Retail in Greater Manchester [Archive] - Page 3

flange

September 22nd, 2006, 11:06 AM

Samsonite to open new store

Samsonite is to give a free gift to its first 50 customers each day for a week when it opens its new store in Manchester Arndale soon. This latest store is part of a global strategy that will reinforce the brand’s position as the world’s leading travel and travel accessory brand.

Samsonite's visionary direction and emphasis on the premium, influential market is the inspiration of CEO Marcello Bottoli and Global Creative Director Quentin Mackay. This partnership is dedicated to achieving the goal - to elevate the creative direction, range of products, marketing communications and stores of the Samsonite brand globally.
Designed by world famous architects Guillot + architects (G+a), the new Samsonite store concept is designed to complement the recent Samsonite Black Label store concept which has seen a number of boutiques open in key fashion capitals around the world.
Whilst the Samsonite Black Label concept plays off the striking colour combination of black and orange, the new Samsonite store concept complements this with a contemporary combination of creams, beiges and whites, whilst still using the same distinctive shapes, squares and solids.
The façade uses the same idea of a solid wall made of blocks, but carved out to give the idea of lightness, openness and movement, a theme that runs into the store as well. Inside warm cherry wood panels combine with soft back lit cream boxes to showcase the products. Striking travel images and exotic locations ensure that the brand positioning of 'Life's a Journey' comes alive in the store.
"Samsonite is reconnecting with consumers on an emotional level by engaging their senses through our products and retail environments", states Marcello Bottoli. "Likewise, the new brand tagline - 'Life's a Journey' - embodies Samsonite's transformation and future, symbolizing the role the brand has in the multi-faceted lives of travelers today. Our new Samsonite stores, in addition to our products, will deliver on this message."

flange

September 22nd, 2006, 11:15 AM

more arndale pictures (not taken by me)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pit-yacker/243219505/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pit-yacker/243219246/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pit-yacker/243218746/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pit-yacker/243218229/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pit-yacker/243218008/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pit-yacker/243217780/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pit-yacker/243216748/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pit-yacker/243217104/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pit-yacker/243217341/

flange

September 22nd, 2006, 11:17 AM

DOUBLE POST

andysimo123

September 22nd, 2006, 02:57 PM

Good find. I havent been in the newest bits yet but that car park needs doing. No point doing the bottom level and then not doing the rest.

Ephemera

September 22nd, 2006, 04:42 PM

I thought the Winter Gardens was a bit disappointing. I was expecting some a bit bigger, and the ground floor feels really cramped with the elevators, stairs, and overhead walkways.

Also with this, Waterstone's really was nicer where it was before, and, even worse, the new New Look isn't open yet!

flange

September 22nd, 2006, 06:15 PM

jrb

September 23rd, 2006, 12:17 AM

Clearance started this week.(Monday) The site is a hive of activity.

Wonder if the pledge by Peel to invest in a possible extension to the Trafford centre still exists?(below)

Owners and developers of The Trafford Centre – Peel Holdings plc have been granted planning consent to develop a 200,000 sq ft retail park for bulky goods on its 12 acre Giants Field site adjacent to the £900 million shopping and leisure destination.

Following a five year planning process and two public inquiries the leading property company expects the scheme to house retailers specialising in consumer durables or DIY and is likely to create 500 new jobs.

The planning consent also signals good news for the extension of the Metrolink into Trafford Park as it now allows Peel Holdings to review its potential contribution to the development of the line.

The proposed Trafford Metrolink will have platforms close to Manchester United and the Imperial War Museum North, in Trafford Park village and at a transport interchange at The Trafford Centre.

Managing Director of The Trafford Centre Mike Butterworth said: “Peel is delighted with the outcome of the planning application as the development will compliment the retail mix of The Trafford Centre by providing consumers with a range of goods not currently available within the Centre.

“It also means the prospect of gaining a Metrolink through Trafford Park to the Centre has been improved because Peel are willing to commit some of the profits from the Giants Field development back into the cost of building the Metrolink extension. The expansion of the Metrolink will be a great asset for Greater Manchester as it will give better access for the whole conurbation to the 50,000 jobs in Trafford Park.”

HSE North West Regional Director Marcia Davies says: “European Week plays a vital role in improving health and safety for workers and members of the public throughout the region. We wanted to use the Week to drive home some simple messages to those who still believe that accidents are bad luck. The messages are that most injuries which happen at work need not happen, and there are controls and solutions - often simple - which save lives and livelihoods.”

uklad1979

September 23rd, 2006, 02:44 PM

the manchester235 site has now go online http://www.manchester235.com/flash.html

also on the note of casinos is the hard rock casino in the printworks still open as there is no mention of it on the printworks or hard rock casino website

http://www.theprintworks.com/
http://www.hardrock.com/casinos/

It closed on 31st July I think. They said it was making a lose after they spent millions opening it. I can not see how they are going to make Manchester 365 work. They have brought in a Manager that used to manage The Trafford Centre and then was commercial director at The Lowry and I belive on the entertainment site they have brought in Jay Taylor now if it's the Jay from Night and Day I can not see they entertainment being anything more than a few gigs that would fill a bar. The idea of the place was to be like Vagas with high end restaurants and top music acts. I don't see it lasting in the long run. Any idea about the Ten Pin that is ment to be opening in Great Northern?

jrb

September 23rd, 2006, 09:29 PM

4th and 5th floors of Primark to be converted into offices. Info and renders below.

Approved.

078768/FO/2006/C1

1 Fountain Street
City

Change of use and refurbishment of the 4th and 5th floors to offices and elevational alterations to provide a foyer, and ground level access to the upper levels works to roof.

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=IVWOL8BCW1000&searchtype=WEEKLY

jrb

September 24th, 2006, 11:20 PM

Midland Bank on King Street covered in scaffolding. Either a general clean or the planned retail scheme has well and truly started.

flange

September 27th, 2006, 05:56 PM

Checkland Kindleysides to revamp Megastores identity

LONDON - Virgin Megastores has appointed Leicester-based design firm Checkland Kindleysides to create a fresh retail concept following a three-way pitch.

Virgin Megastores held the pitch after reviewing its store portfolio, claiming that the entertainment retail industry had failed to modernise in the past decade.

Steve Kincaid, marketing director of Virgin Megastores, said: "We appointed Checkland Kindleysides because they best answered the brief, showing a real understanding of entertainment retail and the need to innovate.

"Manchester is a key UK city and we are delighted to be back in Manchester with a flagship Virgin Megastore, which will do justice to our brand and share our desire to innovate future stores."

The Manchester store will open in November within the newly refurbished Arndale Shopping Centre. The Arndale Centre will comprise of a mix of bright, airy and modern finishes and the new Virgin Megastores flagship store will aim to compliment the centre.

Checkland Kindleysides offers a range of design fields including graphic communication, identity, retail, interior and interactive design.

Most recently, it worked with Boots on the merchandising formats for its Ruby & Millie cosmetics brand. Checkland Kindleysides created units featuring the brand logo in a back-lit cut-out section.

Other clients of the agency include Levi's, Sony PlayStation, Dunhill, Audi, Thorntons, Timberland Boot Company and Birmingham Bullring.

GShutty

September 28th, 2006, 11:02 AM

It looks like Afrikana, an African restaurant, is set to open at No.1 Piccadilly, where Inner Sanctuary Bed Shop used to be. Should be another good independent addition to the scheme.

Has anybody ever been to 'Jowata', the other African on Deansgate (nr Liverpool Rd.)? It's been there for years and I always say i'll go, but when it comes to choosing a restaurant, I always seem to forget about it's existence.

Sadly (but a little predictably perhaps) Beach Stop is closing- also at 1 piccadilly. Shame, as I like the indies to do well, though alledgedly they are looking for new premises. Manchester's new Arndale Market perhaps?

flange

September 28th, 2006, 11:43 AM

it is finally opening the new apple store in the manchester arndale is going to be opening this saturday with the usual giveaways and stuff no one knows if it will be a 2 storey store yet as it is been rumored

http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/manchesterarndale/week/20061001.html

uklad1979

September 28th, 2006, 11:03 PM

Midland Bank on King Street covered in scaffolding. Either a general clean or the planned retail scheme has well and truly started.

Thats the building next door with the Armarni store.

I emailed TGI Fridays to find out what was happening with the branch was due to open in the the old WH Smith in St Ann's SQ. Whitbread are likely to sell off TGI's later this year so I thought the branch may have been scraped but they came back saying they have found a couple of new sites and will hopefully have one confirmed by December at the latest.

uklad1979

September 28th, 2006, 11:04 PM

uklad1979

September 28th, 2006, 11:27 PM

The Apple store door was open last night so I had a look inside while they were working on it and I saw on second floor. The place seemed to have no frontage and was open with no windows and doors I haven't been to an Apple store so not sure if they all look like this or if they just haven't been fitted yet. It looked basic and dull looking with loads of white and cheap looking fittings.
I noticed that the Wintergardens has a Prayer room at the side on Sportsdirect.com shop near Shopmobility which seemed an odd addition.
Also Nando's have now added a sign saying that they are comming soon.

Manc Guy

September 29th, 2006, 11:51 AM

Also Nando's have now added a sign saying that they are comming soon.

The point? There's one just accross the road in the printworks isnt there?

GShutty

September 29th, 2006, 01:42 PM

The point? There's one just accross the road in the printworks isnt there?

There's also a new-ish Nando's on Chester St, in the Quadrangle, off Oxford Rd. Next door to a soon to arrive Chinese/Thai restaurant called Blue Ginger that is set to open it's doors later this year.

MM2 club on Peter St, is set to be renamed Gatecrasher. Whlist i'm not a big fan of the place and think that it's unfortunately positioned between the Midland and Radisson hotels, it has to be good for the profile of the city to get such a high profile brand club amongst its ranks.

macc

September 29th, 2006, 03:18 PM

MM2 club on Peter St, is set to be renamed Gatecrasher. Whlist i'm not a big fan of the place and think that it's unfortunately positioned between the Midland and Radisson hotels, it has to be good for the profile of the city to get such a high profile brand club amongst its ranks.

Ah Gatecrasher! I used to go there in my Sheffield days in the late nineties. It was quite a place. I've never been to a club with a better atmosphere. Within a year, around 97/98 the place went from an average respected club to the stratosphere. Eventually the cyber freaks that were at first novelty minorty got OTT and it all became a bit of a cliche.

Around the time it closed for a facelift some knob had too many drugs, drank too much water and drowned himself. They managed to keep it out of the press but it pretty much went downhill from there. Some mates used to work there and they said that one night some lad came to the club dressed head to toe in a pink gorilla suit and the owners decided it was time to sort out the cyber-gimp reputiaon they had. This was 1999. It never recovered.

erm...my point being Gatecrasher kind of passe now, along with the type of music they play. I'd rather some local promoters got in there. Still, I'm not particularly bothered though. Its not like I'll ever go there. Its pipe and slippers for me nowadays.

GShutty

September 29th, 2006, 04:22 PM

Ah Gatecrasher! I used to go there in my Sheffield days in the late nineties. It was quite a place. I've never been to a club with a better atmosphere. Within a year, around 97/98 the place went from an average respected club to the stratosphere. Eventually the cyber freaks that were at first novelty minorty got OTT and it all became a bit of a cliche.

Around the time it closed for a facelift some knob had too many drugs, drank too much water and drowned himself. They managed to keep it out of the press but it pretty much went downhill from there. Some mates used to work there and they said that one night some lad came to the club dressed head to toe in a pink gorilla suit and the owners decided it was time to sort out the cyber-gimp reputiaon they had. This was 1999. It never recovered.

erm...my point being Gatecrasher kind of passe now, along with the type of music they play. I'd rather some local promoters got in there. Still, I'm not particularly bothered though. Its not like I'll ever go there. Its pipe and slippers for me nowadays.

I know what you're saying Macc and agree with you, it just makes more of a statement than MM2, so it's an improvement for me.

flange

September 29th, 2006, 08:59 PM

New Look in the Arndale's Wintergardens will open on Friday 27th October surely it has to be a flagship store the unit is massive

Ephemera

October 2nd, 2006, 04:26 PM

Yay! New Look! I love New Look!

But not really progress is it? Just another chain in another mall. If the tourist office print an advert saying: 'Come to Manchester for the shopping', I doubt they mean New Look. Where are the independent shops which make a place?

GShutty

October 3rd, 2006, 02:14 PM

But not really progress is it? Just another chain in another mall. If the tourist office print an advert saying: 'Come to Manchester for the shopping', I doubt they mean New Look. Where are the independent shops which make a place?[/QUOTE]

I take your point EM, but I doubt if there is any such Mall in the UK, or Europe where independents thrive. The Northern Quarter is starting to fill up nicely and I feel will kick on to another level next year and 2008, aided by the Arndale's footfall form the city centre and by pedestrians heading to the Royal Mills, New Islington and the surrounding areas.

BTW Love Saves the Day is back in the Northern Quarter! They have opened within Vox Pop record store, on Thomas St.

Also worth noting in the NQ Is the amount of Shutters that are receiving artistic treatment. Have a walk down Edge St (Market Restaurant). It makes the place feel a whole lot better when the businesses aren't trading!

Ephemera

October 3rd, 2006, 04:57 PM

Yeah, I know, but look at all the people getting off the bus in Piccadilly Gardens. 95% of them are walking down Market Street and not into the Northern Quarter.

I took a walk down Chapel Street in Salford last Saturday, and how much money was being spent there to rebuild and regenerate? Ah, nevermind, there's no profit in it so it won't happen. I'm glad the owners of the Arndale own the winning horse. So to speak.

SleepyOne

October 4th, 2006, 12:53 AM

Also worth noting in the NQ Is the amount of Shutters that are receiving artistic treatment. Have a walk down Edge St (Market Restaurant). It makes the place feel a whole lot better when the businesses aren't trading!

One of my biggest gripes. It should be a requirement that behind-the-window shutters only, be allowed in this area in my opinion.

majormystery

October 4th, 2006, 12:14 PM

One of my biggest gripes. It should be a requirement that behind-the-window shutters only, be allowed in this area in my opinion.

Do you have shares in Pilkinson glass?

flange

October 4th, 2006, 09:27 PM

It looks like Afrikana, an African restaurant, is set to open at No.1 Piccadilly, where Inner Sanctuary Bed Shop used to be. Should be another good independent addition to the scheme.

Has anybody ever been to 'Jowata', the other African on Deansgate (nr Liverpool Rd.)? It's been there for years and I always say i'll go, but when it comes to choosing a restaurant, I always seem to forget about it's existence.
?

Afrikana will open in dec

here is there website http://www.afrikanarestaurants.com/Welcome.html

also on another note with Holmes Palace being taken over by Virgin Active i wonder if they will rebrand the one at printworks and have 2 in the manchester or if they will close the great northern one and keep the printworks one as the printworks one will be more busier shorley

jrb

October 5th, 2006, 08:12 PM

Prudential and Capital Shopping Centres’ Arndale extension has opened 85% let.

The day before the third and final phase of the Manchester Arndale opens, it is hard to believe that it will be ready in time. Swarms of workers are still installing electronic systems and putting the finishing touches to the mall, while retailers such as Muse are frantically stocking shelves.

But Capital Shopping Centres and Prudential, the scheme’s owners, remain calm amid the chaos. ‘They will be sweeping the floors at 7am,’ says Prupim development director John Weymouth, in hard hat and Boots. ‘It always goes to the last minute with shopping centres.’

Sure enough, 24 hours later, on 7 September, 100,000 people tramped into the final phase of the 1.4m sq ft (130,063 sq m) scheme, the Wintergarden, where shops, bars and restaurants are set around a 100 ft-high glass atrium that can be lit in different colours.

Getting a new look

The UK’s largest city centre shopping mall is home to a range of new stores, many of which are trialling fresh formats and different shop sizes. Topshop and River Island have both opened their largest stores outside London, and their fit-outs are elaborate. Topshop has relocated from a 20,000 sq ft (1,858 sq m) unit in the Arndale to 45,000 sq ft (4,181 sq m), while River Island has upgraded from 12,000 sq ft to 20,000 sq ft (1,115 sq m to 1,858 sq m).

