The place feels like it has got left behind. I prefer the Trafford Centre or Liverpool ONE.read more

Over priced £1 for pva glue what on earth caused such money…read moregreed not to mention is maze like structure and the so called reusable bags that I'm sure are recycled condoms

Enter via Deansgate or St Anne's square, you'll find an interesting mix of independent businesses…read morein a beautiful Victorian structure of iron and glass building dating back to 1871. There are shoe shops, hairdressers, Australian travel, damn good sandwiches, a bridal store, jewellery stores and Kitchen restaurant and bar. I can imagine you'd find yourself in the arcade looking for something specific rather than just a browse. There's a lack of excitement and bustle in here, but if you're looking for that just go up to Market Street. Or not.

As if Barton Arcade is a Grade II Listed Building!…read more I'm not suprised, it is a gorgeous little shopping arcade but it's just such a waste! There's nothing there! I popped in the other day as it was raining and it's a good short cut from Deansgate to St Ann's Square. I was shocked by just how bare it was. Literally about four shops and a bar (watch this space for the review). Edwards, of course, is an institution in Manchester so I'm glad that's still around. Where has everyone else gone?! I seriously hope that some more tenants are found soon because it's such a shame to let such a gorgeous place die off. Maybe a cafe would liven it up a bit?

Had a really pleasant evening here with friends. For £45 we got a cocktail master class where were…read morelearnt how to make a tom collins and a classic mojito as well as tasting the different spirits they contained. Then we had a 3 course meal in the restaurant. Food was good and there was a good choice of starters, mains and dessert. Service and sides were added to the bill. This is the second cocktail master class I've done in the 2nd floor restaurant and I've enjoyed them both very much

I made a reservation at the Harvey Nichols Brasserie for my own birthday meal, as to go somewhere a…read morelittle more special than usual and was not disappointed. They were offering a deal through Manchester Confidential for 3 courses and a cocktail for £20. Sounds too good to be true. It wasn't! The experience starts well with the side entrance, which has an elevator to whisk you straight up to the Brasserie and by-passing the rest of the store. A warm welcome awaits, and they will hang your coat up if you wish. The best tables in the house are arranged so that the seats are facing the windows with spectacular views over Exchange Square. Obviously, at the price, the menu isn't going to be too extensive, though I did enjoy the options I chose. For a starter I had Chicken and Mushroom soup. This was the perfect addition to warm up a cold January evening. A tasty soup with whole mushrooms and a good amount of chicken. I ordered a side of bread & butter which was sufficient for 2 people. For my main course I had Ox Cheek with straw potatoes. This was the most tender beef I think I've ever had, it was cooked perfectly and tasted wonderful. My dessert was a Rice Pudding Dim Sum. This consisted of little pastry parcels with rice pudding inside, topped with some strips of Rhubarb. I really enjoyed it, perhaps more than I expected! Service was attentive, but not pushy. I thoroughly enjoyed my evening there, it made my birthday feel really special. I'd definitely recommend for a special occasion. I would also recommend anyone to book ahead, as I had done. I was surprised that for a Monday evening in mid January, at one point every table was taken. To finish the meal off I ordered coffee and a brandy, which are obvious additions outside of the special offer deal. Despite this, the total bill was less than £63 for 2 people.

Manchester Fort is a large retail shopping park, just under a mile away from Manchester city…read morecentre. It does seem a little strange having a retail park so close to the city centre, where other areas of Greater Manchester are left behind but the selection of places to shop is fine, while the selection of eateries could be much improved, due to a lack of restaurants that aren't just fast food. There's a good number of coffee shops here, including Costa, Dunkin and Starbucks, the latter two have opened within the past 18 months or so, so are fairly new additions. Places to eat include KFC, Pizza Hut, Nando's and Subway. There is also a McDonald's right next to the Fort with a drive-thru (The Fort claim this to be part of the shopping park on their website) The selection of stores is okay and includes TK Maxx, Superdrug, Sports Direct, Boots, and Argos. There are also a couple of phone shops, nothing too exciting, but a decent number of stores that could save you a trip into the city centre. A couple of stores have closed recently, but with the aftermath of COVID and the fact the city centre (where many of these brands have stores, many of which are larger) is so close, this has to be expected. It is pretty easy to follow the layout, there are a couple of benches around the shopping park and some shelter to help stay dry if there's a light drizzle. Plenty of parking, meaning you shouldn't struggle to get a space somewhere. I do think the pedestrianisation could be improved for other retail parks, given the fact there are three main areas, which may mean crossing a road or going through the car park, if you're at one end of the Fort, you may have to use your car to get to adjacent McDonald's or Currys across the way. 3*

