Magma Magma books is possibly one of the coolest shops I…read morehave been into in a long time! Why you may ask? Because it sells MOOMINS merchandise and books!! They sell all sorts of cool things here like books, magazines, swirly notebooks, cuddly toys (moomin ones!), eco friendly stuff which comes in the shape of recycled objects made into something else uselful, the mother board coasters are pretty snazzy! Like the other shops on Oldham street, its only small but the layout is perfectly set out to seem like there is so much space! I love it!

Situated on Oldham Street, but a hop and skip from the Night and Day Café lies this fantastic…read morebookshop. I've been visiting this place for ages, even if it's just to browse through the store and short list future gifts. I've recently acquired some American Film Making/Studies from there (the Steven D. Katz shot by shot/cinematic motion - books that are usually pretty hard to get hold of unless you're on the net. This is one of those places where the staff know what they're talking about and can help either find what you're looking for or influence you enough to take a punt on their own expertly led recommendations in the vast array of different books and magazines in this store (increasingly rare in the accountant led 'United Chaindom'). It's a shame many more shops were as enthusiastic and passionate as the folks behind magma...I know they can't all be this way but it's currently unfairly balanced. One large chain book store dominates now (and with unfortunately less choice, more celebrity led airport reading fodder) and with supermarkets getting in the act of the book market (albeit with a truly disturbing 'array' of 'books') we should be thankful that places like this are still open in our cities. A large section of this shop sells magazines which are more like the aforementioned coffee table books the higher echelon of mags if you will. Film, Architecture, Typography, Illustration, Photography, Graphics, Fashion, Art, Design, Cities all these creative acts and scenarios collude together in the books and magazine range. They sell a top mag called 'Specialten' which is a 'bi-monthly collection of short films, music videos and exclusive interviews' which comes with a DVD for the media. Just reminded myself to pick up the next edition as I type this... This shop (alongside one or two in London village possibly the other two Magma's as it happens) was the only such store to stock Daniel Johnstone's graphics/drawings books (and as such is referred to in the fantastic Daniel Johnstone documentary). Reanimate your creative synapses and spare at least half an hour to imbibe the glorious fractions of the arts world we don't see as much as we should. It's always a pleasure to walk into a store like this, find what you're looking for (or see something jump out at you which grabs your interest by the book ends) and after downpiping your debit/credit details into the 21st Century piggy bank walk from the shop, freshly acquired book in hand. Rifling through the pages of a new 'Ilva Table book' in a nearby boozer/café is one of life's great, small pleasures.

This shop is a little more than a card and stationary shop. It may only look small on the from but…read morethey have plenty and plenty to offer you. I went in here because I was lured in by the smell of candles and OH my, was I in for a treat! There on every shelf was candles, handmade candles that smelt lovely. I had to buy one. Not only that they had cards and little gifts but what is unusual in here is that they make chess sets and wire models. Like I said in another review, Uppermill offers something unique to a shopper. This little business is set up online and have around four websites; one main one for the shop and three others for ordering helium balloons, making badges and also making chess sets! Spoilt for choice or what? I love this little shop!

I love love love this shop. It is so obvious that this was the owners dream. I am definitely…read morelooking forward to retirement if I too can own a shop like this one. I could spend hours in here, looking at every individual homemade candle. I bought lots of small gifts for my mum's birthday here and she was delighted with them. I love that this place has expanded to four shops but still retains its great customer service and its passion for candles and all things beautiful. Go on treat those close to you......or just yourself!

This is an excellent shop. Great service and reasonable pricesread more

This is a lovely named shop so again I was intrigued to go in here and see what they had on offer…read more It is similar to most of the other shops on the main street, offering cards and gifts and other little things. It is quite large and has all sorts to offer. So if you are looking for a little something for someone you most probably will find something here.

I usually hate picking cards. There is simply too much choice in those massive card shops that you…read morefind in town centres. What you really want is not twenty-odd types of jam but about six, as that experiment goes. Because otherwise you will be flummoxed by too much choice. So, with a cardshop you want a well edited selection as you have in Archie's instead of every card ever printed in the North West. Also, come here for cheap wrapping paper. Wrapping presents beautifully is a lost art, I think. It is so insulting when someone just bangs your gift in a gift bag (sticker still on the bottom and everything). Here they have paper and bows and that thin ribbon stuff that you can wrap round to make people feel special. You have given up 5 minutes of your precious time to make their gift look nice. The gift may possibly be one of the silly things they sell here, I wouldn't necessarily buy any of these don't get me wrong. Maybe it is because a shop I used to work in was a gift shop that had outgrown these roots yet still wrapped every in tissue paper. Still.

The food was excellent. I got cheese and onion pie (lunch) and tried the chocolate challenge…read more(which we failed dismally). The chocolate was to die for...totally scrumptious. The service was really good with friendly and knowledgeable staff. I'll be back for sure. The prices were good also. The seating was good and the wait was not long ( although I booked ahead of time).

The best Patissier and Chocolatier in North Manchester…read more Any time I drive into Manchester (which is very often) I have to drive past Slattery's and always manage to make some excuse to pop in. I shouldn't have to make an excuse to go here - It's excellent. The ground floor is their outstanding chocolate and cake shop - definitely worth spending some time here tasting and choosing what they have on offer. Their selection of over 40 celebration cakes on display are stunning - you'll find yourself staring at them like some sort of art. A few of the wedding cakes are pushing £1,000.. asking if it would be worth it? For me, yes! Their cakes are amazing - no wonder Wayne Rooney bought his wedding cake from here and had it shipped to Italy. You'll find me with my face pressed up against the viewing window where you can watch the cake decorators working hard to perfect these masterpieces *drool* I'm certainly not planning my wedding or anything but I already know that there's a massive possibility that my cake will be from here. On the first floor is an elegant restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and of course CAKE. The menu is fab and I haven't heard anybody mention a bad word about it. I have yet to visit the restaurant and I hear that unless you book weeks in advance you've no chance of getting in, but this only makes me want to try it even more and it is certainly on my list. In the past I have bought baskets from here and made my own hampers, mainly for family or friends at Christmas time - consisting of chocolates, hand make cakes, biscuits, marmalades, wines etc (all locally sourced). Safe to say these always go down well. If you have a sweet tooth, this is somewhere you should definitely visit.

I always enjoy a look around Summerseat Garden Centre especially on a sunny day. They have an…read moreexcellent selection of plants and flowers and the staff are always so helpful and knowledgeable about what is the right thing to buy and time to plant it. However they offer much more than your average garden centre. There is a great high quality food section offering lots of organic choices as well as books, jewellery, cards and lovely gifts. They also have a café which serves home cooked meals and tasty soups and paninis so you can have a decent lunch there as well for a reasonable price. Summerseat is also a great place to visit at Christmas time as they decorate the place beautifully and you can buy some lovely Christmas themed stuff for your home.

A beautiful little shop on the corner right outside Alty Market. I've been in here a couple of…read moretimes but still not bought anything - although I've been temped by the flat pack cardboard tanker for cats both times... There's a lot of beautiful things in here. Like Moth on Burton Road, but more gifts for men and more colourful. There's jewellery, kids toys, cards, home accessories, etc. A perfect place to wander around or pick up a present! The only downside is it's a bit on the pricey end.