They are among five retailers who have relocated from other areas of the centre. SportsWorld has moved from a 5,000 sq ft (465 sq m) unit to a 29,000 sq ft (2,694 sq m) store, where it will trade as SportsDirect.

Next, the scheme’s anchor, opened last year, having upgraded from 7,000 sq ft to 150,000 sq ft (650 sq m to 13,935 sq m). Vision Express is also moving to newer space after the lease on its previous unit expired.

Waterstone’s has now opened in phase three of the centre with a more modern design using light colours – a concept it may extend to other stores.

The opening of the centre’s New Look store has been delayed because it is working on a new-style fit-out. Prudential leasing director Chris Pyne says: ‘We want a quality shop fit-out, even if it means New Look won’t open on time.

'We have the biggest Topshop outside London and the biggest River Island,’ he adds. Now Manchester Arndale also has the biggest Republic, which has taken the old River Island unit and is fitting out its flagship store.

JD Sports, in the older section, is fitting out a new format store, as is the Bratz shop.

Gap is believed to be moving from its store in St Ann’s Square and is widely tipped to be moving to Manchester Arndale. ‘We have had on-off negotiations,’ says Pyne. ‘They have their own decision-making process, as everything goes through the US. We may have a unit for them when they are ready.’

He says 85% of the extension to the Arndale has now been let to tenants such as Hotel Chocolat, Muse, Apple, Samsonite, Billabong, Bershka and Coast. Warehouse, Principles and Blend have also recently signed deals and will open by the end of October. It will be Danish fashion retailer Blend’s first store in the UK.

‘There’s not much in the way of voids,’ says Pyne. However, there are six units in phase three that have yet to find tenants, in a corner that is the same height as the older part of the centre. Pyne is working on a themed area there with a group of ‘like-minded and compatible’ retailers. He refuses to be drawn on the theme, but says negotiations are ongoing.

“They have had to incentivise some of the lettings, but that is probably consistent with the market
”
Warwick Smither, Cheetham & Mortimer

Pyne adds that Manchester Arndale will benefit from the British Council of Shopping Centres holding a conference in the city in November. ‘Everyone in the shopping centre world [will be here],’ he says. ‘I think we will see a rash of lettings after then.’

Peter Harris, co-founder and financial director of Hotel Chocolat, which has opened its first shop in the north-west, in the centre, says he was slightly surprised that more shops were not open for the launch. But he is impressed with the scheme and says the company was attracted by the location and timing of the opening. ‘We like opening at this time of year because of the build-up into winter,’ he says. ‘We are very encouraged by the first few days of trading.’

The final phase of Manchester Arndale also features a market hall. On one side, traders sell organic teas and coffees, dim sum and fresh produce, while there are non-food goods on the other. ‘Gone are the carpet floors and trainers in boxes,’ says Pyne.

The replacement market was a requirement by the council and has been designed not to impact heavily on the rest of the centre. The non-food area is on the inside edge, and food traders near the walls, so that their area can be well ventilated. For example, the large fish stall is positioned at the end of the market furthest from the centre. When the market is closed, shutters can be pulled down either side of the walkway into the mall.

The letting agents for the scheme are Tushingham Moore, CB Richard Ellis and Lunson Mitchenall. Stephen Tregenza, senior surveyor at Tushingham Moore, says the target for the extension was to attract the ‘better end of the middle market’. Sitting at Starbucks in Exchange Court, he says: ‘Phase three lettings were very much dependent on success in phases one and two. I think we have managed to fill them with good fashion tenants.’

In the loop

The centre’s flow will change as the shopping ‘loops’ are completed. Pyne says it could take time to bed in. ‘People have proved to be quite cautious in how they explore new areas. We have no doubt that, in three, four or six months’ time, pedestrian flow will have evened out,’ he says.

Warwick Smither, partner at Cheetham & Mortimer, says: ‘They have had to incentivise some of the lettings, but that is probably consistent with the market,’ he says. ‘With big schemes such as that, you need to throw a bit of money at securing the right tenants.’

Manchester Arndale’s zone A rents are about £220 to £230, but these do not reflect incentive periods that could be two or three years long.

Smither does not think that the centre will destroy the rest of the city’s shopping area.

‘It is mass-market, high-volume sales,’ he says. ‘It is not attacking King Street.’

But Paul Nichols, head of Manchester’s Cushman & Wakefield office, says retailers on Cathedral Walk, next to the centre, have suffered recently. Austin Reed is keen to surrender its unit because of low sales. ‘The opening of the new phase of the Arndale will help Cathedral Walks, as it needs more footfall through there,’ he says.

Open in time for Christmas, it is the end of a long journey for the Manchester Arndale. The floors have been swept and the scaffolding is gone. Now it is over to the shoppers.

jrb

October 5th, 2006, 08:17 PM

jrb

October 5th, 2006, 08:19 PM

jrb

October 13th, 2006, 10:57 PM

Mythical monsters to tower over Trafford Centre

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/640.$plit/C_17_Articles_225468_BodyWeb_Detail_0_Image.jpg

MONSTER: Colin Spofforth.

TWO mythical monsters and a giant soldier will soon tower over shoppers at the Trafford Centre.

Colin Spofforth has spent 18 months working on the huge sculptures, which will be hauled into place by crane at the end of the month.

A unicorn, a griffin and a Roman centurion - based on elements of the Trafford coat of arms - will stand on a podium at the entrance to the Orient food complex.

The giant trio have been sculpted from clay and then cast in glass fibre by Colin, who already has other well-known works on display in the area.

He created the jazz band sculpture in the Trafford Centre as well as a 30ft high statue, called The Runner, outside the City of Manchester Stadium.

He said: "I wanted to do something based on the Trafford coat of arms because the crest contains elements which are meant to represent each of the 10 areas around Trafford - and I have incorporated all of them into the sculpture.

"The oak leaves on the coat of arms represent Dunham Massey - and I have incorporated those leaves on the armour that the Roman centurion is wearing."

Colin used nearly nine tons of clay to craft the figures, entitled Trafford Crest. The unicorn and the griffin reach five meters, and if the griffin's tail was unrolled, it would be eight meters long.

Colin said: "I'm looking forward to seeing the piece hoisted into the air, because it was sculpted on the ground - so I don't really have a clue what it is going to look like."

flange

October 16th, 2006, 01:16 PM

Hargreaves is Aldi best buy

A BOLTON contractor and developer has won a major contract as part of the expansion plans of a German supermarket chain.

Grocery retailer Aldi has chosen Hargreaves Contracting, based on Raikes Lane, Bolton, to deliver a multi-million pound contract to refurbish and build seven stores across the North-west.

A spokesman for Hargreaves said the programme, which includes three new stores, three refurbishments, and an extension to an existing store will "considerably increase" its turnover in the forthcoming year.

The company will manage the entire construction process including procurement, build, and equipment installation while adhering to stringent timescales and quality controls set by Aldi.

Jeremy Ford, key account manager for Hargreaves Contracting, said: "In the three new-build stores in Leigh, Birkenhead and Thornton near Blackpool, we will adopt Aldi's preferred construction methods using pre-cast, pre-insulated concrete panels that weigh up to 20 tonnes each, in addition to single span timber roof trusses, all imported from Germany."

Work on the other stores, in Horwich, Glossop, Prenton and the Arndale Centre, Manchester, involve the refurbishment and extension of previous retail outlets.

Work is now underway on two of the stores.

In Manchester the former site of Index and Mothercare marks a brand new retail concept for Aldi.

Hargreaves is now undertaking an intensive 12-week refurbishment programme which involves all aspects of construction and fit out set over two floors, a challenge which is made more demanding by the servicing coming from a single lift within the unit.

In Birkenhead, Hargreaves is currently undertaking the demolition of the existing building and enabling works.

Due for launch in Easter 2007, the new, larger store is located next door to the current top trading outlet and will open the day after its predecessor closes.

Mr Ford added: "We are clearly delighted to have been awarded this highly prestigious project from such a leading international retailer.

"As Aldi has a UK extensive expansion programme in place, Hargreaves is clearly keen to continue our close working partnership in future projects."

Hargreaves is a subsidiary of Irish developer McInerney Holdings.

Architecty

October 16th, 2006, 01:46 PM

GShutty

October 16th, 2006, 02:00 PM

Good news for city centre inhabitants, but the continued slide of Market Street into shot shops row, suppose it will mean better consistency of shops from Piccadilly! Of course their new concept city centre stores might be joy to behold, maybe a pleasant surprise on the cards?

The new side of the Arndale had backfired epically by looking too good; it now just emphasises quite how atrocious the other side is, ironically in the same way the now demolished old side used to make the other half look like a palace!

Best thing by far though is having life back on High St and Shudehill, although now much bigger the complex doesn’t feel like such a blockage in the city centre. Need to sort out that cut through by the car park ramp though, still unnecessarily grotty.

Yeah well put. I'm waiting for an announcement on this to be made, once the Arndale has in turn announced a highly successful Xmas period- 'bucking High St retail trends.....'

The Building that sits between Debenhams, Pall Mall House, Christopher Wray Lighting and the Arndale, (on the corner of Church St and High St) reflects very badly on the Street and that part of town, although I heard a rumour over 12months ago that that is for the chop.

On the bright side, Primark has scrubbed up well!

highriser

October 16th, 2006, 07:13 PM

To all the Starbuck's hater's ,, a great independent coffee shop has opened on Tariff St in Piccadilly Basin ,, it's called Drip :)

SleepyOne

October 16th, 2006, 08:31 PM

I still think the centre feels like a blockage in the city centre. The new bit hasn't really integrated very well at all into the city centre, apart from perhaps along Shudehill, although I have to agree there is noticeably more footfall along High Street.

Market Street is, as Market Street always was since they developed the Arndale: a depressing hole.

nerd

October 17th, 2006, 03:10 AM

The Building that sits between Debenhams, Pall Mall House, Christopher Wray Lighting and the Arndale, (on the corner of Church St and High St) reflects very badly on the Street and that part of town, although I heard a rumour over 12months ago that that is for the chop.

There is no doubt that the slab-and-podium aesthetic was over-used to the point of cliche in Manchester in the 60s - but that is no reason to condemn one of the best of the genre out of hand. I admit that the pub inside has rather gone down-market since it stopped being a Yates's Wine Lodge; and the site is probably under-used by current standards of the town centre, but this is a strong and forceful building for its size from Leach, Rhodes and Walker's classic period: and far better than the Arndale across the way, or most of the stuff that is going up around here at the moment. For what it's worth on this board, Pevsner liked it a lot.

These 60s concrete slabs are a key part of the city's history - certainly no less important than the weaver's cottages or the Edwardian packing warehouses. We cannot afford to lose them all.

flange

October 19th, 2006, 11:32 AM

The 2nd Millies Cookies store in the Arndale opens this week it is in the Wintergardens are

Mike is one smart cookie!

Michael BoothIT takes a tough cookie to run this Bury-based business, but Michael Booth believes he's in for a treat. Last week Michael took over at the helm as managing director of Millie's Cookies.

He'll be the third leader at the top of the retail chain which was recently bought, along with its sister companies, by a Swedish venture capital fund.

But, despite several changes of ownership, Michael says Millie's is still true to its brand value of "an indulgent treat", and its identity has not been swallowed up by a corporate giant.

Nevertheless, Millie's nestles along side the likes of Caffe Ritazza, Upper Crust, Whistlestop and Harry Ramsden as part of the Select Service Partner group.

SSP was a subsidiary of the mighty Compass catering empire, but in June this year was sold to the Swedish fund EQT in an £1.8bn deal.

Michael, who joined Millie's as commercial director from Allied Domecq, where he looked after a number of its food brands including Baskin Robbins and Dunkin Donuts, says that EQT wants to grow the business through investment before eventually floating it on the London Stock Exchange.

"As part of the deal, all the SSP board directors are still in place, and EQT are investing heavily in the group, so it is really business as usual."

But stock market flotations and billion-pound deals are a world way from Millie's humble beginnings.

The company was founded by Mario Budwig in 1985. Two years later, he joined forces with Irishman Richard O'Sullivan and together, from a converted garage, they introduced the nation to American-style cookies.

The first Millie's Cookies store opened in Selfridges on London's Oxford Street.

And after its huge success, Mario and Richard began rolling out the concept across railway stations and shopping centres across the UK.

In 1997 they bought the company's major competitor, Cookie Jar, and almost doubled the size of the business overnight.

In 2003 the business was sold to Compass for £24m. Richard initially stayed on to manage its smooth integration, but since his departure he and Mario have struck a deal with the ultra-successful Australian company, Boost Juice Bars, to roll out the concept in the UK.

Today Millie's Cookies has a turnover of around £30m and employs 1,100 staff across 121 outlets nationwide.

In 2005, the group opened its first international store in Paris. Three more sites have followed, in Frankfurt, Berlin and Hong Kong.

Michael says he has ambitious international expansion plans, including trying to crack the land of the cookie itself - America.

Brand values

"It does seem a bit like coals to Newcastle, but we have the same brand values as many of the home-grown American ones.

"Also SSP already has significant interest in the States and is looking to build on this further. With the strength of SSP behind Millie's, cracking the market would not be as difficult.

"I envisage Millie's as initially positioned in US airports, then in shopping malls throughout the country." But Michael is keen to stress that the US expansion is two or three years down the line.

Also in the pipeline for the medium term is expansion into the Middle East.

Michael says: "The UAE offers great potential, because the region is very familiar with large American brands such as Dunkin Donuts, and Millie's has similar brand values.

"However, we would adopt the strategy of entering into an agreement with a master franchiser and roll out the concept that way."

For the moment, Millie's is concentrating on opening around 18 stores in both Northern and the Republic of Ireland, as well as upping its presence on the UK mainland.

"We expect to open around 10 sites in shopping centres and railway stations across the country, including one in Manchester's Arndale Centre this week."

While Millie's has no direct competition as such, it is competing with a multitude of outlets for what Michael calls "discretionary spend on treats".

"When people are wandering around shopping centres or waiting for planes and trains, they often feel like a treat.

"But this can be anything from a coffee and a cake to a juice from one of the new bars that are springing up everywhere.

"I believe our products are the best on the market and our customer service is excellent, but the `grab and go' industry is getting more diverse, and competition is intense."

Michael says that the group is also planning to cater for the growing demands of health-conscious customers.

"Cookies are an indulgent treat, which is what our brand message is all about.

"And we certainly do say: `Eat a cookie every day'.

"But you have to adapt to changing demands - that is why, as part of the Millie's Cookies revolution, we are introducing fruit smoothies and reduced-fat berry muffins.

"There are new competitors arriving every day, and the retail market is tough."

Well, to coin a phrase . . . that's the way the cookie crumbles.

GShutty

October 19th, 2006, 01:39 PM

It looks as though the independents are giving as good as they get, as Commercial Manchester reatail districts (Arndale and Printworks) and the Indie haven that is the Northern Quarter collide.

With the continued opening of the Arndale, The BirdCage and and Virgin will be opening within a few weeks, and the continued organic expansion of the NQ, the two areas are becoming a seamless part of the Manchester retail and leisure offering.

The fear for many was that the commercial, multi-national machines would sanitise the whole city, but the NQ and the independents continue to punch their weight. Already opened are a new independent Newsagent and deli, below the new apartments next to Tiger Tiger, on Withy Grove, with one small unit remaining.

Now the first of the series of old retail units that have been there for decades and occupied, by Jewellers, 2nd hand Book shops, a Safe Shop and a Gun Shop amongst others has been converted into Casbah. A Morrocan Word that refers to a fortification in the capital since 1912, Rabat.

This two story converted unit will play host, to a new independent restaurant and bar, due to open before Xmas.

Great to see if you ask me. These Units are ripe for developing and a good size for the independents. If the current businesses are to survive & prosper, then the least they should do, is improve the current state of the front of their premises- which i'm sure they will do.

