Sui Generis, is to take occupancy (pending PP) of the remaining unit in Jewel House- opposite Bluu and Hunters, on the corner of Thomas St and High St.

Sounds similar to Bluu, but with pool tables and dance floor in the basement. Quite a large space for the NQ.

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/MCCList1.aspx?080300/FO/2006/C1

Sui Generis, is to take occupancy (pending PP) of the remaining unit in Jewel House- opposite Bluu and Hunters, on the corner of Thomas St and High St.

Sounds similar to Bluu, but with pool tables and dance floor in the basement. Quite a large space for the NQ.

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/MCCList1.aspx?080300/FO/2006/C1

Sweet. :cheer: they just keep a comin'. Cheers G-man.

Its a bit of a poncy name. I think I'll refer to it as Sui and pretend it was named after Steve Irwin's dog.

Don't think TV21's captured an audience yet?
Trof however appears as though it's always been there. Spot on place.

Sui Generis, is to take occupancy (pending PP) of the remaining unit in Jewel House- opposite Bluu and Hunters, on the corner of Thomas St and High St.

Sounds similar to Bluu, but with pool tables and dance floor in the basement. Quite a large space for the NQ.

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/MCCList1.aspx?080300/FO/2006/C1

Sweet. :cheer: they just keep a comin'. Cheers G-man.

Its a bit of a poncy name. I think I'll refer to it as Sui and pretend it was named after Steve Irwin's dog.

Sorry to be a know it all ninny but Sui Generis is a planning term where any planning permission doesn't specify a certain 'Class Use' - quite common in this sort establishment.
Sui Generis i'm afraid is not the name of the new bar - although it would make quite a good one - be a popular hangout for planners and property lawyers i suspect.

Sorry to be a know it all ninny but Sui Generis is a planning term where any planning permission does specify a certain 'Class Use'

damn know it alls.:ohno:

From wiki:
Sui generis is a (post) Latin expression, literally meaning of its own kind/genus or unique in its characteristics.

Its sounds like an appropriate name for a bar. It would still be a poncy name though.

Id' still prefer Sui:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42046000/jpg/_42046882_irwinstaring_picgall.jpg
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/e/e4/250px-GhostNDarknss.jpg


Don't think TV21's captured an audience yet?
Trof however appears as though it's always been there. Spot on place.

TV21s not so trendy as the others places round here. The women are fatter and the bokes a bit chavvier. The last time I was in the DJ made the ultimate faux pas of talking over the microphone.

Its full of friendly types though. You'd never see any trouble in there.

Trof however, is quality.

Great Hall opens at the Trafford Centre

The Great Hall, the new dining and leisure area at Manchester’s Trafford Centre, has opened after an 18-month construction programme at a cost of £26m.

The seven new restaurants, three of them new to the North, include Las Iguanas, Pesto, Costa and Palm D’or. In keeping with the Trafford Centre's opulent architectural theme the Great Hall features the world’s largest chandelier made from thousands of pieces of Chinese crystal.

Gordon McKinnon, director of operations at the Trafford Centre said: “The Great Hall is certainly unique – I can guarantee you will not find anything like this in any other shopping centre in the country. Furthermore, we are very proud of the restaurant mix we have put together for our visitors and feel certain that we have under one roof, one of the best dining experiences in the North West.”

Biggest chandelier in the world?

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/9245/greathall2ke4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
THE grand staircase of the Great Hall houses what could be the world's largest chandelier.

THIS is the stunning new eating emporium where shoppers can refuel at Manchester's Trafford Centre.

The £26m Great Hall has finally opened its doors - complete with what it thought to be the world's biggest chandelier.

Workmen have spent 18 months transforming the open-air piazza at the front of the centre into a fabulous glass-roofed dining area.

Three of the seven new restaurants set to occupy the space have now opened. The fixtures and furnishings inside the hall include statues, balconies and a giant staircase imported all the way from China.

The chandelier is made from thousands of pieces of Chinese crystal, which have also been transported to Manchester by cargo ship.

Some shoppers have taken a peek inside the hall since the hoardings came down just a few days ago, but these pictures are the first views of it that many M.E.N readers will have.

Gordon McKinnon, the Trafford Centre's director of operations, said: "The construction is finally complete and the Great Hall is now open to the public after much anticipation and excitement from staff and visitors alike.

"Since taking down the hoardings, we have been amazed at the number of people simply standing and gazing at what has been created. The Great Hall is certainly unique. I can guarantee visitors will not find anything like this at any other shopping centre in the country."

Restaurants

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/803/greathall1mw2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

"Furthermore, we are very proud of the restaurant mix we have put together for our visitors and feel certain that we have, under one roof, one of the best dining experiences in the North West."

The open-air piazza was created as an exhibition space when the Trafford Centre opened in 1998. But bosses decided it should be re-developed to cope with an increased appetite for places to eat and drink.

Builders enclosed the columns that marked the edge of the 13,000sq ft piazza with huge glass walls and then built a roof on top. They have spent the past 18 months transforming the space and visitors are expected to be amazed at what they will find inside.

The Great Hall comes complete with a marble floor, palm trees and majestic pillars. Gigantic statues of mythical creatures guard the entrance to the brand new dining complex.

But the chandelier and the sweeping marble staircase are expected to be the star attractions, as well as the seven new restaurants that have already started opening to the public.

Three of them - Las Iquanas, Pesto and Costa - have already begun to welcome visitors. Carluccio's is expected to open on March 25 and the Palm D'Or will serve its first customers in April while the Great Hall will be officially opened in May.

Glad to see the Trafford Centre's reputation for subtlety, under statement and down right good taste is still intact. :ohno:
Compare this with the Arndale's new blade runner lifts and liquorice allsorts colour coded floors and i know where my loyalties lie.

Learning from Las Vegas.

Glad to see the Trafford Centre's reputation for subtlety, under statement and down right good taste is still intact. :ohno:
Compare this with the Arndale's new blade runner lifts and liquorice allsorts colour coded floors and i know where my loyalties lie.

I lurve the trafford centre design. Its Vegas-tastic and its out on its own so needs make no apologies to any neighbours for its outrageous flaunting.

I would take the Trafford centre, over any other large shopping centre in Britian (though I'd take a good old fasihioned high street and market over any of them). What's wrong with providing a bit of fun to the masses every now and again? Architecture doesn't always have to be cool or intellectual.

If it was fucking up the coolness of its surroundings then its a big no, no but the M60 is NOT cool (but the ChillFactorE will be. geddit?).

It also detracts from the fact that the Trafford centre is full of womens shops and has next to nothing for blokes. But I hate shopping anyway so I'll just stand and watch the chandelier twinkle.

So hop of your high horse Longford and jump on this 15ft faux-Roman fibreglass fighting steed. Here's your plastic centurion helmet and there's the map to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Hi Ho Silver! :horse:

http://www.fotocicek.com/selimiye%20camii%20ve%20kubbesi.jpg

Now that's a chandelier

Old Daisy and Toms store?

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1002/1002021_hamleys_to_open_in_manchester.html

Hamleys to open in Manchester


15/ 3/2007


TOY shop and tourist attraction Hamleys unveiled plans today to roll out the brand across major cities in the UK.

Hamleys, with a flagship store in Regent Street, is set to move into five House of Fraser shops, which will see the toy retailer increase its floor space by more than 50%.

The first Hamleys departments are set to open in September in House of Fraser stores in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham, with a fifth in Belfast due for April next year. A small Hamleys own-brand department will also open in House of Fraser's flagship Oxford Street store.

House of Fraser and Hamleys are both owned by the Icelandic investment group Baugur, and House of Fraser already stocks a number of Baugur-owned brands including Nine West, Coast, Karen Millen and Pied a Terre.

Baugur bought House of Fraser in a £351 million deal last August and said at the time it was looking at ways to increase efficiency at the stores to boost sales.

In October, the department stores posted first-half losses of £9.3 million, compared to £4.4 million in 2005, following increased investment in the business, including the acquisition of Jenners and Beatties.

The expansion plans follow a similar project by Baugur in Denmark, where it has introduced Hamleys departments into three of its Magasin du Nord department stores during the last 18 months.
Franchise deal

It also opened Hamleys stores at Heathrow and Manchester airports last year, and has signed a franchise deal for five stores in the Middle East. The group said it is looking at opportunities in India and China.

Hamleys chief executive Nick Mather said: "Over recent years, sales growth has been driven primarily from the South East together with overseas tourism. However, we know that the brand carries strong awareness in all the major UK regional locations.

"We are confident that this agreement with House of Fraser will enable us to take our brand into the major cities and also gives us the added benefits of being able to drive more regional customers to our London flagship store."

Hamleys was established in 1760 by William Hamley in Holborn. It was bought by Baugur in June 2003 for £47.4 million.

House of Fraser began life in 1941 as the drapery business Fraser, Sons & Co in Glasgow. During the 1970s it expanded rapidly with the acquisition of drapers across Scotland, Ireland and England and department stores such as Hide & Co in Kingston upon Thames and Army & Navy Stores in London.

Matalan boss John King was named chief executive of House of Fraser in November. The company now has 61 stores in the UK and stocks a large range of products, from soft furnishings to designer fashion labels.

The Daisy and Tom's store is being turned into smaller units as we speak so i doubt they'd go their. Anyway the article says their going to go in House of Fraiser.

Still. Good news

ya is good news means there will be 2 sort of Hamleys store in Manchester one at the Airport and a Fepartment of it in House Of Fraiser

There could be absolutely nothing whatsoever in this, but I overheard two academics chatting after a Committee meeting today, and one of them said a research partner of his in America had told him Macy's and Bloomingdale's were planning to open their first overseas branches in the North-west...

...as I said, most likely b/s, but that's the word on campus!

if it were true that would be a major coup for manchester to get them or even the northwest but if it is Manchester i would imagine they may open in the new Royal Exchange or Spinningfields cant see them going near the Arndale

if it were true that would be a major coup for manchester to get them or even the northwest but if it is Manchester i would imagine they may open in the new Royal Exchange or Spinningfields cant see them going near the Arndale

I can't help but think that if Bloomingdale's/Macy's were going to open stores in the UK, then they'd surely do so in Londinium...

I can't help but think that if Bloomingdale's/Macy's were going to open stores in the UK, then they'd surely do so in Londinium...

Subway opened in Manc first in the UK.:)

Manchester is also a big shopping destination for the whole of the North and we have smaller mortgages, so as the FIRST (of a few i would imagine) I would think Manc is a good test bed.

I can't help but think that if Bloomingdale's/Macy's were going to open stores in the UK, then they'd surely do so in Londinium...

Probably in the Trafford Centre or Lakeside or Bluewater, Bloomingdales tend to go to the big American Malls like "King of Prussia" ans Mall of America.

Alternatively they could be thinking about the Supercasino.

Alternatively they could be thinking about the Supercasino.

ooh never thought of that. Probably nothing but idle rumour though...

Australian Boost Juice Launches In UK

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/5378/boostqg0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Boost Juice, the Australian retail phenomenon, is set to conquer new territory this month with its first two juice bars opening in the UK. Under a master agreement, the founders of Millies Cookies, Richard O’Sullivan & Mario Budwig - are set to unveil the new juice bars in The Trafford Centre, Manchester and The Clarendon Centre, Oxford in April.

Boost has become Australia’s fastest growing retail chain & has been compared to the likes of Starbucks, with a growth platform of around 34 stores a year on average since its conception in 2000. The UK is the fifth international market the brand has entered behind Chile, Kuwait, Singapore & Indonesia, and is set to launch in another four countries by year end.

The Boost Juice Bar concept – offering a quick, affordable, healthy and natural snack for people on the go - was conceived by Founder and CEO Janine Allis, who had struggled to find such snacks for her three young boys. Upon realizing this gap in the market, the Boost Juice bar concept was born, and today, a delicious range of fresh fruit juices and smoothies - that contain absolutely no preservatives, artificial flavours or colours and are at least 98% fat free - are offered.

The company prides itself on the promotion of a healthy and active lifestyle mixed with an uncompromising addiction to fun displayed through it’s addictive in-store vibe of enthusiastic staff who have a natural ‘love life!’ attitude which sees them dancing, juggling & singing behind the counters – and through the exclusive VIBE Club which rewards loyal customers with daily offers such the ‘Monday Sucks’ free upgrade, or the ‘tight-arse-tuesday’ buy-one-get-one free offer!

As pointed out by Steph Malkin, UK Marketing Director, the brand offers British customers ‘more than simply healthy & delicious products, it also offers customers a unique experience oz-style which sets Boost apart from other retailers’.

The juice and smoothie market has increased substantially in the UK over the last few years, with more and more consumers opting for a healthier lifestyle, urged on by warnings about obesity and encouragements to eat their ‘5 a day’.

Such trends are revolutionising food and beverage markets, creating an ideal environment to introduce retail concepts such as Boost Juice Bars.

See boostjuicebars.com.

About the Macy's, Bloomingdales thing if it were to open at Trafford Centre for example i would think it would open probably within the new extenion Barton Square as there isnt really that much room in the Trafford Centre for another department store of Macy's or Bloomingdales size and Trafford Centre have said the size of the units in Barton Square will be flagship size and it would be quite a major thing for the Trafford Centre to get them aswell

a bit more information on Hamleys opening within House of Fraser Manchester


Hamleys rolls out concessions plan

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2456/hamleyspn9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Hamleys has announced plans to expand its UK presence through a number of concessions in House of Fraser stores, mirroring a plan used successfully on the continent and elsewhere.
The expansion will increase Hamleys’ floor space in the UK by over 50 per cent with five large
format concessions in selected House of Fraser’s flagship stores.

It follows on from the success of recent concession openings in Denmark and at Heathrow and Manchester airports. The company announced last year that it had signed up a partner to open five new stores in the Middle East as part of a major overseas franchise expansion plan and is currently exploring opportunities in India and China.

Hamleys will open five concessions of 6000 square feet with Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham, opening in September, followed by Belfast in April 2008. In addition, a 2000 square foot concession will open in the House of Fraser Oxford Street flagship store carrying only Hamleys own-brand product.

The larger units will carry a specially selected product range made up of Hamleys own brand and a range of other branded products.

The large format concession model has proven to be a successful format for the firm over the last 18 months where it has operated within the Magasin du Nord department store in central Copenhagen.

Nick Mather, CEO of Hamleys said: “ This is a huge opportunity to extend the reach of the Hamleys brand to key regional UK cities. Over recent years, sales growth has been driven primarily from the South East together with overseas tourism, however we know that the brand carries strong awareness in all the major UK regional locations. From the success of our new concession model in Denmark we are very confident that this agreement with House of Fraser will enable us to take our brand into the major cities and also gives us the added benefits of being able to drive more regional customers to our London flagship store and to the wider product range on our web site.”

John King, CEO of House of Fraser said: “We are committed to upgrading our stores and introducing new and exciting premium quality brands across our entire product offer. We are delighted to be working with Hamleys to secure a more exciting retail experience for our family customers in each of our key flagship stores.”

Developer Allied London has confirmed that retailer Armani has signed for a flagship store at its Spinningfields development in Manchester.

Speaking at MIPM at an event on the Manchester stand, chief executive Mike Ingall said the retailer had signed for a 6,000 sq ft unit on Hardman Street at the Avenue element of the scheme.

Boss will also occupy a retail unit in the same location, said Ingall.

In all, the developer has signed 15 retail and leisure occupiers to the development.

Eat, Wagamama and Manchester stalwart Sam's Chop House have signed for restaurant units on Hardman Street, while Carluccios, Giraffe and Pret A Manger have taken space in The Square.

Shimla Pinks, Bar Ha Ha, Yo! Sushi, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Strada have also taken space at the scheme.

Sure I read/heard suggestions that macy's/bloomingdales were thinking of Liverpool...?

Sure I read/heard suggestions that macy's/bloomingdales were thinking of Liverpool...?

They are only chain stores. There's loads of them. Nothing to get exited about.

They are only chain stores. There's loads of them. Nothing to get exited about.

Yes, though Bloomingdale's is much posher that Macys. Macy's are literally everywhere. They're like Debhenams (thats speaking as someone who hates shopping though, my comparison may not be that good).

I'm a Liberty man myself.

