Ancoats Makers Market
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Ancoats Makers Market

Presented by The Makers Market at Ancoats Makers Market, Manchester.

Ancoats Makers Market takes place monthly at Cutting Room Square — the centrepiece of one of Manchester's most celebrated regeneration stories and the natural gathering point of the city's most creative neighbourhood. Set in the heart of Ancoats, the market brings together local artisan makers, independent food producers and live performers in a setting that feels genuinely embedded in the area's independent, creative identity. It's the kind of market that belongs exactly where it is.

Expect a carefully curated mix of handmade jewellery, ceramics, art, gifts and clothing alongside artisan food and drink producers — local bakers, street food traders, speciality drinks and small-batch produce from across the region. Live music sets the tone throughout the day, giving the market a warm, sociable atmosphere that keeps people lingering well beyond their first browse.

Free to attend and set in the middle of one of Manchester's most vibrant neighbourhoods, Ancoats Makers Market is one of the most enjoyable in The Makers Market programme. Walk to it from the city centre in ten minutes, or hop off the Metrolink — and stay for the rest of the afternoon.

Regular traders here

Some of the independent makers and producers you'll regularly find trading at this event.

6dots.co
6dots.co
Crafts & Homeware

Minimalist outdoor clothing and ultralight backpacking gear brand, owned by Autumn Grain Creation Company Limited, creating one-of-a-kind items from unique materials.

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Ash + Ember
Ash + Ember
Candles & Home Fragrance

Luxury candle brand founded by Adam Brindley in 2021, following 12 years working in architecture. Ash + Ember creates non-toxic home fragrances from soy wax and aromatherapy-grade essential oils, each scent paired with bespoke artwork nodding to the founder's architectural background, and was named LUXlife's Best Luxury Candle Brand 2024.

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Baked By Nicola
Baked By Nicola
Sweet Bakes

Luxury artisan bakery based in Littleborough specialising in handmade brownies and cookies using premium ingredients.

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Bohemia Studios
Bohemia Studios
Jewellery

Manchester-based handmade sterling silver jewellery, pendants, chains, rings and stacking bracelets in a bohemian style.

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Homelessghostprints
Homelessghostprints
Art & Illustration

Manchester-based one-man print studio producing high quality Giclee football and sports portrait art prints, stocked in the National Football Museum.

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Marking The Wild
Marking The Wild
Art & Illustration

Manchester-based artist and hiker Mark Croasdale turns real UK hikes into bold, colourful digital art prints, sketched and walked before being hand-painted from scratch, each accompanied by handwritten route notes and reflections from the trail.

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okaycokey
okaycokey
Jewellery

okaycokey is a one-woman jewellery studio based in the North West of England. Every piece is designed and handcrafted from recycled 925 sterling silver — sustainable and made to last. You'll find us at artisan markets in Manchester, Chester, Liverpool and Preston throughout the year. Can't make it to a market? Shop the collection on our website and we'll post it straight to you with 1 working day.

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Salford Distillery
Salford Distillery
Drinks & Spirits

Award-winning craft rum and gin distillery, hand-distilling small batches at Arch 33, Viaduct Street, Salford — Manchester's only city-centre distillery, offering rum and gin tours, tastings and private events alongside its retail range.

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Teatime Collective
Teatime Collective
Sweet Bakes

100% vegan cakes, bakes and savouries, Manchester (Hulme) bakery and market trader since 2013, also festival caterers.

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Make a day of it, indie style

Independent businesses near Manchester worth knowing about before or after the event.

Elnecot Photo: Elnecot
Restaurant ££
Elnecot
4.5(1,333)
🕐 12:00 – 11:30 PM

Modern British restaurant right on Cutting Room Square, serving seasonal small plates with a regularly changing menu. One of the defining restaurants of the Ancoats neighbourhood since it opened.

“Nice food and a good spot for sharing plates. The nduja yogurt with bread from the nibbles and the sticky toffee pudding dessert were delicious. We went with a 30% off deal, which made it great value probably wouldn’t visit at full price as it feels a bit pricey for small plates! Staff were f...”
Ama Annous
📍 41 Blossom Street, Manchester
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Companio Bakery Photo: Companio Bakery
Bakery
Companio Bakery
4.7(437)
🕐 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Artisan bakery on Radium Street baking exceptional croissants, sourdough and seasonal pastries fresh every day. One of the most talked-about bakeries in Manchester — open from 8am Tuesday to Sunday.

“Went to Companio today and bought a cereal milk cornetto, which might be one of the best pastries I've had, it was incredible.”
Mehmet Emin
📍 35 Radium Street, Manchester
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Artista Perfetto Photo: ARTISTA PERFETTO (Ancoats)
Café
Artista Perfetto
5.0(238)
🕐 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Boutique specialty coffee shop on Oldham Road with a perfect 5-star rating and some of the most distinctive espresso in Manchester. Try the signature blackaccino. Open Thursday to Sunday.

