The Royal Exchange Manchester, the distinctive shopping destination found in the heart of the city centre, has welcomed new brands to its iconic building. Joining an already impressive line-up of over 40 high-street brands, independent stores and luxury boutiques, new additions Insomnia Cookies, Mint Velvet and Pure Piercing cements the location as an unmissable destination for shoppers.

Insomnia Cookies opened its doors on 29th August, and now occupies the previously vacant 880 sq. ft unit on Cross Street, between Royal Exchange Flowers and TGI Fridays. The open-till-late dessert stop selected Manchester as the location to open its first UK stores (The Royal Exchange on Cross Street and University Green on Oxford Road), after taking the US by storm with 240 cookie shops. The store not only provides more delicious dessert choice for Royal Exchange customers who can enjoy freshly baked cookies, delectable ice creams and indulgent shakes daily until the early hours but has also created new jobs for the local area. Insomnia Cookies UK has employed around 95 people across the brand, including cookie crew members and delivery drivers across both Manchester sites.

Georgia Orzel, Assistant Building Manager at The Royal Exchange said “We’re always delighted to welcome a new brand to The Royal Exchange. Insomnia Cookies is a first for not only Manchester but for the UK, and we’re confident the brand will be popular with our shoppers, and those craving cookies even in the early hours of the morning.”

Mint Velvet, best known for their relaxed glamour fits, is swapping one royal for another by relocating from King Street to The Royal Exchange, and officially open from Saturday 16th September. A celebratory opening event will take place on Saturday 30th September, where lots of treats will be available for customers to enjoy. Now the successor of the French Connection store, the women’s fashion brand has transformed the 3,260 sq. ft retail space, which sits proudly beside their new neighbour, Mulberry.

Pure Piercing, the first of its kind to open in Manchester, was welcomed to the historic arcade earlier this year, and has been making its mark on shoppers ever since. Offering a variety of quality piercing services, over 15 years of experience and jewellery options including 9-14ct gold upgrades and a huge range of body jewellery for healed piercings, customers can get pierced in confidence within the clean, professional and friendly 527 sq. ft. retail environment.

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