndale is going to be split up into three units, one will face onto Halle Square and the other two units will face onto Barbirolli Mall, one of the units has already been let to Scoop Ice Cream Cafe.

Slow Burn

October 21st, 2008, 06:48 PM

Anyone know when shops will start opening on The Avenue? Joseph, at the top end of King Street, has gone into sale. Someone who works at their Harvey Nics concession told me they've gone into sale because they're relocating to The Avenue. Surely The Avenue isn't going to be ready before Christmas is it?

flange

October 21st, 2008, 08:35 PM

I think The Avenue opens in Spring 2009, 2 Spinningfields Square (Armani's store) is due for completion in Christmas but it will not open until Spring 09 when the rest of The Avenue opens.

flange

October 22nd, 2008, 08:36 PM

Job applications for new Jack & Jones and Vero Moda store at the Arndale are now online.

http://www.manchesterarndale.com/jobs.htm

flange

October 22nd, 2008, 09:11 PM

Gimme Gizmo are opening in the former Dolcis on Market Street soon

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/8360/manchester031md6.jpg

http://www.gimmegizmo.com/

The Fragrance Shop now open

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/7501/manchester032fw7.jpg

Menkind are opening in the exact same location as last year for their temporary Christmas store.

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/6945/manchester033jq2.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3126/manchester036kd9.jpg

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The refurbisment of the 02 store in the Arndale is nearly complete

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/6522/manchester040rf1.jpg

The former Barclays on Market Street is going to be a Costa Coffee, so now we have the three big coffee chains right next to each other.

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/5685/manchester042ud2.jpg

flange

October 22nd, 2008, 09:26 PM

The first Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Store opens on Friday 7th November on Bridge Street.

ramsbrook

October 22nd, 2008, 11:36 PM

Visited the Trafford Centre today late afternoon and wondering if Barton Sq got more tenants lined up? I notice on the hoardings on the vacant units (which have been there since it opened) advertising Barton Sq mention Reiss, New Look and Mango...as well as the other stores which are now open.. were they originally going to move in but backed out? I think BQ desparately needs some stores that will create footfall - the M&S Home store had less than 10 shoppers in there and the whole place was deserted. Santas Grotto is opening there soon which should provide some temporary traffic!

M€trolink

October 22nd, 2008, 11:37 PM

Hopefully all the tenants will pull out and the place will bankrupt Peel.

jrb

October 22nd, 2008, 11:42 PM

flange

October 23rd, 2008, 11:48 AM

Well the only possible new tennant that we know off for Barton Square is Legoland Discovery Centre, as a planning application is online now for the change of use for the unit they will go into.

Plans are now online to turn the unit opposite Natuzzi at Barton Square at the Trafford Centre into a leisure unit.

Unit D, Barton Square, Phoenix Way, Trafford Park.

Creation of leisure unit with ancillary retail (gross internal floorspace of 4701 sq.m) within existing development.

http://planning.trafford.gov.uk/MVM/Online/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningTechAppraisalPK.xml&PARAM0=105908&XSLT=/MVM/SiteFiles/Skins/trafford/xslt/PL/PLTechAppraisalDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/MVM/SiteFiles/Skins/trafford/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

It will be occupied by Legoland Discovery Centre, the first in the U.K.

http://www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com/

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8028/legolandlh1.jpg

flange

October 23rd, 2008, 11:51 AM

The Trafford Centre’s profits rise

23rd October 2008

By Joanne Birtwistle - Deputy Editor

THE Trafford Centre has seen full-year profits rise marginally on its tenth anniversary despite administrations in the retail sector.

Accounts filed at Companies House by the centre's owner, Peel Holdings, show pre-tax profit increased by 2.6% to £23.7m for the full-year to March 31, 2008.

Turnover was £77.9m compared with £76.8m in 2007.

The directors’ report said The Trafford Centre had held up “remarkably well” in spite of worsening economic conditions.

Visitor numbers were 76% higher than in the previous 12 months – one of The Trafford Centre’s largest increases.

It put this down to investment in attractions such as the £26m Great Hall dining area, which opened in March 2007, as well as the growing range of retail, leisure and hotel facilities in the vicinity.

However, the directors’ report warned that the majority of rents are due for renewal over the next 12 months, in what will be its second series of five yearly rent reviews.

“Administrations continue to be a problem and new shopping centre developments elsewhere in the North West have been offering very attractive terms to secure tenants.

“Nevertheless, we have made reasonable progress in reducing the number of void units on satisfactory terms,” said the report.

The accounts do not include rental income for The Trafford Centre’s latest addition, the 200,000 sq ft Barton Square, as it only opened in March this year. The £90m extension mostly houses furniture and homeware shops.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/6129-the-trafford-centre-s-profits-rise.html?news_section=4148

flange

October 23rd, 2008, 11:53 AM

Bigger spenders at Fraser

Ben Rooth

23/10/2008

HOUSE of Fraser has completed a £3m makeover of the ground and first floor of its flagship Deansgate store - and says it is seeing increased sales in certain areas, including beauty products, handbags, jewellery and lingerie.

Despite `difficult' trading conditions, the company also intends to continue offering new brands, with women's fashion chain LK Bennett arriving next month.

General manager Jeff Johnson said the credit crunch had meant fewer customers came through the doors, but those who did were spending on average 12 per cent more.

He added that he was adopting a `wait and see' approach to the prospect of Sir Philip Green, the Arcadia to BHS retail billionaire, buying into House of Fraser.

The company is 35 per cent owned by troubled Icelandic investor Baugur and Sir Philip has been in talks over a possible deal to buy around £1bn of Baugur's debts.

Mr Johnson said: "Sir Philip is a fabulously successful businessman - in just the same way that many of the current directors of House of Fraser are also fabulously successful businessmen in their own right.

"He also is not the sort of businessman who will show interest in any company which isn't worth his time to look at seriously."

House of Fraser's total sales grew 2.9 per cent in the six months to the end of July - it has never given like-for-like comparatives. Underlying earnings increased by more than 30 per cent to around £16m.

Mr Johnson said that the £3m spent on upgrades this year is part of an ongoing £15m investment which will continue in 2009.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1074149_bigger_spenders_at_fraser_

garethwyn

October 23rd, 2008, 09:09 PM

According to the latest Retail Week, Primark is looking to leave the old Lewis's building for the Arndale because John Lewis wants Lewis's for a city-centre site. It also says that Selfridges wants to 'change units' in the city centre

The Longford

October 23rd, 2008, 09:14 PM

flange

October 23rd, 2008, 09:31 PM

Maybe if Primark are leaving their store to move into the Arndale it will mean finally the redevelopment of the BHS corner on Market Street and High Street and Primark will move in their to be the anchor tennant for that area.

Gavin

October 24th, 2008, 02:37 PM

I would like to see that corner finally redeveloped. It blights the area. A nice curved frontage, 3-4 storeys of retail space would be nice. something similar to the NEXT unit.

flange

October 27th, 2008, 06:29 PM

Looks like Philpotts is now being fitted out at Spinningfields next to Yo Sushi.

Work going on in the new Bagel Nash store at Spinningfields, opening in November.

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/7870/manchester045ya8.jpg

The hoardings are now down around Acresfield in St Ann's Square, Links of London will be in the corner unit, then Fat Face will be next to Links, Henri Lloyd will be next to Fat Face and Camper will be next to Henri Lloyd.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7280/manchester047tp8.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8794/manchester048ai0.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/6696/manchester049rh6.jpg

Gimme Gizmo now open in the former Dolcis unit on Market Street.

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/9838/manchester050wq5.jpg

Past Times now open next to Bon Marche

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/9620/manchester051bv2.jpg

Menkind now open opposite Zavvi.

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/9710/manchester052qp7.jpg

Sherunsheruns now open in the former Base unit.

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/4133/manchester053wk0.jpg

Levi is now open in the former Mexx unit.

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/3892/manchester054rq6.jpg

02 is now reopen after their store refurbishment in the Arndale.

Work is going on in the former Scotts unit, no indication of who it will be yet though.

The new Co-op Food store at Piccadilly Approach looks nearly complete should be opening next week maybe.

Hoardings up around the former Dr & Herbs at Piccadilly Station.

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/2407/manchester055zj4.jpg

flange

October 27th, 2008, 06:43 PM

Afflecks is a gloom beater

Exclusive Deborah Linton

27/10/2008

MANCHESTER'S creative minds are defying the credit crunch.

The city's Afflecks shopping emporium is busier than ever, mainly due to students with money to spend.

This time last year the quirky northern quarter centre - formerly Afflecks Palace - was facing closure after then owner Elaine Walsh revealed she did not plan to renew her 25-year lease.

Its future was secured, to the delight of hundreds of campaigners, after being bought out by the building's landlords, Bruntwood, in February.

This month they have had their busiest day since taking over, defying trends on the high streets.

A number of stallholders left during last year's uncertainty, but the three-floor centre is now full again, with 23 new businesses moving in in seven months.

Afflecks manager Tony Martin said: "With all the marketing and new students coming to the city, people are seeing that Afflecks is once again the lively, creative hang out it used to be. Three of our businesses have expanded which is a really good sign, particularly considering the mood of the economy at the moment.

"I think it comes down to the spirits of the people who have businesses here and our customer base, many of whom are students."

Many of the new businesses that have opened build on Afflecks' legacy for launching some of the city's biggest creative names, including fashion designer Wayne Hemingway, of Red or Dead fame, and property giant Urban Splash's Tom Bloxham.

It has also been a hang-out for many of Manchester's music icons, including Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets and Oasis. New businesses include Golden Camel, an art exhibition space that will be open to local students to display their work, and photography studio Resurrect, as well as a retro furniture store and soft toy company. October 4 saw a record day for Afflecks with its biggest ever number of visitors. Management and owners of the centre's 53 businesses hope the trend will continue.

Tarquin Hodson, who runs a clothing shop Lost Property on the third floor, said: "I've experienced my biggest year on year sales growth."

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1076001_afflecks_is_a_gloom_beater

highriser

October 27th, 2008, 07:40 PM

flange , do you know whats going in the unit facing Starbucks at Albert Sq , i

markydeedrop

October 27th, 2008, 07:53 PM

Strada

flange

October 28th, 2008, 09:53 PM

Krispy Kreme have now opened in the Food Hall in Selfridges at the Trafford Centre.

http://www.krispykreme.co.uk/Store-Locator/Selfridges-Manchester-Trafford-Park

flange

October 29th, 2008, 08:55 PM

BrightHouse rolls out £7.5m expansion plan

Exclusive Kevin Feddy

29/10/2008

RENT-TO-BUY retailer BrightHouse today unveiled a £7.5m expansion programme across Greater Manchester which will virtually double its number of stores in the region and its workforce.

BrightHouse expects to open 15 branches over the next few years, creating around 100 jobs.

The chain already employs a similar number across its existing 13 outlets in Greater Manchester and 40 staff at a national distribution centre in Trafford Park.