I believe, though i may be wrong, that the old Daisy and Tom's is being converted to retail at ground with flats above. A planning app went in this week.

TK Maxx is where it's at.
I can be dressed like a greek Ronnie Corbett for less than £20 and purchase a straight to dvd 'American ninja III' flick with the change.

Developer Allied London has confirmed that retailer Armani has signed for a flagship store at its Spinningfields development in Manchester.

Speaking at MIPM at an event on the Manchester stand, chief executive Mike Ingall said the retailer had signed for a 6,000 sq ft unit on Hardman Street at the Avenue element of the scheme.

Boss will also occupy a retail unit in the same location, said Ingall.

In all, the developer has signed 15 retail and leisure occupiers to the development.

Eat, Wagamama and Manchester stalwart Sam's Chop House have signed for restaurant units on Hardman Street, while Carluccios, Giraffe and Pret A Manger have taken space in The Square.

Shimla Pinks, Bar Ha Ha, Yo! Sushi, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Strada have also taken space at the scheme.

They are doing a cracking job at attracting some brilliant name, so look forward to the whole development being complete, and with such a vibrant mix of retailers and eateries. The atmosphere of a genuinely modern city district is already fantastic, with Hardman Sq and the the Avenue finished it will be superb.

Armani and Boss are opening in this building/ area arnt they

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1899/avenuenf8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ I was under the impression thats going to be a bar/ restaurant. Could be wrong though. Any Open Dayers remember?

i thought the rumours were that this was always going to be a Armani store and i rember hearing this building was being renamed The Avenue


New look coming to Deansgate
3/10/2006

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1899/avenuenf8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

THE first building in Manchester's new upmarket shopping street has won planning permission.

The building, called The Avenue, will front Deansgate between the John Rylands Library and the Royal Bank of Scotland's new building at No. 1 Spinningfields - former site of the Manchester Evening News offices.

It is the first building in the new street, for which developers Allied London promise an upmarket shopping boulevard with restaurants and bars. The site will include 400,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space. Insiders say talks are already well advanced with a well-known retailer tenant.

Last week Allied London revealed a '500m management buy-out backed by the Royal Bank of Scotland and George Soros-backed investors Delancey.

I think Flange is correct, that is certainly where they wanted them to go, well Armani at least, don’t know about Boss. I think Mr Pink did talk about a bar/restaurant being attached to the Armani store, utilising the terrace on the back of the building looking down on the magistrate’s entrance; he lamented that proximity!

Looking forward to that one going up too, a little cracker. So much to look forward to all over the city.

you never know they may do a Armani restaurant/ cafe in other half the store as Architecty says looking down on the magistrates

Ugh, the building is not called the avenue, oh the irony of the MEN even making a balls of reporting what replaces their building! The pedestrianised street along its left in that picture, lined with RBS, the now ex-Barclays building and the Magistrates is called the Avenue and is tagged by Allied as Spinningfields shopping street. All ground floor retail and will lead you through into the new Hardman Sqaure.

edit: It could be No. 1 the Avenue I suppose, they still naffed it up as usual.

Statues being installed at the Great Hall's entrance - just like Michelangelo's except cleaner...

http://www.traffordcentre.co.uk/pictures/Gallery/The%20Great%20Hall/~iDZlrlQn/IMG_2514.JPG

http://www.traffordcentre.co.uk/pictures/Gallery/The%20Great%20Hall/~iDZlrlQn/IMG_2501.JPG

If Elizabeth Duke made statues...

I know commercial realities were always going to come in to play but I am saddened by the lack of independents and local companies in the mix.

Retail - fair enough, but the high street has always been about chains and names whereas the hospitality industry is still 70% independent and Manchester has an outstanding reputation for developing successful bars and restaurants.

Seeing Sam's in there is a winner (though there is a rumour they will have another site open before Spinningfields finally come's to fruition) but as for the others? Tchss....

Shimla Pinks is alright and at least it's a small-ish independent group (Brummie though!) but Bar Ha Ha is just so-so, Yo! Sushi is pretty mediocre, Gourmet Burger Kitchen I'll grant you can be good, and Strada is yet another tweaked Pizza Express clone. All faceless, committee designed, by-the-yard 'concepts'!

I know the places in Picadilly Gardens haven't been an unqualified success (RIP Manna, RIP and hello again Rice!) but at least there was a philosophy or working with local companies and with Kro and Bar Burritto they have produced two success stories which give the development a unique feel and give me reason to go there.

Ideas? Well I'd have liked to see a Tampopo in there rather than a Wagamama; a Croma rather than a Strada, I much prefer the sushi at Sapporo Teppanyaki to Yo Sushi (though weirdly, the teppanyaki is poor). Could have had Yang Sing in there too, or how about a LSTD coffee shop (I think they may have been approached actually, before their financial misfortune)?

Aside from that how about getting some of the boys in from the suburbs? The Lime Tree would have given Manchester city centre something it hadn't got, and if they had really had the marketing nouse they would have moved Juniper in there and claimed the fact that the city's first michelin star in 34 years is in their world class business location from the rooftops.

Believe me it would carry more weight with the powers that be that move their head offices around Europe than a Strada...

Yes it sounds a little 'Fotherington-Thomas' and idylic, but I really think Allied London must be making enough back from the office and retail space and could have written off some of the revenue (and taken a little more risk) with the F&B side by nuturing a unquique and independent set of eateries and watering holes that would have made it really feel like you were in Manchester.

A missed opportunity to create a mix and feel which could have matched and complimented their aspirations for design and build quality me thinks.

Ok, call me hopelessly hopeful and naive now...

Cheers

Thom

I dont think you are being naive. if Argent can encourage indies such as Kro and Barburritto at No1 Piccadilly (and the GBM Apple shop aswell lets not forget) and seemingly still make a return then why cant others?
On the other hand, no disprespect to office workers but perhaps they want bleurgh chains and aspirational retailers on their doorstep.
Got to laugh about Armani's siting - right next to the largest flow of criminal scum to be found anywhere in town. There is such a bizzare mix round there of ASBO breachers and corporate types.

I see Music Zone has closed on Market St now. And work has started on Espirit in the old Next unit.

......Yes it sounds a little 'Fotherington-Thomas' and idylic, but I really think Allied London must be making enough back from the office and retail space and could have written off some of the revenue (and taken a little more risk) with the F&B side by nuturing a unquique and independent set of eateries and watering holes that would have made it really feel like you were in Manchester.

A missed opportunity to create a mix and feel which could have matched and complimented their aspirations for design and build quality me thinks.

Its obviously a great aspiration, but you do have to understand the scale of their financial commitment to the area, which they need to recoup; you just cant expect big cutthroat developers investing hundreds of millions to start acting like charities. They also have had to use a percentage of profits as rent agreement to coax retailers into what was (and still really is) a commercial waste ground; to have managed to build up any head of steam with getting the units to fill is still impressive. Its also not exactly start-up territory anyway, very high rentals and not a huge amount of footfall; there are plenty of places in the city where independents can start up and spread. The only thing I think is naive is that a developer like Allied London is realistically doing anything to hinder that; and it isn’t their business to force existing companies to have a try either, that’s down to their owners’ ambition.

Oh and Croma has a branch in Boston (USA), (with four branches in total) that’s hardly a little start-up! http://www.croma.biz/

I dont think you are being naive. if Argent can encourage indies such as Kro and Barburritto at No1 Piccadilly (and the GBM Apple shop aswell lets not forget) and seemingly still make a return then why cant others?
On the other hand, no disprespect to office workers but perhaps they want bleurgh chains and aspirational retailers on their doorstep.
Got to laugh about Armani's siting - right next to the largest flow of criminal scum to be found anywhere in town. There is such a bizzare mix round there of ASBO breachers and corporate types.

To a certain extent did One Piccadilly end up with these local retailers because Argent struggled to get big chains in? The area is still hardly populated by the most salubrious cliental in the city, and a lot of the big boys already had units nearby; and the remaining units are still being stubborn about filling up. It’s a bastard world, I still would rather see full retail units with chains, than abandoned or empty units.

Personally I’m just interested in an extremely varied retail mix, whether an individual takes home the profits or shareholders is really irrelevant IMHO.

To a certain extent did One Piccadilly end up with these local retailers because Argent struggled to get big chains in?

Apparently not - i was reading an interview with the fella who owns Barburritto and he said Argent actively encouraged indies as apposed to chains.

On other matters i read H&M are 'rolling out' a new up market brand with 10 new stores opening. I'd be surprised if Manchester doesnt get one be it in town or at Dumplington Precinct.

I see Music Zone has closed on Market St now. And work has started on Espirit in the old Next unit.

are there just hoarding around the unit on market street side and inside the centre

Apparently not - i was reading an interview with the fella who owns Barburritto and he said Argent actively encouraged indies as apposed to chains.

I didn’t realise that; good to hear. Don’t get me wrong I do think that is an extremely positive approach, but as the empty units testify there is only so much encouraging a developer can do, there still has to be someone willing to take the premises on. I just feel that empty retail units can have such a disastrous effect on nearby premises; people are naturally lemmings, when they see places vacant they presume this as a “review” of the surroundings. Would coaxing a nice busy Pret next door not have a positive effect of Manna’s survival?

are there just hoarding around the unit on market street side and inside the centre

The outside and half of the inside. It seems that the inside has been split into 2 units, one goes all the way through and the smaller unit backs onto Oasis?

right still nothing with the peacocks or billabong store anything with the tkmaxx store aswell or are all the hoardings still up there

Apparently not - i was reading an interview with the fella who owns Barburritto and he said Argent actively encouraged indies as apposed to chains.

On other matters i read H&M are 'rolling out' a new up market brand with 10 new stores opening. I'd be surprised if Manchester doesnt get one be it in town or at Dumplington Precinct.
DUMPLINGTON PRECINCT??????!!!!!!!!!

Another massive naming opportunity lost by Peel.

Just rolls off the proverbial tongue....

http://www.metronews.co.uk/ContentResources/C_52_Article_3475_BodyText_TextSection_0_Image.jpg

HIDDEN TALENTS UNVEILED:

Sisters (from left) Kimberley, Barbara and Karieann Ojeogwu model Barbara's Kiptotes bags at the Hidden Urban Market and Cafe Bar at Manchester's Ruby Lounge

A RETAIL undergraduate is launching a new market in Manchester city centre after becoming fed up with trying to sell her goods to other penniless students.

Barbara Ojeogwu's Hidden Urban Market and Café Bar will feature 35 stalls selling a range of goods from clothes, accessories and jewellery to art, food and home wares.

The 26-year-old studies retail management and Japanese at Manchester University and combines the two disciplines at weekends by selling imported Japanese bags. The market will open on Saturdays from March 31, at the Ruby Lounge in High Street.

Barbara, from Didsbury, said: "I had a stall at the university market on Oxford Road but students don't tend to buy a lot so I decided to organise a market in town so we could reach our target audience.

"My sister Karieann is a graphic designer, and she's done all the flyers, posters and web stuff. It's taken about a month to set up but we still need more stallholders. We're looking for emerging and established fashion designers, artists, traders and importers to sell their wares. Our aim is to house a collection of fabulous indoor stalls."

Stalls will sell a range of clothing, accessories, jewellery, art, food, home wares and Jana Kennedy's stall will offer bespoke underwear from the Knickers And No Fur Coat range. Barbara added: "Designing is a gift, but we don't want to narrow our market by insisting that stall holders design and make everything that they sell. We want to give people who are gifted in the art of sourcing a chance too."

A few stalls are still available, priced from £18 to £25 per day. For information, e-mail: hiddenurban@hotmail.co.uk

Ugh, the building is not called the avenue, oh the irony of the MEN even making a balls of reporting what replaces their building! The pedestrianised street along its left in that picture, lined with RBS, the now ex-Barclays building and the Magistrates is called the Avenue and is tagged by Allied as Spinningfields shopping street. All ground floor retail and will lead you through into the new Hardman Sqaure.

edit: It could be No. 1 the Avenue I suppose, they still naffed it up as usual.

Lol quite happy to admit I was wrong, seems it is called the Avenue; still seems odd when the street next to its is too, maybe I got my wires crossed :bash:

Don't get too excited about the former Daisy & Tom store. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but according to the latest Manchester focus in Estates Gazette the owners, Town Centre Securities, have instructed the agents to target supermarkets as tenants. They are, apparently, in talks with... Tesco. And you can always rely on Tesco to lower the tone of a shopping street.

Don't get too excited about the former Daisy & Tom store. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but according to the latest Manchester focus in Estates Gazette the owners, Town Centre Securities, have instructed the agents to target supermarkets as tenants. They are, apparently, in talks with... Tesco. And you can always rely on Tesco to lower the tone of a shopping street.

Well I for one welcome our new red and blue overlords. Many's the time I've been walking briskly down Deansgate when my momentum has carried me clean past the two Sainsburyses, causing me to miss out on countless overpriced generic grocery shopping experiences. Thankfully these hateful days will soon be at an end.

So there'll be two Sainsbury's and two Tesco's pretty much on Deansgate?

Wow! But, why? That is so pointless for the consumer.

So there'll be two Sainsbury's and two Tesco's pretty much on Deansgate?

Wow! But, why? That is so pointless for the consumer.

I know. Call me a snob, but I'd have thought a Waitrose at the very least there of all places

Counted atleast 10 empty stores in the Trafford centre on Friday. It's starting to look a bit tacky with all those empty stores.

How on earth do Peel expect to fill the Trafford Centre extension with home/furniture retailers if they can't fill the Trafford Centre on a regular/permanent basis?

Don't get too excited about the former Daisy & Tom store. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but according to the latest Manchester focus in Estates Gazette the owners, Town Centre Securities, have instructed the agents to target supermarkets as tenants. They are, apparently, in talks with... Tesco. And you can always rely on Tesco to lower the tone of a shopping street.

dont tesco and sainsburys have shops 150 metres away? sainsburys have 2 within not very far dont they. a waitrose or m&s simply food might work

Counted atleast 10 empty stores in the Trafford centre on Friday. It's starting to look a bit tacky with all those empty shops.

How on earth do Peel expect to fill the Trafford Centre extension will 'home/furniture retailers if they can't fill the Trafford Centre on a regular/permanent basis?

remember, now is a very bad time for retail. maybe they are hoping that things will turn out better in a few years

Counted atleast 10 empty stores in the Trafford centre on Friday. It's starting to look a bit tacky with all those empty stores.

How on earth do Peel expect to fill the Trafford Centre extension with home/furniture retailers if they can't fill the Trafford Centre on a regular/permanent basis?

you can add toyworld to that list of stores soon as that has gone into administration and will be closing soon

has fopp done anything with the music zone store yet as i would think they would refurb this store to there fascia

Carluccio’s opens this weekend ( Sunday 25th )

Boost Juice Bar should be opening within the next 3 - 4 weeks

Also am shocked over this store opening within the centre soon


Vivienne Westwood Standalone Accessories Store to open at The Trafford Centre

Hervia Ltd are bringing the first Vivienne Westwood standalone accessories store to the UK

Oscar Pinto-Hervia, Managing Director for Hervia Ltd says, “Vivienne Westwood accessories are growing in popularity every day and we want to be able to offer our existing customers and potential customers the most comprehensive range available. We feel the Trafford Centre is a perfect site for Vivienne's first accessories store as it already has a great retail mix and there are plans for more signings in the near future.”

Gordon McKinnon, Director of Operations at TheTrafford Centre: “We are delighted to welcome Vivienne Westwood to our line up at The Trafford Centre. This innovative and exciting new store will perfectly compliment the existing fashion mix for which The Trafford Centre has become so well known. “We have every confidence that Vivienne Westwood will be a great success here and will sit well alongside the other recent lettings and alongside our stunning new development the great Hall which opened to the public last week.”

If anybody can remember (and it's not that long ago) Mosley Street whilst Eagle Star House stood empty, the following should add to what really has been a transformation for the street.

The New-part of the RBS building, next to Cobbetts is being renovated on the ground floor to house retail units. The feel of this Street will have changed massively in just a couple of years. I'm all for this type of fairly simple property enhancement. It will really give Mosley Street that City Centre feel.

Photo festival at Downing Street

Calumet’s Manchester branch at Downing Street are set to celebrate a £250,000 store makeover with a week-long photo festival complete with special offers, exclusive seminars and an exhibition.

