Shopping In Manchester – A Look At Five Of The Best Markets In The City

Manchester is renowned for being a great shopping destination and thousands of people flock to the city to visit places such as Manchester’s famous shopping high street, the Arndale Centre and of course the Trafford Centre in search of a bargain.

However, Manchester is also home to a wealth of markets that are also a great place to pick up bargain goods from independent market traders.

Here, we look at 5 of the best markets that are held in Manchester:

Church Street Market

A fantastic shopping alternative to the high street is Church Street Market. Located opposite the city’s Arndale Centre, this market is open from 09:00 to 17:00 Mondays to Saturdays and offers a range of food, clothes and other items.

You’ll also find a second-hand bookshop selling classic and modern literature as well as rare comics. The shop is well established having been run by veteran trader Eddy Hopkins for more than 40 years.

The 11-stall market is also a great place to purchase ethnic food, as three generations of family-run greengrocers McCalls have been selling Asian and Caribbean produce alongside more traditional British fruit and veg from the stall for decades.

While the retail complex you see today is modern after its redevelopment in March 2010, this historic market has been selling goods to people for nearly 100 years.

Manchester Fashion Market

If you’re looking to pick up a new outfit, the Manchester Fashion Market may be the place for you. This aptly-named market is situated on Tib Street next to the city’s Debenhams store and is open every Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00.

As the first dedicated fashion market to be located in the north-west, you’ll be able to purchase unique pieces from great up and coming designers such as Not For Ponies and the Woodchip Boutique. With everything from dresses and bags to brooches and leather goods on offer, there is a great selection of items to pick from.

The nearest Metrolink stop to the Manchester Fashion Market is on Market Street, while most buses to the city centre either terminate at the centrally-located Piccadilly Gardens or Shudehill terminuses, so reaching the stalls here should not be too difficult.

Manchester Real Food Market

All this shopping can lead you to build up quick an appetite. If that’s the case, visit the fortnightly Manchester Real Food Market.

Held on the second and fourth Friday and Saturday of each month from 10:00 to 18:00, here you’ll be able to tuck into some fantastic local produce with everything from award-winning cheeses to freshly-baked cakes.

In addition to food, you’ll find stalls offering a selection of handmade, ethically-responsible jewellery and gifts.

The market is in the heart of the city centre, near the famous Queen Victoria statue in Piccadilly Gardens which is a great location to base your stay should you be planning an overnight stay at one of the many Manchester hotels in the area.

Manchester Flower Market

As the name of the market might suggest, the Manchester Flower Market is a great place to pick up a beautiful bouquet of flowers or an unusual plant.

Here, expert traders offer a range of flowers and plants suitable for all occasions and if you’re unsure about what to buy you’ll find the traders are more than willing to offer advice.

Among the items available are cacti and bonsai trees, while you can also buy fresh fruit and vegetables.

The market is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00 and its location in Piccadilly Gardens means it is just a short distance from the nearby bus and train stations making it easy to get to.

Gorton Market

Fantastic markets can also be found outside of the city centre. Visiting Gorton Market, located in south-east Manchester, gives you the chance to purchase speciality cheeses and visit Sivori’s, a family-run Italian cafe.

The Garratt Way-based market is open from 09:00 to 17:30 Mondays to Saturdays, while a car boot sale is held each Wednesday and Saturday from 08:00 to 15:00.

With more than 40 traders offering everything from electrical equipment to fashion, there should be something at the market that appeals to all tastes.

The closest train station is Belle Vue, with the market a short walk away, while Gorton can also be reached by taking the 201, 203 and 206 Stagecoach bus from Piccadilly Gardens.

Written by the weekend breaks team at travelsupermarket.com

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Photos by Gene Hunt, Bernt Rostad, Haversack,

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