I ADORE this shop! I'm a sucker for designer bags (don't judge me..) but can't always afford to get…read morethem new, designer exchange sells pre loved bags and accessories at a fraction of the original price. Some of the bags are literally as good as new. The older the collection the cheaper the price usually (unless it's Chanel...of course). I'm not bothered about the 'latest season' look, I look for quality, design and craftsmanship so this place is heaven for me. They also buy directly from customers. All bags are checked for authenticity so you can rest assured you're buying a genuine item. The staff couldn't be nicer, and they're not pretentious or overbearing so I often just go in for a browse without any pressure to buy. Golden purchase - a hand embroided, leather Dior bag. As good as new. Originally sold for $1700, bought for £90. Can I get a hallelujaH?!

Unlike Angela, I have bought many a times from here and am surprised that I'm only the second…read moreperson to review, Picture this: you're on a night out, you've spent ages getting ready and you walk into the bar only to find some horror of a girl was thinking the same dress. Ruined. That's what you can guarantee will not happen with a purchase on the Saturday fashion market. Independent designers rework old pieces, create new pieces and voila, you get a truly unique handcrafted work of a one-off. Lying off Market Street inbetween Debenhams and Starbucks, stalls line up the trail to Tib Street where creativity appropriately merges with The Northern Quarter. There's a range of fashion items, purses, jewellery and other funky accessories you can feast your eyes on. I've bought a few gifts as well as a few dresses for the special occasion. Prices are very reasonable for what you're getting, a truly unique piece in support of the local talent. The people on the stalls are especially friendly too. I've bought two dresses which haven't fitted so perfectly but an altering service was offered to me! You have to wait a week though but on these occasions it was worth it as I'd fallen in love with the dress. So I encourage you to give it a go, abandon Topshop and Urban Outfitters and even the various NQ boutiques in support of the local designers.

Manchester Fashion Market is a Saturday staple in the town centre that is worth a visit. Stalls…read morehere are held by up and coming designers and artisan crafters selling everything from clothes, lingerie, gifts, cards, candles. bags, purses, hats and jewellery. I like the fact that you can pick something original up here from an independent designer at a good price, without the middle man, although I have to be honest, as much as I like looking around and I can appreciate the work that has gone into some of the items on offer here, I've never found anything that I'd want to buy myself!

really good sports retailer which doesn't rip you offread more

Great place for all cheap sports gear!…read more From football, squash, tennis, golf, hockey, rugby, netball and gymnastics to horse riding equipment- its got everything! A huge swimwear and wetsuit/ canoeing stuff section with great discounts on everything. There is also a great walking section with waterproof trousers and kagools. Camping section does have great pop-up tents in it as mine has lasted years!

And the prize for the most random shop in the whole of Afflecks Palace goes to…read more...... Seriously, the people who run this place must have used folded up pieces of paper, a hat and blindfold to help them come up with their business strategy as the links between the things sold here I'd describe as tenuous at best. Mooching around Rowfers I've come across jewellery, stripy tights, piercing, oil burners, candles, mirror balls, ornaments, bandannas, makeup, badges, studded belts, hair dye and incense. Luckily I'm thinking of throwing a stripy tight and bandannas party and don't have any electricity in my tree house. There's going to be a guess the smell competition where you get the chance to win a pair of really baggy trousers but the loser will have to wear a badge that says "I'm incensed."

As a regular shopper in Afflecks and particularly Rowfers i can say that the previous review by…read moreJames B accurately describes the products available in Rowfers. Though why he has to sound like such a childish, sarcastic know-it-all is beyond my grasp. I'm old enough to remember Afflecks opening in the 80's and Rowfers has been there most of the time since then. So i'd say their "business strategy" was working just fine for them. As for links between products being tenuous at best? Poppycock! If James B actually took time to look around the shop properly he might recognise two product ranges; 1) Alternative clothes and accessories. 2) Fairtrade crafts and home-wares. Thus the products James described, Jewellery, Stripy tights, piercing, bandannas, make-up, badges, studded belts and hair dye all fit into range (1) and perfectly compliment the large range of alternative clothing they primarily sell which james conveniantly omited from his review and causes the review to be inaccurate. Oil Burners, candles, mirror balls, ornaments and incense sit nicely next to their african wall masks, crystal balls, crystals and windchimes for product range (2). I wonder if James would be equally confused in TK-Max as they also sell both clothes/accessories and home-wares? Although i respect James has the right to review shops and express his opinions i just found his review lacked accuracy and was overladen with un-needed sarcasm. On the plus side i think Rowfers sells some great stuff, often hard to find in the high streets and theyre cheaper than the competition (even their rivals in afflecks such as Sohos and Extreme Largeness). The staff are always friendly and chatty without the hard-sell and the music in the shop is always weird and wonderful. On the down-side i'd say the stock is poorly lit, the location can be hard to find for those who aren't regulars to afflecks and often the sizes are a little on the small size. this might be ok for the hordes of teenagers who regularly flock to afflecks but for those of us with a middle aged spread- we need a bit of give!