I have visited Manchester Fort regularly over the years, but I have been far more impressed during…read moremy latest visits over the past weeks, which is due to the discovery that the Shopping Park now has a Nike Outlet Store and a H&M. Since when? Fantastic! Although the H&M was smaller to what one would find in Manchester City Centre, it still has a good range of stock and very well organised, full of stylish shoppers. The Nike Outlet is, once again, smaller to what one would find in other Outlet Malls, but the range of stock, sale items, and discounts are very impressive. Personally I am seeking some new trainers for the gym, and found a great selection at bargain prices. The staff in the store are welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable. They certainly have that US Customer Service mindset, which I welcome wholeheartedly. I can see myself becoming a regular here, especially when the Summer of Fitness is upon us. The Shopping Park also boasts a TK Maxx, which I am a big fan of, and I have often found that they have a good range of stock, and I have purchased some excellent items here from clothes to home decorations. The store seems to have had a recent refurbishment to extend the first floor space, which opens out the whole store. As well as, fashion and clothing, one can find a variety of stores at this Shopping Park, and not just clothing and outlets. Manchester Fort has: Halfords Store, for all car, cycle, and motorcycle accessories; B&Q, for all home and garden DIY needs; a technologically modernised Argos, full of tablet-ordering-system and a varied system that the normal Argos shopping experience. Other stores include: Clarks, Mamas&Papas, Boots, Superdrug, M&S Food, Card Factory, Game, Maplin, Sports Direct, Specsavers, Thomas Cook, Shoe Zone, Mothercare, Thomson Holidays, Trespass, and Pound World (you can never go wrong when you have a pound shop to hand. Big fan!) For food, one can visit one of Manchester's many Nando's and KFC establishments here. I love Nando's but I haven't yet visited the one here in the Shopping Park. I think I should, don't you?

Not just French this year, my friends! You'll find many a stall on King Street this year... it's…read moreexpanded massively. If you come here for one reason only, make it Robinson's Bakery's wooden chalet. I chatted to the folks representin' Robs, and they kind of wished they'd plumped for two stalls. Holy macaroni, the crowds around them were enough to make any local business weep with joy. And wait until you see all the amazing Christmas twists on bakery classics... mince pie muffin anyone? Hells yes. Oh, don't forget to grab a bunch of their savoury tarts too. Heavenly. You'll find the usual large central stall with the French take on gluhwein as well as hot chocolates with a variety of cheeky alcoholic additions. Also, there's a reassuringly pongy cheese stall - I come to the French Market this year armed with a Francophile boyfriend, and he was spotting all kinds of authentic, amazing and quintessentially French cheeses. Beware though, this stall ain't for the faint-hearted. Our cheese-hating friend nearly spewed forth as we went past. Save the smelly stuff for the fromage fans! King Street might be massively crowded as a result of the expansion, but I for one am happy to see it. Long live the French Markets and the extra stalls that have joined them this year, and make sure you check them all out.

I love the Christmas markets - this year I was even there the first day it opened on my lunch…read morebreak, sussing out the cheese, the chutney, the potential Christmas presents. All year I have been looking forward to them returning, having my first mulled wine & bratwurst... last weekend the time finally came to have a proper wonder and a bite to eat. On King St they had a stall that sold spicy bratwurst with cheese - imagine the excitement, a twist on the classic! ... I was ill for the rest of the day. Imagine the disappointment. I'm hoping this was an isolated incident and that I just got unlucky but it was a little eye opener to how the food may be stored & prepared to cater for the mass! The one star is solely for the food experience - the Christmas markets themselves of course could receive nothing less than a 5 star rating.

Regent Retail Park is a decent no thrills retail park, the retailers here are mainly focused on…read moreessentials, a large Sainsbury's superstore for essentials, and a JD Sports for sportswear, which also includes a gym. Other outlets here include Costa for a coffee, Boots for a chemist/pharmacy, a couple of discount stores, pound shops and a pet store. It is classed as part of Salford, but it is a short walk from the western edge of Manchester city centre, just head straight down Liverpool Road from the Hilton at Beetham Tower. It's fairly easy to follow and find the stores you need here, but for a smaller retail park, this has to be expected. There isn't anything in terms of food options outside the supermarket, but KFC and McDonald's are across the way. It is easy to access as a pedestrian, and for cars, there is a large car park centred around Sainsbury's. 3*

Not exactly a lot I can write about a retail park. It is what it is, a place of convinience with…read morestores you can use for essentials. Although I still avoid one of the stores like the plague, choosing to travel 4 miles to my nearest equivalent, I do use nearly all the other stores several times a week. With Sainsbury's, Boots, Argos, Home Bargains, Sports Direct you pretty much have everything you will ever need in these stores, not to mention the others. So its a good location and a decent selection of stores. My only downside is the layout, featuring two four way roundabouts in quick succession, it can become rather chaotic at times, especially with idiots and the speeds they drive. But all in all its a good place.

