This content is drawn from the Visit Manchester Insider’s Guide. Filled with ideas and inspiration for things to see, do, and eat, as well as places to stay, the 40-page guide features dedicated sections on what's new and upcoming, along with maps and spotlight pages highlighting Greater Manchester's towns, boroughs, and trendiest neighbourhoods. It's the ideal resource for planning your next trip.
Independent Shopping
Pollard Yard
Neighbouring Ancoats and New Islington, Pollard Yard is comprised of almost 100 former shipping containers now repurposed into small independent businesses, craft makers and arts spaces.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre
Buy something handmade, personal, and bespoke at Manchester Craft and Design Centre. Explore two floors of contemporary studios within the unique surroundings of a Victorian market building.
Afflecks
An Aladdin’s cave of unique traders, offering an array of wonderful jewellery, clothing, and craft stores. You can spend hours getting lost in the labyrinth of treasures at Afflecks.
Suzy Loves Milo
This cool streetwear and vintage store is packed with designer labels and big brands to add to your collection.
Queer Lit
Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ bookshop’ stands in Ancoats, home to over 4000 titles and sharing space with coffeehouse and bar Social Refuge.
The Royal Exchange
Located under and around the infamous theatre, The Royal Exchange offers everything from watches to whiskeys as well as international brands that you won’t find anywhere else in the city such as Fjällräven and Søstrene Grene.
Fred Aldous
Helping the people of Manchester make and create for over 130 years, Fred Aldous stocks a comprehensive range of arts and crafts materials, plus haberdashery.
Rare Mags
Setting up shop alongside Stockport’s growing independent scene, Rare Mags stocks a variety of hard-to-find niche magazines and books, perfect for collectors of design-led publications.
Form Lifestyle Store
Tucked away on a Northern Quarter side street, all of the pieces at Form have been carefully selected with a focus on design, function, and simplicity.
The Sculpts
Specialising in decorative homeware and lifestyle accessories, The Sculpts creates surreal yet soulful designs that pay homage to the industrial spirit, cultural icons, and creative hedonism of Manchester and its surrounds.
High Steet Shopping
Selfridges
With two outposts – one at The Trafford Centre and a larger store in Exchange Square – shoppers can find designer brands alongside in-store personal shopping, beauty experts, and places to eat.
Manchester Arndale
The city centre’s main shopping mall, Manchester Arndale is where you’ll find a huge selection of high street names spread over two floors, plus a third-floor food court.
King Street
King Street offers a range of shopping and eating options, from the impressive Tudor-style Boodles to refined brands such as Castle Fine Art and Vivienne Westwood.
Quayside MediaCity UK
Formerly the Lowry Outlet Mall, Quayside MediaCityUK has 85 high street and designer stores offering up to 70% off, plus a 400 seat food court and seven screen cinema.
Harvey Nichols
The famous luxury department store is a Manchester icon, offering designer fashion and beauty as well as one of the city’s best stocked food and wine halls.
Trafford Centre
Known for its extravagant Rococo and Baroque design and high street favourites, Trafford Centre also features The Orient, Europe’s largest food court. It truly is a shopping centre like no other.
Spinningfields
The city’s commercial district, Spinningfields is a glass and steel collection of offices and big business, with high-end retailers such as Flannels along The Avenue.
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
The UK’s largest Designer Outlet, Cheshire Oaks is a 50-minute drive from Manchester, offering 140 heavily discounted stores and boutiques, alongside 19 restaurants and cafes.
What's Happening in Manchester?
So much is happening in our city. Looking to explore what's going on? Visit our What's On page.