Ryman in the Manchester Arndale is A-OK, specialising in stationary, they have a great deal of…read moreofficey items (pens, lever arch files, printers, USB sticks), some of their prices are a little higher than average but this is eased slightly by their Student discount. The selection is pretty good, the selection of printers is smaller but with Currys PC World, nearby, no longer stocking them in-store, it is one of the few bricks and mortar stores nearby with physical stock. I find some of the staff to be a little rude, and sometimes I just wish I'd have ordered on Amazon at a cheaper price, that being said the store is easier on the eye than other stationery stores which I find to be often a little messy, and the selection is good, so if you do need stationery in a hurry, this store isn't too bad and the location is convenient being on the upper floor of the Manchester Arndale, next to the old Specsavers unit, which was taken over by Foot Locker. 3*

Isn't it funny how so many people claim to love stationery but hardly anyone can spell it? Even…read moreotherwise flawless spellers seem to confuse stationery and stationary. I was always taught the spelling by the rule, 'e' is for envelope. Alongside envelopes expect to find diaries, calendars, folders, paper, printer cartridges, pens, highlighters, Tippex, Post It notes, blank CDs and pretty much every other item of stationery you'd need in the office or at university. They don't sell larger objects such as office furniture and printers, as it is really only a tiny little shop.

Pens are big business, everybody uses them. The pen was first invented well, a very long time ago…read more Its name stems from the latin pinna which means feather. Pens are generally long thin items with rounded ends that apply ink to a surface for writing. The earliest pens were made in India out of bird's feathers. The pen shop sells pens (any more obvious?), it makes a good location to seek out a variety of potential gifts for that someone special. Staff know their stuff when it comes to pens and the pen shop does a big variety from the day to day pen to the ones you sign million pound cheques with. Also does a big range of pen accessories if you don't know what these are let me tell you, paper, diaries, notebooks, pads.............

When you've got a writer in your friend collective, you often forget that these creative types…read moreactually prefer pen and pad to computers and white screen. You forget that they get giddy over pen barrels and nibs and fluidity and feel and weight and all that geeky stuff. But it's also refreshing to see pens still bringing in the buck. For the technology technology technology people of our 21st century world, the thought of a pen shop might prove a waste of good space for a city centre, in favour of a shiny new Mac shop, yet it's the refusal to budge that endears me to the Pen Shop. Walking in to the Pen Shop, you could be forgiven for nipping in and blindly expecting to pay a maximum of about £30-40 for a pen. Yeah that really is not going to happen, priding themselves on retailers of excellently crafted writing apparatus, don't expect to pick up three pens for a fiver. I was mooching for a fountain pen as my ideal gift, and the prices start at around the £40 mark and can go upwards of the £1000 price point. Best thing to do, walk in, state your reasons for purchase, price point, and style of pen if you know it, let the sales team pull their products and choose your gift to make your pen lover happy. If you're flush on the cash front, then Mont Blanc pens are gorgeous, if a pen is a pen is a pen to you, then try the Parker or Cross pens. But remember folks, if it's for a gift, it's not you that needs to be impressed. Don't take a netbook lover in with you who will utter that they could buy a notebook for the price of a pen...doesn't go down too well...

Ryman is a place where I have spent a lot of my time recently across numerous branches in…read moreManchester Arndale Centre, Rochdale, Leeds and now this branch on Oxford Road, which is quite a small branch but still stocks a decent range and some pretty decent stuff, the essentials basically and a little bit more, it is in a great location being so close to the Central Manchester Universities on Oxford Road, had this store been anywhere else it would have probably got a single one star but I feel the location and rage in a way has done enough to earn at least two. Some of the biggest flaws about this store is the size, for example it is hard to browse the store without something blocking it, making the already narrow passageways seem like an Obstacle course, perhaps something like you would see on Total Wipeout, a game-show filmed in tackling danger in Argentina, broadcast in the UK. The store is also really well hidden, other than a small sign, it is so tucked away, it seems like one could walk past it, which really isn't good especially if you're not familiar with the area and are not sure where it was, the situation I was in today, it just didn't seem welcoming because of this and it felt like it was saying "Don't come in We don't care" rather than "Please come in", which is something every business needs to do, value and attract its customers. The staff seemed nice enough and got my return sorted rather quickly, there was a decent range of memory sticks on the shop floor this time, rather than picking up a cardboard card and taking it to the till, saving some hassle. There was a small and decent range of most products you would associate with Ryman and the staff seemed quite nice too but due to the isles being so narrow, and lacking accessibility and the store simply not seeming the biggest, best or most welcoming I sadly feel this store warrants no more than two stars and I'm finally pleased to give this branch its first review in a whopping 5 and a 1/2 years

Isn't it funny how so many people claim to love stationery but hardly anyone can spell it? Even…read moreotherwise flawless spellers seem to confuse stationery and stationary. I was always taught the spelling by the rule, 'e' is for envelope. Alongside envelopes expect to find diaries, calendars, folders, paper, printer cartridges, pens, highlighters, Tippex, Post It notes, blank CDs and pretty much every other item of stationery you'd need in the office or at university. OK, so you could probably get a lot of the items for cheaper in the union shop, or if you're at work you could raid the stationery cupboard, but it's a well-stocked shop nonetheless. They don't sell larger objects such as office furniture and printers, as it is really only a tiny little shop. Guys - not a bad shop to have a wander round when your girlfriend is in the waxing shop next door!

