This Halloween, join us for a day of Spooktacular fun on Thursday 29th October from 11am – 3pm!

What to expect:

Get up close with creepy creatures such as snakes, tarantulas, stick insects and more! Visitors of all ages are welcome to hold the creatures whilst learning some fascinating and fun facts along the way. 

Throughout the day, you can choose from a range of fun glitter tattoos to add a touch of sparkle to your visit!

All activities are free to participate in, however, we encourage you to make a donation to our charity of the year partner Prime Active Communities who will be in attendance throughout the event.

Suggested donation amount:

£2 for a glitter tattoo

£1 for participating in the creepy crawly encounter.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Halloween event terms and conditions

1. Children aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult over 18
2. This event is free to attend.
3. Ladysmith Shopping Centre reserves the right to refuse entry.
4. Ladysmith Shopping Centre at its absolute discretion, reserves the right at any time to cancel or amend events, activities, workshops, alter times, prices and services without notice.
5. If the event is cancelled in its entirety, Ladysmith Shopping Centre will use our reasonable endeavours to notify you as soon as reasonably possible.
6. Dogs and all other pets are not permitted within the Ladysmith Shopping Centre or any events. This is with the exception of Assistant Dogs and some restrictions do apply. 
7. Admission to any event, activity or workshop is at your own risk. Ladysmith Shopping Centre will not be held liable for any loss, injuries or damages or emotional distress sustained at or during or following the event, activity or workshop including damage, theft or losses to property and motor vehicles.
8. Please note that CCTV, film cameras and photographers may be present. By entering Ladysmith Shopping Centre, you consent to filming stills photography and sound recording and its use in distribution (commercial or otherwise) without any payment.
9. If you experience any problems during the event, activity or workshop, please contact a member of Ladysmith Shopping Centre staff, as it may not be possible to resolve issues after the event, activity or workshop.

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It’s that time of year again! Getting the kids prepped and ready to head back to the classroom doesn’t have to break the bank. If you are stocking up on stationery, upgrading their school bag, or sorting out some new shoes, Ladysmith Shopping Centre has everything you need under one roof.

Here is your ultimate, budget-conscious Back to School checklist to get them ready for September without the stress:

Lip Care for Warm September Days

Boots | Limited Edition Emily in Paris Vaseline

September weather can be surprisingly warm, leaving lips feeling dry.

Pop into Boots and pick up this pocket-sized Emily in Paris Limited Edition Vaseline tin.

It is the perfect, cute, compact essential to keep in their school bag or blazer pocket for moisturised lips all day long.

Refresh for Stuffy Classrooms

Boots | Lynx Sunset Fresh 3-in-1 Body, Face & Hair Wash

Heading back into warm, stuffy classrooms after the summer break calls for an ultimate morning refresh.

Lynx’s Sunset Fresh scent works as a body, face, and hair wash all in one, helping them feel clean, confident, and ready to tackle the school day.

Exceptional Value Stationery Basics

If you want to stretch your budget further, Home Bargains is packed with unbeatable stationery bargains that keep kids organised and creative:

2026/2027 Academic Diaries: Stay on top of homework and key dates with these beautiful diaries, available in three gorgeous pastel colourways. They are less than £2 each too!

The Original 4-Color BIC Pen: A total lifesaver for secondary school students! Most high schools require pupils to carry black, blue, red, and green ink, this handy pen lets them carry just one instead of four.

10-Pack Coloured Gel Pens: Perfect for doodling during breaks or making geography and chemistry diagrams pop.

Zebra Z-Grip Smooth Ink Pens: Featuring adorable pink bows for a touch of charm without sacrificing smooth, easy writing.

Classroom Basics: Don’t forget to grab your scientific calculators, rubbers, sharpeners, and HB pencil packs for pennies while you’re in-store!

Unbeatable Uniform Deal

Shoezone | The £24.99 School Bundle

Finding durable school footwear on a budget just got easier. Shoezone is running an incredible bundle offer that is truly unmatched value for money: get 1 pair of school shoes, 1 pair of PE trainers, AND a rucksack of their choice, all for just £24.99!

