General Store now open in MediaCityUK full of local indie brands

Innovative neighbourhood retail brand General Store, which has stores in Ancoats, Stretford and Sale, has opened in MediaCityUK with the launch of its first two-storey venue. 

As well as a shopping experience that champions local makers from food and drink to homeware, there is also a coffee shop on site, plus an alcohol emporium with tasting area, rotating streetfood vendors, local fresh baked goods and zero-waste, household essential refill stations.  

The 3500 sq ft store General Store MediaCityUK is located in the ground floor of the recently completed Lightbox development just a stone’s throw from the cobbles of Corrie. 

The region’s most sought-after independent food brands will be in stock, from Nell’s Pizza to The Great North Pie Company, and will all sit alongside the convenience store essentials, from toothpaste to toilet paper and baked beans to bread. 

An on-site coffee counter will serve up freshly ground Ancoats Coffee, as well as juices, smoothies and cold brews.

There also will be a constantly changing streetfood vendor, and regular guest spots in the new store from the likes of Just Natas and Cafe Lupo Italiano who will be popping in with fresh, local bakes, cakes and more.

There will be an outdoor seating area for up to 30 covers coming soon after launch, so customers will be able to a grab coffee and food to go or enjoy with a view of MediaCityUK. 

General Store MediaCityUK is also the first of the group to span two floors with a mezzanine space that will be used as an alcohol emporium and tasting area for hosting small beer tastings with local brewers, wine tastings and other curated gatherings. 

Those strolls around the waterfront with the dog just got a new pooch friendly pitstop, as the new venue welcomes furry friends to shop alongside loyal owners.

The new venue is the first in the Store Group to be designed by Youth Studios, the Manchester designers responsible for some of the city’s high profile new residential spaces.

The arrival of General Store in Salford also means the Store Retail Group will create twenty new jobs as the group looks to expand its new team, with new roles in retail and hospitality created. 

“I’m really excited to serve the unique and diverse community at MediaCityUK,” said Mital Morar, founder of Store Retail Group.

“It is an amazing place and we’re looking forward to bringing something new to the area. It feels like a really special opportunity to be able to expand the business at such an exciting destination and to be so central to it. 

“General Store MediaCityUK will be all about keeping things fresh – it’s a brand-new design for the store, it’s going to look brilliant – and also we’re very much about keeping the offer different and ever-changing too.

“We see this as an exciting step on our growth journey, as we continue to develop our brand, and we can’t wait to welcome customers to MediaCityUK.”

Chris Reay, property director for MediaCityUK, said: “MediaCityUK is committed to supporting local, independent operators and the General Store MediaCityUK will bring a unique experiential retail experience right into the heart of our community. 

“The Store Retail Group has continuously proven to have a positive impact on local communities, and their compelling offer spans everything from store cupboard staples through to sustainable, artisan products which our fast-growing residential and worker community demand.

“We are thrilled that the Store Retail Group have identified MediaCityUK as a place they want to be part of.” 

General Store MediaCityUK is open now.