Also TV21 an independent TV and Movie theme Bar is recruiting and currently has a 'life-sized' model of Alien in their window, on Thomas St.

flange

October 19th, 2006, 05:06 PM

a bit of info on the birdcage and its opening night

It's showtime for Brazen PR

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/7195/cabarethb5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

GLITZY: Precious and Blanche with Marcus Doyle, Bazen's Leah Watson and Peter Burling
SHOWGIRLS, soccer stars and masseurs - No, not another tabloid exposé, but the latest headlines from Brazen PR.

Nina Wheeler's Manchester agency has gained no less than five new clients - four of them in Manchester itself.

Blackburn Rovers have hired Brazen for their "specialist consumer experience".

The brief is to support the marketing, community and commercial team's activities, in driving attendances for the north west derby against Bolton Wanderers on October 22.

A wider objective is to improve the output of positive stories about the club in the media.

Brazen's new Manchester accounts see the agency working with the Triangle shopping centre; the Ibiza Angels team of masseurs; The Birdcage, Withy Grove's new cabaret club featuring female impersonators and dancers; and Manchester celebrity hangout Panacea.

Pete Burling, who heads the Manchester teams at Brazen, said: "These new clients join other major brands in Brazen's Mancunian portfolio, including the city's leading hotel, The Lowry, its busiest entertainment destination, The Printworks (Hard Rock Café, Odeon, Tiger Tiger, Pure, Holmes Place) and most exclusive members bar and club The Circle.

"The combined fees alone will add a further five-figure sum to agency coffers!"

information on the club 2000 capacity, open 7 nights a week, comedy nights, Live drag cabaret and Vegas style shows

The Birdcage's website

http://www.birdcagelive.com/

and also there opening night is Thursday 9th November

macc

October 19th, 2006, 05:52 PM

The Birdcage, Withy Grove's new cabaret club featuring female impersonators and dancers; and Manchester celebrity hangout Panacea.

Sounds interesting.

I'm loving this thread. Its full of the smaller developments that people don't bother mentioning, but when you combine them all together you can really see how the city is moving.

The updates are very much appreciated, flange. Cheers

flange

October 20th, 2006, 01:16 PM

looks like The Great Hall at the trafford centre wont be opening until atleast early 2007 now instead of this month all the dates have been changed to early 2007 on the trafford centre's website aint looking good really is it i wonder how long it will take for Barton Sqaure to be built then lets hope not as long as this

flange

October 20th, 2006, 04:34 PM

Come along to get a New Look

New Look is to unveil its sparkling new store on the Upper Level at 10am on October 27. It is celebrating the opening with a treasure hunt. There are 20 oversized golden tags hidden around Manchester Arndale and the city centre for customers to bring into the store and claim a fantastic £35 outfit! Plus the first 100 purchases will receive a New Look goodie bag!

At New Look they believe that everyone can enjoy fashion, so no matter what your age, shape or size they are committed to making you look cool, funky and trendy all at the same time. They want to provide choice as well as fashion at affordable prices to both existing and new customers.
The gorgeous 25,000 sq ft store in Manchester will be set over two floors and will showcase the latest women's fashions, Inspire collection (size 16-24) giving customers who require larger sizes the option to dress exactly how they want.
The Generation 915 teenwear range is designed to give young teens the coolest looks, and the fantastic über cool menswear range will be revealed.
The Manchester Arndale store will also receive three exciting New Look ranges launched this year: 'Bloom' maternity wear, tall ranges for ladies 5ft 7" and above, plus New Look's first ever kidswear collection from newborn to 10 years will also be unveiled at the opening making New Look an exciting family shopping destination.

flange

October 20th, 2006, 07:30 PM

red5 a store from the man that created the gadget shop is coming to manchester, were in manchester i dont know as it only has coming soon on there website i presume the arndale but if any finds out post it in here

http://www.red5.co.uk/RED5-Stores-p-12.html

markydeedrop

October 22nd, 2006, 08:41 AM

Nice new restaurant opened up on Bridge Street, just near the Starbucks. Here is a review from the Metro:

http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/food/article.html?in_article_id=19658&in_page_id=26

flange

October 22nd, 2006, 09:03 PM

Alidi Upper Floor (old littlewoods unit)
Apple Upper Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Baron Jon Lower Floor (old eisnegger unit, clothing store)
Bratz Lower Floor New Cannon Street (designer kids wear) Now Open
Birdcage Lowers Floor long thin unit on withy grove Opens 9th November
Billabong Upper Floor Wintergardens Opening before Christmas
Blend Upper FloorNew Cannon Street (clothing) Opening before Christmas
Coast Upper FloorNew Cannon Street Opening before Christmas
Druckers Upper Floor Halle Square (Restaurant)
Foot Asylum Lower Floor Exchange Court
Greggs Lower Floor on Withy Grove
Just Pink Lower Floor Cromford Court
JD Sports Lower Floor Halle Square Now Open
Lacoste Lower Floor Halle Square
Levis Upper Floor Wintergardens
Ma Potters Upper Floor Wintergardens
Morgan Upper Floor New Cannon Street
Milllies Cookies Upper Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Nandos Upper Floor Wintergardens Opening Soon
New Look Upper Floor Wintergardens Opens 27th Oct
Parchment Cards Lower Floor Wintergardens Opening before Christmas
Principles Lower Floor New Cannon Street Opening before Christmas
Rowntrees Upper Floor High Street
Samsonite Upper Floor Wintergardens Opening before Christmas
Shoe Zone Lower Floor Barbirolli Mall East
Sole Upper Floor New Cannon Street
Superdrug Lower Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Swatch Lower Floor Market Street Now Open
Sweet Delights Food Court
Varinni Upper Floor Halle Square (next to partners)
Vestry Upper Floor Exchange Court
Virgin Megastore Lower Floor Wintergardens Opening in Nov
Warehouse Upper Floor New Cannon Street Opening before Christmas
3G Lower Floor Market Street Now Open

Manchester Planner

October 22nd, 2006, 11:05 PM

Looking forward to Virgin opening.

The Longford

October 22nd, 2006, 11:35 PM

Is Rowntree's a shop just selling sweets?

Jongeman

October 23rd, 2006, 12:01 AM

Is Rowntree's a shop just selling sweets?

Not only that, it exclusively sells Fruit Pastilles :yes:

Legin

October 23rd, 2006, 10:33 AM

Don Giovani bar and restaurant opening in Peter House soon.

Ephemera

October 23rd, 2006, 05:01 PM

Come along to get a New Look

...a fantastic £35 outfit!

Fuck me! £35! They're pushing the boat out a bit, you could buy a whole new wardrobe in Primark for that.

Looking forward to Virgin opening.

Do they often open for you?

The Longford

October 23rd, 2006, 05:16 PM

Fuck me! £35! They're pushing the boat out a bit, you could buy a whole new wardrobe in Primark for that.

Do they often open for you?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

jrb

October 24th, 2006, 11:08 AM

Everytime I go into the Lowry Outlet, which is not often, I'm always disappointed. The choice of shops is poor and many of the retail premises are still vacant. Unfortunately it hasn't worked.

Lowry's bargain bonus

Robert Hallworth, centre manager of The Lowry OutletA SHOPPING complex which attracts bargain hunters from across the north west as well as Yorkshire, Wales and Ireland is celebrating its fifth birthday.

The Lowry Outlet Mall at Salford Quays, developed at a cost of more than £80m, opened its doors in October 2001.

It has created 500 jobs in its 90 stores, restaurants, cafes and cinema and is expected to be visited by 3.6 million shoppers this year.

Bosses say they hope the figure will rise to four million within three years.

Centre manager Robert Hallworth said the mall had attracted 12 new retailers in the past 18 months, such as Austin Reed, Black & Decker and Café Rouge, and more were in the pipeline.

Its flagship stores include household names such as Marks & Spencer, Flannels, Karen Millen, Antler, Nike and Pizza Express.

There are other, quirky independent outlets such as Buddah Bags, which designs and sells bean bags, and Toons, which sells cartoon artwork.

Robert, who has held the post for almost three years, said: "We are increasingly becoming a destination for a day out in our own right - a place where people can shop, eat out and go to the cinema."

The centre opened as the Lowry Designer Outlet with 60 shops. Its name was changed in 2003 because it had become apparent that the term `designer' was not enough of a magnet - people could shop in Manchester's King Street area and the Trafford Centre for those types of goods.

Instead, bosses began pushing the `discount' message and lured a string of new retailers offering up to 50 per cent off high street prices, stocking lines which had not shifted in mainstream stores or were end-of-season.

Robert said the message is working: "When we opened, we found that only 45 per cent of visitors said they would come back - nowadays 94 per cent say they will return.

"Takings are up 16 per cent this year and footfall is 14 per cent ahead.

"We are attracting more shoppers from across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, as well as people from West Yorkshire, Wales and Ireland."

Companies are also opening offices at the mall. The most recent arrival was Contour Housing, which has 120 staff.

Others leasing at the complex include Circle Recruitment, Medacs, Daikin Air Conditioning and SAS Training.

flange

October 24th, 2006, 02:40 PM

Druckers Manchester will be opening as our north western flagship cafe on 6th November to coincide with the BCSC (British Council of Shopping Centres) Conference & Showcase at G-MEX.

Hoardings are up around the new aldi in the center also hoarding are up around the new warehouse and principles and the new lacoste store and the hoardings are down from the new new look store and it is impressive

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/5338/newnewlookcv0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

andysimo123

October 24th, 2006, 02:48 PM

Scary monster thing walking through the arndale on that pic.

GShutty

October 24th, 2006, 03:10 PM

Also much of the glass has been fitted to the exterior of the Virgin Megastore and glass has started to go in on the Birdcage. Withy Grove is really coming to life and slightly off the point, but as you walk around the new 'Arndale Curve' towards Shudehill, Skyline Central, looks FANTASTIC!

flange

October 24th, 2006, 03:12 PM

ya i noticed the glass on the withy grove side of the virgin megastore when i was on the met this morning is looking good this area of town is really starting to come alive

GShutty

October 24th, 2006, 03:40 PM

ya i noticed the glass on the withy grove side of the virgin megastore when i was on the met this morning is looking good this area of town is really starting to come alive

I'm not sure about dates (or other dried fruits), but they have been working on the old warehouse opposite the back of the Printworks for a while now and the roof looks ready. This will really optimise the vibrancy around there.

I wonder if eventually, the Co-op will sell off all of their magnificent buildings and consolidate into one (huge tower) HQ building on the huge surface car park space, on the opposite side of Miller St from the CIS Tower?

....Longford?

flange

October 24th, 2006, 05:13 PM

i noticed that the new entrance to royal exchange had its clear shutters down today when i was in town all i saw was a corridor going down to automatic doors, this was on the side facing marks and spencer

flange

October 24th, 2006, 08:36 PM

pictures taken from the hoardings around the new slaters store showing the new layout and look of the store

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7447/slatersmp9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

andy_wakey

October 25th, 2006, 12:35 AM

The Arndale Centre is my fav shopping centre in britain but i think the Food Court could do with a bit of a facelift

flange

October 26th, 2006, 04:11 PM

future.architect

October 26th, 2006, 04:35 PM

when i worked at h&m we could access the unit where slaters is. back then it was obviously empty. people used to play football up there

flange

October 27th, 2006, 12:28 PM

Aldi heads upmarket with city centre move
By Jennifer Creevy
27/10/2006

German discount supermarket Aldi is ditching its bargain-basement image to target more affluent customers with its first city centre store.

The 10,500 sq ft (975 sq m) shop will open in Manchester at a site adjacent to the Arndale centre in December, and marks a major step in the grocer’s repositioning.

Aldi is investing more than £2 million in the store, which is adjacent to Primark and Tesco Metro in Market Street. It also has a second entrance in the Arndale centre. The fascia will be Aldi’s standard design, but inside the focus will be on its premium product range, Specially Selected, and its healthy offer, Be Light.

The retailer is also launching its first lunch range in a grab-and-go format, featuring a premium selection of locally sourced sandwiches, crisps and drinks .

Aldi regional managing director Matthew Barnes said: “To cater for the high proportion of walk-in trade, the store will deviate from the standard trolley-only Aldi model, but our principle of applying a standard format to all our stores has not changed. We have invested a great deal of effort in both our product quality and in-store experience to get Aldi to the point where we have something to add to such a dynamic city centre.”

Aldi, which has a 2.5 per cent market share, has adapted its model to suit the local market, but will maintain its commitment to high-quality products and value for money.

The move follows Aldi’s advertising campaign Spend a Little, Live a Lot, which launched last year and focused on its premium products, in an effort to widen its customer base. The £6 million campaign featured products including smoked salmon and Pinot Grigio wine.

PricewaterhouseCoopers chief retail adviser Michael Poynor said: “Aldi’s product quality is phenomenal, because it has huge buying power. It needs to communicate this and the city-centre location will tell shoppers to expect something different.”

Aldi’s operating profits soared 210 per cent to £43.88 million for the UK and Ireland in the 12 months to December last year. Turnover climbed from £1.02 billion to £1.13 billion.

The Longford

October 27th, 2006, 02:20 PM

Apple UK are opening up a Premium Reseller store in Manchester Piccadilly.

The store seems to be an Apple Digital Store in Manchester Piccadilly Gardens according to security at One Piccadilly gardens.

Grand Opening 11th November

Website
www.digitalstoremanchester.co.uk

This is a retail shop for GBM who sell Apple stuff out in Ardwick on a trading estate. A bold move going head to head with the 'real' Apple store because they cant sell any cheaper but maybe repairs and servicing may be cheaper. Good location but they had better bolt everything down!

GShutty

October 27th, 2006, 06:27 PM

TV21 is having the glass put in to the unit that it will occupy. This will enhance that end of Thomas St greatly.

Opening Night 23/11. SCC Forum meet up anybody?

flange

October 27th, 2006, 07:58 PM

if anyone would be albe to get a picture of the new new look in the arndale centre i got one on tuedsay but as is seen in the pic above it wasnt all finished off and i need one for a college project i would be extremlly pleased thanks

Martin G

October 27th, 2006, 10:05 PM

The Arndale Centre is my fav shopping centre in britain but i think the Food Court could do with a bit of a facelift

That food court could do with being blown up and rebuilt actually. It's incredibly dated now.

Plus the one dominant smell/odour which wafts all the way down the escalators onto Market Street is always that that emits from McDonalds - the ultimate Chav-food outlet. It's no coincidence how EVERY SINGLE McDonalds "restaurant" gives off that same horrible chip-fat-cum-beef-dripping smell whenever you happen to be within 200 paces of it. It's fucking vile.

Martin G

October 27th, 2006, 10:15 PM

This is a retail shop for GBM who sell Apple stuff out in Ardwick on a trading estate. A bold move going head to head with the 'real' Apple store because they cant sell any cheaper but maybe repairs and servicing may be cheaper. Good location but they had better bolt everything down!

Funny that you mention Apple and GBM, Longy - I happened to have rung up this Arndale-based Apple store a couple of weeks ago to ask if they had any old optical Mac-mice (compatible with system OS9) to replace the one that recently broke on my ancient i-Mac, and of course, they fucking didn't - they only stock accessories for the most up to date "state of the fucking art" products of course (system 10.5 and upwards) - and anything older than 3 months, forget it. I actually riased this issue with the "customer services" assistant whom I spoke to on the phone at this branch and spent a couple of minutes slagging Apple off for manufacturing products with an increasingly short life-span or increasingly quick built-in-obsolescene and that they were such a fucking rip off company it's untrue.

I rang off and decided to try GBM in Ardwick instead - as the usual last resort - whom we've dealt with many times in the various places I used to work at. And of course, after WALKING the 7 miles there from Stockport, they DID have a mouse that was compatible with the old Mac OS9 - only it wasn't a Mac mouse but a universal USB one - comptible with PC as well as Mac - manufactured by Macally. It only cost £17.00 as well, compared to the extortionate rip-off price Apple charged for their oh-so-sophisticated "mighty mice" (£40). So I picked one up from them instead and this effectively was a nice two-fingered salute to the trendy flash Apple Store of the high street which do fuck all to accommodate people who still use older models but instead stock nothing but products that are probably already out of date and ready to be superseded as I type this. Fuckers.

