The new shop will feature a full floor dedicated to Preloved clothes, alongside two accessible fitting rooms and a wheelchair lift
The new Lucy & Yak store on Oldham Street in Manchester(Image: Supplied)
A popular fashion brand known for its quirky and bold clothing has announced its moving to a new location in the coming weeks.
Lucy & Yak launched its first store in the Northern Quarter back in summer 2023 in the spot left vacant by much-loved gift and homeware shop Oklahoma, which closed its doors for good in January that year after 25 years in the city.
It’s new location, 22 Oldham Street, was until recently occupied by Thunder Egg, who ran their shop from the site for the last twenty years. They’re now based permanently at Afflecks just over the road.
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Lucy & Yak’s new shop will officially opening on Saturday, 12 September and will be twice the size of its previous High Street store. The new two-storey (ground and basement) shop will feature a full floor dedicated to second-hand and Preloved clothes, alongside two accessible fitting rooms and a wheelchair lift.
The conscious clothing brand, originally based in Barnsley, was set up by Lucy Greenwood and Chris Renwick in 2017, and has become one of the fastest growing fashion companies in the UK. It focuses on sustainable fashion, with its dungaree designs its biggest seller alongside a range of lifestyle products.
Lydia Coley, Managing Director at the brand, said: “We love our Manchester community and can’t wait to welcome them into our new store on Oldham Street.
There’ll be an entire 1,000-square-foot floor dedicated to Preloved items – a first of its kind for us where shoppers can discover Yaks ready for a new home, as well as plenty of space to host our events programme, including our Re:Yak workshops. These workshops inspire new ways to mend and repair, helping to keep our clothes in circulation for longer.”
Their new store will first open its doors to shoppers on Thursday 10 September, during Manchester Fashion Week, before officially launching with a party and ribbon-cutting on Saturday 12 September.
As part of the brand’s commitment to championing local creatives, Lucy & Yak has teamed up with Manchester-based illustrator, animator and designer Rick Hyde, who has created a bright, bold and playful artwork piece for the storefront.
To celebrate the opening and the new artwork, shoppers will be be offered 20% off all day, meet Rick Hyde and see five pieces of his artwork, as well as shop limited-edition totes and tees signed by Rick. There’ll also be the opportunity to customise pieces with Rick Hyde embroidered patches through an in-store Re:Yak Studio.
Rick Hyde, said: “Working with Lucy & Yak is a dream project. Their whole ethos is bright, positive, expressive and a little unexpected, which feels like a perfect match for my style. It’s been great working with the team, who have been really positive and have encouraged me to push the work towards its brightest, most joyful and exuberant end.
“The artwork is intended to be a psychedelic explosion of colour and joy, full of energy, with a proper sense of Manchester running through it. As a Mancunian artist, it’s an amazing opportunity to have my work displayed in the heart of the city I love, and to contribute to its cultural landscape.
“There are Manchester references throughout, everything from Frank Sidebottom to The Happy Mondays, alongside broader nods to the city’s rich musical and footballing heritage, all interwoven with Lucy & Yak’s positivity, inclusivity and celebration of individuality.”
Lucy added: “We can’t thank Rick enough for bringing his incredible talent to our new storefront. His work felt like such a natural fit for Lucy & Yak, and we can’t wait for the city to see it.”
The store’s first 100 guests will also receive a goody bag, with sweet treats, prizes and plenty of surprises throughout the day. The launch party will also be part of Manchester Fashion Week’s Northern Quarter Mash Up, which aims to celebrate the best of the area’s independent stores and creative culture with in-store activations and events.
Prior to opening, on Saturday, 5 September, members of the community have been invited to the new store to become Paint Pals, taking part in a furniture-painting workshop with Hannah Wiles, furniture restorer and founder of Manchester’s Tread Softly Furniture. Hannah will guide attendees as they give preloved pieces a new lease of life, with the finished furniture going on display in the new Oldham Street shop.
