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Shopping in Manchester

Manchester's shopping offers something for all tastes and budgets.

Key areas

Befitting a city that oozes urban cool, Manchester offers visitors great shopping experiences with the main shopping area spreading out west from Piccadilly Gardens. Mainstream shops tend to be in the area around Market Street and the Arndale Centre on Corporation Street. For more alternative purchases, head back east towards the Northern Quarter, where most of the hip and fashionable stores can be found including the incredible Afflecks Palace - a labyrinth of independent shops offering four floors of fashion, accessories, homeware, vintage, memorabilia and cafés.

Markets

Manchester boasts the Arndale Market for food-lovers. Church Street Market offers fruit and veg, clothes and music, plus a vintage fashion market once a month. There’s a relatively new food market at Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre every Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 11am and 5.30pm, which coincides with the flower market. St Anne’s Square is also the location for themed markets throughout the year – look out for the vintage and fashion market in June, arts and crafts in August and Christmas markets in November and December.

Shopping centres

Manchester's flagship stores are Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, while the Manchester Arndale offers over 240 retailers.

Heading farther west towards Exchange Square and on to Deansgate are the designer shops, one-off boutiques and big department stores. The Exchange Square development even contains a branch of one-stop luxury store Harvey Nichols.

Close by on Oak Street in the city’s Northern Quarter is the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, a series of studios and retail spaces for local craftspeople selling everything from jewellery, ceramics and textiles to furniture and clothing. Formerly the Smithfield Victorian fish market, it is topped with a striking glass roof.


On the outskirts of Manchester but within easy reach of the city centre is the Trafford Centre, offering over 200 stores, 60 restaurants plus cafes and bars. Combine shopping with a trip to the neighbouring Trafford Quays Leisure Village, which has an indoor ski slope, soccer dome and a golf facility.

Opening hours

Shops are open Monday to Saturday 0930-1800, with some open until 2000. Many open Sunday 1200-1800. Late-night opening (usually until 2000) is on Thursday.

Souvenirs

Everything from vintage fashion to football memorabilia and arts and crafts is available in Manchester.

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The Midland

The Midland is a Grade II-listed Edwardian building that exudes elegance and charm, but is reasonably priced. There are 312 en-suite bedrooms decorated in a contemporary style that's in keeping with the building. Rooms are dotted with polished wood furniture and each comes with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs and Internet access.

Great John Street

Housed in a former Victorian schoolhouse, the Great John Street Hotel is one of Manchester's slickest new boutique hotels. Duplex suites come with flatscreen TVs, free Wi-Fi and rainforest showers. Some even have views of the set of Coronation Street. Be sure to try out the swanky bar too.

The Light Aparthotel

If you want a place to hunker down for a longer stay, this apartment hotel is the perfect fit. It's slap bang in the middle of town and rooms are surprisingly good value considering the space offered. There's even a penthouse if you're feeling flush.

Novotel

This hotel is not unlike the others in this well-established chain with contemporary bedrooms featuring in-room entertainment and eco-friendly toiletries. There are also two junior suites should you wish to upgrade. Novotel has extensive dining facilities too plus a fully-equipped gym and relaxation zone featuring a sauna steam room and heated loungers.

Hilton Manchester Deansgate

Housed in the 47-storey Beetham Tower, and occupying the lower 23 floors, this contemporary hotel offers stunning views from floor-to-ceiling windows featured in spacious, elegantly-furnished rooms. There is a gym, a 20m (60ft) indoor pool with underwater viewing panels, a spa, restaurant and a bar on the highest floor.

Premier Inn

This budget hotel chain has several locations in and around the city, but the stay with the best setting is at Deansgate Locks, situated close to Old Trafford. It's conveniently located close to a seven-day free city centre shuttle bus service and also offers free onsite car parking.