After ten months of planning and shop fitting the store officially reopens with its brand new-look on Tuesday 24 April. Branch manager Leon Britton explained: “We never actually closed the store during this refit. This meant some inconvenience for our customers, so now we have planned a big thank you for their patience.”

The store has doubled in size to 4,000 sq feet and now boasts state of the art seminar/studio/training and exhibition facilities, a comprehensive rental department, two cutting-edge digital bureaux and an area dedicated to social photography.

The Manchester makeover follows hot on the heels of an £80,000 refit in Fulham and less than eighteen months after a £400,000 refurbishment at the group’s flagship store in Drummond Street Street, London.

Calumet MD Joe Clark said: “It’s taken ten months to plan and build but we are sure our customers will think it’s been worth the wait. This branch is now poised to relaunch as the pre-eminent photo-retail outlet for professional photographers and serious photo-enthusiasts in the north of England.”

He added: “Downing Street will play host to one of Europe’s most advanced photo-retailing propositions with the compelling benefits of latest imaging products and services from all the major players in the industry, unrivalled one-to-one advice from expert sales staff plus the added bonus of world-class seminar and exhibition facilities.”

Photo-Festival agenda

Tuesday April 24 is the official launch. Around a dozen key vendors including Nikon, Canon, Leaf, Fuji, Hasselblad & Profoto and Spicer Hallfield will showcase latest products in-store ahead of the opening of renowned landscape photographer Charlie Waite’s popular Light &Land exhibition and celebration drinks (6pm -8pm)

Leading portrait photographer, lecturer and author Mark Cleghorn will give two seminars during the five day celebrations; Practical lighting for portraiture (April 25) and An introductory guide to Photoshop for speed and creativity (April 26).

He said: “This expansion by Calumet is a serious bonus for photographers in the north. The group has already built a commanding presence with its excellent seminar facilities in London – now the Manchester store is set to match them.”

Michele Channer, Calumet Marketing Director said: “On Friday 27 April and Saturday 28 April we are planning special offers on CCD cleaning and Tenba bags plus an exclusive printer and paper promotion. This is going to be a very big week for Calumet Manchester.”

Seminar places are limited. Tickets cost £75 (ex VAT) per day and are available from the Calumet Manchester branch.

SoleTrader in the Arndale is open and Work on Billabong next door is underway the boards have been expanded out so windows maybe going in. TKMaxx have put signs for a May opening.

Few new Arndale pictures taken 24/03/07 by myself.

Virgin
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Soletrader
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Nando's
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Druckers
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The newly refurbed Arndale is looking pretty good imo, the market area with the food stalls and such is a welcome addition too but it could do with being expanded, Manchester lacks a good big city centre market.

SoleTrader in the Arndale is open and Work on Billabong next door is underway the boards have been expanded out so windows maybe going in. TKMaxx have put signs for a May opening.

good to hear Billabong is finally getting worked on and not so long now for TK Maxx to open

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anyone who wants discount on some nice shoes or trainers, I work there weekends, you can pop in an ask...but you wont get any. :D

an no, that isn't me standing near the front

Cube is closing down in April. I guess with all these new shoe shops they can't survive. Shame I really like their selection. Peacocks have posters up looks like a big unit.

nice to see Burberry open was wondering how it was doing

it offically opens this Friday (30th)


Maybe I’m part of the WAG culture

Burberry’s Christopher Bailey talks to Lisa Armstrong about pickets and dinner with Posh

Burberry’s decision to open its first British flagship outside London in Manchester – the heartland of WAG culture – could be seen as a droll riposte to the critics who were so ready to sign its death warrant several years ago. Back then, you may recall, the looming threat to the country’s foremost luxury brand was its meteoric success and sudden ubiquity in Britain’s football grounds.

One particular photograph of Danniella Westbrook – she of the collapsed septum and out-of-control Burberry habit – head-to-toe in the label’s signature check provoked widespread predictions of the brand’s imminent demise, at which point Bailey and his then CEO Rosemary Bravo took two interesting decisions.

The first was to distance the label from what the press dubbed chavification, and fast. The second was to do it without ever commenting on the fact. “Everyone tried to get a quote on it [the Westbrook picture]” reveals Bailey, “but we genuinely didn’t feel like insulting someone. To me Burberry was never about being this niche brand for the super wealthy elite. It was always about rock stars and royalty and soldiers who wore the trench coats in the First World War”.

The never-explain, never-complain Gar-bo/Moss school of PR has been sorely tested in the past year. Just when 35-year-old Bailey might justifiably have been polishing his laurels after highly acclaimed collections and the launch of The Manor, Burberry’s first It bag, the closure of its polo shirt factory in South Wales was announced, resulting in 310 potential redundancies and last month’s international picketing of Burberry stores, with condemnation from, inter alia, Ben Elton, Emma Thompson and (oh, perfidy) Rachel Weisz, star of a previous Burberry campaign. To add insult to injury, Mohamed Al Fayed weighed in with a deal to rescue the factory. To rub several tonnes of salt into a festering sore, these were the same stores that antifur protesters smeared in blood last year to demonstrate against Burberry’s use of fur.

To paraphrase Lady Bracknell, who was, lest we forget, something of a connoisseur of handbags, closing a local factory is regret-table. Closing a local factory, using fur, then having the temerity to post record revenues, up by 10 per cent on the previous year’s £392 million, comes perilously close to carelessness.

One could counter, as Bailey does, that Burberry still owns three factories in the UK (for trench coats and coats), that less than 10 per cent of its product is made in Asia, that 80 per cent is manufactured in “Europe and the UK”, that all the Iconic luxury pieces (10 per cent of output) are made in the UK, that of the 4,877 Burberry employees worldwide 2,044 are in Britain, as are its headquarters, that it had identified “250 possible vacancies” for the redundant workers in South Wales . . .

Meanwhile on Friday it opens 3,200 square feet of prime retail space in Manchester, a declaration of faith in the provinces not always forthcoming from other brands. “So it’s slightly ridiculous to say we’re pulling out of Britain. The reason I was so proud to work for Burberry in the first place is that it’s a British company. We really fly the flag abroad, but for some reason we get all this flak at home.”

If Burberry appears to be on the receiving end of more stringent scrutiny here than other labels, perhaps it’s a compliment – proof of its national treasure status. While Bailey is clearly concerned that Burberry’s image has been damaged he’s smart enough to know that Britishness is a state of mind these days rather than a question of manufacturing geography, just as it is a statement of a certain kind of eclectic, effortless-looking style which, under his tenure, Burberry has come to embody.

He has become quite an expert on British style since arriving at Burberry from Gucci when he was just 29, six years ago. While other brands dealt in their different ways with the sudden gush of money in the early Noughties that made whole new demo-graphics stupendously rich (Tommy Hilfiger, scarred by its association with violent rappers, retrenched drastically), Bailey redefined what Burberry stood for, wooing the fashion press with a slightly haphazard but undeniably glamorous insouciance – the kind of thing guaranteed not to appeal to Westbrook and her crowd.

But fashion moves fast. By last autumn, the queen of the terraces, Victoria Beckham, was not only proudly carrying her Manor bag but having dinner with Bailey – a turn of events that, far more than the factory closure and the fur, disturbed the fashion pack (who adore him). Instead of celebrating a brand that united Britain’s tribes, there were reports that Bailey had been reprimanded by his bosses for fraternising with the enemy, a story he still finds amusing. “The idea that we would want to stop anyone wearing Burberry is so alien. Secondly, who are my boss-es? Angela Ahrendts [Rosemary Bravo’s successor] and I make the decisions. Thirdly, I genuinely like Victoria. She’s very funny.”

Doesn’t he ever look at some of the things celebrities wear and cringe? “Sure. Well maybe not cringe, but that’s a personal opinion.

When you’re running a publicly quoted company it’s a big responsibility. You can’t let personal taste get in the way.”

In any case, he thinks taste is changing. “What would have been considered vulgar maybe just a few years ago is now seen as quite cool. I’m not going to get into labels like WAG, because it’s derogatory, and maybe I’m part of that culture [for the record, the still boyish Bailey in his beautifully tailored but faintly dishevelled jacket-and-jeans uniform is about as flashy as Jane Eyre] because I came from a working-class background in Yorkshire and now I eat at the Wolseley – but in a way, it’s just another British tribe, which is great.”

In response to market demand for more luxury and the general direction that fashion is taking, Bailey has slicked up Burberry’s image, transmuting the romantic collegiate into a tougher biker girl. Hence the copious amounts of quilted leather. Hence the fur . . . perhaps it’s because Bailey is so likeable and thoughtful that his decision to use fur seems particularly problematic.

At least Burberry doesn’t source from China, where animals are skinned alive. “We only deal with suppliers who have all the right certificates. We had one situation where we manufactured something in Italy and discovered that they had bought fur that was not certified, and we removed the product from the stores. But no, I don’t have an problem with fur.”

We talk about how he wants to push the now famous advertising campaigns in a sexier direction; whether the size 0 ban in Milan (where Burberry shows) has helped issues (“No, although there are now channels you can go through if you think a girl is too thin, and I would go through them. In some ways it has been a useful debate, but I hate it when people rush to emotional reactions. Ultimately we all strive to be different. It’s how the human race evolves.”) and why Burberry has been singled out for so much stick recently.

“I guess it’s because as a nation we like an underdog, and Burberry isn’t perceived as an underdog any more. Still, it would be really sad if all the negative press had an impact on the business.”

I don’t think he need worry too much on that score. Now that he has mastered the art of the desirable, there is too much covetable Burberry product for people to stop buying. In six short years he has turned a small, staid slice of Olde England into one of Britain’s most recognisable brands globally, with homeware, skiwear (from September), watches, perfumes and the world’s most successful scarf range among its lines. “All” he has to do is keep producing.

The Burberry Manchester Store is at 2 Cathedral Street

ya the Peacocks store is a big unit next to costa so is pretty large aint it

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23621946@N00/437434159/

in this picture you can see the barricade around the Billabong store defiantly goes around alot more that what i thought seems to take one side on New Cannon Street Mall and the side where the original barricade was on in the Wintergardens

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an no, that isn't me standing near the front

but it IS you in the green top! :)

Expansion is on the menu for Piccolino chain

THE Manchester-based owners of the Piccolino and Restaurant Bar & Grill eaterie chains have earmarked more than 100 sites in an ambitious UK expansion plan.

Individual Restaurant Company, which was created by a reverse takeover of Bank Restaurant Group in December, is focusing on the Piccolino brand as it looks to build a national presence in affluent city centre and suburban locations.

Over the next few months, the group is to open Piccolino outlets in Manchester's West Didsbury and Sheffield, and a Bar & Grill venue in Liverpool. Chairman Robert Breare said Piccolino was proving a successful format, serving dishes with an average spend per head of £22.

IRC currently operates 24 outlets overall. The company is led by chief executive Steven Walker and Vernon Lord, the former finance director of vodka bars chain Inventive Leisure.

Results

Mr Walker, announcing results for the year to October 31, said the group's integration was on track and it was well set for progress.

Turnover rose 57 per cent, from £8.67m to £13.63m, while pre-tax losses increased from £150,000 to £3.52m. The figures only cover the trading of Bank and Zinc brands, since Piccolino and Restaurant Bar & Grill were acquired after the year-end.

Sales for the first 10 weeks of the year were up 25 per cent.

The shares ticked up 2p, or 1.3 per cent, to 153.5p, valuing the company at £54.25m.

In other developments, the group has cancelled plans for a Zinc branch in the Trafford Centre and has opened a centre for excellence in Manchester for food and beverage development and training.

STOP PRESS NEW ACCESSORIES STORE TO OPEN

The UK's first Vivienne Westwood Accessories Store will open in The Trafford Centre, Manchester on 26th April, 2007. This Store will stock the full range of Vivienne Westwood Accessories for Women and Men including, Handbags, Shoes, Jewellery, Sunglasses, Perfume, Small Leather Goods, Ties, Scarves and T-Shirts.

Hold the front page!

Small leather goods?

Is there a Mullberry shop in Manchester ?

ya there is the Offical Mulberry shop on King Street and Concessions in Harvery Nichols and House of Fraser

Good I'm coming up soon and I will need a bag.

Currently we have 13 Starbucks inside the inner ring road. Starbucks have signed up for number 14 at the new Nikal scheme Chapel St. This image was taken in the Television House establishment.

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Good I'm coming up soon and I will need a bag.

A man bag?

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I used to piss meself to that programme ,,, I'm free :rofl:

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No a ball bag.

Having a (cheesy) ball at Carluccio's

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/6690/carballshk5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Cheesy balls. Or hot and salty cheesy balls to be more accurate!

At the risk of this blog sounding like a South Park sketch I can honestly say I've had my fill of cheesy balls.

There were pesto ones, mozzerella ones, and spinach varieties of the spherical treats offered around in vast quantities as part of the stylish launch party for Carluccio's latest venture at the Trafford Centre.

An invited crowd quaffed prosecco, munched the most appetising appetisers seen around these parts for a long time and looked forward to eating top notch food in the previously unlikely setting of the mall of malls.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4070/carmanuu2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Much has already been reported on the gigantic chandelier and the lavish fittings but last night was all about the food – and the great man himself was there (pictured right) to see the proceedings get underway.

I was particularly impressed with the presentation of the finger food on offer. How about this beautifully simple way of serving up ham and breadsticks for example.

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/9213/carparmams6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Or this alternative to pineapple and cheese on sticks. A whole assortment of mozzerella, basil and sun-dried tomato served in a pizza inspired display.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9366/carpizzabo0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

There was also a mountain of Parmesan chunks with balsamic, the biggest tub of the biggest olives ever seen, not-too dainty helpings of beef and horseradish plus any amount of recipes involving cheese shaped into globes.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/6586/carmenuto7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

So after the munchies have been munched, what’s on offer for paying customers. Well first glance at the rather stylish menu reveals that it won’t break the bank.

There’s a selection of mouth-watering sounding salads from £3.95- £6.50, pasta at around £7 and main courses including Milanese chicken at £8.75 and sirloin steak at £12.95.

The selection is pretty traditional, with desserts leading off on tiramisu and the promise of Italian blended coffees.

So while we didn’t get the opportunity to sample the menu, last night’s launch party certainly whetted my appetite for a bit more shopping in the near future.

whathappenedlastnight.net

Out of the four new places that are planning to open in Manchester the most interesting is the Red Leopard. Part of the ‘Leopard’ chain from Leeds, it’s a bar-cum-club-cum-strip joint and they already have four venues....all in Leeds! Our fair city now has plenty of lapdancing bars (Obsessions, Long Legs, The Fantasy Bar and Boutique) but with the recent closure of T&A specialist Teasers there’s a small opening in the market. Me thinks the Gay Village isn’t the best location for it though....


109 Princess Street,
M1 6JB

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The Triangle is not my favourite but give me it anyday rather than the awful plastic Trafford Centre. In my opinion the Trafford Centre suits the older generations and the 20/30 something suburanites who require shopping and eating that requires little thought provided by the faceless bland chains of food and fashion retailers. I think it is a case of the followers using the Trafford Centre and the leaders using the City.:nuts:

The Triangle is not my favourite but give me it anyday rather than the awful plastic Trafford Centre. In my opinion the Trafford Centre suits the older generations and the 20/30 something suburanites who require shopping and eating that requires little thought provided by the faceless bland chains of food and fashion retailers. I think it is a case of the followers using the Trafford Centre and the leaders using the ****.:nuts:

I get so bored of people who slag off the Trafford Centre. If it is so shit, then why is it so successful? I'm a suburbanite who's in my 20's and if I go shopping then I'm just as likely to use the Trafford Centre as the **** as do all my mates. Both have their uses.

Neither the Trafford Centre nor the **** (like the Arndale or Triangle) are bad, but they are both different. The Trafford Centre is supposed to look more ostentacious than your average bog-standard shopping centre. And in my opinion, it does that very well. That's why the Trafford Centre is known all over the country and the media reports on it frequently (particularly around Christmas time). That's also why you see coach loads of people coming from places like ****shire to the Trafford Centre (although that's a bit sad in my opinion).