The Longford

October 27th, 2006, 10:17 PM

EVERY SINGLE McDonalds "restaurant" gives off that same horrible chip-fat-cum-beef-dripping smell

http://www.vwenthusiast.com/yabbse/attachments/homer-drool.gif

The Longford

October 27th, 2006, 10:25 PM

Funny that you mention Apple and GBM, Longy .......edited for brevity

I'm a mac fanboy but one thing that does piss me off is the lack of 'reverse engineering'. Like you say there is no support both morally or softwarely for people still stuck in the dark ages of OS9.
Most of the software i ran on my G3 was Os9 based and in the end i was getting so frustrated i just sold it, made a clean break and hopped over to OSX on a new ibook and severed all links with the past.
I was a bit pissed off but OSX is far superior so i forgave them!
When i buy my next mac i'll buy from GBM again - there is no benefit it buying from an Apple store IMO apart from the nice bags. :)
If you need OSX marty i can lend you/ firewire in mine you know!

havaska

October 27th, 2006, 11:23 PM

If you're a student you get the student discount at the mac store. But the best place to buy a mac is through University online. I got my Macbook from the mac store online, using the Manchester University proxy, and it was only £650. Bargain!

ThomH

October 30th, 2006, 11:17 AM

It's no coincidence how EVERY SINGLE McDonalds "restaurant" gives off that same horrible chip-fat-cum-beef-dripping smell whenever you happen to be within 200 paces of it. It's fucking vile.

I'm not sure if that is an unfortunate choice of words or an incredibly insightful comment...

Cheers

Thom

flange

October 30th, 2006, 05:30 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eikman/283611531/

never seen the lifts in Wintergarden of the Arndale looking like this before looks good and adds some colours to the whiteness of the space

(pic not taken by me)

flange

October 31st, 2006, 12:55 PM

flange

October 31st, 2006, 09:28 PM

uklad1979

October 31st, 2006, 10:16 PM

does anyone know any information on what is going to happen to the old topshop/man unit and also the old new look unit as they are both fairly large units i remeber hearing the topshop/man unit will be split into 2 units much like what is happening to the old next unit but i guess that will not be happeneing until after the old next units is split so may be a way off if anyone knows any news about them or retailers takening the units please post about it

The Next unit was ment to be split in 3, 1 unit market st side and 2 small units inside but the work has been finished with a split like the other units so one will be market st side and one in the mall.
I can see the Topshop unit needing alot of work as the layout is awful. The old New Look has a great location and I heard that MkOne may move to a better placed unit when they rebrand to "mk" with their new store design (their name has gone from Markone to mk I guess it saves on signage costs!)
If they do move that leaves their old unit empty next to TopShop down the end where it always seems dead.

uklad1979

October 31st, 2006, 10:19 PM

i mentioned it a week or so ago that red5 would be opening in manchester i just didnt now where well now it is confirmed to be in the arndale as job listing are on the arndale website

(red5 is a store from the guy that created the gadget shop)

I can see this going in the old Gadget shop which has remained the same since The Gadget Shop left around 2 yrs ago? Gizmo had it last year which was run by the company that is rummored to be opening a toy store in the Arndale.
The Red5 store doesn't look much diffrent to The Gadget Store fit out so not much work would have to be done.

flange

October 31st, 2006, 10:23 PM

uklad1979

October 31st, 2006, 11:32 PM

Ya the red5 store is mainly just a white interior and then shelving around the walls and a center counter alot like gadget shop but a different name and more modern mostly.
Interesting over mk (mark one) maybe moving into the old new look unit makes sense really though dosent it as it is a bigger unit and as you say with the rebrand of the company saves doing there store now when they could move into a new unit and do it then.
I think the arndale will focus on the argos end now as it is the darkest in the center and as has been said is usually dead if not the argos area then hopefully the reclad/ rebuild of the Highs Street corner

I would like to see the old Topman gutted and turned in to small low cost units for local stores. They have all the high street names so I am not sure who else they will get. I know Brookes Bros and Zara Home are looking for units but I can not see them in the Arndale. Gap was rumored to move to the arndale but all their openings and moves go through the US office so they are painfully slow for what I hear. I can see Gap going for the Old Littlewoods with a good location, great size unit, and the Arndale offering rent incentives to fill this huge empty unit. Gap would also like to be more central to take on the likes of Urban Outfitters and H&M.
The onlt down side for Gap now would be having a low end retailer like Aldi next to them which may affect rent rates on the empty unit.

flange

November 1st, 2006, 12:19 AM

Kro is flying high with its ILVA deal
Sheryl Moore

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/174/markrugbyup8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

KRO BOSS: Mark Ruby

MARK RUBY has signed a gem of a deal. His firm Kro has won a lucrative contract to run the in-store restaurants at the new Danish furniture chain, ILVA.

Shoppers dining at Kaffe will be able to tuck into such classics as 'frikadeller' - meatballs - and Biksamed - a Danish take on roast beef and potatoes.

The win is a major coup for Mark, who started the Kro concept seven years ago.

ILVA, which has opened sites in Manchester, Gateshead and Essex, is planning to roll out stores across the country and has promised Mark the concession at each venue.

Mark says: "It is excellent news for the company and will initially boost turnover by around 30 per cent.

"We first started talking to ILVA two years ago after its chief executive walked into Kro Bar on Oxford Road.

"He'd been having lunch with the Danish Trade Commission and, after seeing how we'd brought Scandinavian food to the English market, asked if we would be interested in a concession in the new store.

"It was a fantastic opportunity because there was very little capital expenditure involved on our part."

Mark, whose motto is "every pound is a prisoner", has grown his business by ploughing money back into the company. And he says he has yet to benefit from any of the profits, which are around seven per cent of the group's £8.5m turnover. "A seven per cent margin is about the industry standard.

"We've been careful with money and have done some very clever leasing deals with equipment and premises.

"I don't take a wage, and all profits are put into expanding the group. We are pretty much self-funded which, for me, is a good way to grow a business."

Oxford Road

The group began life as a single bar on Oxford Road in 1999.

Today there are five venues in the Kro stable. On Oxford Road there is the original Kro Bar, along with Kro 2, which opened in 2002.

A year later, through university connections, the group won the contract to run the concession in Manchester Museum - Café Muse.

In 2004, Mark bought a pub near Manchester Science Park which was on the verge of closure.

The Old Abbey Inn has since been transformed into a stylish venue which also acts as the group's head office and the base for its outside catering business.

Mark says: "We do a lot of catering for the university and recently did events for the Labour party conference. Basically, we'll cater for anyone if there's a pound in it - we're not proud!"

But Mark is rather proud of the group's fifth venue, Kro Piccadilly: "It opened last year and is now the group's flagship site.

"It was also another good deal for us because we got funding to open the site in an area which needed smartening up, and, so far, it has been very well received."

Mark, whose family is from the west coast of Jutland in Denmark, is proud of his Danish heritage.

His father Borge, who was a chef for the King of Denmark's Royal Yacht, came to the UK in the 1970s and worked for the Hilton group in London before arriving in Manchester to manage the Danish Food Centre in Cross Street.

The centre was the first place to serve "real coffee" in Manchester and boasted the biggest cold table buffet outside Scandinavia.

Hollins College

Mark followed in his father's footsteps and trained to be a chef after leaving school. He then did a degree at Hollins College in Manchester and spent his year out working at the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen.

A stint on the QE2 followed, then Mark got a job as a management trainee at the fish and chip restaurant group Harry Ramsden's, where he managed the Birmingham outlet.

But Mark had still not discovered what he really wanted to do and decided to leave and become a motorcycle courier.

He says: "I was also working in a pub at the time and thought I really wanted to open my own business. I was 29 and thought to myself - `well, it's now or never'." With funding from his father, Mark set about opening Kro, which is the name for a traditional Danish pub.

"I looked at the market and realised you couldn't get fresh food at a reasonable price. So we started selling salads and sandwiches as well as good coffee and beer.

"It was a great success and the bar became very popular.

"We've always sold the beers we wanted to drink and the food which we like to eat ourselves, and it had been a formula that has worked extremely well."

Although the ILVA contract is a huge deal for the company, Mark is keen not to keep all his eggs in one basket.

He is in talks with a number of companies about opening concessions, including Manchester Airport and the Eureka children's museum in Halifax.

Mark says: "While Manchester will always be our spiritual home, we have plans to develop the business from a regional player into a small national company.

"Ultimately, we would be looking for someone to buy the business but that is a long way down the line.

"I'm not driven by the fact that I'm making money, I just really like what I'm doing. Apart from family and friends, the business has no outside shareholders, so for the moment we are very much in control of our own destiny.

"It is really great to be able to keep in touch with our Danish roots and offer a taste of it to the UK market

flange

November 1st, 2006, 12:20 AM

Aldi in £25m plan for new north west outlets
Kevin Feddy

DISCOUNT retailer Aldi has begun a £25m expansion programme in the north west including its first city centre store in the UK.

The German-owned chain is spending more than £2m on a branch in the former Mothercare store in Market Street, Manchester, which will open in early December creating 50 jobs.

It is also planning new outlets in Altrincham, Ashton under Lyne, Stalybridge, Glossop and Leigh next year and is to extend existing shops in Shaw, Middleton, Rochdale and Stockport.

Aldi's expansion will create more than 120 jobs in total.

Its city centre venue forms part of a strategy to attract more affluent customers.

Matthew Barnes, Aldi's regional managing director, said today: "The heart of Manchester is one of the most vibrant, thriving retail centres in the UK. We've been monitoring the growth of the city centre as a residential location and we didn't feel we could ignore this trend.

Opportunity

"We are really excited about the opportunity to be part of it, and can see no better place to open our first city centre store.

"We are confident that people will be attracted to it. The store will sell food, wine, a range of sandwiches and salads aimed at city centre workers, as well as electrical goods and clothing."

The new stores will take the number of Aldi outlets in the region to 21 as it looks to grow to 1,500 venues nationwide.

Aldi has bought former Kwik Save sites in Leigh and Glossop and is relocating its branch in Ashton under Lyne. The other sites are being developed as new. The group typically spends around £4m on a new store and up to £750,000 on refurbishing each existing supermarket.

flange

November 2nd, 2006, 01:01 PM

Principles to open new store

Principles is opening a stunning new store situated in the upper mall on Wednesday 8th November. Come and celebrate the store opening with Party Night on the 16th November and you'll receive 20% off the latest up to the minute collections. Treat yourself to a glass of sparkling wine and a mince pie while you browse the collections and try those gorgeous Christmas outfits on.

Principles make sense of fashion for real women. They understand that women come in many different shapes & sizes so their collections are designed to flatter whatever your size, and with an award winning petite collection specially made for women of 5' 3" and under there is something for everyone.

Principles are dedicated to giving the best service on the high street with fully trained staff on hand to provide sincere, straight – forward advice

GShutty

November 2nd, 2006, 06:02 PM

Most of the glass is in for Virgin and BirdCage and the Big Wheel makes a nice Xmas (xmas only thank you (IMHO)) appearance. Looking great down their.

Flange, is there going to be a unit between Virgin and the BirdCage on Withy grove- you seem to be the man in the know

markydeedrop

November 2nd, 2006, 06:12 PM

There is another Greggs going just inside the doorway at the Shudehill entrance, but not sure about anything else.

flange

November 2nd, 2006, 08:57 PM

ya it is going to be another greggs it has it mentioned on the hoardings dont know when it is going to be opening as it has been like this for a while

uklad1979

November 2nd, 2006, 09:32 PM

ya it is going to be another greggs it has it mentioned on the hoardings dont know when it is going to be opening as it has been like this for a while

Looks like no work has been done on Greggs dispite Moving Manchester having a voucher in the Oct edition for a free pasty at that shop only! Seems odd but maybe it's to do with the change of Bakers Oven in the food chain into a greggs unit? I think this was one of the ones due to be changed over.

The Longford

November 2nd, 2006, 10:55 PM

uklad1979

November 2nd, 2006, 10:59 PM

It suddenly dawned on me today whilst walking through the arndale - am i just being a mentalist or does the new bit of the arndale just follow the same 'format' as it did before albeit radically altered. Did they completely demolish the 'old' bit and rebuild or just reconfigure what was there before - it seems a lot wider.

Complete demolishion with a new layout bulit under the carpark section so 2 floors could be made rather than the old small underpassge where Greggs used to be.

The Longford

November 2nd, 2006, 11:09 PM

Complete demolishion with a new layout bulit under the carpark section so 2 floors could be made rather than the old small underpassge where Greggs used to be.

Yes of course. I didnt think it was a 'simple' reconfigure. Actually in a funny sort of way it was probably less mither to demolish and start again like they did!

GShutty

November 3rd, 2006, 06:30 PM

So it is, I was/am just a bit perplexed that they are getting two of the big 'feature-windows' that front Withy Grove. Quite a coup. I hope they don't just blank them out in the way that Next have done, with their Withy Grove window 'displays'.

uklad1979

November 3rd, 2006, 09:46 PM

TKmaxx have started work on the old Littlewoods unit today so I imagine they are going to be leaving Primark.

Druckers looks almost complete and should open next week.

Just Pink is open and sells very little except a few bits of pink clothing and some black tops and a range of bags ripped off from Bloomingdales little brown bag idea (except they are pink)

Virgin are sponsoring lots of Trams which say the store is open. Looking through the new windows on Withy Grove I would say opening next Sat as staff are in their cleaning while the shopfitters finish off.

Shoe Zone, Vestry, Principles has started fitting out their stores, along with a new store where Nike was.

Next Has finished it's refit which seems to have made little diffrence as the store is so new. Basically they have added some fixed glass shelving walls and removed the solid wall that was in the middle of the menswear dept.

flange

November 3rd, 2006, 09:49 PM

uklad1979

November 3rd, 2006, 09:56 PM

i wonder if primark will use the tkmaxx floors space for retail or just staff i would imagine floorspace means more room for them

and also the old nike unit is going to become foot asylum

http://www.footasylum.com/

is certianly alot of activity in and around the arndale which is always a good thing

The Manchester Store is already the largest is the UK so it stocks a full range so I am not sure how they can fill the space with anymore ranges. I did hear they hope to expand non clothing so maybe they will do that but a whole floor seems a bit much so they may do what they did with the second floor and split it and only expand more when they have the ranges to do so.

