Friday 4th December will mark the official opening of S.W.A.G, a brand new pop-up store situated in the heart of Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter.
Open 6 days a week, 11am – 6pm, S.W.A.G (Shop, Workshop, Art Gallery), is a joint-venture project initiated by jewellery designer Julia Roy-Williams and illustrator Tasha Whittle, who wanted to restore independent retail within the city’s original arts and culture district.
Together they have hand-sourced a strong team of 13 core members, from across the North West, showcasing a carefully curated collection of contemporary crafts including print, ceramics, lighting, textiles, jewellery design and mixed-media art to name but a few.
Occupying a prime location in a disused building on Oldham Street, the self-funded retail space has been entirely transformed utilising the skilled hands of the local makers, designers and artists involved.
Discussing the importance of buying handmade and support local businesses, co-founder of S.W.A.G, Julia Roy-Williams of Wonderhaus Jewellery stated:
“Sometimes the nature of handmade design is more difficult to appreciate when it is not placed in the right context. Hopefully, with our unique set-up and ability to represent so many different craft forms, visitors will enjoy discovering something new and they will favour buying from independents this Christmas”.
To celebrate the official opening, S.W.A.G will be hosting a special launch event for late night shopping sponsored by Blackjack brewery on Friday 4th December 4pm – 8pm and will also be running a series of complimentary workshops in conjunction with Small Business Saturday on 5th December.
