Market Street is the main shopping street, where you'll find HMV, H&M, Debenhams, Adidas and Ann Summers. The Arndale centre used to be a drab dark building that was like a maze inside and had the old bus station underneath. That has all changed now however and, as the last piece of Manchester city centre to be redesigned and rejuvenated, is now a thriving and lively shopping arcade. Inside you will find over 200 stores from high street names to department stores.

If you have money to spend then head to the exclusive King Street for Armani, Westwood, Timberland, Pink, Monsoon and Hugo Boss. From here you can reach Deansgate and St. Anne’s square where you can stop for a coffee at Starbucks and watch all the fashion conscious Mancunians pass by before taking a look in Habitat, Disney, Gap, Daisy & Tom and the upmarket department store, Kendals. 

The Northern Quarter offers exclusive, alternative and unique to its shoppers. Also worth a visit is the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, an ex-Smithfield Victorian fish market that now contains shops selling jewellery, ceramics and textiles, furniture and unique items of clothing.

Exchange Square and New Cathedral Street are for those with the cash, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges have all the top designer names. Take a ride on the Big Wheel and view Marks & Spencer's, Massimo Dutti, Zara, Reiss and Heal's from above. The Triangle Shopping Centre in Exchange Square was originally the old Corn Exchange building and is now a state-of-the-art shopping mall with unique brands such as Bravissimo, Aspecto, Jigsaw, Muji, Green and Benz, Nicky Clarke and East Designs.

Some real bargains can be found at Affleck’s Palace in Church Street with more than 50 outlets featuring up-and-coming designers selling their goods. The Victorian building is 5 storey’s high and is a maze of stalls selling anything from second hand items, clubbing gear, hair styles, record stalls and cafés, denims, punk, 70’s and retro styles, old records, books, magazines, tattooing, jewellery and ceramics.

Slightly further afield is The Trafford Centre with over 200 stores under its roof. You can find literally anything there from books, stationery, children’s wear and confectionary to jewellery, music, opticians and shoes. Get your hair done, book a holiday and eat at one of the themed restaurants, the choices are endless and the centre itself often organizes events for the family, such as magic shows or a celebrity appearance.

The development experienced in Manchester over the past decade has afforded it the means to provide an extensive variety of accommodation to meet the needs of its business and leisure travelers. Mid-range and luxury hotels, chic restaurants, well-known and designer brands and swanky bars and clubs can be found all over the city if you want quality and style. In the centre of the city itself are low budget hotels next to lavish posh hotels, whether you are in the city on a short break, or planning to stay for a longer period then the choices are unlimited.