The best independent gift shops in Manchester

This Londoner relocated to Cheshire to live her dream of becoming a florist and set up shop at Altrincham Market before blossoming out into her own shop. Chloe Robinson has been featured in The Times, Elle Magazine, The Telegraph amongst other publications for her striking floral creations. You’ll find her stunning mock-Tudor premises right by the aforementioned Altrincham Market, where she also stocks lovely homeware bits. Visiting here is a treat in itself.

Located inside a Grade II listed building just back from the chaos of Stevenson Square, Form Lifestyle Store feels more like quiet moment than a shop. This small independent lifestyle store has built its reputation on celebrating craftsmanship and sustainability, and are the embodiment of a ‘less is more’ approach. Don’t expect to find a bargain, but you will find beautiful, cottage-y stoneware, candles, soft furnishings and everything else you’d need for the dinner party of dreams. Find them on Bradley Street.

Launched in 2008 by Hannah Beaumont-Laurencia, Beaumont Organic is a modern womenswear specialist that sets a benchmark for responsible retail, with the focus on both ethically and sustainably made and sourced items, placing organic cotton at the centre of seasonal collections. You can find them in their distinctive green-fronted shop on Hilton Street, where you can pick up linen tableware, elegant crockery and all manner of aesthetically pleasing but useful bits. There’s clothing too – simple pieces that’ll be treasured forever.

When it comes to gift shops, IDAHO is a bit of a destination. Located opposite Altrincham Market, it’s been flying the flag for well-curated gifts, beauty and more for over a decade. If you love all things Scandi, whimsical and well-designed, it’s a bit of a North Star. All handpicked by owner Amy, the offering changes seasonally, but you can be fairly sure to spot cruelty free eau de parfum by CRAY-ON, knitwear from TBCo, and of course plenty of the good stuff from minimal home wear brand HAY. If you can’t find something giftable in here, I’m afraid we can’t help you…

First opening in 1982, Afflecks is one of the most iconic assets in the Northern Quarter. A vibrant and eclectic market spread over multiple floors of a historic building, today this goldmine boasts more than 60 small shops spanning a multitude of interests. Easy to lose yourself in, harder to eject yourself from, each level has its own handy directory to show what’s on offer, making it perfect for unusual gift-seeking. From vintage clothing to jewellery via art, homeware and collectibles – the world is your oyster in this shopping haven.

Few shops epitomise what makes the Northern Quarter the Northern Quarter more than UNITOM. A visual art-orientated bookstore, print and editions exhibition space, boasting a beautiful range of journals and magazines to boot, it wears these specialisms on its sleeve. And by that we mean the space looks like an independent gallery from the street. And, once through the double glass doors, you’ll be greeted by experts with decades of collective experience. For lovers of smart, beautiful objects it’s a must.

Sitting neatly on Tib Street, Nordic Muse is one of those rare shops that makes you instantly slow down. Everything here feels purposeful – from the clean lines and neutral tones to the shelves stacked with simple, beautiful things you’ll want to live with forever. Inspired by the pared-back elegance of Nordic design, it’s the place to shop for lovers of minimal jewellery, cosy socks, organic chocolate and all sorts of beautiful kitchenware. A delightfully eclectic mix.

Although technically a wine bar, the centrepiece of KERB is it’s stunning inbuilt retail shelf, meaning it’s a great place to pop for a wine-shaped gift. The space marries a hand-picked retail selection of natural clarets, whites, roses and fizz, alongside craft ales and beers, with an inviting hangout ready to serve customers by the glass or bottle. Dedicated to presenting the “purest, most authentic use of the grape in a way that can be enjoyed and understood by everyone”, this place is about the journey “from soil to glass”. Basically, it’s cool. Very, very cool.

Deadstock General Store celebrates the hard-to-find and avoids anything that could be remotely considered ‘off the shelf’, and eagle-eyed customers will recognise a number of sought-after brands in this very smart, very sophisticated gift shop. These include Far Eastern ceramic, drink and tableware specialist KINTO From Japan, its history stretching back to the early-1970s; handmade Californian fragrance experts P.F. Candle Co., Studio Arhoj – one of the best interior manufactures from Europe’s interior design capital, Copenhagen – and skin care and wild scent authority Haeckels, based a little closer to home, in Margate.

There are a few reasons to mosey on down Oxford Road to the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, one is to have a look at the massive bronze horse in the lobby, another is to get stuck into a spectacular Sunday roast at in house restaurant, The Refuge. But yet another reason to wander that way is to buy some flowers form Giraffe Flowers which has a teensy shop nestled into the terracotta Grade II listed building. Small but mighty, this spot always has an impressive range of flowers and plants crammed into its small space. Any flora and fauna-loving friends are sure to be happy with what you find here.