Places like the Arndale, nice though it is, can look sterile and bland in comparison. But again, it serves it's purpose well. But it could never command the attention or popularity that the Trafford Centre could. And certainly neither could the Triangle.

I wish that these architectural snobs who love nothing more than to knock the success of the Trafford Centre would get a reality check. Fortunately, not every ******** in life has to be a square box with glass panels from top to bottom. Life simply doesn't have to be that boring. The Trafford Centre has been an enormous success for Greater Manchester and Mancunians should appreciate the benefits it has brought to the ****.

^^

Indeed, without the trafford centre, we wouldn't have one of the largest retail and leisure destinations on our doorstep!

What with europes largest b&q, the soccerdome, playgolf, chill factor e and numerous hotels, i think as a catalyst for development, it's been a major success, with more to come with the coninued development of trafford quays!

Agreed.

It certainly deserves more credit than it gets. Infact, compared to most of the other out of town shopping centres(Meadow Hall, Metro Centre, Merryhill, etc) it's great.

It's over the top Las Vegas style silliness - and for that I applaud it!

I still think it's hellish.

But then I worked in Selfridge's one Christmas, so I would.

I've lived in Canada for over 30 years and gotten quite used to malls. the town I live in has had an indoor mall since 1968. It's small in Trafford Center terms but there are also many larger ones that compare to TC.
They make a lot of sense in Britain and N.America when inclement weather in winter can impede shopping, and of course in the hot humid summers of the Great Lakes basin they can be an air-conditioned oasis.
If they are designed well and have a plentiful and varied selection of stores they don't have to be as 'soulless' as some people are wont to claim.
Of the many scores of malls I've visited, The TC is one of the best and was always busy on the days when I was there.
The people in the Manchester area are so fortunate to have such a choice of shopping destinations, having an excellent downtown with all the top stores that also boasts the upgraded Arndale Center for the occasional rainy day.:)

I do believe though that one day, all malls will be physically connected in some form or another. It will probably happen first in N. America, as we have a 30 year head-start on the rest of the world. There will be tubes/tunnels linking the malls with various transportation modes that will probably include the people-mover conveyors you see at airports.
These mall-folk will have a permanent subterranean lifestyle and spend their entire lives migrating from mall to mall. They will be easy to spot by their ghostly palid complexions and will have their own dialect, a sort of mall-speak that will have commercial/retail jargon and involve lilting advertizing jingles with coded messages on sales and specials at the various stores.

I think I saw some of them at the TC last time I was there...

Jeez....I'm going to have to sack this BC skunk before long...

In Toronto and to a lesser extent, Montreal, there Malls are already linked by the underground networks in place in those cities. PATH in Toronto and whatever its called in Montreal.

Very clever idea.

It would be quite coopl is it were done here to some extent. Imagine a glass walkway from NEXT right across Exchange square into The Traingle or one from M&S to the Exchange chopping centre?

http://www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk/img_hr/manchestercorporationstreetfootbridge2.jpg

In Toronto and to a lesser extent, Montreal, there Malls are already linked by the underground networks in place in those cities. PATH in Toronto and whatever its called in Montreal.

Very clever idea.

It would be quite coopl is it were done here to some extent. Imagine a glass walkway from NEXT right across Exchange square into The Traingle or one from M&S to the Exchange chopping centre?

I've been in the Undergound City in Montreal, it's not really a shopping mall, just a series of small atrium like shopping malls connected to each other and to other public buildings/hotels/arenas/exhibition halls etc., by tunnels.

If you put a covered footbridge between Debenhams and the Arndale, Debenhams and Primark, Marks's and the Royal Exchange, Arndale and the Printworks, and the Printworks and Victoria Station/MEN you'd get a similar thing but "overground"

I've been in the Undergound City in Montreal, it's not really a shopping mall, just a series of small atrium like shopping malls connected to each other and to other public buildings/hotels/arenas/exhibition halls etc., by tunnels.

If you put a covered footbridge between Debenhams and the Arndale, Debenhams and Primark, Marks's and the Royal Exchange, Arndale and the Printworks, and the Printworks and Victoria Station/MEN you'd get a similar thing but "overground"

The montreal underground city is massive.

I used to live in Toronto, in the semi-suburbs. I had a 2 minute walk to the subway and then didn't have to setp outside again for a single second before getting to work. It was very handy at times.

To be fair though, these malls are not to sheild the rain, its the cold they protect you from. and manchester's bad weather isn't in the same leauge as either toront or especially montreal..

I don't think we're heading for cities if interconnected malls. Our cities are fundamentally different to most of those in north america. High streets are better anyway.

There are some nice high streets in Montreal, Blvd Saint Laurent, Rue St Denis especially and Rue St Catherine reminds me of an extra long Deansgate.

I was being a bit facetious with my 'connected malls' blurb. Yes I've been to the underground shops in Toronto and Montreal, but as Isaac said they are only small and a lot of them would be considered kiosks.
They were initially extensions of the subway/metro stations for the convenience of commuters and grew in proportion to the ridership.

The montreal underground city is massive.

I used to live in Toronto, in the semi-suburbs. I had a 2 minute walk to the subway and then didn't have to setp outside again for a single second before getting to work. It was very handy at times.

To be fair though, these malls are not to sheild the rain, its the cold they protect you from. and manchester's bad weather isn't in the same leauge as either toront or especially montreal..

I don't think we're heading for cities if interconnected malls. Our cities are fundamentally different to most of those in north america. High streets are better anyway.

They're too hot in the winter, you dress for minus 20 and end up having to take it all off once you step underground.

I was being a bit facetious with my 'connected malls' blurb. Yes I've been to the underground shops in Toronto and Montreal, but as Isaac said they are only small and a lot of them would be considered kiosks.
They were initially extensions of the subway/metro stations for the convenience of commuters and grew in proportion to the ridership.

Yeah the look of the T.O. PATH system is not too attractive. I preferred Montreal's.

The skyscrapers in Toronto house larger underground malls in their basments and these are interconnected with mall corridors, lined with shops. Presumably the new Trump tower will have its own basment mall too.

The connecting corridors are not unlike the shopping centre in Macc and other provincial town malls.

http://www.owenellis.co.uk/images/projects/retail.jpg

They're too hot in the winter, you dress for minus 20 and end up having to take it all off once you step underground.

:lol: yeah, like many of the shops.

The heating systems you get in the houses are amazing though, eh? (that was a canadian, 'eh'). I don't know how they work but heated air is blown through cavities between the floors and up through vents in the rooms. Its kind of like air con in shops but only hot. obviously.

http://www.ccdmd.qc.ca/Quebec/images/low/1444.jpg
Complex Desjardins. Street level is at the top of the escalator.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/Light.jpg

=

http://foodsci.wisc.edu/faculty/rankin/dairyfoods/images/cheddar_cheese.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/Light.jpg

=
http://www.postapoo.com/images/round-turd-big.jpg

Look, it has two eyes!!!

If you put a covered footbridge between Debenhams and the Arndale, Debenhams and Primark, Marks's and the Royal Exchange, Arndale and the Printworks, and the Printworks and Victoria Station/MEN you'd get a similar thing but "overground"


This post just stirred a long forgotten memory.

Probably going back about 3 years or thereabouts, Debenhams had just completed some sort of sale and leeseback deal on the Market Street store.

Now I'm not sure if this was only ever speculation, or if it was a real idea (presumably an idea that fell at the feasibility hurdle given the time elapsed). But as I recall the idea went something along the lines of - The Debenhams building is far bigger than the store needs it to be. Therefore Debenhams were going to vacate the basement and a fair chunk of the ground floor, moving sales space into the upper levels of the building. The newly reclaimed space at ground and basement level would by sub-divided into a number of smaller stores and let out to other retailers. Plans also included a footbridge linking the newly refurbished upper levels to the Arndale on the other side of High St.

Now I'm not for one moment suggesting that this is a real live current scheme, but does anybody else recall anything about it, was is real once or is it just a hallucination? Can't find anything about it on google.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/markydeedrop/Light.jpg

=
http://www.postapoo.com/images/round-turd-big.jpg

:ohno: So you seriously think that the top picture is shit? Are you serious? Please can you expand on this and describe exactly why you think it is shit? Is it the quality of the architecture? Is the whole thing to decodant for your tastes (even though that doesn't justify it being shit)? Or are you one of those people who hates shops or indeed any form of capitalism and you'd prefer everywhere to look run down and poor because it makes us 'unique'?

Given the enormous success of the 'Is the 20-storey Stockport tower shit?' thread ;) (which I will have to dig up again at some point), you might want to create some sort of 'Is the Trafford Centre shit' thread? Just to get the facts, you understand!

I like it, JRR. Its sparkly.

The chandelier, that is. Not the turd.

The turd is more glisteny.

So if you're stood at the bottom of those steps, what would be behind you? Is it just the main food court place; at the back of the TV screen?

Also, this walkway that will connect the new section they are building: It looks pretty long. Will there be a travellator? I hope they vegas it up too otherwise the trip between the two will be pretty dull.

I thought the council said ages ago that the Trafford Centre would not be extended due to its effect on city centre shopping. What happened with that?

I'm pleased it is though. Its a genuine tourist attraction and we are in need of as many of those as we can get.

So you seriously think that the top picture is shit? Are you serious? Please can you expand on this and describe exactly why you think it is shit? Is it the quality of the architecture? Is the whole thing to decodant for your tastes (even though that doesn't justify it being shit)? Or are you one of those people who hates shops or indeed any form of capitalism and you'd prefer everywhere to look run down and poor because it makes us 'unique'?

Given the enormous success of the 'Is the 20-storey Stockport tower shit?' thread (which I will have to dig up again at some point), you might want to create some sort of 'Is the Trafford Centre shit' thread? Just to get the facts, you understand!

It looks cheap, tacky and over the top! But then thats the Trafford center for ya. I hate it!

It's a shopping mall ferfuxake! They're fucking supposed to be kitsch.

I don't think I know of any that aren't.

There's nowt wrong with the TC as malls go.

Personally (tho' I'm not big on shopping) I prefer the 'downtown' shopping experience.

I read the TC pulls in around 25 million mall-people per annum so they must have got summat right.

I doubt any of them are into 'architecture'....

This post just stirred a long forgotten memory.

Probably going back about 3 years or thereabouts, Debenhams had just completed some sort of sale and leeseback deal on the Market Street store.

Now I'm not sure if this was only ever speculation, or if it was a real idea (presumably an idea that fell at the feasibility hurdle given the time elapsed). But as I recall the idea went something along the lines of - The Debenhams building is far bigger than the store needs it to be. Therefore Debenhams were going to vacate the basement and a fair chunk of the ground floor, moving sales space into the upper levels of the building. The newly reclaimed space at ground and basement level would by sub-divided into a number of smaller stores and let out to other retailers. Plans also included a footbridge linking the newly refurbished upper levels to the Arndale on the other side of High St.

Now I'm not for one moment suggesting that this is a real live current scheme, but does anybody else recall anything about it, was is real once or is it just a hallucination? Can't find anything about it on google.

I remember this well. Perhaps with Debenhams' plans not being realised explains why the High St / Market St corner of the Arndale has never been redeveloped. Hopefully it is still on the cards.

From 2003. Obviously Debenhams have fared much better than they expected given the triple whammy of Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Next opening department stores around Exchange Square.


New look for Debenhams?

9/12/2003


THE long-awaited redevelopment of Debenham's Manchester store has moved a step closer.

Property giant British Land is close to buying 26 Debenhams stores in the UK - including the 44,130- sq m Market Street store.

The £450m sale and lease-back deal could open the way to redevelopment of the building, only part of which is in use by Debenhams as sales space. Several floors are unused.

Today the Debenhams store is owned by a retail consortium, Baroness Retail, which recently took control of the business for £1.7bn. The well-known retail chain is expected to leave the stock market.

Redevelopment of the Debenhams site has been under consideration since the 1996 terrorist bomb which destroyed much of central Manchester. Schemes which link it to the Arndale centre have been considered.

Analysts say that the Manchester outlet of Debenhams needs to improve its image in the face of stiff competition from rival department stores at the western end of Market Street.

The heritage nazis (ie. me) would have alot to say about any bridge idea on a Grade II listed building.

So you seriously think that the top picture is shit?
The picture or the subject matter?

Are you serious?
Rarely

Please can you expand on this and describe exactly why you think it is shit?
Do i really have to?

Is it the quality of the architecture?
Quality? Architecture? I see neither

Is the whole thing to decodant for your tastes (even though that doesn't justify it being shit)?
I have no idea what that means.

Or are you one of those people who hates shops or indeed any form of capitalism and you'd prefer everywhere to look run down and poor because it makes us 'unique'?
Yeah - all that.

Given the enormous success of the 'Is the 20-storey Stockport tower shit?' thread ;) (which I will have to dig up again at some point), you might want to create some sort of 'Is the Trafford Centre shit' thread? Just to get the facts, you understand!
Feel free to start that thread - ive already started one thread for you and it was a great success so knock yourself out!

Billabong has had the walls removed to expose the huge windows. The closed Sunglasses Hut near Currys has now been removed just leaving a patch where the floor needs to be done. Sunglasses hut was advertising recently so maybe they are comming back in a shop unit.

does the glass on the billabong unit wrap around so it face the nandos side and the apple side i would imagine they will put a mezzanine in here as it is a huge space hasnt taken them long to sort it out which is good i would think maybe sunglasses hut would go in one of the small units near bhs as i think the stall didnt work out the way the arndale were hoping

has any work started on the new city centre co op underneath there HQ and also does anyone know what Primark are going to do the space where T.K Maxx is once there gone as surely the manchester store should be undergoing a refubishment soon to come in line with the new look that they have so maybe they will use T.K Maxx's space for themselves to make the store bigger

does the glass on the billabong unit wrap around so it face the nandos side and the apple side i would imagine they will put a mezzanine in here as it is a huge space hasnt taken them long to sort it out which is good i would think maybe sunglasses hut would go in one of the small units near bhs as i think the stall didnt work out the way the arndale were hoping

The Nandos side is still covered over but looking in from the front you can see the glass go around the corner. I think it does have a mezzanine from what I remember the posts to it are covered over with a finish that makes it look like stones/pebbles are covering the metal framework.
The sunglasses hut has been their for years it was the last of the kiosks to be removed the other used to to sell the lottery one was where The Works bookshop is and others were in the old part of Arndale which was demolished. They seem to favor temporary stands such as the calender one the SKY TV one and Barclays.
I really wish they would add more benches 3 in the whole centre is just not enough.

has any work started on the new city centre co op underneath there HQ and also does anyone know what Primark are going to do the space where T.K Maxx is once there gone as surely the Manchester store should be undergoing a refurbishment soon to come in line with the new look that they have so maybe they will use T.K Maxx's space for themselves to make the store bigger

The work on the co-op looks to have started on the right side next to the Printworks entrance. I think it will have a separate entrance so they can open it later than the other side.
I went in Boots in the Arndale and noticed upstairs they really have too much room. They have removed most of the electrical's they added after the dentist was removed, the floor now looks sparse I can see them closing some of it off at some point as they really don't have the product range to fill such a large store.
Primark most likely will not expand at the moment. That store is their biggest so it already has a full range of goods. They did expand it a couple of years ago removing the second floor storeroom which used to divide the floor in half, they did this when they added more home-wares and shoes and underwear. If they expand the home-wears more i can see that moving downstairs to the old TKMaxx unit but they will split the floor so they don't have fill they whole store at once.

Where do Primark keep stock at the moment?

You may recall plans to convert upper floors of this building into office space.

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?keyval=IVWOL8BCW1000&searchtype=PROPERTY&module=P3

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/1964/lewissap6.jpg

Could having TJ Maxx vacate the basement allow more room juggle things about a bit to facilitate/enlarge the new offices?

ya is the office scheme still happening as if it is it would be the perfect time for a refurbisment to happen seeing as manchester is one of the biggest stores in the companys portfolio along with there new london oxford street flagship store

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/CarlucciosTraffordCentre.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/TraffordCentreOrientFoodCourt.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/TraffordCentreTrumpetPlayer.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/TraffordCentreDebenhamsVenue.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/TraffordCentreDome.jpg

thanks for the pics markydeedrop they have been great of late loving the look of the carluccios

If it wasnt for the Loser Quest sign i could have sworn this was St Peters Basilica!