It sells TV sets, fridges, washing machines, cookers, furniture, laptops and mobile phones for cash and through weekly instalments.

BrightHouse's core customers are low-income householders and people on benefits, most of whom opt for three-year purchase agreements.

The company, which was known as Crazy George until 2002 and is owned by Vision Capital, is eyeing sites in places such as Eccles, Denton, Farnworth, Sale, Heywood, Failsworth and Manchester's Moss Side and Arndale Centre.

Chief executive Leo McKee, who joined BrightHouse in 2005 and is a former managing director of Woolworths, said he believed there was potential for more than 600 stores. BrightHouse currently has 177.

He said today: "We are delighting to be increasing our store network in Greater Manchester, as part of our strategy to ensure that our stores are easily accessible to people in the local communities where we operate.

"The BrightHouse business model is resilient to consumer spending cycles, and we have clear visibility of earnings."

Revenues in the year to March 31 were £145.9m and pre-tax profits soared 60 per cent to £20.1m.

Turnover this year is expected to reach £175m.

BrightHouse's customers have no access to regular credit and do not have mortgages, leaving them relatively unaffected by the turmoil in the economic cycle, added Mr McKee.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1076585_brighthouse_rolls_out_75m_expansion_plan

flange

October 30th, 2008, 12:09 PM

Lowry outlet mall signs new tenants

By James Chapelard

The Lowry Outlet Mall in Salford has signed two new restaurant operators.

Chicken Cottage and Deli-Fresh have both taken just over 500 sq ft in the centre’s food court.

Deli-Fresh is a salad bar, run by a local operator and and opened earlier this month offering “create your own” salads and deli snacks.

“Sales so far have smashed expectation and the turnover has increased week on week since opening — a positive report during a tough economic climate,” a spokesperson for the mall said.

Chicken Cottage will begin trading at the beginning of November. Robert Hallworth, centre manager at Lowry Outlet Mall, said: “Both these operators are new to the Salford area and will boost the dining offering in the mall.”

Sales figures across the entire food court are showing a 9 per cent increase on October last year whilst the restaurants on the plaza are also up by 3 per cent, the mall said.

Across the rest of the mall, September and October figures show that footfall is up by 5 per cent like for like and sales are 2 per cent up on the same months last year.

“The sectors that have performed particularly well over this same period are mixed fashion, which is up by a massive 14 per cent, whilst gifts are up 2 per cent on last year to date,” said Hallworth.

Hallworth said the credit crunch was benefiting the mall. He said: “It is clear that people’s disposable income is being squeezed and outlet shopping is growing in popularity as a result.”

Hallworth said that new retailers, which include Nike and The Earth Collection, have also been reporting positive sales figures.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081030/FREE/810309985/1117

flange

October 30th, 2008, 12:58 PM

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/6522/manchester040rf1.jpg

O2 stores get major makeover and put focus on staff training

30/10/2008 10:46:46

150 O2 shops to get live handsets and ‘gurus’ in revamp

O2 is carrying out its biggest ever store revamp and doubling the amount it spends on training store staff.

Around 150 stores will be given the new lounge look by the end of 2009, which includes a new coffee shop-style area and will contain specially-trained staff dubbed ‘gurus’.

The new design has already been implemented at the O2 store in Manchester’s Arndale Centre.

The entire range of handsets will be fully working under the revamp, with large TV screens installed to display product demonstrations and offers.

Customers will be able to check their accounts, top-up their prepay handsets and purchase tickets for events at the O2 arena in designated self-service areas.

O2’s consumer sales director, Stephen Shurrock, said that guru staff are being trained to reflect the increasing complexity of products on offer.

‘Mobile phones are becoming more complicated and there are other products like mobile broadband available now. We are moving away from just selling prepay and postpay into a more complicated world, so the gurus are being brought in to help customers through that.People want to browse and have a look at things. We’ve learnt a lot from the iPhone launch; having live iPhones
in stores has allowed us to have interesting conversations with customers.’

The ‘retail transformation programme’ will be applied to 25 stores by the end of this year – including Nottingham, Glasgow, Norwich and Southampton.

O2’s stores have been criticised for looking dated over the past two years.

Orange retail chief Sian Doyle has revealed that Orange will also be initiating a series of store makeovers over the coming months.

Carphone Warehouse is trialling a new ‘wireless warehouse’ format in its new outlet at Westfield shopping centre in west London.

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/O2_stores_get_major_makeover_and_put_focus_on_staff_training.html

TheGrand

October 30th, 2008, 01:04 PM

Anybody know why Love Saves the Day near me on Dale Street is shut at the minute?

flange

October 30th, 2008, 01:13 PM

Here you go The Grand from the Manchesters Pubs, Bars, Clubs, and Restaurants thread about a week or so ago, it has now been confirmed though that they have gone bust again for the second time.

Love Saves The Day seems to have imploded once again.

I saw Chris the owner, hastily loading/unloading outside the venue over the weekend and thought nothing of it but apparently the Thomas St and Deansgate stores haven't opened since and the website is down.

Someone told me the balliffs are in Thomas St (the person in question got the Spanish inquisition whilst trying to leave with items from another business entirely which is based in an office upstairs) and it appears once again they have been had over by someone. Last time a crooked "accountant", this time a supposed "investor" who has buggered off to Italy.

Strangely the Dale St site is still open but a staff member said this was because the property owner was involved. I don't know if this means the Carver's Warehouse devloper has a cut of the business (maybe a separate JV limited company which is why it's protected?) or whether he's offered a rent-free period to help them out as it adds value to his business and his occupiers to have a nicely branded coffee shop onsite.

I'm terribly sad. Chris and Beckie and great and despite the shonky service LSTD was great too and the city needs places like that. Why oh why was it not once bitten twice shy?! Terrible to see an indepedent go to the wall, and no fun for their employees in the current climate.

Thom

TheGrand

October 30th, 2008, 03:59 PM

Brilliant :ohno:

Thanks Flange

tellmeastorey

October 30th, 2008, 05:12 PM

From Crain's

Love's day not saved
By Simon Binns

Part of Manchester city centre delicatessen chain Love Saves The Day has gone into liquidation following the closure of two of its shops. It is the second time in three years that husband and wife owner/directors Chris and Beckie Joyce have lost the business, after it was forced to close in 2005 following problems with the accounts.

The shops on Deansgate and Thomas Street have been closed and the companies formed to operate them have been placed into liquidation by administrators at the Manchester office of Begbies Traynor.

Love Saves The Day (Thomas Street) Ltd and Love Saves The Day (Deansgate) Ltd owe “in excess of £60,000” to creditors, with the directors owed more than £35,000 across both companies, according to Jason Greenhalgh at Begbies Traynor. Finance director David Mills resigned earlier this month and there is no prospect of a dividend to any class of creditor.

“The two companies have been losing money and creditor pressure was growing,” said Greenhalgh. “Rents were in arrears and the company directors were finding it difficult to pay debts as they fell due. There are a number of pressing issues uncovered following the resignation of the financial director which the directors felt they were unable to correct in the current climate.”

A total of 19 staff have lost their jobs, seven in Thomas Street and 12 in Deansgate.

The assets of the company are of “minimal value”, according to Greenhalgh, with the majority of the stock being subject to retention of title claims from suppliers.

“The remaining directors are shocked and saddened by the closure of the shops and had put a lot of hard work in trying to make the business succeed,” said Greenhalgh. “The current climate has hit sales hard and with further investment difficult to secure they had no option but to cease trading.”

The remaining Love Saves the Day store, on Dale Street, may be saved, as rent has been paid to landlords Town Centre Securities for the unit in Carver's Warehouse unto the end of October. Talks are understood to be ongoing with a potential new owner for that site, operated by Love Saves The Day (Dale Street) Ltd.

Greenhalgh said no formal instruction had been received for Begbies Traynor to operate that company, although he had “taken a look at it”.

Hard-to-find produce

Town Centre Securities declined to comment, although it is understood a deal could be done this week.

Chris Joyce, a former drummer with Mick Hucknall's Simply Red, made a comeback after the previous collapse three years ago.

On that occasion, the trading company was bought by new company called Stitch Solutions Ltd, which changed its name to Love Saves The Day (Holdings) in April.

He opened his first Love Saves The Day on Tib Street in 1999, later expanding into larger premises on Oldham Street. The deli became an institution in the city centre's developing Northern Quarter by selling hard-to-find Mediterranean products and organic wines.

A meeting of creditors of both failed companies is scheduled for November 7 at the Manchester office of Begbies Traynor on Deansgate.

Joyce failed to respond to calls for comment. He is not the only Northern Quarter business owner to find the going tough at present.

Six Pack Deli, on the corner of Hilton Street and Tib Street, has been closed for a week.

Crain's was unable to contact the owners for further information.

flange

October 31st, 2008, 09:04 PM

Russell & Bromley are now reopen after their store refurbisment at St Ann's Square.

The Peugeot Showroom on Water Street has now closed and they have moved to their new showroom at the former Virgin Cars site on Albion Way.

http://ww3.peugeot.co.uk/ppp/cgi-bin/ppkfcwebuk/ppplp5100_00.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1834716552.1225479582@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccadefigiikkgcefecfgmdfgodffj.0&_intDealerID=010862Z&_cboUserCar=null&_intContactType=

The Longford

November 3rd, 2008, 01:25 PM

Cant be bothered to trawl this thread but is there any plans for an American Apparel in mcr any time soon?
Flange? Over to you.

kids

November 3rd, 2008, 03:20 PM

I know that one, i think they are. It's Market street/Around body shop there.

kids

November 3rd, 2008, 03:22 PM

Aye - via flange -

Fashion label American Apparel is on the verge of signing a lease to occupy retail space in the Arndale Centre, Crain's has discovered. The retailer will occupy Unit 6 on Market Street, according to its own website. The company, the largest clothes manufacturer in the US with a focus on ethical products, has stores in Brighton, Liverpool, London, Glasgow and Nottingham. American Apparel, headquartered in Los Angeles, arrived in the UK in September 2004 with its first store on Carnaby Street. London.

flange

November 3rd, 2008, 08:34 PM

TM Lewin has been refurbished at King Street.

The Body Shop is being refurbished at King Street.

O'Briens are refurbishing their York Street store.

The new Henri Lloyd store at Acresfield in St Anns Square opens on 20th November.

GShutty

November 3rd, 2008, 11:12 PM

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7280/manchester047tp8.jpghttp://img139.imageshack.us/img139/6696/manchester049rh6.jpg

That's a quality refurb. Does a lot for the building itself, connects well through French Connection and onto Cathedral Walk and opens up the prospect of a vastly improved Barton Square from St Anne's Square. In turn this should work well for King St.

These types of improvements and those being seen around Brown St for example & across the city are having a profound effect of the connectivity of the city centre for the pedestrian and the shopper alike.

monkey_rat

November 3rd, 2008, 11:33 PM

Apologies if I'm being thick but - what is the deal with Barton Square.

