Mint Velvet to take up residence in former city centre French Connection store

Women’s luxury clothing store Mint Velvet is taking up residence in the former French Connection store on Exchange Street.

The luxurious store, founded in 2009 over cups of fresh mint tea, currently has a store on King Street.

Struggling fashion chain French Connection closed its shutters last month six years after re-opening.

The site, at 7-9 Exchange Street, was a close neighbour with its original Manchester shop on the corner of St Ann’s Square, which closed January 2016 and is now operating as high-end fashion store &Other Stories. The new store opened the following year in 2017.

But as of Saturday, July 15, the store closed its doors for a second time amid a slashed prices sale.

A source said staff at the store were told of the decision last minute and that the chain had been hoping to stay or find a suitable new premises in time.

A spokeperson for French Connection said: “Our lease has ended, and we are in the process of securing a new site. We’re unable to share more detailed information at this time.”

Now, signs have been put up on the premises to say high end fashion store Mint Velvet is coming soon.

Mint Velvet have been approached for comment.