Cool shop the products are good quality but it's slightly more expensive then it should be would…read morerecommend asian supermarkets for the japanese snacks it's much cheaper

KENJI is a gift store specialising in Japanese style culture and items, they have beverages and…read moreother items associated with Japan, it is a pretty new store to the mall. I was drawn in by a post which claimed they sold hand sanitisers and due to the current situation regarding Coronavirus (CONVID-19) it seems every pharmacy, drug-store or anywhere which would sell hand gels have been sold out however - They were advertising a product they did not sell - They were overpricing them heavily at £2.50 for a small one, which although isn't as bad as merchants on online giants such as eBay it still is around double the price it would be usually, which Boots and Superdrug still charge nearby if you're lucky enough to get your hands on one. The store also is so narrow, they've crammed so much stuff in a small place meaning it's so hard to walk around the store or find a specific product or even stop to look at something, the store did look good but even if the store is quiet, it isn't really made with the customer experience and ease of getting around the store in mind. Looking good and delivering a good customer-experience should go hand in hand, not one or another. Strangely, they had a drink selection with writing in Japanese I struggled to read allergen information and they didn't seem ready to drink they were lukewarm, being in a hot mall location without refrigerating them which is a bad idea. A Japanese themed gift-shop is a really exciting concept and it's a shame this store is more dire than exciting and fails to live up to its' great potential. 1*

Zara is a lovely place to check out, but this one like it has progressed from the last time I…read morevisited 2 months ago but still has some changes that are needed. The ground floor was actually pretty organized this go round but it's really hard to find an employee to assist. One issue is possible because the employees look just like a regular shopper so you are unsure who to ask except the cash register individuals. The escalator going to the second floor was broken, so you will have to walk unless you can get on their elevator. On the second floor they also have self checkout and exchange and return registers. When I was asking an employee a question that was at the exchange/return counter, she was really on edge which I am unsure why. She finally just dismissed me and told me to go to another counter to check out since the self checkout machines cause so many issues. All I needed was an employee code to proceed with taking the locks off. Went up to floor three and the cash register employee that assisted me was so sweet and helpful! Normally I love Zara's for odd and end pieces but this one could work on customer service and working with finding a way to help the layout more shopper friendly.

If I had a body like Penelope Cruz, I would be able to swish in and out of Zara and pick up stylish…read morenew blouses, trousers, blazers, knitwear and dresses on a monthly basis. Knowing the Spanish fashion houses makes beautifully tailored clothes to perfectly fit the European figure, I wouldn't even have to try them on. I'd just stroll over to the cash register, exchange greetings with the assistant and walk out knowing I had some lovely additions to my wardrobe. Sadly, I don't have a body like Penelope Cruz and nothing - I repeat NOTHING - in Zara ever fits me!

Russell & Bromley always have at least one or two pairs of truly divine shoes in the window. Right…read morenow, they have a gorgeous, leather, studded ankle boot in a variety of colours. At £295 they're way over my budget but if I was loaded I'd be tempted to buy a grey AND cherry red pair. The leather feels good quality and unlike other shoe companies, they feel comfy instantly. You would think selling lovely shoes to people with too much money would be a breeze of a job. Unfortunately, the staff in this branch can be a little cold and snooty. The decor is also a little old fashioned, bringing to mind old department stores with doormen in dicky bow ties. Still, those boots....!

Russell and Bromley is where I dream I could shop. Perhaps if I stopped pouring my wages straight…read moreback into Sir Phillip Green's pockets I'd actually be able to afford a timeless pair of leather penny loafers with tassles á la Alexa Chung. At between eighty-five and ninety-five pounds a pop they're definitely an investment piece with some serious style credentials. And it's not just the loafers which are so delicious - the ballet pumps and chunky leather sandals all pack a punch. Everything about this shop just oozes English sophistication from its setting in the chic St. Ann's square to the tasteful décor and... edible shoes. Oh!