How is it a square? Looks like a back alley for the bins to me.

Does it have some kind of historical significance that merits it being rejuvenated even though no-one knows of it's existence?

SleepyOne

November 3rd, 2008, 11:49 PM

Its heartening to see so many stores investing in their premises in and around St Anne's Square, Deansgate, Barton Arcade and King Street. I know that the Arndale has badly affected footfall in this area, so its good to see landlords and tenants trying hard to stem the tide.

GShutty

November 3rd, 2008, 11:57 PM

I think if it assists 'the Arcades' primarily Barton and St Anne's too, with additional footfall, then that's a very good thing. Furthermore it should give more life to Police St. and from there on to King St, which for me stagnates a little, given that it joins directly on to Deansgate.

There's a few little coffee shops (okay they're chains) that front onto Deansgate, but that have rear exits on to Barton Sq. If they were encouraged & allowed to overspill with tables on the pavement of Barton Square, you could have a lovely little strip of cafes on a pedestrianised cafe culture thoroughfare.

I always though Barton Square would be cute if it had a glazed ceiling- aesthetically offering an extension to Barton Arcade, onto St Anne's Square and out by Habitat. It's so central it deserves better than being just an alley IMO.

I'd really like to see something happen to rejuvenate king St South too. It's a cracking little St and one might think that the splendid little restaurant area at the bottom would give some impetus to the rest of the street, but it just hasn't happened- you can still see a Laura Ashley shop window down there, so again, it might be interesting if the shops on King St were actively encouraged to dress the rear of their shops as a couple have successfully done - Cecil gee I think is one. This may not bring footfall, but it would be more pleasant, then perhaps allow some sort of market similar to the Farmer's market, to set up down there- perhaps an antiques and book market, or fashion market at weekend?

For a street that is bookended by Cross St and Deansgate, it should also for my money be playing a much more active role in the city centre than it does.

spoonsbeatfish

November 4th, 2008, 02:06 PM

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7280/manchester047tp8.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8794/manchester048ai0.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/6696/manchester049rh6.jpg
[/IMG]

Has anyone got any pictures or links to pictures of these stores before the renovation started? I can't remember what they looked like but I would like to see the difference.

flange

November 4th, 2008, 05:40 PM

Here are some images of Acresfield before the refurbishment.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/arag/2405364022/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mickaul/760014941/

flange

November 4th, 2008, 05:52 PM

Piccadilly Station

The Body Shop are opening in the former Dr & Herbs unit.

The hoarding around the new Co-Op Food store at Piccadilly Approach are now down and the store opens on Friday 7th November.

Manchester Arndale

Red5 are opening in the Arndale next to BB's Coffees & Muffins.

AMT Coffee have opened a coffee kiosk like their Piccadilly Station one in the Arndale, next to the entrance to the Market.

http://www.amtcoffee.co.uk/

City Tower

The hoardings have now come down around the new retail units underneath the Ramada Hotel.

spoonsbeatfish

November 4th, 2008, 05:59 PM

Here are some images of Acresfield before the refurbishment.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/arag/2405364022/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mickaul/760014941/

Thanks flange

flange

November 4th, 2008, 06:00 PM

Vivienne Westwood comes back to her fashion roots

Helen Tither

3/11/2008

SHE'S the queen of shock fashion - and no doubt Dame Vivienne Westwood has managed to stir things up among the London-centric style elite with her latest venture, choosing to open her first UK Anglomania store right here in Manchester.

It's a move back to her roots for the Glossop-born former school teacher, who already has one store stocking her full range at King Street, and a coup for the city to get the first store of its kind in the country.

Set to open this week, with an exclusive VIP showing for special customers, the store may well ruffle a few feathers down south. But Dame Viv, 67, obviously sees the potential of another shop in the city she grew up so close to.

"I love Manchester and I think our existing King Street Store is a fantastic showcase for my designs," she says. "The new Anglomania store will give our existing and new customers an exciting shopping experience and also the chance to purchase some exclusive pieces and pre-collections that haven't been seen before in the other stores."

Compared to Westwood's other collections - Gold Label and Red Label - the Anglomania range is seen as a much funkier, more street-orientated line, with slightly more avant garde styling for an edgier, more youthful market.

With recent developments such as the Manchester In Fashion catwalk event, and more and more of our home-grown designers making it on a national stage, the city's reputation as an alternative to the London fashion scene is growing ever stronger.

With designer investment like this only set to improve our image still further.

As our exclusive pre-launch photoshoot, shot on location in Manchester's Northern Quarter, shows, the range certainly has all the key elements of the Westwood look - with the classic tailoring and figure-enhancing design she is so well-loved for - but mixes some of her traditional fabrics, such as tartan or tweed, with edgier colours and patterns.

Not to forget the prices, with shoes starting at £69, which should help fans of the fashion first lady's style get her look for less. Take a peek at our shoot to see what you can expect from her latest autumn/winter collection.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/lifestyle/health_and_beauty/style/s/1077439_vivienne_westwood_comes_back_to_her_fashion_roots_

http://www.hervia.com/vivienne-westwood/store/manchester-anglomania.php

flange

November 5th, 2008, 08:37 PM

Christopher Wray have closed their store on High Street.

The Body Shop at Piccadilly Station should be opening next week as the store was being fitted out with the display cabinets today and the hoardings were down around the unit.

The new Chicken Cottage at Lowry Outlet Mall should be opening next week, staff training was happening today.

flange

November 6th, 2008, 09:35 PM

Another new store opening at City Tower, they are called Go Fast Fresh Food Company and they will be opening next to Starbucks, the license for the store is online now.

Go Fast Fresh Food Company, Unit E2B City Tower, Parker Street, Manchester, M1 4BD

Application Type Premises Licence (New)
Proposal Proposed trading hours for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises:
Mon to Sun 1200 to 0000

Proposed trading hours for the provision of regulated entertainment
(recorded music):
Mon to Sun 0700 to 0000

Proposed trading hours for the provision of late night refreshment:
Mon to Sun 2300 to 0000

Proposed opening hours for the premises:
Mon to Sun 0700 to 0030

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=500047&documentID=610&pageNumber=7

flange

November 7th, 2008, 10:34 AM

Beyond Retro to expand beyond London

07.11.08

Vintage clothing retailer Beyond Retro is searching for new stores in London and regional cities following increasing sales at its stores in the capital.

Agent Dominion is seeking stores in Covent Garden, Kensington High Street and Notting Hill, as well as cities such as Brighton, Glasgow and Manchester.

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=36&storycode=3127026

GShutty

November 7th, 2008, 03:18 PM

General Store has a huge, red, neon lit sign saying 'GENERAL' on the first floor facing Living room etc. It's probably 4 feet high, and spans three shop fronts. Looks great!

flange

November 7th, 2008, 05:19 PM

Theres a banner gone up on the old (rather beautiful) HSBC building at the top on king st, with marshall cdp's website quoted - www.marshallcdp.com

not really had chance to look at it, but it looks like they specialise in office develoment

Work has now started on the refurbisment of the fromer HSBC on King Street into retail or leisure units.

Co-Op Food are now open at Piccadilly Approach.

Red5 are now open in the Arndale.

The hoarding have now come down around Scoop Ice Cream Cafe at Halle Square in the Arndale.

jrb

November 8th, 2008, 12:46 AM

£20m retail plan unveiled
by Lee Sykes
5/11/2008

A NEW £20m retail development could bring more than 100 jobs to the town.

Copley Square Ltd has submitted an application to Oldham Council for planning approval.

The scheme is to go before councillors later this month, and if it gets the green light work could start on a five-acre site – situated at the junction of Chadderton Way and Featherstall Road – by as early as December. It has been stated that the first phase of the work would be completed by midway through 2009.

Copley Square has been responsible for a number of developments and investments in the Oldham area, including the Huddersfield Road District Centre.

The latest project has been designed by Oldham’s leading architects, Hall Needham.

The site earmarked is currently occupied by home improvement retailer Wickes, which has agreed to relocate to a new purpose-built store on the same site.

A fully landscaped development is envisaged that would house five stores and associated car parking. In addition to the new Wickes store, food retailers Aldi and two furniture stores are said to be interested in joining the line-up. Other tenants are still to be announced.

Peter Kashem, property director of Copley Square, said: "We have been investing in Oldham since 1973 with a number of projects throughout the borough.

"We recognise great potential in the area and hope the regeneration of this gateway site will be reassuring news for the local community in these uncertain economic times. The new development will not only help to raise the profile of the area but will bring much needed job opportunities and revenue by way of business rates to OMBC. It is a site that we have owned for many years and we want to re-develop it. We are confident the council will be in favour – particularly in the current climate. It will be a real asset to the local area."

Copley Square is a privately-owned property investment company based in Altrincham. It specialises in commercial and retail developments across the North-West.

flange

November 10th, 2008, 06:04 PM

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/8360/manchester60hr2.jpg

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/3248/manchester58tc7.jpg

O'Briens now reopen on York Street, under their new fascia O'Briens One World Cafe.

Diamonds & Pearls are opening in one of the three unit that have been created from the old Dolcis/Ann Harvey unit, the middle unit is the only unit not to be identified to who is opening there yet.

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/1867/manchester57pb1.jpg

flange

November 10th, 2008, 06:25 PM

New owner vows to boost brand mix at Edwards

Heritage footwear retailer Edwards of Manchester is revamping its brand mix and store following a buyout of the business in May this year.

Former footwear agent Steve Fitzsimmons bought Edwards in May and has already implemented a new shopfit. Fitzsimmons used to sell footwear brands Solaro and Democrata to Edwards' previous owner, Alan Clements.

He now plans to boost the men's brand mix with more Northampton-made footwear and revamp the women's collection.

Classic men's brand Tricker's will launch in the store for spring 09, joining the likes of Loake and Grenson, while the women's footwear offer will be boosted by the likes of Bourne, Steve Madden and Pura López to add more of a fashion twist to the brand line-up.

The business, in the Barton Arcade on Deansgate, was founded in 1830, making it one of the oldest footwear stores in the country.

Fitzsimmons said: "I haven't bought a shop, I've bought an institution. I think my store is the second oldest in the country. I am looking to change the look a little but nothing too drastic. The women's footwear department on the top floor will be given a refit next year, depending on how the credit crunch pans out."

Men's footwear occupies the store's basement, which has a traditional gentlemen's club feel with Chesterfield armchairs and Goodyear Welt footwear. "We want to keep that private and cosy feel but are adding some contemporary fixtures," said Fitzsimmons.

Men's footwear accounts for 70% of sales, with shoppers visiting the store from across the UK. "The plan is to make women's more of a destination too," added Fitzsimmons. "We are changing the brands we carry and taking the offer upmarket. Price points will be a bit higher and the brands we stock will be more exclusive."