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/TraffordCentreDome.jpg

............probably!

If it wasnt for the Loser Quest sign i could have sworn this was St Peters Basilica!

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/TraffordCentreDome.jpg

............probably!
Stations of the Cross at the TC

Make of that what you will. I'm sure there are a lot blasphemous types waiting in the wings with hilarious (shopping-related) captions.

I can't bring meself to do it for some reason....

Qube in the arndale is closing down this weekend after a closing down sale

Qube in the arndale is closing down this weekend after a closing down sale

Its a super expensive location that and probably needs somone more established.

Greggs? :)

Its a super expensive location that and probably needs somone more established.

Greggs? :)

Well it got to be a prestigious name to rank alongside BHS, Aldi, TK Max and Tesco. My money is on Matalan or Eisenegger.

On a side (and less sarcy) note, I'm glad Esprit are opening on Market Street - will provide decent competition to H&M.

Its a super expensive location that and probably needs somone more established.

Greggs? :)

i doubt a greggs will open there as there is a greggs right next door to the unit, its only a small unit but i think a good tennant will come along for it, and good point Bearded Genius Esprit will defianlty be good competiion for H&M and Esprit will be a fairly large unit aswell which is always good

Its a super expensive location that and probably needs somone more established.

Greggs? :)

i can see that happening as they already have an outlet 5 metres away
or maybe a starbucks

Vivienne Westwood Accessories opening soon

As the leading UK retailer for Vivienne Westwood, Hervia Ltd are bringing the first Vivienne Westwood standalone accessories store to the UK. This decadent, treasure trove of a store will open on 26 April 2007 on Lower Peel Avenue (near John Lewis) at the North West’s premiere shopping destination, The Trafford Centre.

Acclaimed as one of the world’s most influential and innovative fashion designers, Vivienne Westwood has created some of fashion’s most memorable moments and the Spring/Summer 07 accessories ranges for Men and Women are no exception. Shoes, handbags, jewellery, sunglasses, perfume, small leather goods and t-shirts will compliment each other at this highly original store. This will be a must see store for any dedicated Westwood fan but will also a great introduction for people who may not be as familiar with the brand.

Oscar Pinto-Hervia, Managing Director for Hervia Ltd says, “Vivienne Westwood accessories are growing in popularity every day and we want to be able to offer our existing customers and potential customers the most comprehensive range available. We feel the Trafford Centre is a perfect site for Vivienne’s first accessories store as it already has a great retail mix and there are plans for more signings in the near future.”

Says Gordon McKinnon, Director of Operations at TheTrafford Centre: “We are delighted to welcome Vivienne Westwood to our line up at The Trafford Centre. This innovative and exciting new store will perfectly compliment the existing fashion mix for which The Trafford Centre has become so well known.

“We have every confidence that Vivienne Westwood will be a great success here and will sit well alongside the other recent lettings and alongside our stunning new development The Great Hall which is now open.”

a bit shocked at it being in Peel Avenue would have thought Regents Cresent would have been better location for such a luxury brand, it sounds like it will be in the old Next unit right next to John Lewis as that has recently been vacated and it is a fairly large unit as also on the site it has the store being named at :-

Vivienne Westwood AccessoriesFashion Accessories
1 Lower Peel Avenue
New store opens soon

Vivienne Westwood wedged in between Currys, a toyshop and that shop selling Brian Potter Motorised wheelchairs.
Classy!
Gotta love Dumplington precinct for its lack of heirachy!

Billabong is open in the Arndale. Some good stuff but very pricey. I usually buy most of my clothes in the States as the same stuff can be almost half the price.

Finally after months of a hoardings it only takes them about 3 weeks to fit it out and open the bloody thing, i think it will be a good retailer for that area in the centre

Some retail, but thrown a few bars and restaurants in for good measure.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/AllSaintsBackEntranceManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/BartonArcadeManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/BridgeStreetManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/CaffeNeroCrossStreetManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/CaffeNeroTheTriangleManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/CaffeNeroTibLaneManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/EarthCafeNorthernQuarterManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/GapManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/FCUKStAnnesSquareManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/JohnDaltonStreetDevelopment.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/KatsourisDeliManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/KingStreetManchesterHermes.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/KingStreetManchester2.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/KingfisherFishChipsManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/LouisVuittonManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/LusoRestaurantManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/MujiManchesterReflection.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/NorthernQuarterUmbrellasManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/PanaceaRestaurantManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/PizzaHutCrossStManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/StAnnsPassageManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/PestoRestaurantManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/ThomassChopHouseManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/VoxPopMusicNorthernQuarterMancheste.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/TownHallTavernManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/TownHallTavernManchester2.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/TheCrownandAnchorManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/OldhamStreetManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/RoyalExchangeArcadeManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/RoyalExchangeStarbucks.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/StAnnsHabitatManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/SelfridgesManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/MujiManchesterReflection.jpg

Quality. You ain't half got a great eye for a photograph lad.

Ever get the feeling you are being watched?

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/VoxPopMusicNorthernQuarterMancheste.jpg

^^ I know her! The one with the glasses on.
Small world eh?

Dome promises Deansgate revamp

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4718/greatnorthern1hq9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

THE long-awaited revamp of Deansgate's Great Northern leisure complex is underway.

The Grade 2 listed mixed-use complex on the corner of Peter Street and Deansgate was purchased by operator X-Leisure in September 2005. X-Leisure is run by former Millennium Dome boss P-Y Gerbeau.

X-Leisure has appointed the Manchester office of building and project consultants, CNP, to undertake various renovation works, as well as advising X-Leisure on planned maintenance issues and future modifications in order to accommodate new lettings.

Transform

Julie James from X-Leisure said: "We are aiming to transform this historic development into one of Manchester's leading leisure destinations."

CNP will also provide ad hoc building surveying services in respect of the general asset management of the mixed-use complex.

CNP director and head of the Manchester office, Martin Willis, said: "We are very happy to be undertaking this renovation project on behalf of X-Leisure, which will improve one of Manchester's most exciting and up-and-coming leisure destinations.

"The appointment comes on the back of massive growth for CNP in the past year, which has included a move to new offices in central Manchester, hiring another four employees and taking on over £500,000 worth of new business."

Sounds good

Sams Chop House are branching out they will be opening in Leeds in June, its good to know a manchester restarunat is going from strength to strength

the stone colums and cladding are now being put into place at the front of Barton Square at the Trafford Centre

Sams Chop House are branching out they will be opening in Leeds in June, its good to know a manchester restarunat is going from strength to strength

Another one! So many good Manchester based independent restaurant groups have expanded into Leeds. I don't recall the favour having been returned very often (if at all!)

Sams
Tampopo
The Restaurant Bar and Grill
Velvet
Dimitri's
La Tasca (well okay)
Living Room
Piccolinos
Fab Cafe
Heathcotes
Revolution... any more?

Maybe we are that bit more entrepreneurial over here, or maybe they like to hang onto their independent brands over there, turning the tide of homogenisation.

The H&M on market street will begin a major refurbishment in about 5 weeks time. this will improve the layout of the shop and give it a more contempoary, less boring feel

Another one! So many good Manchester based independent restaurant groups have expanded into Leeds. I don't recall the favour having been returned very often (if at all!)

Shame we dont keep them to ourselves, and just start new ones elsewhere!

Wasnt Room (Kings St) in Leeds first?

mojo came from Leeds too I think

Another one! So many good Manchester based independent restaurant groups have expanded into Leeds. .. any more?

harry ramsdens!

harry ramsdens!

Is that the Blackpool based Harry Ramsdens or is it another one! :ohno:

Laura Ashley are going to be opening 2 new stores in Manchester, one at Manchester Fort (or Cheetham Hill Retail park as it is referred to) and another near White City Retail Park they are advertising for jobs now

For you Flange.

'Space Matters'

We're talking another Arndale size proposal here. Leeds has a similar scheme in the pipeline. The Victoria station redevelopment would be an ideal site, unfortunately it isn't big enough. Central Spine would also do, but it's to far from the current retail core. Apart from those two area's, I can't think of another location in the city centre that could accommodate that size of retail development.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/7.jpg

Oh good!
A Tesco in Daisy and Tom.
Hoo-fucking-rah!

Oh good!
A Tesco in Daisy and Tom.
Hoo-fucking-rah!

Shush! Are you trying to get us all arrested?

You know we love Tesco and they could never do any wrong. I think this store will be a fine addition to Deansgate, and will tie the whole city centre together. Now I won't have worry about finding somewhere to buy parsnips as I walk from Piccadilly to Market Street to Deansgate to Quay Street.

And of course, the rumours that workers at Tesco Express stores earn little more than minimum wage are unfounded...

For you Flange.

'Space Matters'

We're talking another Arndale size proposal here. Leeds has a similar scheme in the pipeline. The Victoria station redevelopment would be an ideal site, unfortunately it isn't big enough. Central Spine would also do, but it's to far from the current retail core. Apart from those two area's, I can't think of another location in the city centre that could accommodate that size of retail development.

How about a Michigan Avenue style vertical mall on the Ramada site?

I think Water Tower Place has about 3/4m sq ft of retail space over 8 floors. If you could find a decent anchor tenant I see no reason this concept shouldn't work on Deansgate. Hotel and residential above too, perfect.

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Images/NearNorthSide/WatertowerPlace-001.jpg

http://www.chriswaltrip.com/photo/vertmall.jpg

According to the latest Drapers Record, the American outfitters Brooks Brothers are to open a store in Manchester next year

Th Co-Op supermarket will be very successful. It'll serve the Green Qaurter, Ludgate Hill, Northen Quarter and Ancoats. The likes of the GQ desperately needs this.

Those vertical malls are crap. They don't work. They look interesting but split the footfall and the floors seriously limit the your vantage points for scouring shop fronts.

Each floor is terribly uninviting. The shops have the precisely the time it takes for you to arrive at the top of one escalator and take a single glance around before you arrive at the bottom of the next, to entice you into a circuit of the floor - thats about 3 seconds.

The only time they will ever work is if the shops are high class and aimed experienced, comfortable shoppers i.e. WAGS.

Its like the Triangle; it looks nice but its crap and it always looks dead.

Build a new retail centre on Piccadilly Gardens, a great opportunity to finally sort it out!

I think I read Tesco want to stick a store somewhere at the bottom of Rochdale Rd to serve Green Qtr and the new developments around that area. Now if I remember back a few years I am sure they own the site across from Collyhurst Police Station that is being used at a £3 all day carpark. Longford do you know anything about this?

...

Those vertical malls are crap.

...

Ditto. I've been in one in New York (I think it was near Times or Herald Square), and a good chunk of it had been already converted to non-retail uses. If you can imagine the massive footfall the area must have, and yet it still failed.

(PS: Though I did find some great cheap clothes shops in there, but I doubt anybody here is much interested.)

There's one in Oslo. ok, its only about five stories but i imagine it gives a similar feel.

My experience was one of...'this feel like the old arndale, but harder to navigate and easier for scroats to reside in'.

not for us.

Interesting article that, particularly the 'Space Matters' column. 900,000 sq ft non-food retail space in the city centre is a hell of a lot and an exciting prospect. The retail core is already expanding into Spinningfields but I feel this sort of development is probably a whole new shopping core in itself. The existing retail core already feels overcrowded and unable to cope with the sheer volume of people that come use the city centre - particularly of a weekend.

Central Spine or Greengate would appear to be the obvious locations for a new city centre shopping district built around streets and squares rather than a new mall - which as a form of development I am assuming is a non starter.

This sort of development would also probably mean a wholesale reorganisation of city centre public transport provision which would surely have to move away from a singular, huge bus terminus at Piccadilly to a series of smaller interchanges dotted around the city centre to cope with a much larger, multi-polar city centre.

...a new mall - which as a form of development I am assuming is a non starter.

...

I don't know if that's a fair assumption. Undoubtedly, if an area already had a street layout and considerable 'urban fabric', to tear it down and to replace it with a mall would be considered vandalistic. This was thoughtlessly done in the past, and we rightly condemn it now.

But what if the area is a true blank canvas? Many out of town shopping centres have been built on sites where nothing (of value) was formerly present, and where there was no 'neighbourhood' to connect with. The result is places like The Trafford Centre and Meadowhall in Sheffield. Architecturally they may be worthless, but as machines for shopping in, they're perfect. The problems with them lie in that they cause increased car usage, and can damage existing shopping centres (typically town centres).

But I don't think we should let these two criticisms stop us from building new malls. If you were to propose a mall in Manchester city centre (which already has good public transport links), and it wasn't to damage existing buildings or ignore the current layout / use of the town (which The Arndale does both), I don't see anything against it. You only have to go to the Victoria Quarter in Leeds to see a very good quality mall which fulfills all the criteria. Admittedly it is old, but there's no reason why a new version couldn't be equally as good.

I don't think I want malls everywhere and the entire city centre to be overgrown with them, but I don't think it's a non-starter. I like malls, sometimes.

The only time in my life I ever liked malls was in Hong Kong, because as they're massive, airconditioned and all ran into one another you could use them as a way of escaping the humidity/pollution on the streets.

And maybe I'm misreading the article, but it says that Manchester will need 900,000 sq feet of retail space over the medium term and to focus on a London-like multicentric retail model. That doesn't mean 1 900,000 sq foot development, so much as several much smaller ones. This might include small mall/arcade style developments, but nothing arndale sized (praise be).

So you might get more shops around Spinningfields/Salford Central, and maybe more around Oxford Road/Central Spine, but no great temple of mammon dropped on the gardens.

On a slightly related note, does anyone know where I can get some infomation/pictures about/of the proposals to redevelop the city centre/arndale area after the bomb that weren't implemented, ones that were possibly more adventurous/involved knocking the fucking think down.

...does anyone know where I can get some infomation/pictures about/of the proposals to redevelop the city centre/arndale area after the bomb that weren't implemented, ones that were possibly more adventurous/involved knocking the fucking think down.

i dont think that was ever an option... regeneration and repair was the theme ... not replacement....

Vivienne Westwood hits the Trafford Centre

THIS year it seems the Trafford Centre is really upping its game. Already home to a successful and wonderfully spacious Selfridges, I hear more great (largely designer) things are planned for 2007 – including the UK's first stand alone Vivienne Westwood Accessories store.

Like its clothing counterpart in the city centre (on King Street), the accessories store will is set to be a decadent treasure trove of luxurious, louche, Brit-inspired goodies from the inimitable Westwood stable.

It's a mark of the spending power of Manchester's designer-orientated shoppers.

Hervia, the leading retailer for Vivienne Westwood, are hoping the store will please hardcore fans of the brand as well as offering some great little introductions for those less familiar with it.

“Vivienne's men's and ladies' accessories are very popular in our Liverpool and Manchester stores,” explains Richard Duncalf, chairman of Hervia Ltd.

“We felt we could give the range more space and dedicate a whole unit to this sector of the business. We also wanted to offer the people that perhaps don't come into the city centre the opportunity to buy Westwood.”

Expanding

Historically, Vivienne Westwood is a brand that has limited its distribution so as to hold onto its 'exclusive' reputationand vibe.

But now and then there comes a time when every business must expand.

And it's not just a case of the floor space growing – the range is multiplying, too – slowly, with carefully created pieces, of course, but multiplying nonetheless.

As well as the bestselling ORB jewellery, Vivienne Westwood now stocks shoes, swimwear, belts, handbags, sunglasses, socks, T-shirts, perfumes and even umbrellas.

Spring/summer chez Vivienne means more of her famous ruches and frills; cropped formality versus asymmetric casual.

To complement the clothes, or add a special touch to plainer outfits, accessories are sturdy yet playful.

We like the high multi-buckled Pirate boots (£355) and the umbrellas (from £85) – sure to cheer up those April showers – as well as the super-cute silvery Pandora evening bag (£260) and classic costume jewellery like the Bas Relief Choker 3-Row Pearl (£325) and the Mini Bas earrings (£65) – little silver-plated studs which prove that while Westwood is a brand that prides itself on being contained and exclusive, it's also pretty affordable and, equally importantly, wearable.

