Manchester is home to a lively foodie scene, bustling nightlife and an array of unique independents selling books, homeware, fashion and coffee. With our new store opening on Oxford Road, it seems only right to shout about some of the wonderful independent shops that stand alongside us.

But why shop independent? Here are five reasons telling you exactly why! (Forbes)

  1. “When you support independent business, you’re supporting a true reflection of the person or people behind it.” - Stella Ishii(founder - The News Inc. and 6397).
  2. “Supporting independent businesses is substantially important to supporting what you love about a city.” - Foster Kamer (writer, executive editor - Mental Floss)
  3. “It’s where genuine, not-watered-down creativity lives.” - Olivia Wolfe and Steph Krasnoff (co-founders - American Two Shot).
  4. “They’re authentic, they’re original, and they care.” - Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria (co-founders - Coming Soon New York).
  5. “Independent business bring originality and variety in a world that’s becoming increasingly homogenized.” - Craig Costello (Artist and founder, KRINK).

1. Chapter one books

Chapter one bookstore is located in the heart of the Northern Quarter at 19 Lever Street. This independent coffee shop and bookstore was born out of a families love for books, cake and coffee. The foundation of chapter one revolves around family, friends and conversation with your cake and coffee. Discover a new book in the mix and match bookshelves while enjoying a locally roasted speciality coffee.

2. McQueen Independent

McQueen independent is a beautiful independent shop dedicated to the love of colour and pattern, quality and personal touch. They search out little known independent labels who are ahead of the curve and help build a lasting wardrobe.
The store was established in 1994 and has expanded into two bricks and mortar shops in South Manchester! They also put together a monthly edit by selecting the best sellers if you cannot make it to the shop.
Independent McQueen prides themselves on remaining Fair-trade, ethical and sustainable as well as always trying to work with independents who embrace these same principles whenever possible.

3. Magma books

Magma bookstore is a small, smart space nicely filled with books, magazines and cards. The walls are decorated with books from independent publications covering the whole spectrum from fashion, food, film, and design and even colouring books. Handmade and hand printed totes hang from the wall, and there are lots of delightful greeting cards to flick through and admire. You could spend hours flicking through the store.

4. Fred Aldous

Fred Aldous is a family run business that has flourished over the years. Although the store may have grown in size, they still follow what the original Fred Aldous set out to do all those years ago – supply materials to people who make things. What started off as just three products, cane willow and yeast selling to the cotton traders and brewers of Manchester now have two stores in Manchester and Leeds that stock more than 25,000 products and sell to customers all over the world.

5. Oi polloi

The shop caters to a local fashion scene while representing the perfect aesthetic of Manchester style. Located on Thomas Street, the layout follows some exposed brick walls, spotlighting and some seriously neat folding. The shop caters to a local fashion scene, a kind of eco-system which dresses the best dressed in town. ‘We’re a men’s clothes shop that sells classic stuff and sports casual and workwear from all over the world, It should just look dead natural and dead easy. It’s laid-back, not that fancy dress stuff…” The name Oi Polloi derives from Ancient Greek, meaning ‘the many’

Voted Manchester’s finest independent boutique by GQ Magazine and named style pioneer by the Guardian, Oi Polloi has one of the most covetable selections of classic and contemporary designer menswear around.

6. Object style

Object style is founded by the creative husband and wife duo Rachael and Alex Otterwell based in Chorlton. The pair have been travelling the world since 2009 piecing together the story and the products behind their boutique, Object Style.

Working with directional brands built on craftsmanship, quality + simplicity our carefully curated collection of menswear, womenswear and objects for the home, have been personally hand-sourced by us. We only ever choose pieces to be a part of our Object family because we genuinely love them, would wear them ourselves and would be proud to have them in our home.

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Featured Image - https://unsplash.com/photos/8fpMNI_hoyo