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. Buy gifts like marzipan fruits, cantucci and chutneys here or make up a hamper.

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

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.

If Christmas shopping is stressing you out, looking at the neatly ordered full spectrum of coloured pencils at Fred Aldous always a soothing experience. It’s the go-to for anything crafty with gifts ranging from retro model kits (including submarines, spitfires and Stranger Things camper vans) to colourful dog travel blankets from cool brand HAY. And for things like oil paints or a rainbow of Stabilo fineliners, it has to be Fred Aldous.

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.

Manchester Art Gallery’s gift shop is the place to go if you can’t stretch to a Millais when you’re Christmas shopping, or your gift recipient doesn’t have hanging space for a Ford Madox Brown original. Instead, choose from covetable cushions covered in Dave Draws’ doodle maps or mindful gifts like gratitude journals and candles.

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.

Stan is the most famous exhibit at Manchester Museum so it’s no surprise that dinos feature heavily in the gift shop. From fair trade wooden toys to t-shirts, there’s plenty for petite paleontologists. You can also find adult gifts including fascinating non-fiction, botanical prints and cute homeware.

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.

The People’s History Museum shop and cafe have both had a refurb recently. Head there for ‘fairly made and fairly paid’ gifts celebrating worker’s rights, equality and our fine city of Manchester.

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).

Pop Boutique was the first vintage store to open on retro clothing hotspot Oldham Street. Hunt down pre-loved items from a friend’s favourite bands like Ralph Lauren or Carhartt for a sustainable gift that shows real thought.

Rather than being consigned to one shelf, Queer Lit celebrates literature that reflects the queer experience throughout the shop. Show up and see someone for who they really are with a thoughtful gift from this amazing LGBTQ+ bookseller.

The Science and Industry Museum’s gift shop is the place to shop for curious kids of all ages. From Operation ouch merch to models of the human body where you can gleefully remove the innards, gift gory or search for something serious like a telescope.

This is a museum where ‘exit through the gift shop’ is a must. Not becuase that’s the way out. It isn’t. However, The Whitworth’s selection of interesting and educational toys, art materials, ceramics, books and prints means the gift shop is worth a visit in its own right.