The new accessories store opens this Thursday – and with a sneak preview I can reveal it's small but beautifully formed in Vivienne's trademark stately style (expect lots of wood, plaster and chintz – think the antithesis of IKEA).

And watch this space for more news on the Trafford Centre's imminent designer upgrading…

Why the Trafford Centre...

“We chose the Trafford Centre as we were impressed with the plans and developments they have in hand for the ground level, where we are based,” Richard says.

“Selfridges is obviously a fabulous store that brings a lot to the centre and I think John Lewis is a great asset and also brings that end of the Trafford Centre alive.

"I believe they have some exciting new recent signings that will raise the retail profile even more.”


Vivienne Westwood Accessories, Lower Peel Avenue, The Trafford Centre (0161 747 70470


Sounds like there could be quite a fair bit more activity then we think going on in the Trafford Centre lets hope the 'new recent signing' and the 'plans' and 'developments' for the ground floor are as good as they are saying

Muji is closing it's Triangle store. The Trafford Centre store closed a few years ago.

ya Muji closed in Trafford Centre a few years ao but are in Selfridges Trafford Centre so there will still be a Muji in Manchester somewhere

Bratz in the Arndale has closed down. My bets are on Fossel or Animal being the next to closed down in the new area.

not really suprised over Bratz i mean who want designer childrens wear you may be right over Fossil or Animal but they are quite popular brand i think Parchment might be a possible one but not sure how well it does in custom really

Forgot to add that Ilva had halted all expansion plans. Expect to see that company go bust at some point.

ya they halted there expansion plans about amonth ago they planned on opening 10 or 20 stores within so many year they only have 3 and is not really suprisinng had a look on there website there stuff is just so expensive i would rather just go Habitat or Ikea they both have easy to get to stores within the north west

This is all rather bad news in the last page, what with all the shops closing. I assume this is not just a Manchester thing?

I wonder if there's too many shops, or not enough spending?

Am surprised about Muji. Would have thought Manchester would have been a strong market for it. Does anyone know if it's relocating within the city at all?

This is all rather bad news in the last page, what with all the shops closing. I assume this is not just a Manchester thing?

I wonder if there's too many shops, or not enough spending?

i doubt it a manchester thing retail has has a bad few months over christmas and the start of the year some retailers are alright, like M&S, Primark, John Lewis etc but other are just not making enough money to keep there leases so that is obivously why they close down the lesser perfoming stores so pretty much not enough spending really

Am surprised about Muji. Would have thought Manchester would have been a strong market for it. Does anyone know if it's relocating within the city at all?

dont know if they are relocating but if they were i would think King Street or the new Royal Exchange as these places could maybe give them a even bigger shop to what they already have

Anyone know if Calumet next to the MacDonald Hotel opened today as planned after there 10 month refurbisment

I think a contributing factor could be the Triangle shopping centre itself. Its a great building in a perfect location but its been mutilated by successive owners with ill thought through refurbishment schemes inappropriate to the building. That incongrous metal structure that they've stuck inside does not sit well in the fabric of the building but to let it to the ubiquitous Caffe Nero coffee chain rather than an operation whose product and style would suit such a strucutre speaks volumes for the ineptitude with which the landlord has dealt with the centre.

The Traingle (corn exchange) desperately needs to have a more refined, pared back interior - I think its target market of youth brands is sound - they just need to get the interior layout and aesthetics right. I also think they would do themselves a huge favour by removing the BBC screen from the front which I see as a disincentive to enter the centre. There is something of an uncomfortable feeling crossing Exchange Square to get to The Triangle infront of dozens of pairs of eyes gazing (engaged or not) towards the screen, like getting up out of your seat at the cinema mid film!

I also think they would do themselves a huge favour by removing the BBC screen from the front which I see as a disincentive to enter the centre.

Good observation that, Sleepy. Now you've pointed it out I can see it having a significant impact.

I still think its main failures are based on those I mentioned elsewhere about vertical malls - the central stairwell of escalators and the general lack of thoroughfare through the pedestrian pathways.

I think the main failure at The Triangle is that its shit.

Suburb: an update on the closure

Jonathan Schofield hopes it isn't RIP for a coffee shop classic

Bloody hell, this is bad news. Just about the best coffee shop in town, Suburb on Deansgate, has closed. But the latest news from Confidential's ear to the ground is that it's all tied into problems over rent increases with the owners of the site. So whilst the Manchester flagship site is presently closed the branch site in London is still trading. If the difficulties can get sorted, and they don't appear insurmountable, Suburb may re-open later this week. Certainly business at the time of the crisis was extremely healthy.

So at present the shutters remain down and as, some keen-eyed readers spotted, so does a Notice of Forfeiture on the window.

Suburb opened in 2005 and instantly knocked every other coffee bar in the Deansgate area into a cocked hat. Beautifully designed, with big flavoured, power-punch coffee, it featured local artists, music and effortless style throughout. The basement area was pure Lower East Side, Manhattan, which is exactly what the management had aimed for. Progressive in everything it did it was the perfect antidote to the Starbucks and Costas of the world. Not that there's anything wrong as such with the chains, just that the individuality of Suburb gave it a charm and attraction which made at least one weekly pilgrimage very necessary.

Suburb struck a blow against Manchester, especially in its central core, being a clone city. Landlords should be aware of the bigger issues occasionally, rather than just going for the highest rent available in any given area. They should use outlets such as Suburb to promote themselves and their properties so they can get good tenants in. Cloud-cuckoo land perhaps, hopelessly romantic definitely, but when an operator as good as Suburb disappears it damages - albeit it in a small way - the image and profile of the city. Deansgate is in danger of turning into an outdoor version of a Trafford Centre mall: samey and utterly dull.

Let's hope we can be back enjoying the coffee, the art, the music and the papers at Suburb very soon.

a great coffee shop defiantly better then having a Starbucks or Caffe Nero on every corner lets hope it reopens within the week as the report says

a great coffee shop defiantly better then having a Starbucks or Caffe Nero on every corner lets hope it reopens within the week as the report says

What was the name of the other coffe shop that opened a few doors down in the old lighting shop? That lasted a few weeks and then closed down. The death of lighting shops is somewhat disturbing as I can never find a fucking shop that sells a selection of lightbulbs as I have a few lamps that need non standard bulbs. I see the lighting shop that was on deansgate and is now a Nero that moved across from the Arndale market now has a to let sign stuck in the window! Fucking typical whats the betting we se Starbucks first Northern Qtr shop at that site.

Fruits And Passion are now advertising for jobs at there new store opening in the Arndale

Manager and Trainee Manager

Store Fruits and Passion

We are currently seeking two dynamic, result-oriented individuals, with proven track records of successful retail management and sales growth to manage our first location, in the new Manchester Arndale.

What was the name of the other coffe shop that opened a few doors down in the old lighting shop? That lasted a few weeks and then closed down. The death of lighting shops is somewhat disturbing as I can never find a fucking shop that sells a selection of lightbulbs as I have a few lamps that need non standard bulbs. I see the lighting shop that was on deansgate and is now a Nero that moved across from the Arndale market now has a to let sign stuck in the window! Fucking typical whats the betting we se Starbucks first Northern Qtr shop at that site.

You wanna get to the little electrical shop on Tib Street - Bulb -tastic.

in what seems to be a common subject in this page of late more closure in the arndale

it looks like Just Pink has closed the lights were off and shutters down not surprised over this store really, also has been closed for a while now Stationary Box and Streetwise Sports is still having its closing down sale

on a slightly more positive note

all thing with new TK Maxx store seems to be going great had a sneaky look through an open door today on market street and all the interior seems finished just need the stock it looks like and the shopfront looks done the entrance is just like Aldi except instead of going up some stair you go down some stairs. Looks like it will get a mid May opening i think

the new Esprit store seems to be coming along aswell seems a very long and narrow store though is just all wires and no interior or shopfront done there yet.

a new hoarding has gone up around the old gadget shop unit no notification of who it may be yet as it is just bare but i have a feeling it could be Fruit & Passion that location i think would suit them perfect.
http://www.fruits-passion.com/

Is the new TK Maxx in replacement or in addition to their store above Primark?

ya it will be replacing there store underneath Primark they advertise on the hoarding to go to Lewis Building Basement (Primark) for CV's and stuff but they also say that this is there New Manchester City Centre Store but there store underneath Primark is still open until they move in May.

in what seems to be a common subject in this page of late more closure in the arndale

it looks like Just Pink has closed the lights were off and shutters down not surprised over this store really, also has been closed for a while now Stationary Box and Streetwise Sports is still having its closing down sale


Stationary Box went bust and some stores were bought by Partners but they have a shop above so didn't take this one. Shame as it wasn't open long.

Streetwise Sports has been bought out by sportsworld who have the sports direct shop. They sold off all the old stock and got ready to close the store with just the downstairs open now they have opened it all back up and stocked it with sports world stock. They have been in trouble before for having closing down sales when they weren't closing down and just mearly changing the name of the store (they have been called Donney, Sports World, Sports Soccer and SportsDirect.com) at least with this store they will close doan at some point so they can get away with it.

Stationary Box is owned by the same company that own Partners and Ryman as they bought them last year just that Stationary Box after a few new store opening and stock not selling they went bust as you said, so a Ryman could open in it or Partners could relocate to it as it is a bigger store or they could just relet it

Vivenne Westwood Accessories opened yesterday in the old Adams Kids unit on the ground floor Peel Avenue just next to Boots

Dundrum wins top ICSC award

Dundrum Town Centre, Crossridge's 90,000-sq m development 5km south of Dublin city centre scooped the ICSC award for the best new centre in the very large category at the awards ceremony in Warsaw last night.

The 80,000-sq m first phase opened its doors in March 2005 and attracted over 12 million shoppers in its first year. At a main transport interchange , Dundrum Town Centre offers over 100 international brand stores – including over 20 'retail firsts' to Ireland - 22 restaurants and bars, a 12-screen cinema, a 220-seat theatre and a 3,400-space car park. Future phases will increase the centre to 150,000 sq m.

Other new centre awards went to Ségécé's Place d'Armes in Valenciennes, France in the small category; Amorim's Dolce Vita in Porto, Portugal in the medium category and Multi Development's Forum Coimbra in Portugal in the large category.

Europark in Salzburg, Austria won the best refurbishment and the Restore Award for public/private partership in regeneration went to Prupim and CSC's Arndale, Manchester.

Jury chair, Stephen Pragnell, said: “The Manchester Arndale project involved long-term, serious and sustainable commitment by both public and private organisations to their environments and the community. They represent the best partnership working and we are delighted to be able to honour both Manchester City Council and Prupim who have so successfully achieved their ambitions.

“The Manchester Arndale redevelopment is the crowning achievement in the completion of the Manchester City Centre revival.”

nice to see the Arndale winning an award for what is now most definatly a better looking centre except for the BHS corner

The majority of the Arndale shopping centre is still a horrible, horrible building - both to shop in and in terms of its impact on the city centre. Improved, yes; good enough for Manchester, no.

Just Pink has closed the lights were off and shutters down not surprised over this store really,

Just Pink was open today so it might of just been a case of someone not coming into work so the store didn't open.

I see TK Maxx is opening on the 10th May. Looks better inside then their current store. I think we will then see Primark take over the basement then as the store is now smaller than other stores in London and Cardiff and they could do with extra selling space. Strange that TK Maxx took over the former Littlewoods store which Primark bought out.

Not that strange really. Primark may have offered them that space instead as they are clients of theirs. It makes sense for both retailers really.

good to hear about the TK Maxx opening from what i saw it most defiantly does look like a better store all together and i agree with uklad about Primark keeping the basement for themselves to extent into but i dont think they will do it straight away i think they will do it when they refurb the whole store to go under there new Primark fascia/ look

City braced for Kate Moss mania

A CLOTHING chain is braced for Kate Moss mania as a new collection designed by the supermodel goes on sale.

Shoppers in Manchester are expected to queue overnight tonight before the doors open at 8am at Topshop, in the Arndale Centre, tomorrow.

The collection is being launched in Oxford Street, London, with purchases limited to five pieces per person. Moss is rumoured to be promoting the event by posing as a mannequin in the shop window.

Batches of shoppers will be let in to browse for a maximum of 20 minutes.

They can try on no more than eight garments to prevent the clothes being quickly sold off on internet auction sites. The same rules will apply when the collection launches in Manchester and other stores nationwide.

Jacket

The Croydon-born supermodel was reportedly paid £3m to create the fashion range. It is made up of 50 designs priced from £12 for a vest top to £150 for a cropped leather jacket.

The collection has been criticised in the US, with the New York Post describing the designs as `like Kate copying a lot of other people's stuff Kate's worn before.'

But Laura Weir, from fashion industry bible Drapers, predicted tomorrow's national launch would cause a `shopper frenzy'. She said: "It will sell out in record time because like her or not, a bulk of young female shoppers want to buy into the Kate Moss look."


Topshop launches Kate Moss look
Kate Moss and Topshop have collaborated to design an eclectic capsule collection of effortlessly cool, signature pieces. Inspired by Kate's wardrobe, the range encapsulates her personal sense of style, and showcases key looks for the season ahead. The collection launches nationwide on May 1 and will be available in Manchester Arndale's Topshop.

The collection mirrors an edgy but playful attitude. A lean, typically rock silhouette sits next to vintage inspired, floral print tea dresses and bohemian, embroidered pieces.

Slinky lurex jersey and skinny washed denim will be summer festival staples. The 'Chrissie drainpipes in red, indigo or black and cropped, mid blue jeans are timeless. Fine, love worn metallic vests are low-cut and sit under shrunken masculine blazers and waistcoats. Luxurious, butter soft leather jackets are cut to follow the contours of the body, but have relaxed, unfinished edges and ties. Androgynous, tailored pinstriped trouser suits and a cotton-twill mustard and black striped skinny trouser-suit offer a rebellious edge.

Hemlines are either sky high or floor sweeping. Denim hotpants and drummer boy shorts sit alongside floor-length bias cut skirts and dresses. Chain mail and shimmering mini dresses with racer backs are a great contrast to ink waistcoat-dresses and a bronze maxi skirt.

Dark, exquisite prints decorate dresses and perfect jersey basics. A delicate cream t-shirt wears a heavy, thorny illustration, with a 'K' intertwined among the flourishes. Birds of paradise, flowers and thorns are woven among heavy chains while a discrete monogram sits amongst the pattern.

The accessories and motifs that adorn this collection are quintessentially Kate. One-of a-kind accessories bags like the riveted patent clutch, suede studded belts and embellished neck scarf evoke her signature style. Laced gladiator sandals and the eponymous knee-high suede 'Kate boots are key. Reflecting Kate s tattoos, swallows are embroidered on waistbands while heart shapes appear on denim hems, lending a personal touch.

Bringing a more romantic feel to the collection, cocktail dresses in pleated midnight blue and a playful spotted cotton provide a feminine but sexy edge. A kaftan, vividly embroidered with salmon and white, and sorbet-pink and pewter bikinis lend an exotic feel as feather weight chiffon dresses with bell sleeves and covered buttons carry the intricate and darkly romantic print.

Prices for Kate Moss Topshop range from £12 to £200. Denim pieces are from £50 Evening dresses from £60. Tailored jackets start at £60 and trousers from £50 Jersey starts at £12. A High Summer collection will follow and arrives in stores from June 2007.

Several thousand years of civilisation and humanity's crowning achivement is this^^? :ohno:

I'd rather someone kill for a Kate Moss top than for religious purity. Consumerism is the very apex of civilization.

I'd rather someone kill for a Kate Moss top than for religious purity. Consumerism is the very apex of civilization.

I remember to tell my priest that!

Several thousand years of civilisation and humanity's crowning achivement is this^^? :ohno:

The worst thing is, the range isn't even very good.*



I'll see you in H&M...







*I feel so happy, this is the first informed opinion I have ever offered! Yay!

I'd rather someone kill for a Kate Moss top than for religious purity. Consumerism is the very apex of civilization.
He said, with his tongue firmly lodged in his cheek...

Juice is a boost in UK

FORMER Millies Cookies boss Richard O'Sullivan has hailed the "phenomenal" early success of his new venture - Boost Juice, a natural fruit smoothy business.

Boost Juice, a massively popular concept in its home country of Australia, has been brought to the UK by Richard and colleague Mario Budwig.