Come and visit us today at Ladysmith Shopping Centre in Ashton to tick off your Back to School list for less!

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Ladysmith Shopping Centre is proud to be supporting the Ashton-under-Lyne community with our Ask for Ruby initiative, designed to provide free access to essential menstrual products for anyone who needs them.

Whether you are experiencing period poverty or have started your period unexpectedly whilst shopping, we are here to support you. To access the support, simply visit one of the participating stores below and ask for Ruby. A member of staff will provide you with a discreet bag containing essential menstrual products, with no questions asked.

Participating stores include:

💚 Holland & Barrett

💪 International Gym

🧁 Pound Bakery

🎮 CeX

📸 Max Spielmann

🫶 The A World UK

Period poverty affects thousands of people across the UK, and through Ask for Ruby, Ladysmith Shopping Centre is helping to make period products more accessible to the Ashton-Under-Lyne community. Don’t get caught out when you need it most!

To help keep this initiative running for as long as possible, we welcome donations of menstrual products. If you would like to support Ask for Ruby, donations can be dropped off Ladysmith Shopping Centre Management Office.

Every donation we receive will help us to continue providing free period products to those who need them most. Thank you for supporting this initiative.

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This camp will give young people the opportunity to work alongside professional artists, musicians and youth workers to create an original live performance for family and friends.

Activities will include:

• Music and Songwriting 
• Drama and Acting 
• Filmmaking and Scriptwriting 
• Animation and Art 
• Rehearsal and Performance Skills

Summer Creative Camp Key Dates

Week 1: Monday 27th July, Tuesday 28th July 

Week 2: Monday 3rd August, Tuesday 4th August, Thursday 6th August 

Week 3: Monday 10th August, Tuesday 11th August, Thursday 13th August

Final performance Day: Friday 14th August.

Sessions will run from 10am to 3pm, with the final day beginning at 1pm, followed by a performance for families and invited guests later in the day.

The Summer Creative Camp is suitable for young people aged 10 to 16 years with different levels of confidence and experience. No previous creative experience is required, this is designed to help young people make friends, build confidence, develop new skills and contribute to a shared creative production.

Free transport is available for young people travelling from Hattersley. The daily pick up point will be Hattersley Hub Car Park at 10am, returning at approximately 3:30pm. Separate arrangements will apply on the final performance day.

Places are limited, so booking is recommended. You can book by contacting:

Prime Active Communities CIC

Email: info@pac-cic.co.uk

Telephone: 07519 987667 

Website: www.pac-cic.co.uk

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Summer holidays are almost here, and at Ladysmith Shopping Centre, we are turning up the magic! If you’re looking for a spectacular, budget-friendly way to keep the kids entertained, look no further. We are bringing the thrill of the carnival, the joy of the funfair, and a touch of pure mystery right to the heart of Ashton.

Become A Real Magician And Impress Your Friends And Family!

But before we tell you about our incredible event, we’ve got something super mysterious to share with you! To celebrate, we’re giving you a free mind-boggling trick that your children can perform for friends and family.

Click here to download the instructions. You can take a photo with your phone or print it out. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Fancy taking a photo or video of them performing the trick? Send it to us and we’ll share on our socials!

DOWNLOAD THIS MAGIC TRICK HERE and be the star of the show at home!

Want to know more?

3 Things You Might Not Know About Magic!

1. What was the first trick ever performed?

The oldest magic trick we know about is called ‘Cups and Balls.’ A painting of this exact trick was found inside an ancient Egyptian tomb from nearly 5,000 years ago! The magician hides tiny balls or stones under upside-down cups, making them vanish, reappear, or jump from cup to cup right before your eyes.

2. Who is the most famous magician?

The most famous magician in history is Harry Houdini. He lived about 100 years ago and became incredibly well known for his astonishing escape acts. He could break out of  police handcuffs, untie himself from ropes while hanging upside down, and escape from locked boxes filled with water!