Edwards launched a transactional website two weeks ago and will tweak its online offer over the coming months. The site currently sells only men's footwear but women's will be added for spring 09.

http://www.drapersonline.com/independents/news/2008/11/new_owner_vows_to_boost_brand_mix_at_edwards.html

flange

November 10th, 2008, 06:54 PM

We already knew about this.

Cosmetics firm signs at Manchester’s St Anns Square

10 November 2008, 15:20

Michael Hunt

Molton Brown has let a 2,900 sq ft unit at the Prudential-owned St Anns Square in Manchester city centre.

The luxury cosmetics retailer has taken a 10-year lease at £155,000 per annum, becoming the latest retailer to let space at St Anns Square, joining Camper, Fat Face and Links of London, all of which are due to open prior to Christmas.

Richard Lyons, partner at Tushingham Moore, acting agents for Prudential, said: "We are seeing a retail renaissance in St. Anns Square. This latest letting to Molton Brown underlines the progress that has been made in returning this area of the city centre to a high quality shopping location and a vital link between the King Street and New Cathedral Street shopping quarters."

Reid Rose Gregory acted on behalf of Molton Brown.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk

butterfingers22

November 10th, 2008, 10:15 PM

^^ Molton brown, good news!

flange

November 11th, 2008, 12:44 PM

Retailers on the front foot

11th November 2008

By Chris Barry

THE Manchester-based Co-operative Group has invested £400,000 in its second food store in the city centre.

The new 1,700 sq ft convenience store in Piccadilly was opened by former popstar National Lottery host Duncan James. It is part of a £19m investment in the North West, which includes upgrading and rebranding 65 shops.

The new shop has a huge catchment - Station Approach is used by an estimated two million people each year.

Tim Hurrell, managing director of food retail at the Co-operative, said: “The Co-operative’s food business goes from strength to strength and we’re pleased and proud to be opening a second store in Manchester city centre which, along with our Corporation Street store, will serve as an excellent showcase for our wide range of food and drink products.”

Meanwhile, Amplifon the hearing aid retailer, is driving growth with a new product launch after completing a £10m rebranding drive.

The £51m turnover company, the UK arm of listed Italian giant Amplifon, is targeting the corporate market with the launch of 'be', the world's smallers hearing aid.

It is estimates there are more than 500,000 directors and senior managers suffering from hearing difficulties in the UK.

Enrico Vacca, UK marketing director of Amplifon, which operates 143 stores and 85 day centres, and has its UK headquarters near Manchester Airport said bosses in the North West and all executives of the 3,000+ stock market listed companies were being targeted.

He said: "Boardroom stigma about hearing loss is being eroded thanks to new designs of hearing aids which are changing the way people view hearing loss. Hearing aids have moved on since the days of ugly, banana shaped pieces of plastic and we are now seeing digital hearing aids that are literally invisible to the outside world.

"Impaired hearing, leads to social withdrawal, isolation and depression which is obviously bad for business.”

The 'be' hearing aid weighs just 1.1 grammes, including battery, and is nearly 30% smaller than the nearest rival product.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com

jrb

November 13th, 2008, 07:14 PM

From Place North West.

BCSC 08: Thornfield in talks over last major Bury prelets
12 November 2008, 13:48

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/400x300/may_08/pnw__1211187420_The_Rock_View01_NEW_SHOP_NAMES.jpg

Jason Marcus, chairman of Thornfield Properties, claimed talks were at an advanced stage with retailers for the four remaining larger shop units at its £350m The Rock centre, currently on site in Bury.

The units range from 10,000 sq ft to 20,000 sq ft although two are likely to be knocked together for one combined unit, subject to completion of talks.

Marcus said: "This week [at BCSC] has helped move talks along with those retailers and we have had helicopter trips from the conference in Liverpool to Bury to take them to the scheme."

The 1.6m sq ft mixed-use project is funded by HBOS, part owner of Thornfield, and is being built by the same Laing O'Rourke team that delivered Liverpool One for Grosvenor.

The Rock will feature 500,000 sq ft of retail, anchored by a 103,000 sq ft Debenhams and 77,000 sq ft Marks & Spencer, relocating from the Millgate shopping centre. Next, River Island, Pizza Express, a Vue cinema and AMF bowling centre have also signed up.

Another 50 smaller retail units are expected to start letting closer to the July 2010 opening date.

Non-retail elements include 400 residential units, a new 55,000 sq ft healthcare for Bury PCT, already completed, and 1,250 car parking spaces.

CB Richard Ellis, GCW, Nick Green & Co are leisure agents on the scheme.

flange

November 14th, 2008, 06:03 PM

The Body Shop is now open at Piccadilly Station.

flange

November 17th, 2008, 06:17 PM

Foyles to leave Selfridges

17.11.08

Foyles is to leave its two Selfridges concessions on 31st January 2009. Foyles opened branches in Selfridges in London’s Oxford Street in October 2006, where it trades from 6,000 square feet, and the Trafford Centre Manchester in November 2006. Foyles also supplies books to Selfridges in Birmingham and Exchange Square Manchester for special events.

No specific reason was given for the withdrawal. Foyles chief executive, Sam Husain, said: "We have enjoyed our time at Selfridges and I would particularly like to thank our booksellers, led by Tom Nind and Simon Mackay, for all their hard work over the last two years. We are now working hard to ensure our branches in Charing Cross Road, at the Southbank Centre, in St Pancras International and now Westfield London, as well as Selfridges enjoy a successful and busy Christmas."

Kit Li-Perry, director of home for Selfridges, said: "We’d like to thank Foyles for their professionalism and support during their time here – they have been a pleasure to work with and we wish them continued success."

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/70872-foyles-to-leave-selfridges.html

flange

November 17th, 2008, 06:22 PM

Manchester Airport names retailers at revamped terminals

New retailers are on their way to Manchester Airport’s revamped terminals.

Terminal One will have an Attitude fashion department store which will stock Hugo Boss, Escada, Hillfiger, Kenneth Cole, Burberry and Bally, and there will be a sunglasses and jewellery store called Temptation.

Other high street names present will be Mango, Fat Face, Monsoon and Accessorize, Dixons, Starbucks, Body Shop, Tie Rack and WHS Books. There will also be a Be Relax Spa.

In Terminal Two, there will be a Biza tax and duty free store, the locally-owned Brodericks Love Coffee, a WHS Books, Dixons, a large new bar area and a new food courts with Burger King, Soho Coffee and the Real Food Company’s self-service restaurant.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport’s commercial director, said: “We’ve listened closely to our passengers and we’ve tried wherever possible to give them the type of shops, bars and restaurants they want and we’ve invested more than £80m in state-of-the-art security systems and the redevelopment of all our terminals.

“These new signings represent a massive leap forward in what Manchester Airport is offering our passengers and I’m really proud that we are able to offer such a strong range of high street name here in the airport.”

Work on the terminals is expected to be complete by summer 2009.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081117/FREE/811179946/1006

flange

November 17th, 2008, 07:02 PM

Saab now closed at Water Street.

Bake Station open on Deansgate at Great Northern.

Bagel Nash at Hardman Square at Spinningfields opens on Wednesday (19th November)

Lucile now open on Police St.

Molton Brown nearly completed at St Anns Sq, should be open by next week probably.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/6452/moltonbrownyk4.jpg

Fat Face is nearly completed aswell at Acresfield at St Anns Sq, should be open by next week probably, Henri Lloyd opens on Thursday (20th November.)

Shout have opened a temporary store in the Arndale in the former Republic unit.

Scoop Ice Cream Cafe now open in the Arndale.

Joy is now being stripped out at the Arndale, a possible new tennant opening there before Christmas maybe.

Fitting out is happening in the Rieker unit at Halle Square in the Arndale.

Vero Moda and Jack n Jones are opening in the former Scotts unit in the Arndale, hoardings are up around the unit now.

uklad1979

November 17th, 2008, 10:09 PM

Is Bagel Nash opening in the old Yo! Sushi unit at Spinningfields? If not do you know what's happening with that unit flange?

flange

November 17th, 2008, 10:13 PM

Bagel Nash are opening in the corner unit of 4 Hardman Square opposite the old Yo Sushi unit, New Samsi are opening in the former Yo Sushi unit.

Crains has a piece on the New Samsi restaurant taking over the old Yo! Sushi unit at Spinningfields.

Good to see local independents beginning to appear at Spinningfields.

Gavin

November 17th, 2008, 10:51 PM

how long was Yo Sushi open for? 10 minutes??

uklad1979

November 17th, 2008, 11:31 PM

how long was Yo Sushi open for? 10 minutes??

About that. I read on ManCon a post from the manager saying they wre going to reopen. Seems odd that they fitted the unit out only for it to close. Considering the units are all rent free too it's even stranger!

andysimo123

November 18th, 2008, 01:18 AM

Are Saab moving or is the site set for development?

hulmeman2

November 18th, 2008, 11:01 AM

Are Saab moving or is the site set for development?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=15821957&postcount=103

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/manchestercastle/Picture1.jpg

flange

November 18th, 2008, 05:37 PM

Looks like from that above that Big Yellow Self Storage will be opening on the site of the former Saab and Peugeot showrooms. Also Manchester are noted on their website as a location they will be opening soon in, no date or year though for the Manchester one.

http://www.bigyellow.co.uk/new_stores.php

flange

November 18th, 2008, 05:41 PM

Henleys have now moved from their upper Peel Avenue store in The Trafford Centre to their new lower Peel Avenue store near WHSmith.

http://www.traffordcentre.co.uk/shopping/directory/henleys

flange

November 18th, 2008, 06:32 PM

Plans are now online for new glazed shopfronts to be installed on the Barton Square elevation where Design a Sandwich, the entrance to The Circle Club, the new Circle Club restaurant and former Phil Blacks store are.

Planning Application

13, 13a, 13b, 13c And 13d Barton Arcade, Manchester, M3 2BB,

LISTED BUILDING CONSENT internal and external alterations including replacing an existing non original stair, ground level elevation works and installation of plant at roof level in association with use of ground level unit as cafe bar/managed lobby entrance to basement club

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/MCCList1.aspx?088045%2fLO%2f2008%2fC1

So from this

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/7152/bartonarcadesquarepresest5.jpg

To this

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/7370/bartonarcadesquarefuturpq7.jpg

andysimo123

November 18th, 2008, 08:09 PM

Looks like Saab have now gone. :( Closest is Stockport.

markydeedrop

November 18th, 2008, 08:21 PM

Rock Development (Bury) website now updated:

http://www.therockbury.com/index.html

The Longford

November 18th, 2008, 08:28 PM

Looks like Saab have now gone. :( Closest is Stockport.

The current trend tends to lump SAAB and Cadillac dealerships together.
I doubt they will be away from Manchester too long. They may take over a vauxhall site or move in with one.
City centre dealerships are a dying breed aswell with edge of or out of town sites being the order of the day.
Pentagon SAAB have a site in Chadderton by the way.

flange

November 18th, 2008, 08:32 PM

Looks like Saab have now gone. :( Closest is Stockport.