The first outlet opened its doors at the Trafford Centre on April 14 and has already rocketed to the top of the sales chart of all 200-plus Boost Juice stores worldwide.

Amazed

Richard, whose wife, Dawn, is retail director and launched the flagship outlet, said: "To be honest, I have been amazed by the reaction from the Manchester public. We're delighted. It has exceeded my expectations. It is, at the end of the day, a fantastic product."

He said there would be another three stores opening in Greater Manchester by the end of the year, with the new Chill Factor indoor ski attraction, by the Trafford Centre, a possible location.

sounds good but from what i have heard the actual smoothies and stuff they make isnt as healthy as they make out someone i knew quit after just one day working there

Mango are to open 4 stores this year in UK cities. Stores in London, Bluewater in Kent, Manchester's Trafford Centre and Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow will also be updated.

Kwik Save have started upgrading the fascia of its Birchfield Store in Manchester.

Punkyfish are to open 5 new stores by the end of the year. The new stores will be located in Leicester, Manchester, Derby, Cambridge and Bristol. They have also opened a new store in Camden, North London

Regarding the Punkyfish news there were rumors of them going in the new Arndale expansion but i hope they dont as as much flow and custom they might get in the Arndale i would really think a store in the Northern Quarter would suit them alot better probably.

He said, with his tongue firmly lodged in his cheek...

He didn't.

Consumerism liberates.

A good business will nurture and support it's customers, Selfridges supported the suffagettes because women were a large part of it's customer base.

Purity, be it racial or religious is designed to be unattainable by the majority of the populous.

A consumer good can be obtained by anyone, even if they have to rob for it.

He didn't.

Consumerism liberates.

A good business will nurture and support it's customers, Selfridges supported the suffagettes because women were a large part of it's customer base.

Purity, be it racial or religious is designed to be unattainable by the majority of the populous.

A consumer good can be obtained by anyone, even if they have to rob for it.

Money is the great unleveller.

Money is the great unleveller.

Money can be obtained by anyone. Trade is freedom, it implies everything has value.

Purity, be it racial or religious implies that only certain things have value and they can never be traded.

Money can be obtained by anyone. Trade is freedom, it implies everything has value.

Purity, be it racial or religious implies that only certain things have value and they can never be traded.

It is not a question of whether everything has value:

- but whether everything has an exchange price; i.e. a negotiable token of value, that can be used in trading it for something else.

The diffierence is important - as the statement "all entities have value" is one that has a logical consistency and coherence (albeit that it is a little difficult to tell whether it has a content - but we will let that pass).

the statment "all entities have an exchange price", on the other hand, is not only plainly false - it is also incoherent. This is because prices are information, and as such are themselves "entities".

Hence I cannot buy something without knowing its price.

but in order to know the price, I must purchase the price (i.e. there must be a prior market for the sale and exchange of price lists).

but for their to be a prior market for the sale and exchange of price lists - there must be a market for the sale and echange of prices of price lists.

and so ad infintum.

Classical economics gets round this by assuming that market information is free.

But of course that violates our intial principle that "all entities have an exchange price"; in that the market itself is an entity that does not have an exchange price.

so classical economics contradicts itself and collapses up its own arsehole.

- al of which might be academic musing - until the internet came along; and in effect, information excahnge became the dominant commercial product.

which is a great big entity with no clear exchange price - and no univeral means for such a price to be negotiated or for tokens of value to be exchanges.

which is why every business that tries to function through the internet effectively has to create its own special market model - the general model of classical economics utterly fails to perform.

It is not a question of whether everything has value:

- but whether everything has an exchange price; i.e. a negotiable token of value, that can be used in trading it for something else.

The diffierence is important - as the statement "all entities have value" is one that has a logical consistency and coherence (albeit that it is a little difficult to tell whether it has a content - but we will let that pass).

the statment "all entities have an exchange price", on the other hand, is not only plainly false - it is also incoherent. This is because prices are information, and as such are themselves "entities".

Hence I cannot buy something without knowing its price.

but in order to know the price, I must purchase the price (i.e. there must be a prior market for the sale and exchange of price lists).

but for their to be a prior market for the sale and exchange of price lists - there must be a market for the sale and echange of prices of price lists.

and so ad infintum.

Classical economics gets round this by assuming that market information is free.

But of course that violates our intial principle that "all entities have an exchange price"; in that the market itself is an entity that does not have an exchange price.

so classical economics contradicts itself and collapses up its own arsehole.

- al of which might be academic musing - until the internet came along; and in effect, information excahnge became the dominant commercial product.

which is a great big entity with no clear exchange price - and no univeral means for such a price to be negotiated or for tokens of value to be exchanges.

which is why every business that tries to function through the internet effectively has to create its own special market model - the general model of classical economics utterly fails to perform.

Put the Ricardo away, it will kill you.

God! This is like watching Jean Piaget and Noam Chomsky all over again!

God! This is like watching Jean Piaget and Noam Chomsky all over again!

Lightweights.

A new Costa Coffee has opened under the Travel Inn at Gmex. Both are owned by Whitbread. Coffee Republic on York St is having a refit and will reopen as a Coffee Republic Deli and something was going on at the Subway at the end of Cross St it was closed this morning with loads of bin bags in the doorway.

dup post

Mango are to open 4 stores this year in UK cities. Stores in London, Bluewater in Kent, Manchester's Trafford Centre and Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow will also be updated.

Kwik Save have started upgrading the fascia of its Birchfield Store in Manchester.

Punkyfish are to open 5 new stores by the end of the year. The new stores will be located in Leicester, Manchester, Derby, Cambridge and Bristol. They have also opened a new store in Camden, North London

Regarding the Punkyfish news there were rumors of them going in the new Arndale expansion but i hope they dont as as much flow and custom they might get in the Arndale i would really think a store in the Northern Quarter would suit them alot better probably.

repost from previous page incase people missed it the coffee republic deli sounds interesting

Woolwich next to Primark has begun being refitted into a Barclays the Cash Machines are in 3 of them. I think the Mosley Street branch will then close as the location isn't that great.

the coffee republic deli sounds interesting

It's a not an EAT but it's a half way between the 2 brands with a focus on food as well as coffee. The converted stores have increased sales so more will be converted.

sounds good it will most probably do well most people i know prefer a coffee republic to a starbucks or caffe nero

Sunglass Hut Opening Soon

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7850/sunglassforwebnb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This event will take place:
From 02 May 2007 to 17 May 2007

New Sunglass Hut concept store opening soon here at Manchester Arndale. Offering the widest choice of designer brands, including Bvlgari, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Ray-Ban and an expert styling team to make it easy to find the right sunglasses for you.

i dont think this will be a stand like last time i think we will see it in a proper store probably near nandos or around that area, sounds good with it being a concept store aswell

Peacocks opens 10th May (same day as TkMaxx) store looks a bit like New Look.
The unit next to Coffee North on Shudehill has a planning application to slipt it into 2 units, brick up the opening at the back and install a frontage.

God they really have worked quickly on the Peacocks store only been about 1 a month or two since the hoardings went up, when you say the same as New Look do you mean has the same kinda coloured glass on the store front as New Look or a glistzy interior like New Look or both.

Is pretty shifty of Peackocks to open the same day as TK Maxx means they can try and steal customers from TK Maxx or get them when they leave the TK Maxx store seeing as they are literally just like a unit away from each other.

Any notice or hoardings of where Sunglasses Hut or Fruits and Passion could go within the centre.

God they really have worked quickly on the Peacocks store only been about 1 a month or two since the hoardings went up, when you say the same as New Look do you mean has the same kinda coloured glass on the store front as New Look or a glistzy interior like New Look or both.

Is pretty shifty of Peackocks to open the same day as TK Maxx means they can try and steal customers from TK Maxx or get them when they leave the TK Maxx store seeing as they are literally just like a unit away from each other.

Any notice or hoardings of where Sunglasses Hut or Fruits and Passion could go within the centre.

The store is very white looking from what I could see with metal fittings and white tiled floor like New Look. They have worked fast and it looks big but that site isn't in the best of locations tucked away and in an area with no other stores along that strip up to BHS & TKMaxx

I have some news but not sure if I should be posting it as it's not confirmed but I will post it anyway.

I was told that the Arndale are planning to build a store on the corner of Market St where MyTravel and BHS currently are. They want to knock down the whole area that hasn't been reclad which means BHS, JJB, H Samual, MyTravel and the newsagents will all go and be replaced by a 3 floor store along the lines of NEXt with a corner enterance. They looking at Debenhams and John Lewis but there are some problems (not sure what wasn't told but since BHS would be without a store maybe they are not happy). Anyway if Debenhams was to move what would happen to that huge store?

18 April 07: Sunglass Hut is changing

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/6177/sunglasseshutyp8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sunglass Hut is changing. Over the next few months Sunglass Hut as you know it will be a thing of the past.

We sell the most wanted designer eyewear; we stock the most exclusive brands and have an unmatched selection of styles and shapes. Now coming near you is an exciting new environment to try on and browse the very latest and most famous sunglasses! The selection will be even bigger, the service even more special and it will be even easier to find your style.
But don’t just listen to us.

Look at the photos from the world’s first new Sunglass Hut, currently only open in Reading.

Upcoming locations include

Lakeside Shopping Centre
Manchester Arndale Centre
Kingston-Upon-Thames.


For an unbelievably different shopping experience, or even to have some fun trying on different styles, come in to visit the brand new Sunglass Hut.

From http://www.sunglasshut.co.uk/SunglassHutNews.aspx

Defiantly looks like a much better rebrand to what they have now more modern and contemporary the old look was looking a bit dated really

I have some news but not sure if I should be posting it as it's not confirmed but I will post it anyway.

I was told that the Arndale are planning to build a store on the corner of Market St where MyTravel and BHS currently are. They want to knock down the whole area that hasn't been reclad which means BHS, JJB, H Samual, MyTravel and the newsagents will all go and be replaced by a 3 floor store along the lines of NEXt with a corner enterance. They looking at Debenhams and John Lewis but there are some problems (not sure what wasn't told but since BHS would be without a store maybe they are not happy). Anyway if Debenhams was to move what would happen to that huge store?

Wow major news uklad1979 if Debenhams were to move i would hope they make a deal that they move to the Arndale and maybe John Lewis move into there old store as that would make a really good John Lewis store, if it is true which i hope it is it would be great as My Travel isnt a great store there is already a H Samual in the centre and JJB could easily go somewhere else within the centre but am not to sure over BHS it aint really suprising that they could be the problem that you say as they would lose there city centre store.

you got any idea uklad1979 when this news could possibly be released to the press etc is it within weeks or months or a long way off

The store is very white looking from what I could see with metal fittings and white tiled floor like New Look. They have worked fast and it looks big but that site isn't in the best of locations tucked away and in an area with no other stores along that strip up to BHS & TKMaxx

Ya i agree it isnt a great location yet but when more and more tennants come into that area it will be good as they are small units there but can be made into big ones as in the case of Peacocks which was originally 3 small units but they expanded it to be one huge one so i think we will start to see more stores move into this area now with TK Maxx and Peacocks opening there.

you got any idea uklad1979 when this news could possibly be released to the press etc is it within weeks or months or a long way off

Not sure at all. I was told the news secondhand by someone who wanted to a sign a long term lease for a concession in Debenhams. They contacted them along time ago about it and was told that the store was reducing their sales area. Now they have been contacted and offered a location but not on a long enough lease because of what is going on. The need a long lease to warrant them investing in the fit out they would need to do. That's the only details I was given.

I am sure the Arndale only decide to go ahead once they have someone signed on the line.

I have some news but not sure if I should be posting it as it's not confirmed but I will post it anyway.

I was told that the Arndale are planning to build a store on the corner of Market St where MyTravel and BHS currently are. They want to knock down the whole area that hasn't been reclad which means BHS, JJB, H Samual, MyTravel and the newsagents will all go and be replaced by a 3 floor store along the lines of NEXt with a corner enterance. They looking at Debenhams and John Lewis but there are some problems (not sure what wasn't told but since BHS would be without a store maybe they are not happy). Anyway if Debenhams was to move what would happen to that huge store?

Good god, that is major news. I only hope the new store is substantially better than the Next at Exchange Square. How on earth they got away with those awful aluminium panels in such a sensitive and high profile location as Exchange Square is beyond me.

Its right to do that. That bit of Shops where BHS is shit. Next at the other end may not be to everyones taste but compared with this end its amazing. BHS is rubbish anyway I wouldn't miss it. I say bring on John Lewis. I love that shop.

Just been in town it's great weather and the city centre is dead because of the football. Ideas is closing down maybe they were on a short term lease and the Arndale has found a tenant? I think I have found the location of Sunglasses Hut, there is work going on in a small unit between Fossil and Animal. The site seems the right size and the location is good next to a watch shop. Sunglasses Hut used always used to be paired with a Watch Station shop.

I went into Rowntrees Cafe today great food and cheap prices. It's a greasy spoon with Ikea fittings. A welcome addition to the Arndale I think.

ya noticed the Rowntrees Cafe look really nice great addition lets hope it gets a good trade should aswell due to a good location.

Sunglass Hut location sounds about right next to Fossil an accessoires store and Animal i was hoping they would get a location in the new part and if they are going to be opening there then it is great

not surprised over Ideas seemed a bit of a rush job they opened like within weeks or a month of new look relocating didnt they and a cheapo shop it was think they probably will have a tannant for it pretty soon.

Did you notice if there was anything happening for where the Fruits and Passion store could go i hope they get a good location due to it being there first store to open in the U.K.

Oh by the way i read on a recent press release from liberty co owners of the arndale with CSC and Prudential that the Northern Extension is 94% let

In particular Manchester Arndale, where the major 550 000 square foot Northern Extension completed in Autumn 2006, is now 94 percent committed by rental value, the group noted.

Aldi Upper Floor Now Open
Athletic Boutique Lower Floor Exchange Court Now Open
Apple Upper Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Baron Jon Lower Floor Barbirolli Mall Now Open
Barratts Lower Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Barefruit Juice Upper Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Bestseller (bookstore) unknown location still apprently in negations
Bratz Lower Floor New Cannon Street (designer kids wear) Closed Down
Birdcage Lowers Floor Now Open
Billabong Upper Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Blend Upper Floor New Cannon StreetNow Open
Butlers Lower Floor Exchange Court Now Open
Coast Upper Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Druckers Upper Floor Halle Square Now Open
Esprit Lower Floor Old Next unit Under construction
Foot Asylum Lower Floor Exchange Court Now Open
Fruits & Passion (Health & Beauty) unknow location due to be the first store in the U.K for the company looks like an equivilent to Crabtree & Evelyn
Greggs Lower Floor on Withy Grove Now Open
Ideal Furnishings Upper Floor Closed Down
Just Pink Lower Floor Cromford Court Now Open
JD Sports Lower Floor Halle Square Now Open
Lacoste Lower Floor Halle Square Now Open
Milllies Cookies Upper Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Nandos Upper Floor Wintergardens Now Open
New Look Upper Floor Wintergardens Now Open
O'Briens Food Court Now Open
Phone4u Lower FloorNew Cannon Street Now Open
Parchment Cards Lower Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Peacocks Lower Floor Wintergardens Opens this Thurs 10th May
Principles Lower Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Rowntrees Cafe Upper Floor High Street Now Open
Samsonite Upper Floor Wintergardens Now Open
Shoe Zone Lower Floor Barbirolli Mall East Now Open
Sole Upper Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Superdrug Lower Floor New Cannon Street Now Open
Swatch Lower Floor Market Street Now Open
Sunglass Hut Lower Floor New Cannon Street possible location
The Entertainer Lower Floor old Market unit still unknown if they will open
TK Maxx Lower Floor Opens this Thurs 10th May
Truly Everything Upper Floor near Argos
Varinni Upper Floor Halle Square 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

Harry Ramsdens are going to be opening a new outlet in the Trafford Centre they are advertising for jobs now

Here's a list of stores on the market in the Arndale if they are not lsited it could be that they are under offer or the Arndale is not letting them but the previous tenant is. You will see that many areas ae missing.

