This is an okay little newsagents with all your general stuff: newspapers, tabloids, magazines, and…read moreof course crisps, sweets, chocolates, and cold drinks. Prices are fairly reasonable here, but I think it's a little dim and dingy. I prefer my newsagents bright, clean, and friendly.

The rise in express supermarket branches opening around the country, as well as supermarkets now…read moreselling a wide range of magazines and newspapers, has resulted in a decrease in popularity for local newsagents for whom sweets, drinks and magazines are all their business, as opposed to just one strand of their overall business. As a result, there are fewer newsagents around these days, and those that are still going are generally rather underwhelming. However, every so often you come across a newsagent much like K & C Douglas in Crosby. This reasonably sized newsagent offers a very good selection of sweets and drinks (we're talking a wide range of confectionery here, not just a few Snickers and Chomps) all at prices that are no worse than elsewhere (sweets aren't cheap anywhere these days). K & C Douglas also offers a very good selection of magazines in their shop, providing the usual glossies for the ladies as well as more specialist publications for those of you with more unusual hobbies and interests (Angling Weekly? Powerslam Wresting Magazine? Come on down).

Amazing place that accepts you for being you. *Warning* @ Social Refuge where they treat you…read moredifferently if your not like them. I visited this coffee shop recently and left feeling pretty uncomfortable with how I was treated. From the moment I ordered, the staff came across as dismissive and noticeably colder toward me compared to other customers around me. There were a few interactions that felt unnecessarily sharp, and it gave the impression that I wasn't particularly welcome there. I want to be fair, but as a straight customer, the difference in tone and attitude didn't go unnoticed. Whether intentional or not, it made the experience feel exclusionary rather than inclusive. It's a shame because the space itself has a lot of personality, but the service made it hard to enjoy. I'd hope they work on creating a more welcoming environment for everyone.

I get the irony by starting with the quote "don't judge a book by its cover" but tbh this is…read moreexactly what I've been doing every time I've walked past this place in the past few months... Whether it was because the area of town is a bit random, the building a bit unattractive and me thinking it was more of a bookshop - something just seemed to be putting me off. But today in my meeting with Matt F we decided to give it a go and what a great decision it was! First off this place is huge and a labyrinth once inside - one half hipster bookshop, the other half cool cafe with a real nod to health (check out the menu on my pics). A really lovely environment with working fountain and a variety of places to sit. The food was excellent too - my breakfast pancakes were probably the best I've had in Manchester so far which is saying something. Quick note that they don't do sides - at one stage I thought I was going to turn into Jack Nicholson in '5 Easy Pieces' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wtfNE4z6a8 but thankfully the guy sorted us out with a side of toast after I asked nicely...repeatedly... Very friendly staff, great venue. I'll be back soon to work/eat/drink coffee/read a book - or all at the same time!