Incredible art store. I was blown away by how well stocked the store is. I loved the top floor with…read morecool crafts and unique art gifts to purchase. The second floor had every art supplies I could dream of, and the bottom floor was an amazing selection of paper and canvas. Truly a great art store for all

Incredible place, but dangerous at the same time as you could easily spend a lot of money in here!…read more The first time I popped in was when I needed a few items for an event and I thought I'd gamble on Fred Aldous having the stuff I needed - they did! Anything you need for arts & craft or decorations they have it and with some good choice! I've now been in a few times when I need to pick up bits and bobs or essentials for work i.e. scissors etc. Loads of interesting present and gift ideas in here as well so if you're out and about birthday shopping or it's coming up to christmas - I'd say Fred Aldous is a great option with some similar style stuff to Oklahoma! Most of the stuff here is well priced and I've always been fairly surprised that my total wasn't higher when purchasing as I think the interior and style gives off an expensive vibe but really it's good value for money! A short simple review for a top NQ shop!

Designers Vanisha Mistry and Molly Murray run this gorgeous boutique in Affleck's Palace. Vanisha's…read moreDesign Boutique sell bespoke designed clothing and accessories which are beautifully embroidered and put together. They have some beautiful tops, hats, bangles, rings, bracelets and dresses for you too browse through. They use a lot of recycled fabrics so they are eco friendly too! The prices are fairly high but you are paying for unique hand made items which are tailored to you, so don't shy away from paying a little more! Believe me, if you get something made at Vanisha's you will keep it forever and wear it more because it was made for you and suits you perfectly.

Until last week I didn't consider myself a nudist but I am a true noodist now! This petite boutique…read moreon the leafy Beech Road area of Chorlton Cum Hardy literally drags you in off the pavement with its eye-catching window display. Whoever designed the window display is an artist as a scarecrow dressed in the most yummy butterfly halter-neck stands in a landscape of flowers. I entered in a trance like state and the lovely assistant Rebecca helpfully talked me through the stock. I loved the fact that they do not buy in bulk and you view each garment as a "piece" rather than simply clothes. Prices are moderate, slightly more than high street chains but you don't mind paying £60 for a unique Nood creation as opposed to £45 for a high street clone. Colours are bright and fabrics are great quality. Recognisable names such as Religion get into bed with new designer wares. This is no run of the mill ladieswear. A new range of gorgeous dove grey vintage inspired oilcloth bags and cute jewellery are also available to compliment your outfit. Open Monday to Saturday from 10.30am -6pm, Nood also opens its doors on a Sunday (12-5pm)- very handy for weekday nine to fivers. So did I buy the butterfly dress? Sadly no as Rebecca explained its lining was shop damaged, however she kindly offered to repair it for me. Lovely attitude, lovely shop. Definately one to seek out..

Nood has stuck around in Chorlton through thick and thin since 2001, a hard thing to do as an…read moreindependent boutique in Greater Manchester. This longevity is testament to the enduring talent of owner Alison, who has continually offered an eclectic mix of clothes, accessories and shoes from her own portfolio as well as interesting ranges from other designers like Religion, Gash and Get Cutie. It never feels stagnant in here, she keeps it fresh and all the accessories, bags and belts are so different to what you'd find on the high street. What I love most about this store though is it caters for every pocket. You can see why it has such a wide appeal.

The second Sunday of every month is one of my favourite days of each particular month. That's one…read moreSunday when I'm happy to set my alarm, get my caboose out of bed and fly on further south in Manchester to Stockport's historic Victorian Market Halls, because that's where I can find epic 70s flowery maxi dresses, Smash Hits 'Best of the 80s' annuals and trinkets galore. Welcome to the Vintage Village! I've been to a lot of vintage markets and shops in my time. Once, I even travelled all the way up to Edinburgh for a coat, I brought back over £40 worth of vinyl and a 56 year old fur from Glasgow and I've been known to scour our little Manchester boutiques for hours at a time. But what Stockport offered last month just blew me away, knocked me sideways and had me gazing around open-mouthed like I did when I was taken to Disney World at six years old. This was epic. The quality was remarkable, the prices were insanely affordable and the sheer variety on offer was stunning. I defy you not to walk from stall to stall and see at least three things per section you covet. If you were to slap something not only like this, but of this calibre (exceptional quality, eclectic variety) bang in the middle of Manchester City Centre it would be completely overrun with fifteen-year-old Noel Fielding stalkers in knee socks and oversized Urban Outfitters jumpers (not that there's anything wrong with them - I've been known to rock a woolly from UO regularly and have frequent NSFW dreams about Mr Vince Noir myself), but as it's tucked away in a sleepy town centre in the South Manc 'burbs, it attracts a much calmer, quieter, more discerning clientele. Families bring along their children and have soup and bacon butties at Zip's Grill. Couples with dogs mooch around for gifts. It's incredibly relaxed and wonderfully friendly. I lost count of the amount of conversations I struck up with stall purveyors. This is worth getting out of bed on the day of rest for. Seriously, do it! You won't regret it. And if you do, come and have a go at me. I'll probably whup you upside the head. (P.S. Zip's Grill serves some of the finest coffee I've ever had the good fortune to taste, and the food looks all kinds of fabulous. I'll definitely have a soup this Sunday.)

Vintage Village is on every second Sunday of the month in Stockport's totally brilliant market hall…read moreplace. If the truth be known, It was more my wife and sister in law who were the instigators in us going but I wanted to stretch my legs and go out for the afternoon so thought I would give it a shot! Gotta say, it was really really good and there were all sorts of stalls selling vintage clothes, records, antiques, furniture - pretty much anything from yesteryear. Nice touches were a skiffle band playing live, with a DJ playing hits from the likes of Elvis throughout and a load of vintage cars and motorbikes on display outside. Great street food was provided from the (both) excellent Lord of the Pies and Honest Crust Pizza. I'll definitely be heading there again in the coming months as it's a great day out and only a £1 entry - bargain!