They are opening a new showroom right next to Vauxhall on Chester Road in Stretford near PC World.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6771/vauxhalley2.jpg

Slow Burn

November 19th, 2008, 07:55 PM

Work seems to be going on in the former Venue unit on Market Street. Could this be American Apparel?

flange

November 19th, 2008, 09:19 PM

Well they are noted as opening in 6 Market Street on there website and that is the location of Whittards further down Market St opposite M&S.

http://americanapparel.net/storelocations/metroareas.aspx?metroareaid=156

But the Venue unit has been sold to a new tennant but do not know who yet.

flange

November 19th, 2008, 09:20 PM

Shoppers flock to the Lowry

19th November 2008

By Sheryl Moore - Business Correspondent

SHOPPERS looking to beat the credit crunch are heading off to bag some designer bargains at the Lowry Outlet Mall.

Sales at the designer outlet have “gone through roof” in the last 12 months according to boss Rob Hallworth and the team is gearing up for an even busier festive season, with footfall last Saturday was up 61 per cent on 2007.

In October, like-for-like sales were up 14% while footfall increased by 11%. Over the half term period, total sales rose by 26% on last year while footfall was up 14%.

Mr Hallworth said: “We are all about great brands such as M&S, Flannels, Whistles and Karen Millen, at great prices.”

“Everyone coming here knows what to expect – and they are coming in increasing numbers. At present people may not have quite so much money in their pockets and they want to make sure they get value for their money. Our retailers provide it, while our cost base makes sure that their businesses are also a success.”

The growing attraction of the Lowry Outlet Mall has been endorsed by tenants, Flannels has recently opened a second clearance store at the outlet, and new traders include QV Shoes, Blackwell Books and Calendar Club.

Sue Strother of The Earth Collection, which has been trading in Salford Quays for three months, said: “The location of the mall is close proximity to Manchester city centre, and there is easy access by motorway and by tram. There is also an excellent mix of tenants and this will only increase with the new developments such as Media City.

“We have plenty of parking on site and the mall has been marketed very pro-actively in recent months which maintains and increases the customer base.”

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/

uklad1979

November 19th, 2008, 09:24 PM

I hate the press releases from the Outlet Mall as they are full of crap. They don't mention that the mall it's self owns The Earth Collection and many other shops. The onlt reason the footfall increased is due to more office workers using the food court andthe school holidays.

flange

November 19th, 2008, 09:29 PM

A hairdressers has opened in the Triangle called With Dilan next to Roxy on the first floor.

Henri Lloyd have now closed in the Triangle in preperation for their new store at Acresfield in St Anns Sq which now opens on Friday (21st November.)

Fat Face are also opening their new store at Acresfield on Friday (21st November.)

Camper are now starting to fit out their unit at Acresfied next to Henri Lloyd.

Links of London are also fitting out now aswell they will be in the corner unit and will be opening in December.

It also looks like Molton Brown is now open in St Anns Sq.

flange

November 19th, 2008, 09:40 PM

Blackwell says 'no' to Selfridges

19.11.08

Catherine Neilan

Academic bookseller Blackwell's has withdrawn from discussions with Selfridges about moving into the former Foyles' concessions. Talks had been under progress some months prior to the announcement earlier this week that the Foyles chain would be vacating its two branches, one in Selfridges' Oxford Street store and one in Manchester's Trafford Centre, at the end of January.

But Phill Jamieson, head of marketing for Blackwells, said the firm had walked away from discussions because "it wasn't right for either business". He added: "We are pleased to have been approached by Selfridges, but after having a look at the deal, we decided to withdraw from ongoing negotiations." He said the decision was not related to the current market conditions, and would consider other "opportunities" if they arose.

Selfridges declined to comment on Blackwell's decision, but a spokeswoman said another books retailer would be taking over the space soon. "We are very close to announcing a new partner, and are very excited about the new partnership," she said.

Foyles, which has a concession at the recently-opened Westfield Shopping Centre in White City, had been at the two concessions for more than two years. It will leave the concessions on 31st January.

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/71139-blackwell-says-no-to-selfridges.html

markydeedrop

November 19th, 2008, 10:33 PM

From a couple of weeks ago
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/089-3.jpg

flange

November 21st, 2008, 07:13 PM

Molton Brown are now open.

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8256/manchester069mj6.jpg

Fat Face are now open.

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2984/manchester070cu2.jpg

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/6725/manchester073ka5.jpg

Henri Lloyd are now open.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/5881/manchester071tm7.jpg

Links of London being worked on

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/6742/manchester075sa6.jpg

Work seems to be going on in the former Venue unit on Market Street. Could this be American Apparel?

Yes American Apparel are opening in the old Music Zone/ Venue unit not Whittards as we originally thought.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7439/manchester082ov3.jpg

Diamonds & Pearls in the Arndale should be open next week.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3553/manchester087al2.jpg

A new womens clothing store called Attic are opening in the former Past Times unit in the Arndale.

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1589/manchester084xz8.jpg

West One are relocating from their store opposite Argos in the Arndale to a new store in the former Joy store.

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2666/manchester089zk1.jpg

Costa Coffee is nearly completed in the former Barclays Bank on Market St.

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5280/manchester094qf5.jpg

markydeedrop

November 22nd, 2008, 09:34 PM

Christmas Markets
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/003-7.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/006-10.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/010-9.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/012-10.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/013-10.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/020-12.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/037-9.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/038-8.jpg

Arndale
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/040-9.jpg

Lowry Outlet Mall
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/City%20Centre%202008/047-9.jpg

flange

November 24th, 2008, 05:20 PM

Diamonds & Pearls are now open at the Arndale.

Attic are now open at the Arndale.

West One have now relocated to their new store in the Arndale

It looks like American Apparel will use the basement space in the former Music Zone store as an opening for a starwell has been created at one side of the store.

flange

November 24th, 2008, 05:30 PM

monkey_rat

November 24th, 2008, 05:58 PM

If anyone wants a fookin' good pizza go to Gio's opposite the Peace Garden's. Restaurant quality but relatively cheap (about 4 quid). It saddens me whenever I walk past and it isn't rammed.

jrb

November 25th, 2008, 01:54 AM

From Place North West.

Planning approved for Tesco store at 55 Princess Street
21 November 2008, 17:07

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/173.54784081287x240/nov_08/pnw__1227287144_VQ5B4766.jpg

Michael Hunt

Planning has been approved for the ground floor of the Grade A office building at 55 Princess Street, owned by Glasgow-based LNC Property Group, in Manchester city centre, to be turned into a Tesco store.

The 4,100 sq ft unit has been let to Tesco under a 15-year lease for an undisclosed rental.

The letting to Tesco now means the building is 50% let following recent lettings to office tenants Fentons Solicitors of 16,021 sq ft and Atis Real.

The change of use reflects Manchester council's encouragement for more active ground floor uses around the city and this latest planning approval is in accordance with the City Council's Unitary Development Plan.

Chris Lloyd, associate director at DTZ, acting agents for LNC Property Group, said: "This change of use at ground floor now provides an active mixed use environment and rubber stamps the building's prime location for tenants and now provides even more amenities for office occupiers in the area."

GL Hearn acted for Tesco, while joint letting agents on the building are DTZ and King Sturge.

neil081273

November 25th, 2008, 09:10 AM

Are Attic and Red5 in the Arndale temporary Xmas stores?

flange

November 25th, 2008, 08:45 PM

Yes I think Red5 is definitely a temporary christmas store as only half of the actually store is being used and all the cabinets in the store are on wheels so they can be moved into the store easily, not so sure on Attic as it had a fair bit of work with the fitting out but would not be surprised if it was a temporary christmas store, Past Times and Menkind are also definitely temporary christmas stores.

flange

November 25th, 2008, 09:47 PM

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7439/manchester082ov3.jpg

More American Apparel stores to open in UK

American Apparel has taken two further stores to open before Christmas as part of its plans to open eight additional stores in the UK over the next year.

It has taken a 4,500 sq ft (420 sq m) unit at 37 Market Street in Manchester and a 2,700 sq ft (250 sq m) unit at 46 Bridlesmith Gate in Nottingham. In Manchester American Apparel has secured a new 10-year lease and in Nottingham it has taken an assignment of an existing lease expiring in 2021, at a passing rent of £180,000.

Jones Lang LaSalle has been instructed to acquire the eight additional stores, to include three in central London, with sales areas of 4,000 sq ft (370 sq m).

http://www.retail-week.com/Fashion/2008/11/more_american_apparel_stores_to_open_in_uk.html

flange

November 26th, 2008, 12:03 PM

O'Briens are opening a new cafe in the former Lloyds Pharmacy at Manchester Fort, plans for new signage is online now.

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/MCCList1.aspx?088085/AO/2008/N1

flange

November 26th, 2008, 12:40 PM

Me&Yu to sell clothes at Oxfam store

By Simon Binns

Manchester-based independent fashion label Me&Yu has signed a deal to create one-off pieces for a city centre shop operated by international charity Oxfam.

Me&Yu will use left over stock from Oxfam and turn unwanted second-hand items into new clothes. They will then be put on sale in the Oxford Road charity store, with 50 per cent of all proceeds going to Oxfam.

Angie Hulme, designer and owner of Me&Yu, said: “The face of fashion is changing — in the current climate shoppers want quality and value for money to be a strong focus in their spending habits.

“The partnership with Oxfam gives shoppers the peace of mind of buying a one-off piece that offers the added benefit of being recycled.”

Me&Yu is based in Affleck’s in the Northern Quarter.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081126/FREE/811269979/1019

flange

November 26th, 2008, 05:08 PM

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/360/manchester096dx0.jpg

http://www.gopizza.co.uk/

Go Fresh will be opening in December at City Tower.

Another new store opening at City Tower is Cafe Latino and they will be opening before Christmas.

uklad1979

November 27th, 2008, 01:52 PM

Mark One in the Arndale closed down on Tues and all the stock was in bin bags yesterday. The shop fittings had already been removed.

flange

November 27th, 2008, 01:57 PM

Not surprising really the lease for their store has been on the market for a while now and they have gone into administration again for the second time in a year.

flange

November 28th, 2008, 05:04 PM

Suits You in the Arndale are closing soon for the store to be refurbished.

Original Shoe Company in the Arndale are having a Closing Down Sale.

Vero Moda and Jack n Jones open in the Arndale on Wednesday 17th December.

flange

December 1st, 2008, 06:29 PM

Up & Running are having a closing down sale are the Triangle.

Camper is now fitted out and could be open by the end of the week.

Work is going on in the former Olivee unit at Barton Arcade.

Barnardos have opened in the former Fat Face unit on Deangate.