3. How can  you or your children start to learn magic?

• Start with everyday objects, you don’t need expensive tools. You can do amazing tricks using a regular pack of playing cards, coins and elastic bands.
• Practice the ‘secret move’! Film yourself on a phone doing the trick. Watch it back to make sure your hands look completely natural and aren’t accidentally showing the secret!
• Tell a story. A great magician doesn’t just do a trick in silence, they tell a funny or mysterious story to distract the audience.
• The Magician’s Code! Never tell anyone how a trick is done, and never do the exact same trick twice in a row for the same person (otherwise, they will figure out your secret)!

One More Fun Fact!

How Was Candy Floss Invented?

Surprisingly, candy floss (or cotton candy) was invented by a dentist!

In 1897, a dentist named William Morrison teamed up with a confectioner named John C. Wharton in Nashville, Tennessee. Together, they designed and patented an electric candy machine that used centrifugal force to spin liquid sugar through tiny holes. As the melted sugar flew through the air, it cooled instantly into the fluffy, thread-like strands we know today.

They originally called it ‘Fairy Floss’ and introduced it to the world at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. It was a massive success, they sold over 68,000 boxes even though it cost 25 cents a box, which was a lot of money back then!

In the 1920s, another dentist named Josef Lascaux tried to improve the machine and rebranded the treat as ‘cotton candy,’ which stuck in America, while the UK and Australia kept names like candy floss and fairy floss.

Step Right Up to the Funfair

Tuesday 11th August from 11am – 3pm is officially the Ladysmith Summer

Spectacular and It’s entirely FREE to attend. We are transforming the centre into a bustling carnival ground for the afternoon. Kids can get creative with our fantastic Face Painting artists, testing out their favourite mystical designs. Then, it’s time to test their skills at our classic funfair games! We’ll have Hook a Duck and Tin Can Alley, with plenty of brilliant prizes just waiting to be won.

Circus Skills Workshop

Have your little ones ever wanted to learn the secrets of a circus performer? Alongside our games, we are hosting a completely free Circus Skills Workshop. There is absolutely no need to book, simply turn up on the day and join the fun! Kids will learn how to move like real carnival performers. It’s the perfect way to build up their coordination and give them a few dazzling ‘magic tricks’ to show off to the family at home.

Save the date Tuesday 11th August 11am – 3pm.

Enter Our Sweetest Competition Yet!

Think your eyes can’t be tricked? We are putting your vision to the test with our Sweet Spectacular competition! We have a sweet jar packed entirely to the brim with colourful treats, but can you work out exactly how many sweets are hiding inside?

This is a digital competition you can enter right from your phone. Simply head over to our website, fill out the form with your ultimate guess, and you could WIN a £50 Ladysmith gift card! Your guess could be the lucky one, so make sure to look closely.

Want To Start Your Magic Journey With Ladysmith?

Head to Home Bargains and pick up some juggling balls and a pack of cards for less than £2.

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This competition is now closed.

Think you've got the sweetest guess in town? 

Take a close look at our sweet jar and tell us how many sweets you think are hiding inside. 

But be careful – it’s trickier than it looks! There are sweets hidden behind the label and tucked away at the back of the jar that you might not be able to spot!

Submit your guess below and you could WIN a £50 Ladysmith shopping voucher. If more than one person guesses correctly, a winner will be selected at random. If nobody guesses the exact number, the closest guess will win. 

Good luck, entries close on 12th August!

Make Your Guess To Win!

[contact-form-7]

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What a day! Our Ladysmith Summer Spectacular brought plenty of smiles to Ladysmith Shopping Centre in Ashton, with families joining us for a fun-filled day of FREE entertainment during the summer holidays.

From face painting to classic funfair games like Hook a Duck and Tin Can Alley, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Visitors also had the chance to try their hand at circus skills, with our drop-in workshop proving popular with children eager to learn a few new tricks.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the event so special.

We love creating free family events in Ashton-under-Lyne that bring the local community together, and seeing so many happy faces made it all worthwhile.

If you couldn’t make it this time, don’t worry – we’ve got plenty more events planned throughout the year.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with everything happening at Ladysmith Shopping Centre, and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about upcoming events, competitions and family fun.

