Manchester’s corner shops and convenience stores have come a long way in recent years. That’s mostly thanks to the grocery powerhouse that is Mital Morar, founder of Store Retail Group which currently has stores in Ancoats, Stretford and Sale with a few more planned in the pipeline.
The most recent General Store opened this week in MediaCityUK, Salford, on the ground floor of the recently completed Lightbox development - just a stone’s throw from the cobbles of the Corrie set.
The innovative neighbourhood retailer offers a shopping experience that champions local makers along with leading brands. It stocks a wide range of food and drink as well as homeware, plants, and lesser run-of-the-mill items. General Store MediaCityUK also incorporates a coffee shop on site, plus rotating pop-up appearances from local street food vendors and freshly baked goods. There will also be zero-waste, household essential refill stations.
“I’m really excited to serve the unique and diverse community at MediaCityUK. It is an amazing place and we’re looking forward to bringing something new to the area,” says Mital Morar. “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.”
The 3500 sq ft store is the latest evolution of the innovative General Store brand, representing all the most exciting elements that the team has developed so far. The region’s most sought-after independent food brands will be in stock, including the likes of Nell’s Pizza and The Great North Pie Company, which will sit alongside convenience store essentials like toothpaste to toilet paper.
The in-store coffee counter will offer freshly ground Ancoats Coffee, as well as juices, smoothies and cold brews for MediaCity workers and visitors. Regular guest spots in the new store have been given to Just Natas with their incredible Portuguese custard tarts and Cafe Lupo Italiano who will be popping in with freshly baked cakes and more.
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 gatherings. 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 will be all about keeping things fresh”, added Morar. “It’s a brand-new design for the store, it’s going to look brilliant - 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.”
The arrival of General Store in Salford also means the Store Retail Group will create twenty new jobs. General Store Deansgate Square has already been announced with an opening planned later this year, and the team have confirmed there is more exciting news coming soon.
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Image credit: Jody Hartley