In Time a watch repair store are opening a kiosk next to AMT Coffee at the Arndale.
http://www.intime.co.uk/england.shtml

Work is going on in the former Orange store at Piccadily Station.

flange

December 1st, 2008, 06:32 PM

Somerfield are opening a new store on Deansgate, the license for the store is online now.

Somerfield

Somerfield, 50-52 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2FE

Application Type

Premises Licence (New)

Proposal

Proposed trading hours for the supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises:
Mon to Sun 0700 to 2200

Proposed opening hours for the premises:
Mon to Sun 0700 to 2200

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=500047&documentID=610&pageNumber=9

50-52 Deansgate is the store that Jessops are in now so it looks like Jessops will be leaving their Deansgate store in the near future.

flange

December 1st, 2008, 09:07 PM

Betfred and Razors Edge are opening in the two new retail units that have been created underneath 18-20 Fountain Street, Razors Edge will be relocating from their existing store next door, they should both be opening around February - March 2009.

http://www.therazorsedge.co.uk/index.htm

uklad1979

December 1st, 2008, 10:25 PM

Strange that Sommerfield are opening a store when they are being taken over by Co-Op. You would think that the new stores would be all Co-op branded.

flange

December 2nd, 2008, 03:40 PM

Thomas Street Post Office is now open

http://www.thomasstpostoffice.com

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3429/thomasstreet05rj3.jpg

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/2757/thomasstreet07dw2.jpg

flange

December 4th, 2008, 06:01 PM

Costa Coffee are now open on Market Street.

Recession Buster Outler have opened in the former Going Places unit on Market St it is a temporary store.

The shopfront for American Apparel is now in place on Market Street.

In Time are now open in the Arndale.

Links of London should be open at Acresfield by next week.

Phileas are opening in the former Millies Cookies unit at Piccadilly Station.

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/4599/phileaslv2.jpg

flange

December 5th, 2008, 03:21 PM

Plans are now online to turn the unit opposite Natuzzi at Barton Square at the Trafford Centre into a leisure unit.

Unit D, Barton Square, Phoenix Way, Trafford Park.

Creation of leisure unit with ancillary retail (gross internal floorspace of 4701 sq.m) within existing development.

http://planning.trafford.gov.uk/MVM/Online/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningTechAppraisalPK.xml&PARAM0=105908&XSLT=/MVM/SiteFiles/Skins/trafford/xslt/PL/PLTechAppraisalDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/MVM/SiteFiles/Skins/trafford/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

It will be occupied by Legoland Discovery Centre, the first in the U.K.

http://www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com/

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8028/legolandlh1.jpg

Lego discovery bid for Trafford

11:47am Friday 5th December 2008

TRAFFORD could be home to a mini Legoland if plans submitted by the Trafford Centre get the go-ahead.

The Centre wants to create a Discovery Centre, with Legoland, within Barton Square.

A mezzanine floor will be created within existing buildings in the Square and the centre will include a small ride, lego displays, model workshop area, 4D cinema, adventure trail and cafe.

Plans submitted to Trafford Council say the centre aims to attract 350,000 visitors a year and will be targeted at children aged between 2-12.

A coach lay-by is included in the scheme to cater for school trips to the attraction. The scheme is to be considered at next Thursday's planning committee

http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/3953625.Lego_discovery_bid_for_Trafford/

Local Lad

December 5th, 2008, 04:53 PM

Thats pretty impressive. I think the ride will be something like this, I hope it is!

http://www.spatialrobots.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/robocoaster.jpg

Lego have them in other locations, plus they fit into a small space.

macc

December 5th, 2008, 05:09 PM

http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/Chicago

Trafford council can have a go at some town planning.
http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/upload/miniland-large.jpg

Looks quite interesting to be fair. It's original.

kids

December 5th, 2008, 05:25 PM

Barton Square itself is a bit lego isn't it?

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/66.$plit/C_71_article_1038948_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2567693192_518accc12a.jpg?v=0

Anyway, that looks proper mint.

kids

December 5th, 2008, 05:28 PM

Googling Barton Square just then i found this -

http://www.visiondevelopments.net/bartonsquare/

flange

December 8th, 2008, 06:28 PM

Hoardings are now up around the former Orange shop at Piccadilly Station.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4726/manchester102oh6.jpg

Phileas are now open at Piccadilly Station.

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/3994/manchester101fg3.jpg

Jessops will move out of there store on Deansgate in January and move to a new store on Deansgate and then Somerfield/ Co-Op will open there.

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/1213/crainscutting1sd9.jpg

Christmas decorations are now up at Barton Arcade with ones facing onto Deansgate and St Ann's Sq.

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/3326/manchester100gf3.jpg

Shuropody are now open in the former Scholl store after Shuropody bought all the Scholl stores.

Links of London are now open at Acresfield.

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/21/manchester097gb4.jpg

CDX

December 8th, 2008, 07:31 PM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MANCHESTER-CITY-CENTRE-HAIR-SALON-FOR-SALE-BARGAIN_W0QQitemZ120344101841QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_B_I_Business_for_Sale_CV?hash=item120344101841&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/uk/logos/logoEbay_x45.gif
MANCHESTER CITY CENTRE HAIR SALON FOR SALE.BARGAIN!!
http://i24.ebayimg.com/03/i/001/1b/66/ab75_2.JPG
Starting bid £77,000.00
End time: 13-Dec-08 07:45:46 GMT (4 days 14 hours)
Postage: FREE P&P

Selling a business on ebay....seriously???? Don't appear to take Paypal though.

Leeds No.1

December 8th, 2008, 07:39 PM

Nice to see free Postage & Packing for that hair salon. Very reasonable.

spoonsbeatfish

December 9th, 2008, 02:40 PM

Hey Flange, could you repost the link for the application for the coffee shop in the quadrangle (amber coffee house)? I can't find it in any of the threads or on Manchester planning portal.

In a couple months at this rate the whole quadrangle will be full. Nandos and Blue ghinger have been open a while, Rice has just opened, Zouk (has either opened or is just about to), there is a kareoke bar opening soon, a church and the coffee shop. I think the unit below the car park opposite on Hulme street is also being turned into a restaurant or something as well isn't it?

I just hope they manage to keep the required footfall. There are a lot of students who live in the area but they are all off the main road. I would imagine in 10 years time once First Street is up and running, then both Chester street and Hulme street will generate a lot of footflow as they connect it to Oxford Road but untill then, they may find it difficult.

flange

December 9th, 2008, 03:06 PM

The Amber Coffee House will be opening in unit 7 at The Quadrangle and the Kareoke bar will be opening in unit 6

The Amber Coffee House

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/MCCList1.aspx?086715/FO/2008/C3

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/MCCList1.aspx?086706/AO/2008/C3

Kareoke Bar

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/dcapplication/application_detailview.aspx?KEYVAL=K5N01QBC02600&module=P3&hidereturn=true

No documents are online yet

And also remeber that Spar (unit 10) will be opening a temporary store in The Quadrangle when the new hotel is built on there existing store.

andysimo123

December 9th, 2008, 03:54 PM

The Pier in the Trafford Centre is in Administration.

flange

December 10th, 2008, 10:56 AM

Also Max Spielman and Klick have gone into administration aswell.

CDX

December 10th, 2008, 11:59 AM

Report on the new Attitute Tax Free store at Manchester Airport.

From: www.moodiereport.com (http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?c_id=1178&doc_id=19364)

The Nuance Group provides fashion with flair at new Manchester Airport department store - 09/12/08
By Mary Jane Pittilla

UK. The 'holy grail' of airport retail fashion may have been discovered - and it's at Manchester Airport Terminal 1, to be precise.

The opening last week of The Nuance Group's new Attitude Tax Free outlet is particularly significant within both an industry and category context. This is not just any fashion shop. Dubbed by the Swiss travel retailer as a "fashion department store", this flagship 835sq m airside fashion emporium is thought to be the biggest for the category in the airport universe.

That's great news - not just for Nuance but for the whole travel retail fashion sector. When The Moodie Report carried out a straw poll of fashion brands for a supplement to its Digital Print Edition last year, the constant refrain was: "Give us more space." So it is with great pleasure that The Moodie Report's Brands Editor - who has monitored the travel retail fashion world for a decade - writes this article.

Speaking to The Moodie Report at the official opening ceremony last Thursday of this "milestone" airside fashion concept, The Nuance Group General Manager - UK & Eire Ian Hart emphasised the importance of this venture.

"This store is a benchmark for Nuance for fashion for the UK and across all of Europe, and it is the largest fashion store, we believe, in an airport," he enthused.

http://www.moodiereport.com/images/manchester_gallery_dec08_16.jpg
The double-height exterior glass display windows, designed by Roger Copeland, give the department store a dramatic appearance. The five mannequins inside the glass pillars remain outside the shutters when the boutique is closed

ARTICLE CONTINUES HERE WITH MORE PHOTOS (http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?c_id=1178&doc_id=19364)

heatonparkincakes

December 11th, 2008, 12:37 AM

Went to the Big Woolworths opposite Fort Manchester - Cheetham Hill tonight with the small ball of feminine joy.

Sweet jimmy, it was the most depressing retail experience since being in a fire sale in the early 80's in Oldham.

Bare, disorganised, despiriting. A huge empty space, filled with people rushing to see what the bare bones was left.

Tomorrow or by the time you read this, it will be gone.

Such is capitalism and to degree a raw justice for a company who have a dark past in this city.

A6 Bypass

December 11th, 2008, 01:43 PM

flange

December 11th, 2008, 08:26 PM

Finally a new furniture/ homes retailer are opening in Barton Square at the Trafford Centre they are Betta Living and will be opening inbetween Laura Ashley and Natuzzi.

http://planning.trafford.gov.uk/MVM/Online/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningTechAppraisalPK.xml&PARAM0=107253&XSLT=/MVM/SiteFiles/Skins/trafford/xslt/PL/PLTechAppraisalDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/MVM/SiteFiles/Skins/trafford/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

No documents are online yet.

flange

December 11th, 2008, 08:30 PM

Nisa are now open underneath the NCP Car Park at Spinningfields.

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/9046/manchester107zd7.jpg

And work has started on the Drycleaners next door aswell.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/513/manchester108en1.jpg

andysimo123

December 11th, 2008, 09:29 PM

Is that like Netto but worse?

highriser

December 11th, 2008, 09:46 PM

Its French i think Andy , ive been going in there this week , much better than that fucking Tesco's on Quay St .

The Longford

December 11th, 2008, 09:50 PM

It looks good.

Nisa have been going for years
Northern Independent Supermarkets Association
Its like a co-operative type thing.

jrb

December 11th, 2008, 09:53 PM

The Longford

December 11th, 2008, 09:57 PM

I heard they were selling Thomas the Tank Engine stuff half price and thought i'd pick up a christmas present for child number 2 but i sort of felt wrong. A bit like seeing an old lady geting mugged and going over and giving her a good kicking whilst she was lying on the floor.
Sort of.
Needless to say i didnt join the vultures.

