Best Shopping Malls in River Irwell Area

"The colourful village of independent shops and street food just off Oxford Road will be reopening from April 12, Government roadmap allowing. The complex of shipping containers will be open for business seven days a week for outdoor dining, and is offering table bookings for the first time as well as keeping space for walk-in guests. There are more than 30 businesses calling Hatch home, including coffee shop Takk, OL brewery, Grandad's Sausages, T'Arricrii, and Hanoi 75."

"Award-winning food, drink and retail destination, Hatch, may already be booked up, but has kept 50% of its tables back for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here."

"Afflecks, 52 Church Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1PW - Visit now. No trip to the Northern Quarter would be complete without a visit to Afflecks Palace, where you’ll find independent shops selling anything from vintage and contemporary fashion through to piercings, as well as superb sweet treats (at Ginger’s Comfort Emporium) and even the tiny Three Minute Theatre on the ground floor."

"A local institution, Affleck’s is a hub for Manchester’s alternative crowd, containing an impressive array of stalls selling everything from fetish gear to DIY jewellery. Pop inside to discover an eclectic array of clothing, jewellery, memorabilia and gifts before sneaking upstairs for a luxury ice cream at Ginger’s Comfort Emporium."

"Affleck’s is a perfect spot for a stylish and unusual photo. It’s also a place, where you can buy a lot of unusual things for a photoshoot or just for yourself. There are some amazing dresses, jewellery and other items that I have never seen anywhere else!"

"Barton Arcade is a Victorian shopping arcade that has shops and restaurants on the ground floor and offices and administrative spaces on all the other floors. The architecture style is really beautiful and the stairs between floors are stunning as well. Barton Arcade is especially beautiful when it’s empty in the morning hours (just after opening), so you can capture it without the crowds."

"Barton Arcade is a beautiful grade II listed Victorian shopping arcade which is a 5-minute walk from the Arndale Centre. Therefore, the transport links are the same as those to the Arndale Centre. This is one of the best places for shopping in Manchester if you prefer local independent businesses."

"Whether you’re in the mood for Chinese food, Italian food or a cheeky Nando’s, there’s really something for everyone at the Lowry Outlet, where you can grab a bite and pick up a bargain. Then why not head over to The Lowry Theatre and take advantage of their cheap ticket offers for 16-25 year olds. Whatever you do, you can always finish off the evening with a walk around the stunning Salford Quays."

"Since opening their doors in November 2015, Hope Mill Theatre has become one of the most successful independent venues in England. Located in Ancoats, they produce full scale musicals from their Grade II listed former mill. The theatre will be reopening this summer, as well as hosting Hope Fest, an outdoor arts and culture festival."

"This wonderful independent venue, located out in New Islington, was one of the few theatres that managed to reopen last year after lockdown. It'll be back again with a reduced capacity and socially distanced seating for a Meet Me At Dawn, from HER Productions. You can get tickets at hopemilltheatre.co.uk."

"My Cookie Dough has a seriously committed following, judging by the crowds at its Manchester Arndale stall (it recently opened another at the Trafford Centre too). Big dollops of dough are baked until warm and crispy, but still soft enough to dip into with a spoon, then loaded with various sauces and toppings. Indulgent flavours include red velvet and Nutella, white chocolate and raspberry, Oreo, fudge and honeycomb, Biscoff, and coconut chocolate."

"Taking the humble traybake to new heights, My Cookie Dough is among the best dessert shops in Manchester. Their Slutty Brownie stacks are a mouthwatering mess of chocolate brownie, crushed Oreos and their house cookie mix, served up as chunky slabs and coated in a hefty drizzle of Nutella. With locations at both the Trafford Centre and the Arndale, you won't have to travel far to get your hands on these bad boys."

"🍰 Seriously gooey hot cookie dough, with tons of topping options to choose from including Nutella, Biscoff, Red Velvet, Kinder and even Strawberry Cheesecake."