Best Shopping Malls, Outlet and Places in Little Town Area

"Often billed as one of Europe’s leading retail and leisure venues, Liverpool ONE is the city’s premier shopping destination, offering a modern, sleek, open air shopping experience. With a massive 170 retailers, showcasing the biggest designer and high street brands, it’s the go-to place for locals and tourists alike. The fun doesn’t stop at shopping – kick back and relax at one of Liverpool ONE’s 35 restaurants and bars, serving up just about every cuisine you can imagine, or take a trip to the 14-screen cinema complex for the latest blockbuster."

"A trip to Liverpool is incomplete without stopping by Liverpool ONE. This large shopping complex is at the heart of Liverpool’s city centre and holds all of the most popular chain stores and entertainment facilities. Complete with a cinema, adventure golf, and even two hotels, Liverpool ONE is the largest open-air shopping centre in the UK. Liverpool ONE consists of six districts, providing street markets, fashion, department stores, restaurants and more."

"From high street favourites to high-end boutiques, your fabulous shopping experience is a short stroll from the venue. Stores open until 8pm weekdays, so there’s plenty of time to hit the shops."

"What: Ok so Hatch is more of a food market than a restaurant, but it certainly has plenty of outdoor space. The shopping and dining hub is made up of a variety of different street food restaurants and independent shops housed inside converted shipping containers. All you have to do is have a browse, pick the food you want to eat and then settle in on one of the bench tables dotted around the space - simple.Where: 103 Oxford Road, M1 7ED"

"This trendy foodie outlet sits under the flyover near Manchester Met and Manchester University. Strings of exposed light bulbs cast a hipster twinkle over the self-contained courtyard, and there’s a sun-soaked garden filled with long wooden tables where you can while away summer afternoons. Peruse the artisan beers on tap and by the bottle at Öl nanobrewery."

"Tiny nanobrewery Öl has its own brew kit on-site and makes some fabulous concoctions. But, as a result of the tiny set-up, their own beers usually sell out incredibly fast, so they stock a range of others too. Find them at Hatch on Oxford Road in one of the shipping containers."

"Anyone who grew up in Manchester probably spent a good proportion of their teenage years wandering around Afflecks (formally known as Affleck’s Palace). Since its opening in 1981, this warren of independent shops is a perfect alternative to high street shopping in the city, offering everything from rubber jumpsuits to rave gear. Yes, there will always be that side of Afflecks (you’ll also find condoms and sex toys), but there really is something for everyone if you take the time to browse its multitude of market stalls."

"Have you even visited Manchester if you haven’t shared a photograph of the mosaic sign outside Affleck’s?. The iconic sign reading ‘and on the sixth day, God created Manchester’ is surely one of the most popular photos of Manchester city centre on Instagram with many tourists and locals flocking to Short Street to admire the piece of art. Affleck’s, Short Street, Manchester, UK"

"One of the best places to just loose yourself is Aflecks Palace. Floors of independent stalls selling everything from food, jewelry and clothing."

"Obstructions, Castlefield Gallery’s locked-down exhibition, will open for just five days from 19–23 May. Originally due to open on Saturday 21 November 2020, and only able to welcome visitors in the virtual realm since then, the exhibition was conceived during what now feels like the early days of the pandemic. 15 artists from the North West of England were invited to remake an existing piece of their work with one condition: they had to accept a bespoke ‘obstruction’ given to them by another artist in the exhibition."

"Lurking as it does behind Deansgate Station, it’s easy to miss this quirky platform for emerging artists but it's worth seeking out. The primary emphasis at Castlefield Gallery is niche projects that have international relevance, exploring topics such as the role of art in society through collaborations with local organisations like Madlab. A registered charity, it also has a members’ scheme."

"Located in Manchester’s city centre, Castlefield Gallery is an art gallery and agency showcasing new and contemporary fine art while also running a scheme for career development for contemporary artists."

"Barton Arcade is a shopping mall in a beautiful Victorian building. There are shops and restaurants on the ground floor and offices on the upper floors. The ceiling is made from cast-iron and glass and gives you the feeling of a botanical garden."

"Kitting the whole family’s feet out for any occasion, Clarks offers a wide range of footwear for men, women and children. Clarks now offers a free fitting appointment system online!"

"A gallery, shop and café, Output showcases artists based in the Merseyside region. Check out the range of exhibitions and events, including Culture Club, a weekly meet-up for people to discuss various topics including films, music, TV, art, podcasts, fashion and more. Opening times: 11:00-6:00 32 Seel Street, Liverpool, L1 4BE 12 minute walk from LJMU Mount Pleasant Campus and is a 18 minute walk from LJMU City Campus."

"Supported by Arts Council England, with help from Bluecoats, LJMU, and Liverpool Irish Festival. This gallery has managed to support exhibitions exclusively created by local artists. While running local events, social, clubs and group crits, to strengthen and become the heart of the Liverpool art scene."

"At the Merseyside Maritime Museum you can explore the nautical heritage of Liverpool. Alongside finding out about Liverpool’s central role in the American Civil War and Battle of the Atlantic, tour a historic Liverpool pilot cutter moored in the Dock and take a trip round the adjacent Pier Master’s House. For families the museum recommends:"

"Discover Liverpool’s status as a British port city at the Merseyside Maritime Museum. Its three exhibition floors reveal the city’s nautical history, from its role in both World Wars to its darker past as a slaving port, as well as waterfront views of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Royal Albert Dock and its industrial architecture."

"The docks are home to the Liverpool Maritime Museum, the Beatles Story, the International Slavery Museum and the Tate Modern Art Gallery. This is a great place to stop off for coffee or lunch."

"Here we have the Portuguese Peri Peri Wings from @appetitejunction in Manchester. These were finger lickin' good and it's exactly the kind of sticky wings you crave for!"

"We’re happy to give St John’s Gardens top marks for looks - after all, they’re meticulously kept, lined with a series of pretty walls and dotted with all kinds of lovely statues and flowerbeds - but the inner city location and relatively modest size mean it can seem a bit cramped (there's also something a bit wrong about cracking open a can of lager 50 feet from a dual carriageway). Still, it's great for a quick walk around."

"If you’re around the St George’s Plateau then head round the back to chill out in St John’s Gardens. The garden, which is part of the William Brown Street conservation area, has been a Green Flag site since 2003 and contains ornamental flower beds and various memorials to notable people in the city. A great spot to soak up the rays."

"An interactive journey back in time, the Stockport Air Raid Shelters offers a glimpse into how people lived during the wartime blitz. Explore the labyrinth of tunnels filled with displays, posters, recreated living and sleeping areas, and a bunker, all accompanied by an audio guide highlighting the cultural, political, and social aspects living in the shelters. I Opening Times: Tuesday-Friday 1-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm."

"The Stockport Air Raid Shelters are a jolting walk back in time near Manchester. Located about 6 miles from the main Manchester area and in great Manchester, this place is an interesting, short excursion from the city Centre. The place will transport you into a dark time- the Britain of the 1940s during the war."

"Stockport Air Raid Shelters, Great Underbank, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1NE - Visit now. Stockport museums are beginning a phased reopening of their sites. The first to re-open were Bramall Hall and Stockport Air Raid Shelters."

"Location: Intu Trafford Centre, Barton Square Bridge, Stretford, Manchester M17 8AS. Sea Life Manchester is one of the country’s top-rated aquariums and is home to thousands of fish as well as sharks, stingrays, and spider crabs. Meanwhile, two giant green sea turtles (Cammy and Ernie) are a major attraction too."