Manchester Craft Centre

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 (formerly "The Olive Branch", recently resurrected as "Dr Livvy's Café") 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.