By Janet Reeder
Manchester hosts a cornucopia of colourful fashion retailers, from favourite big names to independent boutiques who cater for every age and taste. Here are some of the best places to shop.
Independent boutiques
The Northern Quarter is Manchester’s boho area and is a warren of atmospheric streets packed with independent stores, bars and restaurants, including Jean Jackson NQ, a funky bridal boutique and Frog Flowers. It has at its centre the alternative shopping mall, Afflecks, which has managed to survive against the odds as an indoor market and meeting place for the funky and young for more than 30 years.
Unearth vintage and second-hand treasures in Afflecks
You could spend an afternoon finding the perfect vintage outfit, or finding a custom-printed T-shirt. Maybe get inked, or buy an original artwork at Egoiste, stopping by at Ginger’s ice cream and coffee shop. There’s an entrance on Oldham Street, a defiant mixture of bars and trendy shops like Pop Boutique, the excellent Magma design bookshop and the Lumix camera shop as well as celebrated record shop hangouts like Vinyl Exchange.
Unique stores
Track down delights like jewellery and pottery at Manchester Craft Centre, all of which would make lovely unique gifts. Buy sourdough at Pollen, enjoy a candle-making workshop at Ancoats General Store and fashionable furniture at BoConcept, at the city’s most fashionable quarter, Ancoats.
-
- Selfridges offers luxury brands and designer labels in The Trafford Centre
-
- Pick up some contemporary Danish furniture at BoConcept
As if all this city centre shopping wasn’t enough, there’s the out-of-town experience that includes the behemoth that is The Trafford Centre. A serious shopping destination in its own right, the design of the £1.6bn Trafford Centre recalls a glitzy Vegas hotel mall and if you love everything under one roof you’ll get it, from stores like Selfridges and John Lewis to Armani Exchange and Hollister.
Buy sourdough at Pollen enjoy a candle making workshop at Ancoats General Store and fashionable furniture at BoConcept, at the city’s most fashionable quarter, Ancoats
Manchester Arndale
When the famous Manchester rain falls or you just fancy a respite from the action outdoors, head into the Arndale. This is home to the Apple Store, Accessorize, the City Store, a shop dedicated to one of the two local (and quite famous) football teams. Here you’ll also find, Gap, beauty influencer fave Morphe, Footasylum, Topshop, River Island, Hollister, Jack & Jones, Waterstones, Dune, Next and an indoor market where you can buy anything from fresh lobster to fancy dress – there’s a great alteration service there, too.