Unit Next to build a bear £200k
Old Gadget Shop £140k
Old Hawkins Bazar £215k
Old New Look £662,500
Old Stationay Box £155k
Old Republic £290k
Madhouse £335k
Empty unit 3 doors down from boots on marsden way was a phone shop £20k
Old sports soccer £175k

Evans is going to have a refit soon and become a new concept store.

ya sounds like there could be a hopefull amount of new store soon, knew about the evans concept store for a while thay have been advertising for jobs in it since last year so is good to finally see it happening

The figures after the stores is the annual rent. I looks like Madhouse will be closing. They had closing down signs up about 6 weeks ago but have taken them down.

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/3444/bartonsquaredescriptionme9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

this is from the Spring 07 Cusham & Wakefield pdf showcasing all the leasing, developments etc so its pretty much up to date is good about the Habitat there were rumors that they were trying to atract a Heals or Habitat and am not to sure over the Marks & Spencer Home store as they have a 4 floor store in the centre now but M&S are now going heavly into the homesware way and they have said they intend to launch some homesware store in the future so who know maybe this could be were there first homesware store is to open

http://www.cushwake.com/cwglobal/docviewer/Shopping%20Centre%20portfolio_07.pdf?id=c8500501p&repositoryKey=CoreRepository&itemDesc=document

Page 22

I read somewhere online that M&S have signed up for a unit at Barton Sq. They used to have the Lifestyle store at the Metro Centre but it was closed down so I wonder why they are open what sunds like a simlar store.

ya there lifestyle stores closed down they were sold to ilva and they reopened them last yr one at thurrock and the other near the metro centre they are going back into this market as it is a good earner for them now as there stores are really getting back on there feet when the lifestyle store closed it was the time when M&S was in a bad way

More confirmation on a Marks & Spencer Home store opening at Barton Square from Wikipedia is this were you saw it uklad1979 or somewhere else ?


Standalone Home stores

One of the first Home stores for Marks and Spencer at Trafford Park, Manchester.

This Home store will be dedicated to sell products from the Homeware ranges of Marks and Spencer. Being newly constructed currently, due to open early 2008, the Home store will be located opposite to The Trafford Centre.

Marks and Spencer already have a large store within The Trafford Centre, and this will remain open, when the life store opens. The new store is expected to also house a Cafe Revive for M&S and a Technology centre.

This Home store will stock every product from the Marks & Spencer Homeware range, and will be larger than most complete stores presently alone.

Lily to launch her New Look

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/7431/lilyallenweb2xt0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This event will take place: 09 May 2007

Sassy star Lily Allen is coming to Manchester Arndale to launch her new fashion range ‘Lily Loves’ at New Look on Wednesday 9th May. Following her series of smash hits, Lily’s debut dress collection looks set to go straight to number 1 as it becomes available across all 312 New Look stores in the UK and internationally.

Designed by Lily, the collection features six colourful summer dresses including her favourite prom dresses as well as cool day dresses. Accessories are the Smile peep toe court shoes in black, red or blue, Loz diamond patterned trainers and sassy jewellery including an apple pendant and a large flower ring.

Highlights from the collection include the cute 'Gandalf' print shift dress available in gold and candy colours that will sweeten your day worn with jeans or as a fun mini. Lily's favourite, the black floral patterned 'Gosford' babydoll dress is both cute and sexy and the flirty 'Foxtrot' prom dress has lashings of tiered red layers guaranteed to make heads turn. For more casual-chic the maxi 'Graffiti' sundress, embroidered with lyrics from Lily's songs, is a perfect match with summer plimsolls for chilled out summer days.

Sarah Walter, Head of Fashion Communications for New Look, explains the reason for choosing Lily: "If there is anyone that defines the art of modern dress-wearing, it is Lily Allen. New Look is delighted with the collaboration."

Lily expresses her love for her new range declaring; "I've been wearing things from my range for months. I just feel comfortable in dresses; they cover up all the bits I don't like and they're easy, plus they're appropriate for almost every occasion."

'Lily Loves' by Lily Allen for New look will be in-store from 9th May at 312 New Look stores in UK, Paris, Dublin, Antwerp, Kuwait and Dubai. The collection is priced from £5 for a flower ring to £55 for the 'Fox Trot Ruffle' dress and is available in sizes 8 – 18, prom dresses in sizes 6-16.

For Lily's blog and her designs visit: www.whatlilyloves.com

Another celeb design line just seems to be the trend now but this defiantly look better than Kate Moss's line

TK Maxx is moving in!

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/3029/tkmaxxwebmc4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This event will take place: From 07 May 2007 to 31 May 2007

Brands for less fashion retailer TK Maxx is moving into Manchester Arndale from its current city centre location this month. The new store will be bigger and will boast brand new and exciting features.

It will feature a brand new designer fashion jewellery department – one of only six stores in the UK and Ireland. The modern and stylish department store format will also include the new Kids Maxx; a one stop shop for clothing, furniture, furnishings and toys for children.

TK Maxx will be accessible both from the Arndale Centre and Market Street.

The TK Maxx concept is simple: give people what they want – loads of designer brands across fashion, homeware, gifts and accessories at up to 60% less than the recommended retail price. TK Maxx buyers have been scouring the globe all year round to bring you the latest in designer brands at a fraction of the cost. With no frills or fancy extras in-store incredible savings are passed on to the customer, making it easy for both you and your home to look gorgeous.

The Manchester store will feature over 50,000 designer must-have items across women's wear, menswear, children's wear, homeware, gifts and jewellery. And with up to 3 deliveries every day bringing customers an additional 10,000 new items every week, there's enough choice to satisfy even serial shoppers.

Victoria Wright, spokesperson for TK Maxx comments, "This new store is in a very visible, high street location so new and existing customers can find their designer bargains in the city centre more easily. And with more space and greater choice of departments, we can bring loads more brands and items to our customers in Manchester, as well as a stylish new format fitting for a cutting edge city."

The store defiantly sounds like it is heaps better then there store underneath Primark

I thought about seeing if we'd go the entire day without anyone posting anything. Then I thought better of it.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1006/1006436_70m_trafford_park_extension.html

£70m Trafford Park extension
David Thame
8/ 5/2007

WORK has started at Barton Square, the £70m extension to The Trafford Centre being developed by the shopping mall's owners, Peel Holdings.

Once completed, Barton Square will provide a unique shopping environment offering 200,000 sq ft of high quality homeware merchandise that is not currently available within The Trafford Centre.

Designed in the distinctive Trafford Centre style, Barton Square will feature a stunning glazed pedestrian bridge linking it to the existing shops, a 67-metre high feature lit tower, 35-metre Rotunda Domed entrance walkway and an open-air courtyard incorporating water features surrounded by a marble floor.

The £70m scheme will be built at Phoenix Way, to the north of Barton Dock Road, on the Giants Field site.

The development will be aimed at home furnishing retailers which are in short supply at the 1.6m sq ft Trafford Centre.

The Trafford Centre opened its doors back in September 1998 and currently attracts 29.8 million visitors every year. Its Grand Hall opened earlier this year.

WORK has started at Barton Square,

Yeah - only six months ago!

Designed in the distinctive Trafford Centre style,

:gaah: :puke:

ya the M.E.N have posted a article like that 3 times in the last few months i think we get the point it has started construction and from the fact the steel work for the main structure has been up for a while now aswell

Remember you read it here first about the lettings inside the new Barton Square and is good to see that the empty units inside the Trafford Centre are getting picked up fairly quickly


New Signings at The Trafford Centre
09/05/2007

The Trafford Centre attracts more designer brands!

The Trafford Centre this week announced a selection of new signings due to join the current retail and restaurant line up at the Centre over the coming months.

With the new £26 million Great Hall development having caused a stir amongst retailers and visitors alike, it seems that management has now decided to pull out all the stops to attract an entirely new calibre of retailers and restaurants.

With Pesto, Pizza Express, Cafe Rouge, Costa Coffee, Giraffe, Carluccio’s and Las Iguanas all now open for trade and enjoying The Trafford Centre’s high footfall, The Trafford Centre is now delighted to welcome Palm d’Or into the Great Hall which is currently shop fitting and scheduled to open towards the beginning of July this year. One final ‘big name’ – yet to be announced - will grace the stunning development and complete the fabulous dining selection.

New retailers on the malls include: Hugo Boss and Vivienne Westwood Accessories, and recently signed high-end brands: DKNY, Armani AX, Puma and Fossil are due to start shop fitting in the approaching months.

Habitat will grace the new development Barton Square along side a new Marks and Spencer home store which will offer homeware to complement the fashion and dining offering in The Trafford Centre’s malls.

These additions to The Trafford Centre re-confirm its reputation as the best fashion, lifestyle and leisure destination in the UK.

Says Gordon McKinnon, Director of Operations at The Trafford Centre: “These new names bring a great deal to the Centre and we are delighted to welcome them on board. This is very much part of our strategy to continually improve the mix of retailers and restaurants in The Trafford Centre with a focus on bringing in designer names. The public will have noticed that we have already upped the ante with the opening of The Great Hall and we fully intend to raise the reputation of The Trafford Centre even further over the next year.

“We want to offer the public everything they could wish for in one environment ensuring that a day here fulfils every need, from dining and enjoying various forms of entertainment, to shopping for clothes and items for the home. We want to broaden the appeal for customers who enjoy the high street but also those who prefer a slightly more ‘designer’ retail experience. These new signings mark a significant move forward for The Trafford Centre.”

Hoarding are up in the unit between Fossil and Animal this will be the new Sunglass Hut shop as on the screens around the centre it confirms the store opening on the Lower Mall next to Topman and that is the only store having hoardings/ contruction in this mall.

Peacocks opened succefuly today nice store not to big and not to small lets hope more retailers open around here soon

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/228/sunp0030bl4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

but it was defiantly overshadowed by TK Maxx opening there store it is massive 3 floors large, 1 floor for the entrance completly like Aldi's so it opens onto Market Street,

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/7060/sunp0029ll1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Then the main floor that connects with the ground floor of the Arndale itself which is a floor mainly devoted to the Womenswear with the Jewellery and then a huge Basement level which is for the Kids Maxx, Menswear, Homeswear and Shoes.

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/2332/sunp0037si5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Is defiantly a better store you can see why TK Maxx decided to move to this location suits them alot more as you can actually see where they are now and this is shown by the number of people in the store it was so busy in there, aswell alot of press and executives around this area of the Arndale today due to the stores opening, also the old TK Maxx just has baskets blocking the entrance from Primark to it the executives went from the new store to the old one for some reason taking pics of the old store and new one lets hope Primark do use this area to make there store bigger and they get on with it quickly as that area will start to look bad soon if they dont do anything with it

Peacocks are Open and looking for Models

This event will take place: From 10 May 2007 to 14 May 2007

Models Wanted To Strut Their Stuff For Peacocks As part of the opening celebrations for its new concept store at Manchester Arndale, Peacocks the UK’s hottest value fashion retailer, is teaming up with Nemesis Modelling Agency, to find the next top model in Manchester.

As part of the opening celebrations for its new concept store at Manchester Arndale, Peacocks the UK's hottest value fashion retailer, is teaming up with Nemesis Modelling Agency, which represents the very best professional and photographic models in the North West, to find the next top model in Manchester when the store opens Thursday 10th May.

First prize for the winner will be a taste of the model lifestyle with a day's shoot at a photographic studio in Manchester for Peacocks' high summer ranges, including hair and make-up and a set of prints to start their portfolio, and one picture from the day will feature in the new store. Five runners up will receive £100 worth of vouchers to spend at Peacocks and all finalists will be introduced to the Nemesis Agency team with the chance to join their books.

Nemesis Agency is owned by Nigel Martin-Smith, one of the best known talent spotters in the UK. Over the years they have launched the careers of Take That, Melanie Sykes, Adam Rickett, and a host of top models and actors. Based in the heart of Manchester city centre, they are widely respected throughout the modeling industry and pride themselves in representing only the most professional, most sought after models around.

Noticed the Model searchers around the centre today didnt look like they had anyone or looking for anyone really

Noticed the Model searchers around the centre today didnt look like they had anyone or looking for anyone really

They didn't sign you up? :)

no thank god always ignore people with clipboards and try and block them out they are just annoying and as i said they didnt really look like they were really enjoying or doing any work

They got the outside of TKMaxx finished off fast. Last night at around 8pm they were just starting work on the signage and finish on the market street side.

Already reported but a bit more info and stuff

Habitat set to inhabit Trafford

SHOPPERS' heaven the Trafford Centre has announced a clutch of new upmarket tenants as it bids to cement its place as one of the region's most important visitor attractions.

The £1.6bn shopping and leisure complex, the jewel in the crown of John Whittaker's Peel Holdings property empire, has signed up the first tenants for its £70m Barton Square development, which will open next year

Marks & Spencer is the first tenant at the new 200,000 sq ft Barton Square. The retailer, which is flying again under the leadership of Stuart Rose, has taken 20,800 sq ft in the complex, which will focus on homewares and be linked to the main building by a glazed bridge.

An M&S spokeswoman said: "We are still at quite an early stage, but the store is about offering a wider choice to our customers. It will complement our existing stores in Greater Manchester."

Upmarket furnishing and homewares retailer Habitat is believed to be close to signing up for more than 21,000 sq ft of space in Barton Square. Meanwhile the main Trafford Centre, which last year welcomed more than 30m people, has enhanced its clothing and fashion offer by luring Hugo Boss, Vivienne Westwood Accessories, DKNY and Armani AX.

About 150 new jobs are expected to be created by the Marks & Spencer and Habitat operations, with up to 600 for the development as a whole.

Gordon McKinnon, director of operations at the Trafford Centre, said the latest clutch of high-end retailers, which also includes Puma and Fossil, marked a major "move forward" for the location.

He said: "These new names bring a great deal to the centre, and we are delighted to welcome them on board. This is very much part of our strategy to continually improve the mix of retailers and restaurants in the Trafford Centre, with a focus on bringing in designer names.

"The public will have noticed that we have already upped the ante with the opening of the Great Hall, and we fully intend to raise the reputation of the Trafford Centre even further over the next year.

"We want to broaden the appeal for customers who enjoy the high street but also those who prefer a slightly more `designer' retail experience."

The unit next to Nando's has gone.

Arndale Pictures

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/NextManchester.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/PeacocksArndale.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/ParchmentArndale.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/JDSportsArndale.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/EatArndale.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/CostaArndale.jpg

King Street

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/Jaegar.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/HarveyNicolsGap.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/TriangleBackside.jpg

Thanks for great pics as per usual markydeedrop

Fruity idea is a sweet success

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5288/ediblearrangementsec1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

A FRUITY business idea could be the start of a 100-store retail empire for 26-year-old Salim Rashid.

Salim opened the UK's flagship Edible Arrangements store in March, the 663rd in a chain which already covers the whole of North America. Now he is hoping the novelty fruit-based gifts will take this country by storm too.

Two months after opening, the best-selling item is a delicious fruit bouquet overflowing with pineapple daisies, strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe and honeydew melon. These creations are pushing Salim's Manchester business towards a £750,000 turnover.

The former Co-op Wholesale Society buyer explains: "I was specialising in carpets and upholstery when I first came across the idea of Edible Arrangements. It didn't take me long to see the scope there was - basically you can give an edible arrangement whenever you might have given a bouquet of flowers.

Chocolate

"They are gifts for individuals, but they are also ideal in the corporate sector. We've already had Volkswagen in Old Trafford choose us for their gifts."

The Manchester store is now selling more than 50 fruit bouquets a week.

"We buy hotel-grade fuit, the sweetest and the best we can find, which is delivered to our store on Great Ancoats Street. Then we make up the arrangements for customers to pick-up, or we deliver them," says Salim.

The client list could soon include Manchester United, who want to buy corporate gifts in football-themed containers.

"That's got to mean a lot of red fruit," jokes Salim. "Everyone likes the pineapple and cantaloupe melon pieces, but then you offer them something extra like chocolate-covered apple wedges and you can tell they are happy.

"The Manchester store won't be the last. We've just sold a franchise for Stockport and hopefully that will be open by the end of the year."

http://ediblearrangements.co.uk/default.aspx

Is it me or does the new part of the arndale feel like a catwalk? Maybe I'm paranoid but walking past all those cafes with people sitting in an around them makes me feel a bit uneasy. I'm being watched feeling.