#fred aldous

[themancorialist]

Lever Street, Manchester.

[crescentmoon-lit]

Fred's.

[themancorialist]

Oldham Street, Manchester.

[themancorialist]

Stevenson Square, Manchester.

[themancorialist]

Stevenson Square, Manchester.

[moltopenny]

Greetings readers,

Yesterday we had a big day out around Manchester city centre. And I’m pleased to say I slept all the way through to 7am this morning!

Lew had an ambitious itinerary for us yesterday and I didn’t think we could do it all, but we did.

We caught a train from Marple to Manchester Piccadilly and walked to the Northern Quarter, which is a like the Fitzroy/Collingwood of Manchester. Lots of good stuff to see and enjoy.

Our first stop was Idle Hands for coffee and pie. I was told the banana pie was highly recommended (by Nish Kumar on the Off Menu podcast no less) but I didn’t believe Lewis and so I got pecan pie. Which was very good but god damn, that banana pie was amazing.

Then, onwards to our fave shops. This is my favourite shop in Manchester, it’s call Fred Aldous, and it’s like you’ve died and gone to heaven. Top floor is very cute stationery and STUFF, and downstairs is every art and craft supply you could want.

😍

I bought a few bits and pieces, Lewis chose a cute hat with the word Photos on it, which is pretty rich for a guy who loathes having his photo taken. Pics of our shopping haul to come.

Other shops we visited are a magazine and art book shop called Unitom, and Piccadilly Records.

Then, we went to what can only be described as an alternative department store - Affleck’s.

I would have loved this as a teen! Over beers later Lew and I agreed we kind of liked how alt style is the same as it was 25 years ago, kids are still wearing spiky necklaces and bank t shirts. It gives us hope.

We wandered through the labyrinthine levels and looked at our fave shops here. I bought some cute jewellery from Sour Cherry 🍒

What happens at Affleck’s, this is my third time, is one impulse buys stuff. But I think that’s just part of the fun of being on holiday. And so I found myself at Obscene-A-Tee, a shop that prints hilarious t shirts. Last time I impulse bought a Keanu Reeves themed shirt. Today, I was seduced by the Gregg’s shirt.

Lord only knows what possessed me to buy it (perhaps I’m still possessed by the bad pasty I ate there on Sunday). Now I’ll have to find a way to make this absurd shirt work in a chic outfit.

After our Affleck’s impulse purchases, we stopped at a cafe for a sandwich and good, strong little pot of tea. And then it was onto a tram and off to the Science and Industry Museum.

Part two to come!

[themancorialist]

Stevenson Square, Manchester.

[alien-nation-art-blog]

beyond proud of everyone who contributed to the closing event on Thursday. Workshops, music and poetry made the space alive.