The best independent shops in Manchester for last-minute gifts

Afflecks, previously known as Afflecks Palace, is a hip indoor market spread over four floors. Established in 1982, it’s a Manchester institution.

The folks at Barbakan have been nose to the grindstone for over 50 years – they were here long before Chorlton became a hip coffee culture destination.

The Cheese Hamlet is a family-run independent business that sells all sorts of delicious food and drink, as well as cheese.

Manchester isn’t just home to two of the best-known football teams in the world – it’s also home to one of the best known football shirt shops. The Classic Football Shirt Shop was born here in 2006, when two Manchester University students Matt Dale and Doug Bierton hit upon the idea of selling secondhand footy shirts after they graduated. They now sell millions of shirts all across the globe online – and a smaller but still substantial number from their trio of shops in London, New York and – where it all started – Manchester.

Emporium M33 is a treasure trove of small businesses, start-ups and indie makers and producers right in the centre of Sale.

The Epicurean Chorlton is a friendly little beer shop. It may be smaller than its sister site in West Didsbury but the fridges are rammed with colourful cans in every hue from independent craft producers all over the UK and further afield.

Fred Aldous is the shop you need, whatever you’re making. If you’re getting artsy or craftsy, or know someone who is, there’s no more comprehensive store than Fred Aldous with three floors of loveliness, from oil paints and wool to everything you need to make your own lampshade, set of earrings or candle. And looking at the neatly ordered full spectrum of coloured pencils is always a soothing experience.

House of Books and Friends is a bookshop with a difference. As well as knowledgeable, friendly staff, a great selection of books and a café with some very nice cake, this place is a bookshop on a mission.

Mosey down Mosley Street between Piccadilly Gardens and St Peter’s Square, and you can’t miss the Greek columns that flank the front of Manchester Art Gallery. It’s one of Manchester’s most visited cultural attractions thanks to its central location and extensive collection of historical and contemporary art.

If you’re looking for a cooler, classier level of souvenir than a keyring with Manchester printed underneath a big red London bus, head to The Manchester Shop. This home-grown success story next to the main entrance to Afflecks on Oldham Street sells Manchester accessories and gifts that will appeal to Mancunians as well as visitors from further afield. 

McQueen Independent on Chorlton’s buzzing Beech Road is a fantastic clothes shop for cool brands you don’t find on the high street. It’s predominantly geared towards women but there is a menswear section too as well as socks, shoes and some covetable bags.

Manchester Museum reopened in February 2023 following a £15m transformation to make it more inclusive and more imaginative in how it tells its stories.

Nordic Muse is the opposite of fast-fashion or Amazon. This beautifully-curated Tib Street store is full of Scandi inspiration and artisan finds, prioritising craftsmanship, simplicity and timeless design.

Northern Flower is the original cool indie florist with beautiful bouquets ready to pick up and take away from their Tib Street shop.

When it comes to music in Manchester this place is the absolute business. Piccadilly Records is the coolest square footage of retail space in the Northern Quarter (and possibly the world).

Family-run independent Pop Boutique was the first vintage store to open on retro clothing hotspot Oldham Street. It’s been in this building since 1995, and over at Afflecks since the late 1980s, so it’s fair to say they know their stuff.

Rather than being consigned to one small shelf, Queer Lit celebrates literature that reflects the queer experience throughout the shop. Have you ever struggled to find a book that reflects your ethos or lived experience as a gay person? Seek out Queer Lit.

The Science and Industry Museum celebrates 250 years of innovation. Galleries showcase Manchester inventions, bring the noise and the danger of Cottonopolis to life and offer interactive exhibits where you can lift a Mini above your head or play old-school video games.

Any art lover’s trip to Manchester would not be complete without a morning or afternoon spent gazing at the walls (and wallpaper collections) of The Whitworth.