They are cracking on with the Nike Unit so foot asylum must be opening soon. There is also the new shoe shop next to Ernest Young which seems to be underway.
Are women really buying this many shoes? I think in total we have had 6 new shoe shops open (ing) in the Arndale this year.

flange

November 3rd, 2006, 10:05 PM

i heard the rumor of tkmax moving to the arndale didnt know it was for sure though and also another shoe shop is opening between partners and beaverbrooks it is Varanni Shoes

flange

November 3rd, 2006, 10:14 PM

uklad1979

November 3rd, 2006, 11:13 PM

at least now finally the littlewoods and mothercare units will now be filled now just the old market unit to be let, also is the new tkmaxx unit going to be smaller then what they already have or bigger as it is set over 2 floors isnt it

I think it will be the larger and with a much better layout as the current store is awful. Once all the kitchens and food service area is ripped out downstairs in the littlewoods the floor down their will be larger than the current small shopping area littlewoods and adams used. It depends on how much they turn into stockroom. Plus upstairs there is the stockroom which was used for Index.
I thought the old Market/Index unit was to be taken by a new toy store?

jrb

November 4th, 2006, 12:40 AM

Royal Exchange Shopping Centre. Opens 2007.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture154.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture153.jpg

BeardedGenius

November 4th, 2006, 12:44 AM

Royal Exchange Shopping Centre. Opens 2007.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture154.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture153.jpg

That looks like the height of 1980s sophistication!

markydeedrop

November 4th, 2006, 10:45 AM

flange

November 4th, 2006, 12:44 PM

Druckers Manchester will be opening as our north western flagship cafe on 6th November to coincide with the
BCSC (British Council of Shopping Centres) Conference & Showcase at G-MEX

Manchester Arndale
169 The Arndale Centre, Manchester M4 3HU,
Telephone: 0161 834 5652.

ya i posted that a few weeks ago also the toy store apprently going into the old market space is The Entertainer as i found it on this letting plan
http://www.capital-shopping-centres.co.uk/shoppingcentres/cribbs/pdf/lettings.pdf#search=%22new%20balance%20manchester%20arndale%22
got to page 5 and 6 there is where the plan is

with them in the old space but there is nothing about in on The Entertainers website or the arndales website so am not to sure about it

flange

November 6th, 2006, 08:21 PM

looks like virgin will be opening this week as it says this on the Manchester Arndale events page

Virgin Megastore opening soon
This event will take place:From 06 November 2006 to 10 November 2006
Virgin Megastore will be opening soon in the new Wintergarden. More details to follow shortly

Manchester Planner

November 7th, 2006, 01:31 AM

Excellent - will be a welcome addition! :)

highriser

November 7th, 2006, 08:28 PM

That Birdcage club on Withy Grove , is massive this will bring in a lot more punters to this part of the city .

uklad1979

November 8th, 2006, 01:07 AM

Red5 are taking the unit next to Virgin inside the mall. The unit looks to have a small frontage but is quite deep.

flange

November 8th, 2006, 01:09 AM

cool i thought they would not be going in the old gadget shop unit as i am sure the company that bought the gadget shop would get all there store are there hoardings around the unit now or something

i think they are looking for small frontages but deep units as that is what the gadget shop was pretty much like

highriser

November 8th, 2006, 01:10 AM

An Apple Digital shop is opening facing the Thistle hotle on Portland St

flange

November 8th, 2006, 01:13 AM

ya it opens on the 11th i posted some info about it a few pages back

http://www.digitalstoremanchester.co.uk/

flange

November 8th, 2006, 01:30 PM

an example of what the red5 stores look like

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/1109/1500mainnk2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4444/red5storebr1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Ephemera

November 8th, 2006, 01:39 PM

an example of what the red5 stores look like

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/1109/1500mainnk2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

That's the Leeds store isn't it? I spent about half an hour outside that last Christmas watching a robot dancing, and then fighting with a dinosaur. I enjoyed it a bit, but my brother was entranced. Pity he is 28...

The Longford

November 8th, 2006, 02:02 PM

That's the Leeds store isn't it? I spent about half an hour outside that last Christmas ......

Looks like the sort of shop that wouldn't allow laydees in anyway Emma.

flange

November 8th, 2006, 02:30 PM

That's the Leeds store isn't it?

ya it is the Leed store in The Headrow Centre

flange

November 9th, 2006, 05:08 PM

from ifoapplestore

Reseller Opening in Manchester

Just over a month after the opening of Apple’s Arndale (Manchester, UK) retail store, the city’s first Premium Reseller will open this Saturday with a live band and DJ, and a giveaway that features a £2,000 grand prize. The Digital Store at One Picadilly Gardens is less than 300 meters from Arndale Centre. Check the photos of the store as it was being outfitted

http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/2373/digitalmanchester1da5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3971/digitalmanchester2ur8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

andysimo123

November 9th, 2006, 05:12 PM

So is this shop just the same as the apple store?

flange

November 9th, 2006, 05:18 PM

no it is a Premium Reseller so it is different i think is smaller as you can see and has less stock but they are owned by apple

flange

November 9th, 2006, 05:40 PM

Store giants set out plans for expansion
Chris Barry

SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury's is looking to open up to 200 new stores in the UK in the next five years, it emerged today.

Of this number, between 30 and 45 will be in the north west, said the chain's property director Peter Baguley.

Mr Baguley was in Manchester at the retail property conference BCSC with chief executive Justin King, who is leading the turnaround of the UK's third-largest supermarket group.

Mr King said the company was happy with the performance of its nine stores in Greater Manchester, but was looking to build on its foundations in the area.

It has been chosen to develop a 38,000 sq ft store in Urmston, after seeing off rivals Tesco and Asda.

He said: "Sainsbury's historical strength has been in the south and south east. We are strong within the M25 area and there is plenty to go at in other locations.

"We are delighted with the Urmston plan, it's an example for the future."

Mr King said Sainbury's, which has not been expanding its stores during its recovery, was hoping to be selected as the "partner of choice" by property developers and landlords.

"We want to be sensitive to what local people want, the local environment and to other traders too," he said.

"In Urmston, we didn't just propose a giant superstore like the other two, but we tailored our offer to the needs of the community so there was room for other retail and the library. We see this approach as a major point of difference for Sainsbury's." Despite the focus by rival and number one supermarket group Tesco on non food ranges, Mr King, 45, said Sainsbury's would "focus on food."

"Non-food is important to us, because we want customers to have choice, but non-food will not be put ahead of food. It will be complementary to our food offer. "We want to boost sales by £2.5bn, of which £700m will be from non-food, so it's a quarter of our target."

Asked about the Competition Commission inquiry into supermarket retailing, and the relationships with suppliers, Mr King said that, while he was aware of a perception that the superstores were sourcing products in an "unacceptable way," his conscience was clear.

Also speaking at the Bridgewater Hall was Charlie Mayfield, chief executive of the John Lewis Partnership. The former army officer said John Lewis, which has department stores in Cheadle and the Trafford Centre, would look to open a further 10 stores, on top of the 11 to which it is committed already. He said the focus would be on city centres, and it was possible that Manchester would be a target.

"Even when we open the 11 new or refurbished shops, half the top retail centres in the UK will still be without a John Lewis.

"We would like to reach more of these customers and are setting our sights on a further 10 shops. I would not rule it (Manchester city centre) out, we will look at opportunities as they come up." He said he was delighted with the Trafford Centre store's performance, and that its opening had hit sales at Cheadle "less than we had thought".

flange

November 9th, 2006, 08:30 PM

Warehouse to open new store
09 November 2006

Warehouse is opening its fabulous new store on Friday 10th November on the upper mall! Be sure to check out their gorgeous new Christmas collection, which is full of stunning party looks! Sexy, modern and confident; Warehouse creates edgy fashion for the high street.

The Warehouse design team react to emerging trends to deliver constant newness and excitement. The brand strives to create seasonal themes that are right for their customers, giving them the confidence to buy into the latest key trends.

Been a busy week of openings in the Arndale with Druckers, Principles and now Warehosue and also Virgin Megastore opening probably this weekend or next week and also The Bircage club opening next friday

SleepyOne

November 9th, 2006, 10:15 PM

Also speaking at the Bridgewater Hall was Charlie Mayfield, chief executive of the John Lewis Partnership. The former army officer said John Lewis, which has department stores in Cheadle and the Trafford Centre, would look to open a further 10 stores, on top of the 11 to which it is committed already. He said the focus would be on city centres, and it was possible that Manchester would be a target.

"Even when we open the 11 new or refurbished shops, half the top retail centres in the UK will still be without a John Lewis.

"We would like to reach more of these customers and are setting our sights on a further 10 shops. I would not rule it (Manchester city centre) out, we will look at opportunities as they come up." He said he was delighted with the Trafford Centre store's performance, and that its opening had hit sales at Cheadle "less than we had thought".

That's an intruiging prospect - yet another city centre department store to add to Debenhams, Kendals, Selfridges, Harvey Nicks M&S and Next. Can the city centre sustain another one? I'd love to see one going in at one of the new, developing retail districts such as Spinningfields and, further into the future perhaps Greengate or Central Spine.

flange

November 10th, 2006, 09:38 PM

ya only if them developments are going to make store sizes for a department store but would defianlty be good to have another Department Store in Manchester we seem to have everyone there is

My debut as a glam queen is a drag
Mike Keegan

http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/8955/markkz1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

WHAT A DRAG: Mike Keegan.

I SQUEEZED my 6ft 4in 15-stone frame into the skimpy red leotard, pouted at the mirror and marched on to the stage.

Someone had told me that dressing in drag was "liberating" but, to be honest, I certainly didn't feel like a diva.

The setting for my first - and probably last - performance was The Birdcage in Manchester.

Instead of being shown around its sleek £2m interior and treated to the odd cocktail, I found myself in the middle of a "School of Drag" session that included the full works - make-up, eyelashes and a stage performance.

Arriving full of apprehension, I was seated at one of the front row booths which will give paying customers a great view of the drag and cabaret shenanigans that will greet them when the doors open.

Portia, my queen for the day, introduced herself, looking very much the genuine article in skimpy denim shorts, a low-cut t-shirt and a very convincing blonde wig. I could only hope she could recreate some of the magic on me.

In between trowelling on the lipstick, mascara and various alien cosmetics on to probably her most difficult canvas yet, the 23-year-old from Hartlepool gave me her take on life as a performer.

'Dancing'

"It's great," she said. "I've been dancing since I was nine and it comes naturally to me."

Based opposite The Printworks, the club will host showgirl routines every 45 minutes and aims to get everyone on the dance floor with a mix of disco classics.

Club manager Marcus Doyle described what punters can expect.

"We're all about the big night out here," he said.

"We want to provide a totally unique experience that has everything." And as for a target audience - there isn't one. "We're here for everyone," said Marcus. "Nobody is too old."

Too quickly the tights were on, the make-up was done, the frock was about to burst at the seams and it was time to bring out the showgirl in me. Trundling around the stage while the speakers banged out "You Gotta Have a Gimmick" from the Broadway musical Gypsy, I felt like a rabbit caught in the flashlights and judging by the pictures it showed.

So when the curtain comes up next Thursday and the professionals, clad in £30,000 worth of feathers, do their thing, I'll be the one clutching a double vodka and trying not to have flashbacks.

A "unique experience"? It certainly is.

rolybling

November 10th, 2006, 10:26 PM

These drag venues are good fun I went to one in Chicago called The Baton Show Lounge and it was a right laugh.

uklad1979

November 11th, 2006, 10:31 AM

The Birdcage was ment to open Thurs but didn't. I had a look on their website it said online bookng opens sept and nothing there. I looked inside the place Friday and the layout is in place but not decorated and nothing inside. The windows are done so anyone walking past would think it was all fitted out.
I hear it's going to be opening Thurs now but the place is going to need alot of work as it's huge and the place is a mess.

Manchester Planner

November 12th, 2006, 01:11 PM

Any news on the Virgin Megastores in the Arndale centre? Is is finally open yet?

flange

November 12th, 2006, 01:16 PM

on the arndales website it still has the opening details as coming soon but on Virgin Warehouses website it has it listed under there stores so i dont know anyone been to the centre this week or weekend and seen any type of opening activity or the hoardings coming down

flange

November 12th, 2006, 01:28 PM

Aldi Upper Floor (old mothercare unit) Under Construction
Apple Upper Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Bratz Lower Floor New Cannon Street (designer kids wear) Now Open
Birdcage Lowers Floor long thin unit on withy grove Opens This Thurs (16th November)
Billabong Upper Floor Wintergardens Under Contruction
Blend Upper Floor New Cannon Street (clothing) Now Open
Coast Upper Floor New Cannon Street Under Construction
Druckers Upper Floor Halle Square (Restaurant) Now Open
Foot Asylum Lower Floor Exchange Court Store being fitted out
Greggs Lower Floor on Withy Grove
Hawkins Bazaar Upper Floor Halle Mall Now Open
Just Pink Lower Floor Cromford Court Now Open
JD Sports Lower Floor Halle Square Now Open
Lacoste Lower Floor Halle Square Under Contruction
Levis Upper Floor Wintergardens
Ma Potters Upper Floor Wintergardens
Morgan Upper Floor New Cannon Street
Milllies Cookies Upper Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Nandos Upper Floor Wintergardens Opening Soon
New Look Upper Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Parchment Cards Lower Floor Wintergardens Opens in the new year
Principles Lower Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Red5 Lower Floor Wintergardens Under Construction
Rowntrees Upper Floor High Street
Samsonite Upper Floor Wintergardens Store being fitted out
Shoe Zone Lower Floor Barbirolli Mall East Now Open
Sole Upper Floor New Cannon Street
Superdrug Lower Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Swatch Lower Floor Market Street Now Open
Sweet Delights Food Court
TK Maxx Lower Floor (old littlewoods unit) Under Construction should open in new year
Varinni Upper Floor Halle Square (next to partners) Under contrcution
Vestry Upper Floor Exchange Court Store being fitted out
Virgin Megastore Lower Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Warehouse Upper Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
3G Lower Floor Market Street Now Open

flange

November 12th, 2006, 01:38 PM

new toy/ gift store opens in arndale this week Hawkins Bazaar here is the website it is in Halle Mall

http://www.hawkin.com

markydeedrop

November 12th, 2006, 03:28 PM

SleepyOne

November 12th, 2006, 06:04 PM

Interesting snippet from Property Week.

An oasis in Manchester

Property Week | 10.11.2006

http://www.property-week.co.uk/Pictures/web/g/d/v/CHORLTON_1_CMYK.jpg

Heather Greig-Smith hears about developer Citybranch’s plans for the exclusive suburb of Chorlton

Citybranch are the company that were behind a really ambitious redevelopment of a tired 60s shopping centre in Hale Barns before the local NIMBY yokels put the kybosh on it. (image below)

http://www.metronews.co.uk/ContentResources/C_52_Article_2058_BodyText_TextSection0_Image.jpg

I am speculating that they have similar plans for 'The Square' in Chorlton. I hope so anyway. That site really is ripe for redevelopment. Its huge, very central and at the moment, dated and extremely introverted, giving nothing to the street. A lot of the shops are worth retaining but the building itself is dreadful and a blight on Chorlton. It could be a real asset if redeveloped in the right way.

rolybling

November 13th, 2006, 12:06 AM

I'm with you there Sleepy, that "square" in Chorlton is a dreadful place to shop or even pass through, I don't think its ever helped having the DSS located in one corner, not exactly an ideal neighbour for the shops... fingers crossed you could be on to something here, cheers.

uklad1979

November 13th, 2006, 10:00 AM

I popped into Virgin yesterday. Only the upstairs is open I had a look down the stairwell and it looked like there was a fair bit of work to be done downstairs still. I think they wanted to get the place open as it has been dogged by delays. It was first advertised as opening with that section then advertised as the 2nd Nov. They had yo open it this week after putting whole trams out saying it was already open!
I am supprised just how much of the new Arndale has tenants it has filled up nicely. The Samsonite store is taking ages to open after the Arndale wensite did a story on it's fit out over a month ago.

Mandolin is about to close. Alexon it's owners have scrapped the new brand. It was previously Ann Havey but was a poor performing store. Not sure what will happen to it now.

uklad1979

November 13th, 2006, 10:10 AM

Hawkins Bazaar is a weird place, went in yesterday. Sells alsorts of weird and wonderful stuf, including a flying monkey that makes a great sound when it sails through the air.

Virgin is open and you can get into it either off Shudehill or off the main mall. Principles and Warehouse are open. Blend will be open this week, it's nearly ready and so will Shoezone which is opposite the new TK Maxx site.

Noticed the wheel was working today or yesterday but it was taking fare paying passengers earlier in the week. Any ideas anyone what's up with it?

Hawkins looks like a temp shop for Xmas they have set up in the unit which has been housing Beaverbrooks while they had a refit. Previously it was the Quiz store before they moved to the new section.

