Manchester’s BIGGEST student shopping event is back – with up to 50% off top fashion, food, drink and tech

Time to make the most of that Easter loan as the MCR student social lands in the city centre this week.

The huge shopping event will return on Thursday 2nd May, with more than 150 exclusive offers for students.

Designer, high street and independent stores will be offering massive discounts – and whilst there’s always a huge focus on fashion, there are also great deals to be had on tech, food and drink, too.

Starting at midday, the city’s key shopping areas will come alive with music and entertainment including pop-up stalls, competitions and giveaways until 8pm.

Keep reading to get the details on all the offers, discounts and deals  – the list is massive.

Fashion

As the summer season approaches, now’s the perfect time to get those key festival and holiday pieces boxed off for when the warm weather makes its return.

As well as some amazing discounts across the board, there’ll also be live entertainment, beauty masterclasses and demonstrations at Debenhams, and live DJ sets, complimentary drinks and 10% off at Harvey Nichols.

20% off: 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, Michael Kors

30% off: Levi’s, Gap and G-Star RAW

Beauty

For the best beauty buys, students can bag 30% off in The Body Shop and 10% off in Boots, Superdrug, Nail Culture and Pauls Hair & Beauty World.

Kiehls will be taking part by offering complimentary facial vouchers with every purchase, a gift with £50 spend plus complimentary prosecco and nibbles, and Sassoon on Marsden Street is offering £35 haircuts on the day.

Tech

On the tech front there are some fantastic discounts and offers in Vodafone, The Carphone Warehouse, Samsung, Mobile Technician, iSmash and EE – so if you feel like upgrading your phone, we’d say now is the time.

You can also learn how to take fantastic photos on your phone on a guided tour of the city centre with O2.

Food and drink

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 all night long.

The biggest savings come from Wolf Street Food, Bella Italia, Barburrito and Fuel Juice – who will all be offering a whopping 50% off during the event.

Barburrito will also be in Exchange Court, offering the chance to win prizes with their Spin to Win challenge and giving out discount vouchers.

Chocolatiers Thornton’s, Hotel Chocolat and Lindt are also getting involved with 10% off all their full price items.

Entertainment

There’s always a bit of a laugh to be had on Market Street, with music, events, games and activities popping up for the course of the event.

Take a wander through the thoroughfare to pick up some freebies, try your hand at some games and flex your fitness levels.

Have a bounce with Flip Out Manchester adventure and trampoline park, demonstrate your kick-up skills with Classic Football Shirts, and try your hand at some old-school fairground games to win food, drink and more with Sam’s Chop House.

Pure Gym will be there running rowing and boxing challenges, Greggs’ Lucky Lockers will be giving out a selection of prizes, and you can even join the search for Manchester’s fastest suitcase packer with Virgin Money Lounge to win a £100 Virgin Experience card.

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.

The huge shopping event is organised by Manchester BID in partnership with Manchester Arndale and takes place twice a year.

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 are also some fantastic offers on food and drink throughout the day and into the evening.”

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