CDX

December 11th, 2008, 10:04 PM

Ahhh the old Piccadilly Gardens store.

http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=68376

flange

December 11th, 2008, 10:06 PM

All about Nisa here, this is one of their first stores in their new look

http://www.nisatodaysfoodstores.com/

flange

December 11th, 2008, 10:08 PM

Waitrose launches upmarket convenience store

Chris Tryhorn guardian.co.uk,

Thursday 11 December 2008 17.19 GMT

It might seem like a perverse time to be launching an experiment in upmarket retailing, as the recession encourages shoppers to trade down to cheaper stores and cut down on extravagant spending. But Waitrose's managing director, Mark Price, couldn't be more chipper as he surveys the morning trade at the retailer's first ever convenience store, in central Nottingham.

"Fantastic! Look at 'em pouring in," he exclaims, as he greats customers curious to find a Waitrose in the city's Trinity Square – appropriately enough, the new 6,000 sq ft unit stands opposite the local branch of John Lewis, Waitrose's parent group.

Served by nine bus stops and a stone's throw from both the Victoria shopping centre and the busy drag of Clumber Street, the new Waitrose seemed to be pulling in plenty of punters shortly after it opened today.

Price acknowledges that the group has lost its share of overall food sales – as registered in this week's latest TNS Worldpanel research – but says it has matched last year's 4.2m transactions at its tills.

He says the main reason for Waitrose losing market share is that customers are choosing cheaper options – mackerel instead of cod, chicken thighs not than breasts – rather than shunning the group's portfolio of almost 200 stores. Waitrose has acted to keep itself competitive, upping the number of items on promotional offers and pegging the cost of basic goods to rival supermarkets' levels. Price has a team scouring the Tesco and Sainsbury's websites every week to check the cost of 12,000 items to make sure Waitrose is charging no more than 1p or 2p more.

Owned by its partners and free from the need to appease City shareholders, the John Lewis group can allow Price and his team to take a long-term view.

"My goal is that at the end of this downturn, Waitrose will be a better and stronger business," Price says. His aim is to double the group's size over the next decade, and the convenience store project is part of an expansion strategy that also involves mid-sized "market town" stores and an international experiment starting with an outlet in Dubai, which opened a month ago.

Rather than replicate the same model as Tesco Express, Sainsbury's Local and Marks & Spencer Simply Food, Waitrose has put its emphasis on fresh food, taking advantage of roughly 50% more floor space than typical convenience stores offer. Price says Waitrose's somewhat tardy arrival in the small-store market is a case of "last in, best dressed".

Perhaps the most striking innovation is the "time of day" counter that faces customers as they enter the shop: in the morning it offers breakfast options such as fruit, yoghurts and pots of cereal that can be taken straight to office desks. Later in the day, the bar serves up freshly prepared sandwiches and salads, before switching to scones and cakes in the afternoon. From 5pm, if offers the ingredients for a full evening meal: tonight you can buy sausages, mash and onions, all ready for you to take away and cook yourself. Tomorrow it will be a Chinese takeaway, the next day steak is on the menu; in all there is a 14-day rotation.

"These are not just ready meals," says Diana Hunter, Waitrose's store development director, who has overseen the convenience store project over the past year. "It's for customers in a rush but also those who are shopping for 24 to 48 hours, for people looking for new ideas but also for convenience and speed."

At the back of the store, a meat and fish counter manned by smartly dressed staff and a baking section cater for the "scratch cooks" who form a key part of Waitrose's customer base. The meat selection includes less fashionable cuts such as pork shoulder and brisket, while all the fish is filleted and ready to go.

Hot drinks, pies and a patisserie selection are available at the front of the shop, while elsewhere in the store customers can choose from 298 wines, pick up fresh fruit and vegetables as well as newspapers and magazines, or use smart cards to buy cigarettes, razor blades, paracetamol and condoms from a vending machine in the corner.

Some of the shop's early patrons in Nottingham today seemed pleasantly surprised at the extent of the products on offer, while locals who were already paid-up Waitrose devotees were mainly relieved they would no longer have to trek to Newark or Lincoln.

"There's been nothing in between," said Ian Kirkdale from Beeston. "This'll save some travelling time."

"I've wanted one for a while," added Betty Niblett, of nearby Carlton. "It's something a little bit special now and then when you feel like a treat."

Nottingham resident Martin Cox agreed: "It's probably on a par with M&S – people expect a different kind of quality, and if you're prepared to spend a little bit extra for quality stuff, people may shop here."

In fact, a desire to expand into new territory has been central to the convenience store plan. Price says 6 million people would shop in Waitrose if they could, and reels off a list of towns and cities they have yet to reach – Exeter, Ipswich, York, Durham, Liverpool, central Manchester.

Indeed, the local store in Newark was until 2004 Waitrose's northern outpost, reflecting the group's roots in the south east.

Picking up smaller premises is an easier way of growing the business than bidding against rivals for larger sites, Price says.

Waitrose is now gearing up to launch a second trial store in the Bristol suburb of Clifton; further ones will follow at a transport terminus and somewhere in London. If it works, Price wants to roll out the format in 2010 and has grand hopes for "hundreds and hundreds" of outlets.

How it fares depends on the reaction of customers – and for all the positive noises today, there were already some minor quibbles. Christopher Tennant's evident enthusiasm was tempered by one small disappointment: despite a range of 6,200 products in store, he could not find his favourite Normandy butter with embedded salt crystals. Not that his wife, Madeleine, was complaining. "It's like shopping in Harrods," she beamed.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/dec/11/waitrose-shopping

The Longford

December 11th, 2008, 10:18 PM

Ahhh the old Piccadilly Gardens store.

Not to forget their other store on St Marys Gate aswell

http://www.images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=68375

jrb

December 11th, 2008, 10:55 PM

I'm sure many of us will remember this sad day. Woolworths will never be forgotten in Manchester.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40130000/jpg/_40130605_wooliesfire203.jpg

8 May 1979.

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40130000/jpg/_40130605_wooliesfire203.jpg&imgrefurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/3696407.stm&usg=__8ceNso_1uXP8RMxw2I1sOW4CjiY=&h=152&w=203&sz=9&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=eSepFeNikWijOM:&tbnh=79&tbnw=105&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwoolworths%2Bmanchester%2Bfire%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

HoHum

December 12th, 2008, 01:29 AM

It looks good.

Nisa have been going for years
Northern Independent Supermarkets Association
Its like a co-operative type thing.

The history of the brand
http://www.nisatodaysfoodstores.com/history

CDX

December 12th, 2008, 02:09 AM

HoHum

December 12th, 2008, 12:42 PM

I bet that went up quick with all the tat they sold :lol:

A little bit insensitive, there were fatalities. I knew someone that had a family member killed. Woolworths of then was not as it has been for the past few years, they were a department store that sold clothing, furniture, food etc.

I for one was in town that day and remember the horrific sight of trapped people screaming from behind barred windows, some had managed to get on the roof but were trapped on there. It was trully horrific and not something I would wish anyone to witness. Some of those faces at the barred windows were of people that didnt make it out alive.

Details that emerged after the incident brought about changes that have probably ensured that many lives have been saved should another fire like this happen again.

Foam that was used for furniture burned like wildfire, giving off toxic fumes. This type of foam is now illegal in this country in furniture manufacture and needs to be fire retardent.

Fire doors locked to prevent shoplifters, consequently no one could get out. Stairwell and fire escapes were not protected by fire doors so became routes for fire to spread both horizontally and vertically through the floors.

There were bars on widows to areas that had only one escape route, and when this was blocked the people were trapped. There were no sprinkler systems fitted and as such fire was able to spread unhindered very quickly.

A fire officer mate was one of those that found the 10 bodies trapped behind a locked fire escape door. Absolutley shocking, but without doubt the lessons learned have saved lives.

CDX

December 12th, 2008, 01:17 PM

Yeah, apologies for my post there, amazingly I wasn't actually aware of the full story. It was just a throw-away comment based on the image.

Insensitive in the extreme.

flange

December 12th, 2008, 04:59 PM

Camper are now open at Acresfield.

Hoardings are now down around the new Vero Moda and Jack n Jones store in the Arndale, they open next Wednesday (17th December.)

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/1161/veromodajacknjones1hh0.jpg

American Apparel could possibly be open by the end of next week or the start of the following week.

flange

December 12th, 2008, 09:47 PM

GO Italy are now open at City Tower next to Starbucks.

http://www.gopizza.co.uk/index.html

flange

December 13th, 2008, 03:23 PM

Looks like Harpoon Louies have closed their store on Church Street.

Bikram Yoga Centre are opening on the corner of Church Street.

Flannels Clearence have opened next to Oxfam Originals on Oldham Road.

And finally hoardings have been put up around half of the former Topshop/ Topman unit, the hoardings are up closer to the Argos end of the unit.

flange

December 15th, 2008, 11:32 AM

Christopher Wray unit to be a Co-op

The Co-operative Group is eyeing up the vacant Christopher Wray unit on High Street in Manchester city centre, which was previously a target for rival Tesco

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk

flange

December 15th, 2008, 09:07 PM

Delice de France are opening in the former Orange Shop at Piccadilly Station.

flange

December 15th, 2008, 10:16 PM

Paul Kelly, Chief executive, Selfridges

In a year when many retailers have battened down the hatches, upmarket department store Selfridges, led by chief executive Paul Kelly, has been a beacon of self-confidence.

This year the retailer revamped its formal menswear offer at its London Oxford Street store, introducing exclusive premium collections from Ermenegildo Zegna and Ralph Lauren Purple.

For the year to last January, Selfridges' profits jumped 30% to £84.1 million, with sales up 10% to £655m. The retailer was one of the few doing well enough this summer to curtail its Sale by two weeks.

Plans to expand the footwear and beauty offer at Manchester's Trafford Centre and a Chanel shop-in-shop in the city's Exchange Square store are also underway.

http://www.drapersonline.com/news/top_100/2008/12/paul_kelly.html

flange

December 17th, 2008, 06:39 PM

Harpoon Louies is closed in the Triangle aswell after the company went into administration.

Looks like Bubinga are opening in the former Olivee unit in Barton Arcade, they are a furniture store. http://www.bubinga.co.uk/

Vero Moda and Jack n Jones are now open in the Arndale.

Hoarding are now up all around the former Topshop/ Topman unit, no indication of who will be opening there yet.

Caffe Latino now open at City Tower on Mosley Street next to Flight Centre.

flange

December 17th, 2008, 07:03 PM

Go-ahead for Trafford Legoland

12:20pm Wednesday 17th December 2008

By Hannah Al-Taraboulsy

THE planning committee has approved an application by the Trafford Centre for a mini Legoland.

The centre wishes to create a ‘Discovery Centre’, with Legoland, within Barton Square and councillors gave it the go ahead last Thursday.

