Shopping in Manchester - where do I want to go?

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

I'm going into Manchester to go shopping tomorrow. I've never been before. Which area/s should I be heading for?

Ideally I need to go to places like H&M, Primark etc to pick up some basics, but would also like to treat myself to some truly amazing jeans, new undies and possibly some day dresses. Ideas? Thanks!

Primark is at the top if market street, then you have the Arndale which has all the generic stores, then at the bottom of the Arndale is cross street, cross over and there is Harvey nics, selfridges and the other way through st. Anne's square you have the Ming street shops. Enjoy!

King street. (Not Ming St!)

Ming St

Hahahah, loving the idea of Ming Street.

I find I rarely buy in Manchester but love looking around it. Kendals is lovely down Deansgate, I think it's King Street has all the high end stores, then you have Selfridges, Harvey Nicks and the big M&S at the top of Deansgate. At the other end of town you have the Northern Quarter which is a bit more hip'n'trendy.

This probably goes beyond the realms of S&B, but any recommendations on places to park? We were hoping to go by train, but have just checked times from the back of beyond and it's not going to work out.

The Northern Quarter is near to Primark, via Oldham Street (next to Debenhams), Aflecks Palace if you have any indi types my dd loves this place. Just around the corner is Teacup on Thomas street, which is the best place for tea and cakes.

And it's a great Primark only second to Oxford Street although its being done up at the moment so bits of it were closed off when I last went.

I park in Queen Street, will be about £8 for an afternoon.

I like your thinking NotMostPeople - we will definitely want tea and cakes

Selfridges. The M&S is quite a nice one iirc. DD2 liked Afkeck's Palace for posters though less so for clothes.

The Arndale Centre is indescribably awful imho.

Hahahaha my iPad is an idiot! Ming st. I may just call it that for always now!

Sadly lots of empty shops on Ming Street. Monsoon had a big sale on a couple of weeks ago, but nice independent shop at the bottom, something like The Laundry I think. Echo House of Fraser and Northern Quarter.

Affleck's Palace is definitely worth a visit; ah, memories of my youth!

Though it doesn't have the atmosphere of the city centre the Trafford centre might be worth a look. You can hop on a tram at Piccadilly gardens go to Stretford (shithole) and then get a connecting non stop bus to the Trafford centre for free (keep your tram ticket)

But afflecks palace is great. And agree the arndale is a bit crappy

Big car park just next to Victoria station is a fiver for the whole day.

Have fun!

Afleck & Browns! Memories.

Trafford Centre is crap (imho)

Same old, same old with no air.

Kendals is ace
Indie shops around the Northern Quarter

Trafford Centre has the advantage of free parking. If you get into the MEN Arena car park before 10am you get charged commuter rate (which is about £4.20), otherwise it's £15. Or you could go to the outdoor car parks opposite the arena like the old Boddingtons brewery site and it's only a few quid. Arndale has all your generic high street and is sheltered from the rain (although it hasn't rained for about a week so you might be lucky).

Would second parking at the old Boddingtons brewery on Sunday it's only £3 all day

Where's the old boddingtons brewery?

Stretford is not really a shithole btw. Some mners live there and might have something to say about that!

Boddington brewery just near Strangeways. Not bad for walking into Town from there.

Thank you ladies. Am v excited now. It's been ages since I had a shopping spree!

Just waiting for DM to arrive to look after DS for the day.

Now, what should be buying..?

Just around the corner is Teacup on Thomas street, which is the best place for tea and cakes.

Yes, yes! Opened this thread just to recommend them.