17
Oak Street, (off Tib Street), Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 5JD.
Tel: 0161-832 4274. Fax: 0161-832 3416.
A
novel designer, maker, studio, retail craft market set in a grand
old Victorian cast iron and glass building in the Manchester Northern
Quarter, fully restored to its former glory.
Unique combinations of workshops where you can see artefacts being
made, and retail studio showrooms where you can browse and buy the
merchandise.
It
is rather hidden away amongst new residential developments just off
Tib Street at the Swan Street end, in the so-called "Northern Quarter"
of the city centre, just 5 minutes walk from Piccadilly Gardens.
Good
nearby street car parking. Jointly run and promoted by the North West
Arts Board, Arts About Manchester, Greater Manchester Visitor Centre,
North West Tourist Board and Manchester City Council.
It
has very much of a feel of the old "guilds" of artisans, and the atmosphere
is both relaxed and invigorating.
Two
storeys of arcaded workshops with an excellent vegetarian café/restaurant
on site, where you may take a light meal to the accompaniment of live
piano music.
The
two floors of designers, contemporary craft workers and artists who
trade here deal in a wide range of media, including ceramics, textiles,
jewellery, sculpture, screen printing, carved wooden artefacts, glassware,
furniture and designer clothing and accessories.
Most
of the craft workers exhibit at trades fairs, and there is a regularly
changing programme of exhibitions and displays.
A good place to shop, to browse, or to take a morning coffee or lunch.
Open Monday to Saturday from 10.30am-5.30pm.