Plans include the creation of a mezzanine floor to provide just under 4,000 square metres of additional leisure space within existing buildings in the square.

No external alterations have been proposed with the application.

The centre will include a small ride, lego displays, model workshop area, 4D cinema, adventure trail and cafe.

Plans submitted to Trafford Council say the centre aims to attract 350,000 visitors a year and will be targeted at children aged between two and 12.

All children visiting the facility would have to be accompanied by an adult and each trip will last approximately 90 minutes.

A coach lay-by on Phoenix Way is included in the scheme to cater for school trips to the attraction.

The applicant also intends to provide 15 cycle stands at the front of the development for staff and visitors.

The plans concur with a regional strategy to improve the north west’s tourism so the area may compete with attractions both in the UK and internationally.

http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/3982322.Go_ahead_for_Trafford_Legoland/

flange

December 17th, 2008, 07:12 PM

Woolies stores to shut

17/12/2008

ALL Woolworths' stores will shut by January 5, administrators confirmed today.

Deloitte said around 200 of the company's 807 stores would close by December 27, followed by a second batch of 200 on December 30, 200 on January 2 and the final closures on January 5.

The moves will affect 22,000 permanent staff and 5,000 temporary workers, although some will be kept on for a short period.

Deloitte said it had received interest from other retailers for 300 stores.

The corporate recovery firm confirmed the closure plan after failing to secure a buyer for the business.

Final sale

Deloitte is set to flood stores with 50 million extra items over the next week in the final run-up to Christmas. Discounts already running at up to 60 per cent will be even heavier as the administrator looks to clear stock.

Signs in stores will also show a countdown to their final closure dates to encourage shoppers as Woolies' staff brace themselves for redundancies.

Joint administrator Neville Khan said: “I guess it is a very difficult situation for a lot of people, particularly the staff, and we are trying to deal with it in as sensitive a way as possible.”

But he raised hopes that jobs could be saved, saying that - as far as possible under privacy laws - Deloitte would pass on the details of current Woolies employees to the buyers of the stores.

Mr Khan also revealed that administrators are in talks over the sale of Woolworths trademark and its Worth It! value brand, meaning that the famous retailer may not disappear from the high street altogether in the long term.

“I think Woolworths will come back on to the high street... whether it will remain into the early part of 2009, that is not so certain,” he added.

Appalled

Shopworkers' union Usdaw said it was “appalled” at the news, adding it had been told every store would be given just 10 days' notice before they closed and staff would be asked to work up to three days afterwards to clear up.

The union said staff would be notified of the locations of the phased store closures in four stages over the next few days.

National officer John Gorle said: “We are shocked that staff will only be given 10 days notice of store closures and deeply disappointed by the news that no buyer has yet been found for Woolworths. Redundancy is devastating at any time of the year, but particularly so at Christmas.

“We have been informed by the administrators that the leases of up to 300 stores will be sold. This is terrible news, as it means that our members will be made redundant and not transferred to the new owners of these 300 leases as they are announced.

“In anticipation of redundancies we sent out a detailed letter to our members at the end of last week, giving information on their rights. We are currently talking with the administrators to secure the best possible terms for our members with regards to pensions, holiday pay and the speed of receipt of redundancy pay.

“We have also called on the Government to ensure that its rapid response teams at the local jobcentres will be ready to help staff to find new employment as quickly as possible.

“This is an extremely distressing time and we will be doing everything we can to make sure our members are treated fairly.”

General secretary John Hannett added: “I am personally devastated for the Woolworths staff and our members can rest assured we will do everything we can to assist them at this difficult time. The Woolworths staff are extremely loyal, dedicated and well trained and wherever vacancies exist in the retail sector we will use our contacts to find alternative employment as speedily as possible.”

Entertainment UK

Deloitte said Woolworths and its music, DVD and books wholesale distributor, Entertainment UK, had around 500 creditors.

“It is clear that the creditors will not get paid in full but how large their loss is, we are not able to quantify right now,” Mr Khan said.

Woolworths owns the freeholds to seven of its stores, and all the rest are leasehold, he added.

Mr Khan said he was “confident” the 300 stores under offer would be sold successfully.

If Deloitte fails to find buyers for the remaining 500 outlets, they will be returned to the landlords, he said.

Mr Khan said EUK, which is also in administration with Deloitte, would continue to trade beyond January 5 and to supply to other retailers.

Last week 700 workers were made redundant from EUK's head office and distribution centres in Middlesex after administrators slowed efforts to sell the business as a going concern.

Deloitte said EUK would continue operating with a reduced workforce of 375.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1085952_woolies_stores_to_shut

Local Lad

December 17th, 2008, 07:19 PM

"Harpoon Louies is closed in the Triangle aswell after the company went into administration".

Thats a real shame, got some really good stuff from there over years, plus the owner was a top guy... Perhaps expansion from Afflecks Palace to the Triangle was too much?

spoonsbeatfish

December 18th, 2008, 01:35 AM

Does anyone think the Triangle should be rebranded as a specific retail destination?

The Arndale next door being much much larger makes it difficult to compete as a wide range shopping centre. The fact there is currently little foot traffic on two sides of the triangle and few which walk through or past it (with the exception of exchange square) to get somewhere else can not help either.

Plenty of people walk past it on exchange square but it does not have that large an entrance or as many windows to entice as many people into the centre. Cathedral Gardens does have people but few of those would consider walking through the Triangle to get there or leaving there and there is little animation on the cathedral side. That last point could change significantly in a few years though, once the Cathedral Walk, Cheethams/medieval quarter are complete, the Rennaisance building is redeveloped, the Urban cove as well as the greengate walk and square (with their accompanying bars, restaurants and marketplace) are all complete.

Back to my original point though, (I'm not sure if in the past it used to aim at the higher market fashionable clothes and products but it doesn't achieve that now and neither does it successfully compete on alternative products with competition in the N4 and Afflecks) rather than competing as a general centre why not a specific theme which would encourage all people shopping for that market to visit the centre. The only thing that occurs to me is electronics but I'm sure there must be other options. Clothing and furniture are out of the question as the centre is not big enough. I would think it is too big for jewelry, watches etc and a few other niches.

Maybe I'm being an idiot, but if I wanted to buy say an electrical item and the centre was rebranded as such I would very likely visit it. As it stands (apart from the restaurants) it does not seem to have anything specific on offer above or different from the Arndale and from the added factors of location means I rarely enter the place. The place obviously does well, but if could find the right specific theme I think it would give much more people reason to visit it (rather than just maybe pass into it as they walk past).

rolybling

December 18th, 2008, 09:40 AM

I think your right Spoons, I reckon The Triangle was probably busier when it was the good old Corn Exchange, my friend had a shop in there in the early 90's and whenever I went to see him there was always plenty of people milling around the various stalls. It was a bit like Afflecks but on a smaller scale. I've only been into The Triangle about twice, didn't buy anything and didn't stay long either as I found it a bit sterile with little to grab my interest.

It's a good idea to define the place somehow, electronics sounds as good as anything else so why not?. It would give the place some purpose and having one place to go for all things electronic would no doubt see it doing much more business.

coughy

December 18th, 2008, 10:29 AM

ThomH

December 18th, 2008, 11:59 AM

I have not visited it yet but I hear the Corn Exchange in Leeds has been transformed into a foodie heaven. Manchester is severely lacking when it comes to a quality retail food offering so maybe it might work. I am not talking about just restaurants and cafes but specialist food stalls, etc. There are quite a few of these in London now, and now Leeds. Anyone who wants to shop for decent food in Manchester, from independent shops, has to go all the way to Chorlton. I manage a small deli in Chorlton and we get plenty of customers from the City Centre. I know we have the Arndale indoor market, but its not large enough. Move those into the Triangle and covert the rest of the indoor market into all non - food. Give the ground floor of the Triangle a continental market feel and it might just work.

By coincidence I'm going there for lunch to the Piazza next week.

It must be pointed out that the Piazza is the fourth spinning plate of the ever-growing Anthony Flynn empire, and first impressions are indeed good. The food is meant to be very decent brasserie standard, the shops interesting, and the fit out fantastic (check out that ceiling!)

http://www.anthonysrestaurant.co.uk/piazza/

Quite a change from the Cathedral Gardens/Afflecks style goth-fest it used to be (though I am sure many an aged EMO will lament the changes).

Anthonys is a formidable restaurant operation; the son (Anthony Flynn Jr) was the only English guy ever to do a paid stage at El Bulli, one of the world's best restaurants, and his father (in classic Ramsay father-in-law style) is an excellent hard-nosed businessman with a corporate background. His sister and girlfriend (who worked at many Michelin starred places in Spain) are also involved in the management and operations.

Their stable now includes the original Anthonys (which should have got a Michelin star several years ago but did win him one of our Northern Hospitality Awards and an Observer Food Monthly gong as Chef of the Year), Anthonys at Flannels (a success of a previously cursed space), their pattisserie in the Victoria Quarter and of course the new dining and retail extravaganza at the old Corn Exchange.

His dominance of Leed's culinary scene is comparable to Paul Heathcote's or Nigel Howarth's in Lancashire, Paul Askew's in Liverpool, Terry Laybourne's in Newcastle, Andrew Pern's in North Yorkshire or indeed Rick Stein's in Padstow. So far, sadly, Manchester lacks such an ambitious and entrepreunerial local chef to raise the game and use their scale and sway to do something brave and new.

That said we shouldn't knock Manchester just yet. Yes Leeds has an excellent city centre market (where Anthony buys much of his produce) but aside from that it has one tiny deli, Salts, of note in the city centre. Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle etc cannot offer much more until, like Manchester, you hit the burbs (and Manchester's burbs are better than most city's when it comes to great food shops).

Also, lets not forget this is early days for the Piazza, and although I know the Flynn clan and wish them well and feel they know their market inside out that's not to say that the food retail element may not evolve or indeed be sacrificed to greater food service over time (as happened with Manchester city centre fine food retailers from Love Saves the Day to Selfridges).

The final thing to add, and this tie's into Anthony's sizable business and their joined-up thinking, is that he has created the retail elements of the development by utilising the existing supply chains and relationships he already had in place to stock his restaurants. This simple underpinning should give a bit of resilience to the shops until they (hopefully) find their own audience.

Oh, and to return to Coughy's main point - I'd LOVE the lower-ground floor of the Triangle to be a food-market. Leaving aside the commercial realities of foot-fall, yields for the landlords etc etc I think it would look utterly fantastic. I'd shop there.

Phew.

On a related note if anyone wants to hear me pontificate on why I think deli's in Manchester city centre (from LSTD, twice, to Gastro's and the short-lived Six-Pack Deli) tend to fail (as opposed to the thriving scene in the suburbs - my latest discovery was the rather fine Back's deli in Heaton Moor) I would gladly give my two-pennoth-worth. It's something I've given a lot (probably too much) thought to, as it aggrevates me deeply.

Cheers

Thom