Manchester’s biannual student shopping event returns next week on Thursday 2 May, with over 150 designer, high street and independent stores offering massive discounts exclusively for students.
Starting at midday for the first time, MCR Student Social, organised by Manchester’s Business Improvement District (Manchester BID) in partnership with Manchester Arndale, will see the city’s key shopping areas come alive with music and entertainment including pop-up stalls, competitions and giveaways until 8pm.
Shopping
Helping students find their most instagrammable outfits for Spring are Urban Outfitters, Topshop, Topman, All Saints, Victoria’s Secret, Boux Avenue, Superdry, Accessorize, Dr Martens, SockShop, River Island, Office, New Look, Monki, Vans, Lipsy, Colette, H&M, Miss Selfridge, JD, French Connection, Evans, Dune, Adidas, Clarks, Burton, Schuh, Ann Summers, Footasylum, ECCO, Cath Kidston, Scotts, Dorothy Perkins, Timberland and DKNY who are all offering 20% off, as is Michael Kors with £150 spend or more, while Levi’s, Gap and G-Star RAW will be offering 30% off.
Debenhams will be hosting special discounts, live entertainment, beauty masterclasses and demonstrations, while shoppers can also expect a variety of extraordinary experiences and exclusive discounts at Selfridges Exchange Square. Over at Harvey Nichols students can enjoy an evening of live DJ sets, complimentary drinks and 10% off purchases made with the Rewards app.
For the best beauty buys, students can bag 10% off in Boots, Superdrug, Nail Culture and Pauls Hair & Beauty World, as well as 30% off in The Body Shop. Kiehls will be taking part by offering complimentary facial vouchers with every purchase, a gift with £50 spend plus complimentary prosecco and nibbles, while Sassoon on Marsden Street is offering £35 haircuts on the day.
Students can stay connected this term with fantastic discounts and offers in Vodafone, The Carphone Warehouse, Samsung, Mobile Technician, iSmash and EE.
Entertainment
Market Street (12-7pm)
On Market Street, jump around with Manchester’s coolest adventure and trampoline park Flip Out Manchester, demonstrate your kick-up skills for a chance to win big with Classic Football Shirts, flex your fitness levels by taking part in rowing and boxing challenges with Pure Gym, try your hand at some old-school fairground games to win food, drink and more with Sam’s Chop House and beat the team at Giant Pong to bag some amazing prizes courtesy of The Printworks.
For those feeling lucky, head to Greggs’ Lucky Lockers to win a selection of prizes, join the search for Manchester’s fastest suitcase packer with Virgin Money Lounge to win a £100 Virgin Experience card and play spin to win with Barburrito. Augmented @ Gorilla and Girls on Film will be providing the soundtrack to the event, while GFFdamian Dance Studio will be wowing with aerial hoop and dancehall performances and live pole dancing.
Learn how to take fantastic photos on your smartphone on a guided tour of the city centre with O2 and can you cross the locks without wetting your socks? Take on the beer goggles game and learn about water safety with the Canal & River’s Trust.
Manchester Arndale (12-8pm)
At Manchester Arndale, take your receipts from the night to its Treat Station in Exchange Court by Next where you’ll be rewarded with a range of treats – the more you spend, the bigger the surprise! T&Cs apply. Barburrito will also be in Exchange Court, offering the chance to win amazing prizes with their Spin to Win challenge, as well as giving out vouchers for 50% off.
Students can grab a bite to eat and drinks at a range of bars and restaurants in Manchester Arndale and across the city centre with exclusive discounts on the night at YO! Sushi, Archie’s, Waffle Island, Costa Coffee, Auntie Anne’s, Yangtze, Sam’s Chop House, Taco Bell, Coffee Break, Bobo Tea, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Nando’s, Chopstix Noodle Bar, Bagel Nash, Over the Rainbow, My Cookie Dough, Boost Juice Bar, Cafe Nero, EAT, Five Guys, Greggs, Mrs Sarah’s Chop House, Millie’s Cookies, Krispy Kreme, KFC, Gino D’Acampo, Fruteiro Do Brazil and Gabbotts Farm.
Wolf Street Food, Bella Italia, Barburrito and Fuel Juice will be offering the biggest discounts of the night with a whopping 50% off.
Shoppers can also snap-up the best chocolate treats with 10% off full price items in Thornton’s, Hotel Chocolat and Lindt.
Jane Sharrocks, Manchester BID Chair and General Manager at Selfridges Exchange Square said: “Our biannual MCR Student Social events are incredibly popular and our event on Thursday is a great way to welcome students back to the city following the Easter break. Stores across the city centre including those in Manchester Arndale and on Market Street, New Cathedral Street, Deansgate, King Street and in St Ann’s Square and Exchange Square are all taking part this year with some fantastic offers, plus there’s lots of fun free entertainment, games and freebies!”
David Allinson, centre director at Manchester Arndale, said: “Following previous events, students have told us that they want to shop and enjoy the city for longer, which is exactly what we’re offering this year. MCR Student Social is doubling in length, with a whole eight hours of amazing discounts, activities and live entertainment. There’s also some fantastic offers on food and drink throughout the day and into the evening.”
For full list of offers visit www.mcrstudentsocial.com and follow #mcrstudentsocial for event updates.