I like this Currys PC World location, located on the upper level of the Manchester Arndale, while…read moreit may not be as large as the typical Currys PC World warehouse-style stores, which you typically see in retail parks and standalone stores, it still is a rather good location. They have done well to pack a lot into a store of its' size without making it feel too cramped, they have a nice selection of electronics including TV's, computers and miscellaneous tech. Since the closure of all Carphone Warehouse stores, they have added a small Carphone Warehouse kiosk, from the same parent company into the store. The staff seem friendly enough and able to answer most questions I had for them. I do really like how the store is in the city centre, but with it being a mall location, there are limitations, for example, the product range isn't as large as other stores (It would have made more sense to move into the nearby Clas Ohlson unit which is larger), and parking can be an issue, you don't want to have to carry around a big heavy electronic item around a shopping centre into their overpriced parking, or other car parks nearby. Pretty good Currys PC World store, I do think it would be nice if they had a better selection of more premium and higher-end laptops and similar. 4*

I have ordered a Nest Mini (twice on separate occasions). Due to some problems, both orders were…read morecancelled. However, I still have not received a refund (this was a month ago). I am not from the UK, but have managed to call a few times and I always receive the same answer "tomorrow or the day after". There is no email where one can contact them and the webchat does not cover this situation (I have tried this too). The bank won't return the money unless Currys PC World gives me some proof of the cancelled order, but they cannot be contacted in any way (or I receive the previously mentioned answer).

Safety is the name of the game at withy grove. If your an evil mastermind planning on taking over…read morethe world or a particularly paranoid individuals you can buy all your safes (including wall safes you can fit behind paintings) in here. I don't think you can get bullet proof glass last time I asked but they do some nice office furniture as well. Perfect if your planning on having an office in a top secret military complex.

Located at one of the few businesses to move into Next at the Manchester Arndale as part of the…read morestore's refurbishment, this branch of Paperchase is a really small store, so small in fact one could question whether it is even needed with Paperchase's flagship store in Northern England (alongside flagships in London and Glasgow) which is located over multiple floors, being just a stones throw away when exiting the Manchester Arndale onto Market Street. The store, however, is useful in the sense it has a small selection of stationery items and is all located indoors, meaning you can buy some of the more traditional Paperchase items including stationary and greeting cards, without having to go out of the store and get wet, in an area of the store they have made quite nice, to the point where I feel this branch of Paperchase makes the store nicer as a whole (the Next store this branch of Paperchase is located in - two separate businesses!) The staff here seemed friendly enough. They seemed helpful in case I did need any assistance. A poor selection overall, one of the poorest I've seen from a Paperchase branch, added to the fact that just minutes away is a larger branch, yet still the branch isn't terrible and is a nice addition to its' location and I would say at least deserves a two-star rating, but anything over that wouldn't be possible.

I have used Cartridge Care now for some years and they are an impressive company. My business does…read morea lot of printing so I need good quality ink cartridges and printer inks that are reliable and competitively priced. Cartridge Care ticks the boxes they are cheaper than anywhere I could find locally or online and they offer same day delivery so my cartridges are only a phone call away. Great job guys.

Good All Round Quality I am so pleased that I called Cartridge Care over the weekend looking for…read morecompatible cartridges for my Brother printer after having a bad experience with some from another supplier. Not only did Craig from Cartridge Care return my call first thing Monday morning, he took time to explain to me how to reset the printer and resolve the issue the demic cartridges had caused. I am delighted to say that I received my cartridges from Cartridge Care this lunch-time, carefully and well packaged - and also on free next-day delivery - and my printer is now working fine and is as good as new! It is very reassuring to know that such courteous and prompt service, and helpful advice, is available from Cartridge Care. And the cartridges are good quality too!!!! Thanks so much, John Walker

The Manchester Rubber Stamp Company does exactly what it says on the tin - they produce bespoke…read morerubber stamps for every imaginable purpose. Now, I'm a bit of a stationary fiend, and especially love any miniature hardware tools which fulfil a practical purpose upon one's bureau (see also: embossers, edge perforators, heavy duty staplers). So, it was with delight that I first inked and pressed my first bespoke rubber stamp. The image below was crisp perfection. I was hooked. I've been using Manchester Rubber Stamp Co ever since to create stamps for events, packaging and catering. Manchester Rubber Stamp Co can also produce signage for businesses and events, and offer services like engraving plaques, signs and small items. I'm yet to use them for anything other than rubber stamps, but recommend them purely for this. Service can be a little abrupt, and emails difficult to understand, for which I've knocked off a star.

From the owner: RUBBER STAMPS We…read morehave been manufacturing rubber stamps since 1880. Over those years we have maintained our high standards, always using the best skills and technology available. Our stamps can now be produced to exact customer requirements and design through our investment in the latest manufacturing technology and high precision computer controlled laser cutting equipment. CNC ENGRAVING The types of products produced by engraving include:- Electrical labels, Electrical Switchplates, Valve Discs, Instruction Plates, Control Panels, Mimic Panels, Fire Alarm Panels, Corporate Identity Plaques, Registered Office Plaques, Memorial Plaques, Commemorative Plaques, Name Badges, Desk Nameplates, Stencils, Cut-out Letters + lots more. We are best known as industrial engravers supplying to a wide range of industries.