The wheel seems to have been closed and open on and off since it's offical opening on Thurs. Not sure what's wrong with it, but they did say it wasn't a new wheel like the previous one. I think I will give it a miss, being stuck at the top of that would be a nightmare.

flange

November 14th, 2006, 05:52 PM

The Samsonite store is taking ages to open after the Arndale website did a story on it's fit out over a month ago.

what about billabong, coast and parchment they are taking ages to fit out there stores they have been in the building stages since the Wintergardens opened i would have thought they would want to be open before christmas but if you look on the arndale website the closing date for job applicant for parchment is 31st december, and i dont think there is anything for coast just an opening soon caption on there store listing page on there website and am not sure over billabong

flange

November 14th, 2006, 06:10 PM

new store opening in the arndale next yr called Butlers i dont know were in the arndale it just has the job listings on the arndales website here is a decription of the store

Homeware store offering a huge selection of items for your home. Choose from table decorations, gift ideas, kitchen utensils and much more.

http://www.butlersnet.com/

looks like a pretty nice addition to the arndale just wonder where it will go as it will have to be a fairly large store

flange

November 14th, 2006, 08:58 PM

Aldi flourishes on move up-market
By Sarah Butler

ALDI increased profits by 110per cent in the UK and the Irish Republic last year as the German-owned discount supermarket chain revamped its image to try to attract more upmarket shoppers.

Sales rose by 10 per cent to £1.13 billion in the year to December 31, 2005, as the chain opened 16 new stores. Its operating profits increased to £43.8 million, from about £20.8 million a year before.

Last year Aldi invested in a £6 million television campaign, its first in the UK for more than seven years. The campaign highlighted fashionable luxury products to try to dispel its cheap-and-cheerless image.

The retailer also opened a new distribution centre to help to drive expansion.

Aldi, a private company owned by the Albrecht brothers, has more than 300 British and Irish stores. The firm, which opened its first UK store in 1990, committed itself to spending £500 million on expansion in Britain last year. On December 7 Aldi will open its first city-centre store, a £2 million unit in Manchester.

It wants to increase its chain to 500 stores within the next four years, with hopes to win 5 per cent of the groceries market, up from 2.5 per cent now.

Aldi and other discount chains, such as Lidl and Netto, benefited from Somerfield being taken private, which led to the sale of that group’s Kwik Save stores.

The discount store retailers, whose prices are 20 to 30 per cent cheaper than superstore rivals, but which stock only about 1,000 product lines, compared with about 30,000 in a full-range supermarket such as Tesco, are set to reach a combined market share of 10 per cent over the next ten years, according to a report published by Allegra Strategies.

so look like the aldi store will open before christmas which will be a good thing, the arndale is just still a hive of activity which can never be bad really

uklad1979

November 14th, 2006, 09:23 PM

what about billabong, coast and parchment they are taking ages to fit out there stores they have been in the building stages since the Wintergardens opened i would have thought they would want to be open before christmas but if you look on the arndale website the closing date for job applicant for parchment is 31st december, and i dont think there is anything for coast just an opening soon caption on there store listing page on there website and am not sure over billabong

Coast should be open soon, Parchment I can not see doing that well it's a very nech market store. Vestry and Red5 look like they will be open soon.
I am not sure if Billabong is opening now I am sure someone said that they are not taking the unit.
The Link closed down today
Blend should be open at the weekend as the store fit out looks almost complete
I new juice bar is opening next to the toilets accross from Aldi Boost Juice Bar is being opened by the founder of Millies Cookies.

flange

November 14th, 2006, 09:38 PM

ya i wandering if a juice bar was opening up as it has in the jobs section on the arndales website Barefruit Juice is that it or something totally different, ya i think the same about parchment would b better in triangle probably i think billabong will open as alot of articles mention them so i would think they will open, good to hear about vestry and red5 they have been done quickly which is always good

flange

November 16th, 2006, 06:36 PM

The Birdcage flutters into town

There’s a touch of glamour coming to Manchester’s night scene. Ok, when I say ‘a touch’, what I actually mean is ‘a helluva lot’. The Birdcage is the most decadent, fabulous and glittery cabaret club this side of Las Vegas, and will be opening in Manchester this November. If you have a weak constitution, run for your lives.

With a mixture of elaborate cabaret entertainment and cheesy disco party tunes, the Birdcage will provide the perfect balance between a nightclub and live entertainment venue, with five minute cabaret performances by dancers and female impersonators every 45 minutes on selected show nights.

Some of you may have already experienced the Birdcage in Leeds – and are now either jumping for joy or hiding under your table at the thought of this flamboyant club throwing open its doors to Manchester in November in a flurry of colourful feathers and false eyelashes. But love it or hate it, one thing’s for sure – you won’t be able to miss it.

The operators have spent over two million pounds transforming the empty space which fronts onto Withy Grove, opposite The Printworks, in the recently completed Arndale extension. Boasting four bars, a spectacular stage with a fully automated lighting system to theatre specification, sumptuous surroundings and a VIP lounge with its own dedicated entrance which will double as a licensed coffee bar and ticket office during the day, the 1600 capacity Birdcage is the first venue of its kind to open in the newly built centre.

Birdcage Spokesperson Marcus Doyle comments; “Manchester is crying out for a venue like The Birdcage. The city used to be famous for the most fantastic live cabaret entertainment but this has all but disappeared.

“While still fundamentally a nightclub, we are offering something a little different – a full entertainment experience. We have the most fantastic and entertaining female impersonators, gorgeous dancing girls for the guys and male dancers for the ladies

Opens Tonight

uklad1979

November 17th, 2006, 12:14 AM

More Changes in town today.
The Link on Market St has closed down
Vestry in the Arndale has opened
Shoetopia in the Arndale has closed down
Shoe Zone is open

Manc Guy

November 17th, 2006, 02:01 AM

Opens Tonight

Drove pass this on the bus bout an hour ago. Looks smart! Lovely and pink.

aquablue

November 17th, 2006, 02:35 AM

Manc Guy

November 17th, 2006, 02:42 AM

Nawww, canal streets not like that.

future.architect

November 17th, 2006, 04:00 AM

Is gay village ok for straight person to go to a cafe there or shopping? I'll be a tourist soon. It looks nice along canal, but not gay and i like sitting at cafe beside canal. Will people ask me if I'm gay to get in, i read this in news.

you shouldnt have any trouble in the daytime, if you come at night, some venues have stricter door policies but if you arrive early, you should be fine.

but you wouldnt catch me sitting outside in this weather

flange

November 17th, 2006, 11:08 AM

Birdcage aiming to bring back big night out
Richard Hector-Jones

A CALL from the people behind new venture The Birdcage opening in Manchester this evening came in: "There's a new nightclub opening in town that we'd like you to see."
So off CityLife trundled towards The Printworks side of the new Arndale to check out what all the fuss was about and see if - according to pundits - this fast developing area really is becoming a tiny arm of Blackpool in Manchester city centre. The answer is, yes.

"Are you trying to be Foo Foo's? Are you trying to be Funny Girls? These are the questions that people are asking us," explains polite and enthusiastic general manager Marcus Doyle about his new venture.

"The answer is a definitive 'no'. We are a straight-up night club that has intermittent bursts of cabaret to keep people entertained throughout the evening. There's nothing like it in the city. All we're really doing is bring back the concept of the big night out."

Despite its colour scheme that could scare children in its lack of taste, The Birdcage is an interesting proposition.

As Marcus explains: "Our cabaret is a point of difference from what everyone else is offering. People can book in in groups for the evening, have a table set aside for them and have their own dedicated table service all night.

"Meanwhile every three quarters of an hour a five minute drag act will interrupt the DJ and the dancefloor just to give people something else to see.

"You don't have to get involved if you don't want to but it's there if you do. So far we've already had a booking of 300 put in place and that was before we opened."

Unashamably honest

Hen parties. Stag Dos. That's what springs to mind with new club The Birdcage and in that respect Marcus is unashamably honest. "That's exactly what we're aiming for," he says, "alongside smaller groups and couples just looking for a great night out. We're there to appeal to all people whether they're gay, straight, in parties or just a couple of friends.

"To me there are an awful lot of bars in this city whose only point of difference is the cheap drink prices.

"We don't really want to follow that path because it winds up breeding a culture where people simply glide from one cheap drink bar to the next. At the end of the day we're a destination venue and I think that's better for us and the city.

"The only concession we're making at the moment is half price entry for the first few days just so people get the chance to know what we're about."

Just one question. Isn't it going to be a lot of work for you running a nightclub, cabaret and all the trappings?

"Of course it is," says Marcus. "Especially with six drag queens running around causing a riot.

"As we always say, six drag queens is actually twelve people - six girls and six boys. And they all want attention NOW!"

flange

November 17th, 2006, 08:49 PM

Sir Richard Branson Calls For A ‘New Order’ In Entertainment

Manchester legends New Order will officially open the new Virgin Megastores Manchester, with Sir Richard Branson on Tuesday 21 November at 11am.

The band, famous for hits such as 'Blue Monday' and 1990 World Cup Anthem 'World In Motion', used to hold meetings at the original Manchester Megastore in the 80s, will sign for fans in the-state-of-the-art Virgin Megastores, based in the newly revamped Arndale Centre.

The action continues with a string of celebrity guest appearances from some of Manchester's most famous sons and daughters, including; Corrie favourites and Celebrity X-Factor contestants Nikki Sanderson and Richard Fleeshman, and world champion boxer (IBF and WBA Light Welterweight title holder) Ricky Hatton.

Fans will also have the opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with all of these stars from 11'o'clock, as well as cult comedy heroes The Mighty Boosh, who will be signing copies of their new DVD 'The Mighty Boosh Live' at 2pm.

There's something for everyone at Virgin Megastores Manchester so come down from 11am & don't miss a thing! Its Alive In Manchester.

• 11:00 - Richard Branson champagne smash with New Order to launch store
• 11:15 - New Order signing
• 12:30 - Ricky Hatton, Nikki Sanderson and Richard Fleeshman photo call with Richard Branson signing
• 14:00 - Mighty Boosh signing

The Longford

November 17th, 2006, 09:33 PM

My first job when i left school was at the Virgin Megastore on Market Street - its a travel agents now.
I got the sack - setting the agenda for the rest of my working life!
Anyway i never remember new order holding meetings there - WTF is that all about?

flange

November 18th, 2006, 04:20 PM

Branson hunts mystery girl
Mike Keegan

A MYSTERY girl who inspired a punk anthem has sparked a nationwide search by Sir Richard Branson.

I'm in Love With a Girl on a Certain Manchester Megastore Checkout Desk was a 1980 hit for The Freshies, whose front man Chris Sievey is better known as Timperley's Frank Sidebottom.

Frank's trademark paper-mache head and dry humour inspired a cult following during the late 80s and early 90s.

The song was penned as an ode to a shop assistant at Virgin's original Manchester Megastore. It gathered legendary cult status, selling more than 40,000 copies.

Now 26 years later, it has caught the interest of the billionaire entrepreneur.

Arndale Centre

The girl is known only as Helen but Sir Richard wants to celebrate the role she played in the history of the store. He hopes to invite her to be guest of honour at the public launch of the new Manchester Megastore in the revamped Arndale Centre.

He said: "We've got a fantastic line-up for the launch but having Helen as guest of honour would make my day. If anyone knows where she is we would love them to get in touch with us."

In 1981 the M.E.N. revealed the assistant had been inundated with fans asking her to autograph copies of the single.

It was originally released under the title I'm in Love With the Girl on the Virgin Manchester Megastore Checkout Desk.

Incredibly for a band with so many hit singles, the group never released an album. Frank Sidebottom's Proper Telly Show started on Channel M last night.

flange

November 20th, 2006, 09:18 PM

Janine Boosts Richard's plan
Chris Barry

JANINE Allis, the Australian founder of Boost Juice Bars, made her first visit to Manchester as it emerged that a lease has been signed for the first UK Boost bar at the Trafford Centre.

Former Millies Cookies chief Richard O'Sullivan has teamed up with Janine for the project.

The first bar at Trafford will open in February. Outlets in Nottingham and Oxford will follow soon after, Richard said.

Mother-of-three Janine, who began Boost Juice from her kitchen, said: "I am thrilled to have found someone as passionate and committed as Richard to be our franchise partner in the UK.

"We are rolling the concept out worldwide, but we will make sure we get things right as we do this.

"I would rather have 20 stores that are absolutely pumping than 100 stores for the sake of numbers."

The company sells a range of fresh fruit juices and smoothies that contain no preservatives, artificial flavours or colours and are low in fat. Boost Juice has grown from a single store in 2000 to a chain of 170 throughout Australia.

In the run-up to the launch, Richard and his family decamped from their Bury home to Australia, where he learned the nuts and bolts of the business, working in a Boost Juice bar in Melbourne.

He said: "I am going to dedicate the next decade of my life to building this business up, it's tremendously exciting.

"We were in Australia for six weeks and had a fantastic time." Irish-born Richard, an adopted Mancunian, said there was "never any doubt" that he would launch Boost Juice from Manchester: "It's a wonderful city and I am proud to live here."

And also apprently there is one opening in the arndale center as said by uklad1979

A new juice bar is opening next to the toilets accross from Aldi, Boost Juice Bar is being opened by the founder of Millies Cookies.

flange

November 21st, 2006, 09:22 PM

Mancs strip for Slaters
If you happened to be walking down Brown Street last Wednesday lunchtime and noticed that everyone around you seemed to be in their underwear, you may have thought that you were going a little cuckoo.

But no, the scantily clad crowds weren’t the result of some weird underpants society meeting. Neither were they a hallucination. They were there to mark the opening of Slaters menswear store on Manchester’s Brown Street, for which 50 men and one woman braved the November weather and stripped down to their undies.

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/1659/slaterslaunch2jl2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Eamonn Holmes and Paul Slater cut the tape
“But why would they do such a crazy thing?” You might well ask. Well, every person that stripped down at the opening last week received a free Slaters suit. Was it worth it? Judging from these pictures they all seem happy enough, especially the sinister looking fella stood to the left of the girl. Pleased to see her? I think so.

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/7885/slaterslaunch1wc2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Slaters fan Eamonn Holmes was there to officially open the store with Paul Slater, cutting an oversized tape measure and a cake. Thankfully for everyone involved Eamonn decided against stripping down to his underpants and remained fully clothed throughout.

For more information on Slaters menswear, visit their website at www.slatermenswear.com

Jayne Robinson

flange

November 21st, 2006, 09:48 PM

offical opening of the new Virgin Megastore in the arndale today photos from caw123 from the manchester skybar thread

Happened to be passing through the Arndale at 11:30 to find a large crowd.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/PB210011copy.jpg

Sir Richard opening his new store with the help of New Order of course!
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/PB210015copy.jpg

He opened it by smashing a bottle of champagne on string as if he was launching the titanic! Maybe he is?

and also i read in a article that in the store there will be a stage for bands to do live performances at which sounds good

The new store encompasses state of the art technology and style including gaming booths, digital music stations and a live stage area for artists to perform on a weekly basis.

flange

November 22nd, 2006, 01:13 PM

Born again Virgin wows Manchester
Adam Moss

SMILE!: New Order at the launch
I DOUBT there has ever been a more glitzy store opening than the launch of the new Virgin Megastore in Manchester yesterday.

A host of celebrities smashed a bottle of champagne and sprinkled a little Virgin gold-dust around the Arndale to make the occasion one to remember.

The guest list was certainly impressive. There was Peter Hook, Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris from New Order; former Corrie stars Nikki Sanderson and Richard Fleeshman: world champion boxer Ricky Hatton; Brandon Flowers and bandmates from The Killers; plus cult comedy stars The Mighty Boosh - and all that within a couple of hours.

The night event saw chart band Orson perform at the official after-show party with another live show by Manchester's I Am Kloot inside the store's basement venue.

Thrown out

"It's an honour to be welcomed to this new store," Hooky proclaimed. "Because we were always getting thrown out of the first one on Market Street," he added.

It seems Hooky's legendary Manchester band owes quite a lot to the original Virgin store. It's where the band got together and spent hours hanging out - and, it seems, being ejected by fed-up counter staff.

There should no such problem with the new store.

For the underground venue - Manchester Alive - is to open its doors to unsigned talent from the city, who will be able to turn up and play, as well as being a place for musos to hang out.

GShutty

November 22nd, 2006, 03:23 PM

macc

November 22nd, 2006, 03:57 PM

TV21, the TV Film Music Bar is having an opening do on Thursday 23rd, with none other than David Soul as star guest for the night. It's on Thomas St, as part of Jewel House. I have a few spare tickets if anybody wants to attend. It's looking good with the glass now going in.

