This is a very interesting store in Manchester near the Manchester Piccadilly train station, about…read moretwo blocks away. It has an array of things, including books, records, but also clothes. Very cheap, as everything is used. What makes it worth visiting is its charm as an "anything goes" type place..I bought CD's and a few books there. I thought the owner was friendly. It's fun to rummage through these things. Take a half hour or so and have fun browsing.

HELP WANTED! I'll be traveling to Manchester, Liverpool, and London for a week in late November and…read morewould really appreciate some good recommendations for music shops, bookstores, coffee shops, and places to eat! I really like places that are quirky and out of the box so if you live in any of these areas and have suggestions please reach out! Thanks! :) -Amberly

I love browsing secondhand shops, and although this is quite a small place in comparison with some…read moreshops like Oxfam's bigger stores its a gem. It doesnt look much from the outside but is deceptively big when you step inside it. Theres always a friendly and chat lady or gent behind the counter, and more often than not they will have a very good idea of what items are on the racks and shelves if youre after something in particular when you visit. On the other hand, if you cant see what youre after then as often as not they are hapy to have a look out the back in the storeroom to see if they have what youre looking for. Prices are remarkably reasonable, often very cheap indeed so i always feel like ive got a bargain (not something you always feel with some other charity shops). If ive done exceptionally well here im moer than happy to leave a donation in the tin on the counter. It has a very good range of hardback and paperback books, CDs and DVDs/videos, as well as clothes and toys.

This place is a geek child's dream store. I say child, but on my last occasion there I could see…read morenaught but adults within, so perhaps it is better put that it is a geek's dream store. The entire shop is literally packed with exciting niche toys, books, games and figurines. The items range from old fad to new so there is surely something for everyone. Staring at you from opposite the entrance are those 'skull panda' toys, they have Resident Evil figurines (including the 'lickers' which were particularly cool), all kinds of different manga magazines, 'ugly' dolls (my favourite being the crazy long-necked one), Domo toys (possibly the cutest craze so far) and oh-so-much-more. They just about have everything in the way of fantasy, sci-fi, horror alternative gifts and such - it is truly a treasure trove of cool things. I must admit, there isn't exactly a *need* per se for, let's say, an 'ugly' doll but I'd much prefer one of those for Valentine's day than a 'forever friends' boring bear. But, I suppose, I was always more geek chic than girly girl anyway...

Aah, Forbidden Planet, always and forever a holy place to me. Why? BECAUSE this is where I used to…read morepick up the brand new seasons of Buffy and Angel on VHS, hot off the press, not available on terrestrial telly (which was all I had). Ah, those were the days! Barely able to contain my excitement on the bus home, then settling down once I got in, telly on, kettle on, junky snack foods prepared and all set for a twenty-four hour MASSIVE BUFFYTHON! Broken only by the odd hour of restless sleep, to which I succumbed with the greatest reluctance and only when I could keep my eyes open for the next episode no longer I feel quite melancholy and almost tearful with nostalgia. God bless Forbidden Planet and all who sail in her

American Graffiti is a vintage shop in the Northern Quarter. Nothing new there, right? The Northern…read moreQuarter is jam packed full of vintage shops. So what gives American Graffiti its review-worthy uniqueness? Well, it's vintage taken to its Nth degree. Vintage that is so specific to its timezone it can masquerade as fancy dress. You can mix and match and get away with it, or you could quite easily attend a party as Jackie O. The website categorises the clothing by decade. Whether you're a 1940s jitterbug in your pillarbox hat and dainty skirt suit, a 1950s circle skirt and pinched waist lover, a Carnaby street-hopping 1960s monochrome dream, a 70s disco diva or all 80s power-suits and shoulderpads, you'll fit in well here. It's not just vintage, retro and fancy dress clothes you'll get here either. Alongside a massive array of shoes and accessories there's even some homeware to be going along with. And they even provide costumes for stage and screen, including Life on Mars, Coronation Street and Take That. The atmosphere is welcoming and nothing is dusty or musky - all the items are lovingly laundered to a tee, dry cleaned and presented beautifully. Well, that's passed my vintage 'ewww!' test then. With friendly staff and a downloadable 10% discount voucher, you don't need any more excuses to pay it a visit.

An essential place for fans of vintage and retro, American Graffiti is a colourful boutique packed…read morehead to toe with original and unusual clothes. Whilst most vintage shops in the area seem pre-occupied with the 50s to the 80s, the owner has an eye and passion for every period from the 1920s onwards. As a result, you'll likely to see old flappers outfits nestled next to psychadelic flares and breath-taking dresses from the summer of love. As well as a fine selection of trousers, skirts, blouses, dresses, coats, jackets and accesories, there's a varied selection of shoes, boots, wigs and homeware. Like I said: Essential!

oh the treasures that i found. Julie walters autiobiography for 2.99, so new looking, its a great…read morexmas gift for someone. the shop was clean and tidy. the staff were helpful and i found so many bargains. they have dvs, cds and so many books. bric a brac lovers will surely find something in this aladdins cave. well worth visit.

You know the window displays that always make you think "oooo I like that"?…read moreThis is one of them! Second hand? So what! It looks great! First hand as well did you say? Yes! Did you know that certain companies donate brand new items? *cough Miss Selfridge, Marks and Spencer cough* Like handbags and shoes and dresses and jewellery? It's light, airy, bright and spacious inside with the items well presented. Glass cabinets with bright lighting for the jewellery and the clothing is together on rails with similar colours in size order. It's great for matching parts of your outfit. Even better, this place now has gift aid available too, to make that donation go even further.

I always make a point of going to this shop as I have a great debt to the wonderful organisation…read more This is a very good shop who always have a large range of items. They have collectors items and items of interest which although are more expensive are still great value. They also have lots of really good books I always manage to get something fantastic to read from there. It is a clean shop well worth a visit. There are also Christmas cards etc available. The staff are helpful and friendly.

I have spent hours in here rummaging through different doors, flooring, radiators, bit and bobs for…read moremy new flat. Everytime I make a decision on what I want I come back in and the have even better versions than before. The staff here are fantastic and if you don't find what your looking for one week try again the next. The staff will keep an eye out for certain items if you have something special i mind i.e. a certain type of wooden flooring. More importantly they can and will advise you on what items work well together etc. Great little shop in a rather unexpected location!

Thank goodness there normally is an ocean between me and In-Situ! It's a great shop but I could…read morespend, spend, spend here! ;) Dropped £200 here on knick knacks you can't find in the States. Got a deal on them, too!!! There are so many "smalls" but if I were renovating a home or flat in the local area, this would be my first stop if I wanted to make the place have an industrial, yet historic flair to it. Mantels, sinks, doors, toilets...the works. Have spoken with what seems to be the owner (manager?) and a staff member. Both are lovely. Props to them for such a wonderful business.

Every time I go to this shop I find something fantastic. It is right at the top of Church Street a…read morelittle off the beaten track but worth the walk(only a couple of minutes) It is a large shop that, since it was done up, is even better. It is welcoming and fun to shop in it is always warm, bright and the radio is always on. The staff are really nice and helpful. They have a cabinet with items of value(still at knock down prices) I have bought loads of books, some boxed sets of videos, various CD's, some ties, a fantastic bag, a lovely skirt, some glasses, some plates (to replace the ones I had managed to break)that were the same as ones we received when we got married, some shirts and scrabble. There are also cards and gift wrap on sale. All in all well worth the small walk.