The antiques emporium in a former pub that you've probably been walking past for years

You’ll have spotted Insitu Architectural Antiques & Salvage before, either while driving into town via Chester Road, or while stranded at Cornbrook tram stop. You’ve probably thought ‘that looks interesting’, and then carried on with your day. This is your sign to go inside.

Founded by Laurence Green, the Grade II listed former pub building is the home of Insitu, a business he has run for over 40 years. It’s the fourth iteration of the business, and – if you can believe it – this is a trimmed down version of his entire selection, which is housed in a warehouse out of town. This is where, Green tells us, ‘the forklift truck is kept’.

Way more than just a vintage shop, Laurence specialises in architectural salvage, which he explains as ‘the bits of a house you normally have to leave there’. That can mean anything from huge wooden fireplaces adorned with tiles, to old-school loos and baths recovered from hotels that are about to be knocked down. He goes to trade fairs, and people come to him, having built up a network of connections over the last 40-odd years. Green even managed to get his hands on the ‘A’ from the Debenhams Market Street sign. He didn’t tell us how.

There’s also lighting and tables that double as artwork, to some of the coolest vintage lighting we’ve ever seen – all dating back over the last century or so. And yes, there’s simply loads of mid-century bits and bobs too.

Eagle-eyed shoppers might also recognise some of Insitu’s treasures from Manchester bars and restaurants. There’s a set of very 00s chandeliers salvaged from a Vodka Revolution refurb, as well as a curved leather sofa from much-missed Lamb of Tartary. Oh, and those white orb lights you see in every trendy coffee shop and small plates place in town? Chances are, they were sourced from Insitu.

So whether you’re looking to do up your home, or for a genuinely unique gift, stick your head in next time you’re passing by.

You simply do not know what you might find.