Ladysmith Summer Spectacular Event Terms and Conditions

1. Children aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult over 18
2. This event is free to attend.
3. Ladysmith Shopping Centre reserves the right to refuse entry.
4. Ladysmith Shopping Centre at its absolute discretion reserves the right at any time to cancel or amend events, activities, workshops, alter times, prices and services without notice.
5. If the event is cancelled in its entirety, Ladysmith Shopping Centre will use our reasonable endeavours to notify you as soon as reasonably possible.
6. Dogs and all other pets are not permitted within the Ladysmith Shopping Centre or any events. This is with the exception of Assistant Dogs and some restrictions do apply. 
7. Admission to any event, activity or workshop is at your own risk. Ladysmith Shopping Centre will not be held liable for any loss, injuries or damages or emotional distress sustained at or during or following the event, activity or workshop including damage, theft or losses to property and motor vehicles.
8. Please note that CCTV, film cameras and photographers may be present. By entering Ladysmith Shopping Centre, you consent to filming stills photography and sound recording and its use in distribution (commercial or otherwise) without any payment.
9. If you experience any problems during the event, activity or workshop, please contact a member of Ladysmith Shopping Centre staff, as it may not be possible to resolve issues after the event, activity or workshop.

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But celebrating the special men in our lives, whether that’s Dad, Grandad, an uncle, or a stepdad, doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can find some brilliant, thoughtful ways to say ‘thanks’ right here on your doorstep.

Here are a few simple, budget-friendly ideas to show him some love this year:

The Perfect Card & Little Extras

Start your shopping at Cards Direct. You don’t need to spend a lot to make someone smile. Here you’ll find a fantastic range of Father’s Day cards, gift bags, and small keepsakes at prices that keep things kind to your wallet.

Fresh Grooming & Skincare Treats

If Dad loves to look sharp, pop into Boots to check out their fantastic range of men’s grooming and skincare. You don’t need to spend a fortune on high-end brands; they have brilliant, affordable daily essentials from names like Nivea Men, Bulldog, L’Oréal Men Expert and No7. From refreshing face washes and moisturisers to beard oils,  shaving gels and anti-ageing creams, you can easily mix and match a few items to create a lovely, budget-friendly custom gift pack he’ll actually use every day.

Affordable Style for Dad

If Dad’s wardrobe needs an update, head over to Peacocks. They currently have the brilliant Michael Owen Edit in-store. It’s packed with everyday menswear essentials, like t-shirts, polos and casual shirts that will make Dad stand out this summer. And don’t forget the all-important England shirt to celebrate the World Cup!

A Delicious Local Treat

Sometimes, the best gift is just spending a bit of time together. Why not treat him to lunch? Head to Rosie’s and order their famous French Toast. It truly is incredible and makes for the perfect affordable treat. If you’re on the move, you can always swing by Costa for a proper coffee chat, or pop into Greggs to grab a gift voucher so he can enjoy his favourite bakes and sweet treats whenever it suits him!

Something a Little Extra?

If you do have a bit more wiggle room in your budget this year, Boots has an incredible selection of experience days that you can both do together! It’s a wonderful option if you want to team up with siblings to buy him one big, memorable present.

Come and visit us today at Ladysmith Shopping Centre and pick up a treat for Dad while supporting your local high street. We can’t wait to see you soon!

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• Instagram

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Nominations Are Now Closed. Thank you for all your entries.

We’re proud to support the incredible work local charities do across Ashton-under-Lyne. Each year, we partner with one charity to support them through fundraising, events in the centre, and promotion across our digital channels, helping them reach more people and continue the work they do in our community.

Over the past couple of years, we’ve had the pleasure of working with The Anthony Seddon Fund and Willow Wood Hospice, supporting their efforts and helping raise valuable funds along the way. Now, we’re looking for our next Charity Partner for 2026/27.

We know there are so many charities out there doing important and meaningful work, and we’d love to hear about as many as possible.

