The quintessential British holiday by the seaside. Everyone can remember a time when they’ve dipped their toes precariously into a somewhat murky sea, before making a sandcastle 6ft high and finishing the day off nicely with a 99’, covered in raspberry sauce. If you look back wistfully at those days, fear not. They’re back!

One look at Mulberry’s latest window on The Avenue and you’ll be whisked back to the sandy beaches of your youth, the waves lapping at your feet and more hundreds and thousands than you can shake a proverbial ice cream at. The only thing missing is the donkeys.

The British seaside provided the inspiration for Mulberry’s new collection, with a retro pattern catching the eye and available in a number of different styles, from the Scout Shirt in Multicolored Bonkers Beach Print below (RRP £325) to dresses, scarves and shorts.

Bonkers Beach aside, the big news at Mulberry is the arrival of Harriet. Just launched in The Avenue store, and nestled among ice cream cones in the shop window, the Harriet tote, satchel and shoulder have already found themselves on the waiting list for many a customer, so if you’re keen to get your hands on one, now is the time to go and take a look.

Mulberry isn’t the only store to use ice cream as inspiration for their latest collection. Kurt Geiger’s new range is based on a mouthwatering pastel palette of pistachio ice-cream, raspberry sorbet and lemon sherbert. But if you’re more savoury than sweet, check out their Esme heels (£140.00). These neon statement heels will bring any outfit bang up to date and won’t be around for long, according to footwear aficionado and assistant store manager Stuart.

Although it may be difficult to contemplate your spring/ summer wardrobe while there’s a chill in the Manchester air, the season’s most popular items can get snapped up before you’ve even had the chance to put your parka away. A number of stores have already received their new collections, with the rest snapping at their neon-coloured spikey heels. So forget the cold and think of the Spinningfields’ deck chairs – Spring is round the corner!

Not a day goes by without Kate Middleton being papped by the press, with every item of her wardrobe scrutinised from top to toe. L.K. Bennett has proved to be a source of inspiration for the young Duchess and we can’t help but predict the next item on her shopping list after viewing the new LK collection. The Madi coat (£225) is Chanel-esque in its shape and lends itself to accompanying skirts, trousers and jeans – a perfect piece for our future Queen.

Having had a team night out to see The Artist, we are all feeling wondrously inspired by the eloquence and grace of this silent movie. Worthy winner of three Golden Globes, the film has got us talking to the powers that be about running silent movies on The Avenue screen. Watch this space.

And in other news…Spinningfields’ Waitrose store has introduced self-scanning machines at the checkout. Great news if you’re nipping out on your lunch hour and in a hurry. Bad news if you’re Anthony Worral-Thompson – your card is marked Wozza!