From the website - http://www.tv21uk.org/index.php?view=welcome

Stop Press
For personal reasons David Soul is not able to
be at the opening on 23 November. He intends
to be at TV21 on the following Thursday.

How did you get hold of the tickets G-man? Do you have any connections with the place or did you just ring that number on the website? Do you think I'd be able to ring up and 'guest list' myself on there, as there's no time to get tickets now.

I'm out with a young laydee tomorrow. It could be worth a visit if I could sort it out.
--
edit.. just left a message and emailed. I'll wait and see what he says.

Cheers GShutty

macc

November 22nd, 2006, 04:40 PM

A couple of Sneak peaks at the interior of TV21, from the same bloke that did the Koffee Pot and Common, among others:

http://www.mattsewell.co.uk/detail.php?id=322
http://www.mattsewell.co.uk/detail.php?id=321
http://www.mattsewell.co.uk/detail.php?id=319

GShutty

November 23rd, 2006, 03:01 PM

I've PM'd you Macc.

markydeedrop

November 23rd, 2006, 10:43 PM

Noticed Peacocks have got an advert in the MEN today advertising for staff for a new Arndale store - www.peacocks.co.uk

flange

November 24th, 2006, 01:07 PM

Barefruit Juice are now advertising for jobs on the manchester arndale website, interesting about peacocks i think it will probably go in the old next unit as now it has been split into two i dont think they will go in the newer bit but you never know.

Also it seems Cafe Rouge and Giraffe are now possibly open in the Trafford centre as they are both listed on there websites
http://www.giraffe.net/home.html
http://www.caferouge.co.uk/locations_restaurant.php?id=97

havaska

November 24th, 2006, 08:31 PM

They both are open, as is Pizza Express and Costa Coffee

flange

November 24th, 2006, 08:47 PM

also Las Iguanas and Pesto are going to be opening in the great hall as well asthe other restaurant we already knew about Zinc Bar & Grill, Sri Thai and Carluccios

flange

November 24th, 2006, 09:36 PM

arndale news i have just found a new letting plan that is mostly up to date it lists billabong as now being under offer and the entertainer as also being under offer i dont know how many months old this is but it cant be to old i would say about 2 or so months

http://www.capital-shopping-centres.co.uk/shoppingcentres/arndale/pdf/lettings.pdf

flange

November 24th, 2006, 09:58 PM

MetroCentre tops the tables
Published: 24 November, 2006
CSC’s MetroCentre has regained the crown as the UK’s number one mall in the 2006 shopping centre rankings published by Trevor Wood Associates and Savills.

The Gateshead mall has knocked Bluewater in Kent off the top spot for the first time in six years thanks to the completion of its Red Mall extension, which increased its GLA from 1,598,000 sq ft to 1,818,000 sq ft, making it the biggest shopping centre in Europe.

Meadowhall in Sheffield has managed to hold on to its third position with the addition of an extra 60,000 sq ft of retail space on the site of the former Sainsbury’s store. The report identifies two new entries into the national top ten shopping centres, with the East Kilbride shopping centre coming in at number eight and the Manchester Arndale coming back into the top ten at number nine.

In total there were 22 new entries to this year's top 500 listing, including Chapelfield in Norwich and the newly opened Drake Circus shopping centre in Plymouth, both of which appear in the top 100.

Savills director Chris Blair said: "The changes to this year's shopping centre rankings perfectly demonstrate that schemes need to be constantly concentrating on asset management in order to survive. Schemes are quick to evolve and the competition is high. Manchester Arndale is a good example of this. It was ranked at 21 in 2004, however, since undergoing a substantial redevelopment and enhancing its overall tenant mix, it has moved up the table to ninth position in 2006."

The Longford

November 27th, 2006, 02:51 PM

future.architect

November 27th, 2006, 03:04 PM

Sir Miles Platting

November 28th, 2006, 04:44 AM

I hear that in downtown Manchester there can never be too many Starbucks.....

Manchester Planner

November 29th, 2006, 01:57 AM

How many Starbucks are there in Manchester?

macc

November 29th, 2006, 02:06 AM

'Odd bar' of the northern quarter are to open 'Odder' next to the dance house on Oxford Road, where zumeba used to be. The place is already getting fitted out.

Sir Miles Platting

November 29th, 2006, 02:30 AM

How many Starbucks are there in Manchester?
Too many.....

GShutty

November 29th, 2006, 10:54 AM

13 springs to mind MP, with Cafe Nero not far behind on 11 if my memory serves me correctly. That was afew months ago though. It's probably doubled since then. On the plus though a couple of Indy's have opened their doors- Cafe North: NQtr & Drip in Piccadilly.

markydeedrop

November 29th, 2006, 06:43 PM

Gshutty is right. Currently there are 13 within the ring road, plus Starbucks have signed up for another outlet in the new Nikal development on Chapel St.

flange

November 29th, 2006, 08:53 PM

Manchester first for Blend
29 November 2006

http://img438.imageshack.us/img438/4748/blendaj7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
(my own photo)

Manchester Arndale has welcomed a UK first to its malls, thanks to the recent arrival of funky fashion retailer, Blend. The Danish based retailer has chosen Manchester in which to unveil its flagship store, the first in a five year expansion programme which will see up to 50 stores opened across the UK.

The new, 5,000 sq ft, Manchester store is situated between Monsoon and Oasis on the upper level of the light and airy New Cannon Street mall. Providing the very latest for the fashion conscious consumer both its labels 'Blend' and 'Blend She' are displayed over two levels, with the female section lavishly kitted out with chandeliers and a plush interior.

The latest export from Denmark, the brand boasts sophistication and funky fashion essentials. It has recently signed up style icon and lead singer, Fergie from Black Eyed Peas to create this season's latest collection. Inspired by her very own personal style, the collection boasts a selection of jeans and sophisticated tops together with other wardrobe staples.

Commenting on the forthcoming opening, Salim Patel from Sophia International, who has been awarded franchise status for this and future UK Blend store roll outs says: "We are delighted to bring this funky fashion concept to the people of Manchester. The brand is very much Zara meets Diesel, with an innovative twist. Our new store will stock a range of cutting edge fashionwear, which we are confident will appeal to the fashion conscious shoppers of Manchester.

"Going forward, expansion plans are underway to take the brand to key cities and towns across the UK. Manchester is just the start of the high street, Blend retail revolution," concludes Salim.

General Manager of Manchester Arndale, Glen Barkworth, comments: "We are delighted to welcome Blend to the centre. Their brand will simply add to the already very strong retail offer we have here and strengthen our position as the city's biggest shopping destination."

Last week a new, flagship Virgin Megastore opened its doors, thanks to a personal appearance from its owner Sir Richard Branson. Other new additions to the malls in recent weeks have been; Oasis, Principles, Warehouse and Apple, with many others set to follow.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Also other Arndale news

Coast is now open
Samsonite is now open
Blend is now open
Varanni Shoes is now open
The Vestry is now open

Foot Asylum is in the fitting out stage they have there sign on the exchange square front of there store
Butlers is nearly finished they are opening in the store next to base on the ground floor in exchange court
Nandos is now defiantly doing construction they have barricades in the upstairs part of there store
Shutpoia unit now has hoarding around it but not saying what will go in it yet
And also the old Gadget Shop unit is having work done on it so a new store is opening in there also, don't know what though

and-r

November 29th, 2006, 09:41 PM

edit

andysimo123

November 30th, 2006, 03:40 AM

Gshutty is right. Currently there are 13 within the ring road, plus Starbucks have signed up for another outlet in the new Nikal development on Chapel St.
Bloody hell. 13 with more to come. Its just stupid. Subway are doing the same. Now I like both but when they are on every corner you just get sick of the same stuff everyday. Between Altrincham and Sale there are now three Subways. One for each is more than enough and when you go to town its just silly. I think there are around 12 or more just in City centre. In Greater Manchester are now over 50 stores.

Manchester Planner

November 30th, 2006, 12:43 PM

Architecty

November 30th, 2006, 01:42 PM

I agree too much of the same big companies repeating around town is very far from ideal; would be great to see a few more independents, but unfortunately I think that is wishful thinking in terms of supermarkets. A few delis and independent bakers would surely go down a storm though? How about (Rusholme style) traditional grocers?

Starbucks and Subway both make me physically gag to walk past, they pump out really nauseating coffee and bread fumes, which wouldn’t be so bad if there weren’t quite so many or they aroma wasn’t quite as synthetic. Greggs is no better (yes I have consumed all in the past !).

Of all the retail overkill I actually don’t mind the supermarkets/general food places. It saves me so much time and effort to just grab odds and ends when I’m passing by, and don’t have to make horrific pilgrimages to big out of town style ones nearly as often. The positive traffic/time effect of these kinds of places being readily available around the city centre shouldn’t be underestimated. How many people must solely live and shop in the centre of town now without ever being forces to leave unwillingly? Again though, in peripheral developments it would be nice to see smaller retailers filling some vacant units at the bottom of new developments (eg St Georges side of Castlefield) and filling the grocery void before the big boys step up.

BeardedGenius

November 30th, 2006, 01:43 PM

The number of city centre Sainsburys and Tescos in Manchester is also quite a worrying thing too - why do we need so many city centre supermarkets? I know the population of the centre has gone up a lot in recent years, but I just don't associate or like [so many] supermarkets in the heart of town.

True. With Tesco and now Aldi, numerous phone and sports shops, bloody clearance stores and BHS, Market Street really is dire. The only remotely interesting stores seem to be Urban Outfitters and maybe H&M

Manchester Planner

November 30th, 2006, 03:47 PM

I try to avoid Market Street - HMV is about all I use there.

chompo44

November 30th, 2006, 04:35 PM

I try to avoid Market Street - HMV is about all I use there.

Me too. I should walk down it on my way home, but i prefer to walk around it. Its actually quicker down the side streets where you can actually walk without weaving, and franlky i wouldn't want to spend money in any of the shops.

Every city will have a problem such a smarket street, but there is a need for it and its wares amongst the populous.
I prefer to shop elsewhere in manchester because I can

Manc Guy

November 30th, 2006, 04:38 PM

i wouldn't want to spend money in any of the shops.

Aww what about JJB...?

chompo44

November 30th, 2006, 05:06 PM

Aww what about JJB...?

i do buy sports gear, but don't know if there are any sports shops on market street due to my avoidance of bubble blowing, clip board holding, lightsaber stabbing, guitar throwing screamers :lol:

oscar9

November 30th, 2006, 06:53 PM

I try to avoid Market Street - HMV is about all I use there.

So do I,its just another identikit uk high street. The problem is when new visitors come to Manchester via Piccadilly most would walk through Piccadilly Gardens then get automatically funnelled down Market street by default almost. Not a good first impression of the reatail district.

and-r

November 30th, 2006, 10:07 PM

The number of city centre Sainsburys and Tescos in Manchester is also quite a worrying thing too - why do we need so many city centre supermarkets? I know the population of the centre has gone up a lot in recent years, but I just don't associate or like [so many] supermarkets in the heart of town.

i really dont understand your arguement. tesco and the like are providing a services that is evidenly used by a large number of people and are providing large numbers of employment in the process. i really dont see the negative side to it

GShutty

December 1st, 2006, 10:21 AM

So do I,its just another identikit uk high street. The problem is when new visitors come to Manchester via Piccadilly most would walk through Piccadilly Gardens then get automatically funnelled down Market street by default almost. Not a good first impression of the reatail district.

This is an issue at present, but I'm expecting that the Piccadilly Bridge/ Manchester Curve (once reopened), Eastgate further down the line, The Arndale Extension and the improvements to streets between Portland St and Cross St, should all help to encourage the single-file route from Piccadilly station to Cross St, to dissipate.

Piccadilly Gardens should appear significantly more enticing once the Plaza Mall and accompanying public disply screen are complete and the knock effect carrying through to York St, will i'm certain ripple through to China Town.Mosley St, Spring Gardens & Brown St, are all being gradually improved, with enhnanced retail presence, so anybody who wants to wander will feel inclined as there will be life on these streets.

I'm really looking forward to a few years down the line, when visitors will through curiosity wander up to Ancoats, simply because that is the direction looks most interesting. It's certainly the way I like to explore new cities, rather than following a tourist map. Give it 10yrs, and we should have a few towers that way (touch wood), New Islington, Royal Mills and Murrays Mills with their court yards and glass covered pedestrianised streets and the whole Piccadilly/ Northen Quarter areas may well feel genuinely connected. Who knows Stevenson Square, may even have been master-planned.

Tangent anyone?

macc

December 1st, 2006, 01:07 PM

Piccadilly Gardens should appear significantly more enticing once the Plaza Mall and accompanying public disply screen are complete and the knock effect carrying through to York St, will i'm certain ripple through to China Town.to wander will feel inclined as there will be life on these streets.

I think this will have a great effect too. China Town is too neglected. It could be a real hightlight of the city. I think they should build a modern chinese shopping centre in the car park, in the middle of China town or do something with it, at least.

I'm really looking forward to a few years down the line, when visitors will through curiosity wander up to Ancoats, simply because that is the direction looks most interesting.

If only Great Ancoats Street and Swan street weren't such a barrier for pedestrians. Does anyone think asomething could be done about this? Could some better crossings and new islands make it less like running the gauntlet?

macc

December 1st, 2006, 02:51 PM

Ithaca on John Dalton street denied a 4am license because of a neighbouring church. Got 1am instead. 24hr city my arse!

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/229/229636_salvation_for_hidden_gem_in_nightclub_row.html

On the comments page there seems to be a note from a certain 'Simon Fuller'. Could that be the Simon Fuller? A few google searches on his address listed seems to suggest it may well be. Either that or some obsessed stalker.

This is ridiculous, this is simple manipulation of religon and power for self benefit. How much of our money did this Canon spend? QC's? For a simple licensing hearing? We have heard about this venue in London and when we read this today, we were shocked at the politics behind Mr Heeras establishment. A petition of 8,000 people who aren't even residents from the area, come on?? Totally ut of order and Manchester City Council are going to look like a bunch of idiots if and when the nationals get hold of this... Mr Murdoch will find this one of interest for sure. Think the city councillers need to re-appraise this one seriously because, this is not good for your city, for your politics or for the church. It all sounds very petty and underhanded. No one should exploit any religon to sway decisions. If this is the case then it is unethical and wrong. And I agree the city does need more landmark establishments like 235 and Cloud 23. How else will you drive people to the north, you cant depend on corrie and man utd forever..... Its the likes of the BBC, and the hilton and individual luxury outlets that add value to your city. Talk about shooting yourselves in the foot! With intent!
Simon Fuller, London, Ransomes Dock, Parkgate Rd

GShutty

December 1st, 2006, 04:58 PM

If only Great Ancoats Street and Swan street weren't such a barrier for pedestrians. Does anyone think asomething could be done about this? Could some better crossings and new islands make it less like running the gauntlet?
I'd be in favour of many more streets in the heart of the city centre being traffic free during the day and controlled by the controversial (if you believe the MEN) 'spikes' aka rising bollards. I guess most of you have seen the videos emailed around showing the 'victims' that have been taken out by the said bollards. I have to say that i have very little sympathy. They know exactly what they are doing when they try to sneak through behind a bus, or taxi.

With regards to Ancoats and Swan St, now that they are being incorporated into the city centre, I believe they should become more pedestrian friendly. Perhaps One-Way, with larger pavements that are wide enough to accomadate trees and in the future tables and seating on the street side- I appreciate that this may seem a far flung vision at present.