Terms and Conditions

1. The Charity of the Year competition will be open for entries from 5th May 2026 and will close on 26th May 2026. Entries received outside of this period will not be considered.
2. To enter the competition, the entrant must like the Instagram post or the Facebook post and comment with their chosen charity or head to the website and fill out the form
3. All entries will be carefully reviewed, and one partner charity will be selected by the management team, the decision of the Promoter is final, and no correspondence will be entered into
4. The selected charity will be contacted by the marketing team directly and must confirm acceptance of the Charity of the Year partnership within 14 days of notification. If no response is received within this timeframe, or if the charity declines the opportunity, the Promoter reserves the right to withdraw the offer and select an alternative charity.
5. Due to the volume of entries, only the successful entrant and/or nominated charity will be contacted, we are unable to notify unsuccessful entrants
6. By entering the promotion, you accept these terms and conditions and agree to participate in any publicity associated with this promotion
7. If the entrants fail to agree to these terms and conditions, they will be automatically excluded
8. The promoter and partners have arranged this competition in good faith and cannot accept liability in any matter relating to the competition whatsoever
9. The entrant’s personal information will be used only on the website and social media of the Ladysmith shopping centre and will not be passed on to any third parties other than where legally or contractually obliged
10. Employees of Ladysmith and their relatives can enter this competition
11. The Promoter reserves the right to cancel the competition at any stage
12. These terms and conditions are governed by English law and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

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To make things simple, we’ve pulled together a handy list of ideas with locations, rough prices and links so you can plan your week with ease.

Cockfields Farm Park

Lees Road, Oldham, OL6 8AR

Approx. £10–£15 per child (varies by event)

A firm favourite for families, Cockfields Farm Park offers a full day out with animal feeding, tractor rides and hands-on experiences like holding chicks. During half term, they often run themed events and extra activities, making it well worth the visit.

Hartshead Pike Tower

Mossley Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 9HP

Free

For a budget-friendly day out, head to Hartshead Pike Tower. It’s an easy family walk with rewarding panoramic views at the top. Pack a picnic, and you’ve got a simple but memorable half-term activity.

Portland Basin Museum

Portland Place, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 0QA

Free entry

Step back in time at Portland Basin Museum, where kids can explore interactive exhibits, historic streets and canal-side displays. It’s educational without feeling like it, perfect for a relaxed indoor afternoon.

Jumparooz Inflatable Park

Ashton Moss Leisure Park, OL7 0PG

Approx. £8–£12 per child

Need to burn off some energy? Jumperooz Inflatable Park is packed with giant inflatables, slides and obstacle courses. A great option for rainy days or when the kids just need to bounce it out.

Fun Depot

Ashton Moss Leisure Park, OL7 0PG

Approx. £5–£10 depending on age/time

Soft play meets arcade fun at Fun Depot. Ideal for younger children, it’s an easy, low-pressure option when you want something quick, fun and indoors.

Cineworld Ashton-under-Lyne

Ashton Moss Leisure Park, OL7 0PG

Approx. £5–£12 per ticket

Catch the latest family films at Cineworld Ashton-under-Lyne. With IMAX and 4DX screens available, it’s a great fallback when the weather isn’t playing ball.

Hollywood Bowl Manchester

Ashton Moss Leisure Park, OL7 0PG

Approx. £6–£10 per game

Bowling is always a win, and Hollywood Bowl Manchester delivers with lanes, arcade games and food all under one roof. Perfect for mixed ages (and a bit of friendly competition).

Emergency Exit Escape Rooms

Ashton-under-Lyne Town Centre, OL6

Approx. £15–£25 per person

For older kids and teens, Emergency Exit Escape Rooms offers an exciting challenge. Work together to solve clues and escape the room, a great way to mix fun with problem-solving.

If you’re scaling the heights of Hartshead Pike for those stunning views or racing the clock at Emergency Exit, there is no shortage of ways to make memories right here in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Half-term doesn’t have to mean long drives or a drained bank account, sometimes the best adventures are the ones just a few minutes from home. Whatever you choose to do, we hope this list makes your planning a little easier and your week a lot more fun. Be sure to check the links for the latest opening times and event bookings, and most importantly, enjoy your break!

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