“A must-go for coffee addicts. You can truly taste the barista’s passion in every sip. The cookies are handmade and honestly the best I’ve ever had. Don’t leave without trying them – you HAVE to go there.”
Umay Bayka
📍 130 Oldham Road, Manchester
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Erst Photo: Erst
Restaurant
Erst
4.8(755)
🕐 Closed

Michelin-listed natural wine bar and restaurant on Murray Street. Seasonal small plates, a brilliant wine list and outstanding service — widely regarded as one of the best independent restaurants in Manchester. Tuesday to Saturday only.

“I was glancing at the Michelin guide and this place caught my attention. I’m so glad I booked a table: the food was amazing, the wine was delicious, the service was fantastic. I mean, couldn’t be happier. It gets a bit expensive cause the dishes are small, this typical “small dishes for sha...”
Lucila Perez
📍 9 Murray Street, Manchester
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Off The Press Photo: OFF THE PRESS
Café
Off The Press
4.8(177)
🕐 Closed

Dog-friendly independent cafe on George Leigh Street serving excellent coffee, fresh daily food and a reliably warm welcome. Open from 7:30am Monday to Saturday — an Ancoats institution.

“I have been getting my morning coffee and lunches from Off the Press for about 3 years now and I cannot recommend this place enough!! Everyone is so lovely and welcoming everyday. The food and the coffee is perfection and it’s such an amazing place to work from during the day with my laptop. I ...”
Francesca Smith
📍 3 George Leigh Street, Manchester
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About this area

Ancoats is a neighbourhood immediately to the east of Manchester city centre, widely regarded as one of the most successful urban regeneration projects in Britain over the past two decades. Once the site of some of the world's first purpose-built cotton mills — earning it the designation of the first industrial suburb in the world — Ancoats fell into long decline before being transformed from the early 2000s into a destination neighbourhood of apartments, independent restaurants, craft breweries and creative businesses.

Cutting Room Square, named in reference to the tailoring trade that once occupied the buildings surrounding it, has become the social heart of the neighbourhood. It is flanked by some of Manchester's most sought-after independent restaurants and bars, and the Halle St Peter's concert venue — housed in a stunning converted church — sits just a short walk away. The surrounding streets of Ancoats and the adjacent New Islington neighbourhood are rich with independent coffee shops, bakeries and design studios.

Ancoats is within easy walking distance of Manchester Piccadilly station and is served by the Metrolink network via the Piccadilly Gardens and New Islington stops. The wider neighbourhood connects to the Northern Quarter to the west and the emerging Mayfield development to the south, making it a natural part of any extended Manchester city centre day.

Places to go, see and play

Manchester Museum Photo: Abdalla Mudathir
Museum
Manchester Museum
4.7(10,485)
🕐 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

A major free museum on Oxford Road housing outstanding collections of natural history, Egyptology, archaeology and science. The Egyptian mummies, Triceratops skull and the South Asia gallery are consistent highlights — and the museum opens at 8am on Saturdays making it a perfect pre-market visit. Free entry, open Tuesday to Sunday. Run by the University of Manchester.

“Had a great time visiting here today. Was free but booked the triceratops exhibition in advance. I recommended leaving a donation if you can afford it though. Egyptian room was excellent, lots of dinosaurs as well. Lot of exhibits on multiple topics. The South Asia gallery was interesting and tho...”
Stephen
📍 Oxford Road, Manchester
Manchester Art Gallery Photo: MoTheBeanoBoy
Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery
4.6(11,215)
🕐 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

One of the finest free art galleries in the UK, housed in a stunning neoclassical building on Mosley Street. The permanent collection spans Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces, Valette's atmospheric Manchester paintings and contemporary works — all displayed in beautifully restored Victorian galleries. Temporary exhibitions are consistently ambitious. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am, free entry throughout.

“A really wonderful place to visit. From L.S.Lowry to William Holman Hunt. Quality representative art, some exquisite exhibits. Great cafe and vibes, a very pleasant way to spend ones time and reflect.”
Peter Westland
📍 Mosley Street, Manchester
Museum of Illusions Manchester Photo: Museum of Illusions - Manchester
Museum
Museum of Illusions Manchester
4.7(2,552)
🕐 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM

An interactive attraction on Market Street that genuinely messes with your mind — tilted rooms, infinite mirror corridors, holograms and visual puzzles across multiple floors. Brilliant for groups, couples and families alike. Staff are enthusiastic and will take photos of you throughout. Booking online saves £2 per ticket. Open daily from 10am.

“On friday at 6:40pm , me and my dad both went to Museum of Illusions . We didnt even walk in the building yet and kindly got welcomed. We walk in and it was very clean with a strong and beautiful scent. Anyway, later on when we walk up the escalator, we are welcomed AGAIN by very kind staff . The...”
Salma
📍 58-66 Market Street, Manchester
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Places to Stay near Manchester

Make a weekend of it — find hotels, B&Bs and guest houses close to this market.