Shopping

Manchester's quirky yet stylish, streetwise yet avant-garde sense of fashion has earned it the richly deserved title of 'Shopping capital of the North West'. Packed with high-street brands, eccentric boutiques and the glitz and glam of designer labels, this shoppers' Mecca has something for everyone.

Bargain hunters and fashion fanatics have high-street stores aplenty in Market Street, the Triangle and the Arndale Shopping Centre, Manchester's busiest shopping area.

If Primark, Fopp and American Apparel do not suffice, there's plenty to satisfy WAG-like appetites for prestigious retail therapy: in Exchange Square and King Street, designer names abound, including Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Reiss, Armani and Vivienne Westwood.

Those seeking an individual look visit the classy boutiques of Deansgate and Barton Arcade, while the more bohemian shoppers trawl the streets of the Northern Quarter - a hub of independent businesses, vintage clothing, retro furniture, record shops, cafes and bookstores. This trendy area is scattered with unique gems such as Affleck's, Rags to Bitches, Junk and Piccadilly Records.

Finally, if you like all your shopping needs met under one roof, hail a bus and head for the Trafford Centre outside the city centre: a gigantic shopping haven that boasts over 230 stores and attracts savvy shoppers from across the North West.