This 'vision' should for me incorporate Cheetham Hill Rd, Trinity Way and Chapel St amongst others. Imagine the effect even if Deansgate was one way (or traffic free). The pavements on arguably Manchester's Prime Street are far too small.

markydeedrop

December 1st, 2006, 08:11 PM

http://www.brasseriechezgerard.co.uk/locations.html

If you take a look at the location page above you will notice that Manchester has an opening date of 22nd January. The address being:

2-8 Commercial Union House,
Albert Square,
Manchester,
M26 LP

Is this a new venue or is there an existing restaurant that will be closing. Any ideas?

flange

December 2nd, 2006, 07:05 PM

It looks like Woods of Windsor have opened in the old Gadget Shop unit in the Arndale as the store was open today when i was christmas shopping

http://www.woodsofwindsor.co.uk/

flange

December 2nd, 2006, 10:09 PM

The Link store on Market Street was being fitted out for a new store as it had the windows blacked out with the fit out companys logo

uklad1979

December 3rd, 2006, 01:36 AM

Daisy and Tom on Deansgate is closing.
Always thought it was a bit ambitious and its a BIG space in a prime spot.
Must admit that i always thought it was a bit too expensive and rarely bought anything in there but was good for killing half an hour when your with the kids (letting them look at toys their evil father has no intention of buying them!).
A toy shop is good for the retail mix though IMO so shame to lose it.
What it does mean is that a big retail space is now on the market - i'm reckoning (hoping) it wont stay empty for long.
Any guesses/ wishes who'll snap it up?

I think that this store location and size would be great for Brooks Bros as they are looking for a site in Manchester.
They would most likely only use the ground floor. The location at the bottom of King Street and next to Kendals would be in the catchment area of the people most like to shop their. I am in the USA at the moment and had a look into one of the stores and they seem to be selling the type of clothes M&S sold in the 80's it's all very tweed and dated. I can not see them doing well other than a few stores in London.

uklad1979

December 3rd, 2006, 01:37 AM

markydeedrop

December 3rd, 2006, 08:12 PM

The Link in the Arndale has now closed. Also noticed in the Arndale yesterday a new shop called Butlers, which is on the ground floor close to W.H. Smiths.

flange

December 3rd, 2006, 08:50 PM

ya i said about them a few days ago on the other page

Manchester first for Blend
29 November 2006

http://img438.imageshack.us/img438/4748/blendaj7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
(my own photo)

Manchester Arndale has welcomed a UK first to its malls, thanks to the recent arrival of funky fashion retailer, Blend. The Danish based retailer has chosen Manchester in which to unveil its flagship store, the first in a five year expansion programme which will see up to 50 stores opened across the UK.

The new, 5,000 sq ft, Manchester store is situated between Monsoon and Oasis on the upper level of the light and airy New Cannon Street mall. Providing the very latest for the fashion conscious consumer both its labels 'Blend' and 'Blend She' are displayed over two levels, with the female section lavishly kitted out with chandeliers and a plush interior.

The latest export from Denmark, the brand boasts sophistication and funky fashion essentials. It has recently signed up style icon and lead singer, Fergie from Black Eyed Peas to create this season's latest collection. Inspired by her very own personal style, the collection boasts a selection of jeans and sophisticated tops together with other wardrobe staples.

Commenting on the forthcoming opening, Salim Patel from Sophia International, who has been awarded franchise status for this and future UK Blend store roll outs says: "We are delighted to bring this funky fashion concept to the people of Manchester. The brand is very much Zara meets Diesel, with an innovative twist. Our new store will stock a range of cutting edge fashionwear, which we are confident will appeal to the fashion conscious shoppers of Manchester.

"Going forward, expansion plans are underway to take the brand to key cities and towns across the UK. Manchester is just the start of the high street, Blend retail revolution," concludes Salim.

General Manager of Manchester Arndale, Glen Barkworth, comments: "We are delighted to welcome Blend to the centre. Their brand will simply add to the already very strong retail offer we have here and strengthen our position as the city's biggest shopping destination."

Last week a new, flagship Virgin Megastore opened its doors, thanks to a personal appearance from its owner Sir Richard Branson. Other new additions to the malls in recent weeks have been; Oasis, Principles, Warehouse and Apple, with many others set to follow.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Also other Arndale news

Coast is now open
Samsonite is now open
Blend is now open
Varanni Shoes is now open
The Vestry is now open

Foot Asylum is in the fitting out stage they have there sign on the exchange square front of there store
Butlers is nearly finished they are opening in the store next to base on the ground floor in exchange court
Nandos is now defiantly doing construction they have barricades in the upstairs part of there store
Shutpoia unit now has hoarding around it but not saying what will go in it yet
And also the old Gadget Shop unit is having work done on it so a new store is opening in there also, don't know what though

uklad1979

December 3rd, 2006, 09:30 PM

What does Butlers sell?

flange

December 3rd, 2006, 09:42 PM

www.butlersnet.com

is kinda like The Pier

flange

December 4th, 2006, 09:39 PM

Cheggers checks in with Aldi

Aldi has confirmed that television favourite, Keith Chegwin will officially open its flagship store at the Arndale Centre on Thursday 7th December.

The GMTV regular will entertain the crowds as they wait for the ribbon to be cut at 8.00 am, with a mass of fun and games and the opportunity to win some great prizes.

The announcement comes just as it is revealed that Keith will star in a one-off 'Swap Shop' Christmas special, the Saturday morning TV show which shot him to fame in the 1970s – and for Aldi customers the festivities will start early when Cheggers welcomes them to the new store.

Customers can enjoy a whole host of activities throughout the opening week, including music from the Royal Northern College of Music, some tasty sampling treats and a visit from Key 103's Drivetime presenter, Ditchy.

There will be a huge range of Aldi "specials" on offer too; a selection of exceptional one-off special buys from Multimedia Entertainment PCs to 2GB MP3 players. Every Thursday and Sunday is specials day at Aldi where customers can get amazing deals on high quality products.

Matthew Barnes, Aldi Managing Director for the North West comments: "We are delighted that Cheggers will officially open our new store in Manchester Arndale. The opening will be very lively and exciting for all - an event certainly not to be missed."

Keith Chegwin adds: "I am really looking forward to opening the brand new store at Manchester Arndale. I hear there are going to be some amazing bargains on the opening day and I will be giving away a stack of prizes between 8.00am and 10.00am – so make sure you join me bright and early at the new store."

The new store will be the biggest Aldi store in the UK and customers can look forward to a wide selection of quality goods at great prices within our new city centre store, which is bigger and brighter.

Following its opening, the new Aldi store in Manchester Arndale will be open:
• Monday to Saturday – 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
• Sunday – 11.00 am to 5.00 pm

Manc Guy

December 4th, 2006, 10:27 PM

A fucking Aldi on market street. How attractive...

flange

December 5th, 2006, 12:59 PM

10 Nov 2006 - Kate Kuba are to open department store concessions across the UK. They are considering sites in Manchester, Leeds, Dublin and Glasgow.

flange

December 6th, 2006, 02:36 PM

Trafford Centre on menu for Carluccio's
Tim Hobden

TRENDY Italian restaurant group Carluccio's served up a tasty boost in profits and unveiled plans to open more branches around the UK, including the Trafford Centre.
The company - floated by celebrity chef Antonio Carluccio in December - said a 24 per cent increase in turnover to £45.8m during the 12 months to September 24 had helped pre-tax profits climb six per cent to £3.4m.

The sites, which are open from 8am to midnight, offer customers the chance to eat and drink in the restaurant as well as shop for Italian food at its delicatessen counter.

Chairman Stephen Gee said: "I am delighted to report a fifth year of uninterrupted, double digit growth in turnover, operating profit and earnings per share.

"We now have 28 stores, all of which are profitable, and have assembled a management team capable of building and running a business, which is substantially larger than it is today."

The eateries have battled the creeping cost of utility bills and pressure from higher business rates, but said margins had still been maintained.

Carluccio's was given a helping hand from five new outlets during the year at Oxford, Brighton, Chiswick, Richmond and Westbourne Corner in West London. A branch is expected to open in Walton-on-Thames in the spring.

The group also announced plans to develop sites in Spitalfields, East London, Trafford Centre, Manchester and Covent Garden.

Carluccio's insisted it can fund the openings without resorting to borrowings, which means it is protected from any potential increase in interest rates. The firm is also developing its internet business and hopes to see more people log on and buy food ahead of Christmas. The shares fell almost four per cent.

uklad1979

December 6th, 2006, 09:13 PM

A fucking Aldi on market street. How attractive...

Looked in the windows today and it looks a better fit out than Tesco Metro. It's not like one of the sheds it builds near council estates, they have actually spent some money on the place. The windows have large LCD screens advertising the special offers, the logo has been toned done and the main sign on Market St is in black and is back lit. On the internal Arndale entrance the signs are inside and are just the right size.
Well done to them for doing a good job I think it will give Tesco Metro and Somerfield a kick up the ass as it is much bigger and seems to have a good range and plenty of tills. I can't say I am an Aldi shopper but if I am in the city centre I will give it a go over Tesco and it's awful layout and massive queues.

flange

December 6th, 2006, 09:28 PM

the new aldi sounds very modern and stylish not at all like aldi, who ever thought an aldi would look good hey ?. Will have to look at it when i go into town next any new over tkmaxx,butlers etc or any other retailers opening before christmas or in start of new yr

havaska

December 6th, 2006, 10:12 PM

I saw it today aswell. It isn't an amazing looking Aldi. It's still an Aldi with the same floor tiles and the food stacked up on crates and in boxes.

It is, however, very stylish compared to other Aldi's. They have tried to tone it down and blend it in though, and I think it will be quite successful. They even had a little counter for premade sandwiches which is something you won't find in any other Aldi.

uklad1979

December 8th, 2006, 12:48 AM

Anyone noticed the total lack of any xmas decoration in the Arndale? They have the tree that doubles as a meet santa place anda small white tree with lights in Exchange Court. What happened to all the modern trees from last year and the lights on the roof?

flange

December 12th, 2006, 01:00 PM

Arndale news

Butlers is now open
Foot Asylum/ Athletic Boutique is now open

flange

December 16th, 2006, 05:31 PM

on the ardale website it now list Parchment as being opened can anyone confirm if it is as i would think now would be the best time for them to open what with christmas and everything

jrb

December 16th, 2006, 07:12 PM

Daisy and Tom on Deansgate is to close. Apparently it has never made a profit, due to the fact that it's trading on three floors. The rent must be astronomical.

jrb

December 20th, 2006, 04:31 PM

'Record-breaking Xmas' for Manchester

MANCHESTER is hailing a "record-breaking Christmas" as festive market traders prepare for a last-minute rush.

Stallholders were getting ready to shut up shop for the last time tonight with city centre chiefs claiming they had generated more than £21.5m for the local economy - the highest figure ever.

The ice rink at Piccadilly, making its debut this year, has also proved a hit, with the number of visitors doubling in the last 11 days to 40,000.

Pat Karney, Manchester council's city centre spokesman said: "This is a record-breaking Christmas for Manchester.

"Last year the markets attracted £21.5m additional income to shops, hotels and attractions in the city and by all accounts this year is set to be even better.

"But it's not over yet. Piccadilly on Ice and the Wheel of Manchester at Exchange Square are open every day, except Christmas Day, until January 7."

The council expanded its Christmas events this year as part of a major tourism effort in the run-up to next year's International Arts Festival.

The Continental and German markets in Albert Square and St Ann's Square were bolstered by a new "world market" and sit-down eating area in Brazennose Street, while a traditional Christmas tree was installed in Albert Square.

The old "cone tree" was moved to Piccadilly Gardens as the centrepiece of a new lighting display.

Chinatown was decked out for the first time in oriental lights and Chinese lanterns, together with a 7ft illuminated dragon.

BTW. Noticed Hugo Boss have opened a store in the Trafford Centre.

andysimo123

December 20th, 2006, 08:44 PM

Trying to look in Selfridge's at aftershave is a joke. Every 10 seconds there's some little bug coming upto you asking questions or saying shit over your shoulder like "Yes that ones £44" after i've justed looked at the price my self. Very annoying and also if you buy something like a t-shirt they cut the tags off before they put it in the bag. Also very annoying.

jrb

December 20th, 2006, 08:53 PM

I've been told a construction worker died yesterday on the Giant Fields site. (Trafford Centre extension) Can't confirm this story is 100% true. Apparently some kind of bucket fell on his head and decapitated him. All construction work has stopped on-site, so there maybe some truth in the rumour? I took some pics of the construction site today. I'll upload them afterwards.

The Longford

December 20th, 2006, 09:14 PM

I've been told a construction worker died yesterday on the Giant Fields site. (Trafford Centre extension) Can't confirm this story is 100% true. Apparently some kind of bucket fell on his head and decapitated him. All construction work has stopped on-site, so there maybe some truth in the rumour. I took some pics of the construction site today. I'll upload them afterwards.

'Tis true - twas in the newspaper (or on t'internet - cant rightly remember)

Manc Guy

December 21st, 2006, 03:40 AM

Shocking.

flange

December 21st, 2006, 12:31 PM

ya is true here is the article

Man dies in building site accident

A 44-YEAR-OLD man who died in an industrial accident in Trafford Park has been named as Patrick Maroney.

Mr Maroney, from Reddish, Stockport, was working to install pipes in the ground at a building site on Barton Dock Road when the incident happened.

It is believed Mr Maroney, was struck by a large metal bucket after it appeared to fall from a mechanical digger.

He suffered serious head injuries in the incident and was pronounced dead at the scene.

There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding this incident.

The Health and Safety Executive have been informed and are investigating the incident alongside Greater Manchester Police.

Mr Maroney leaves behind a partner and three sons

flange

December 21st, 2006, 12:37 PM

arndale news

barratts have opened where shutopia was which makes sense as barrats own the lease to the store
phones4u have opened next to virgin megastores
parchment are nearly opened the hoardings are down and the stock is going in now
baronjon is open on the ground floor near build a bear
building work is going on in the old republic unit
also the old link unit on market street is being fitted out to be a carphonewarehouse which i think will probably open in the new year or after christmas as it looked in the same stage on parchment just adding stock to the store

The Longford

December 21st, 2006, 12:42 PM

A fella died on the Post office refurb on Spring Gardens last year and i saw it!
A crane was liften a huge pallet of materials off a lorry and it slipped crushing the fella stood next to it.
I, of course, have seen people die during my time in the first Gulf War but you dont expect to see it on Spring Gardens!

flange

December 21st, 2006, 04:57 PM

Aldi Upper Floor (old mothercare unit) Now Open
Athletic Boutique Lower Floor Exchange Court Now Open
Apple Upper Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Barratts Lower Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Barefruit Juice unknown location opens in the new year
Bratz Lower Floor New Cannon Street (designer kids wear) Now Open
Birdcage Lowers Floor long thin unit on withy grove Now Open
Billabong Upper Floor Wintergardens Under Contruction
Blend Upper Floor New Cannon Street (clothing) Now Open
Boost Juice Bar Upper Floor opposite Aldi opens in new year
Butlers Lower Floor Exchange Court Now Open
Coast Upper Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Druckers Upper Floor Halle Square (Restaurant) Now Open
Foot Asylum Lower Floor Exchange Court Now Open
Greggs Lower Floor on Withy Grove
Hawkins Bazaar Upper Floor Halle Mall Now Open
Just Pink Lower Floor Cromford Court Now Open
JD Sports Lower Floor Halle Square Now Open
Lacoste Lower Floor Halle Square Now Open
Levis Upper Floor Wintergardens
Ma Potters Upper Floor Wintergardens
Morgan Upper Floor New Cannon Street
Milllies Cookies Upper Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Nandos Upper Floor Wintergardens Under Construction
New Look Upper Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Phone4u Lower FloorNew Cannon Street Now Open
Parchment Cards Lower Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Principles Lower Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Red5 Lower Floor Wintergardens Under Construction
Rowntrees Upper Floor High Street
Samsonite Upper Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Shoe Zone Lower Floor Barbirolli Mall East Now Open
Sole Upper Floor New Cannon Street
Superdrug Lower Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Swatch Lower Floor Market Street Now Open
Sweet Delights Food Court
TK Maxx Lower Floor (old littlewoods unit) Under Construction should open in new year
Varinni Upper Floor Halle Square (next to partners) Now Open
Vestry Upper Floor Exchange Court Now Open
Virgin Megastore Lower Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Warehouse Upper Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
3G Lower Floor Market Street Now Open