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 Books for students and the general public |
The Precinct Centre Oxford Road Manchester M13 9RN United Kingdom +44 161 274 3331 |
This is a large bookshop which, being on the campus of the University of Manchester, is mainly aimed at students from all 3 local universities. Nonetheless, there is something for everyone here and the prices are pretty competitive. There are also other smaller outlets on UMIST and Salford University campuses to cater for neighboring academics. It specializes particularly in academic and medical books, but also offers a good selection of general titles and even sells a limited selection of well preserved second-hand books. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Kirk Northrop |
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The most distinctive shop-front in the city |
34 Shudehill Greater Manchester Manchester M4 1EZ United Kingdom +44 161 839 0376 |
The Book Centre has one of the most unusual and distinctive shop-fronts in the city centre. Every available piece of empty space has been covered by bright blue signs advertising the massive choice of subject matter available. Inside the shop is dark, long, narrow and slightly ramshackle in nature, which makes it all the more fun to browse around. There is a particularly large adult fiction and biography collection, along with lots of stuff on sci-fi, horror, romance and crime. You can also sell and part-exchange your unwanted books for good prices on request. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ryan Brightwell |
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Gay and lesbian items |
36-38 Sackville Street Manchester M1 3WA United Kingdom +44 161 236 1398 |
The only store of its kind in Manchester, this is probably the closest thing to a gay and lesbian bookshop you will find in the city, with an area devoted to a whole variety of hard-to-find specialist publications. It also caters for those with an interest in leather and rubber fetish fashion clothing as well as stocking a wide selection of magazines, artwork, films, videos and accessories. You can find the shop just off Canal Street, right in the heart of the Gay Village. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Daniel Mortell |
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Focused on film and design books |
70 Oxford Road Manchester M1 5NH United Kingdom +44 161 228 7621 |
This is a small, but entirely self contained, adjunct to the cinema, cafe and bar facilities. It's particularly good on obscure works that you would be unlikely to find in a bigger generalist bookshop. The choice of titles is impressive with rare film and design magazines like Film waves and Blueprint, which you would definitely struggle to buy anywhere else in the city center. There are also texts exploring the history of cinema, films of individual directors and film art movements in considerable depth. An esoteric shop for an eclectic medium. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Quirky little record and memorabilia shop |
9-11 Paton Street Manchester M1 2BA United Kingdom +44 161 236 4022 |
A quirky little record and music memorabilia shop tucked away down one of the darker side streets past Piccadilly Station approach. Don't let the location put you off though, as within you can find all manner of interesting stuff. Crammed inside you can buy rare boxed sets, early picture sleeve singles, coloured vinyl, sheet music, magazines, books and much more. If you are after something specific they will run a search service on request. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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The definitive science fiction store |
65 Oldham Street Manchester M1 1JR United Kingdom +44 161 839 4777 |
Based in the Northern Quarter - this is possibly the definitive sci-fi and fantasy collectors store in the city. Over two jam-packed floors you can find items covering Star Trek, Babylon 5, Thunderbirds, Dr.Who, Star Wars, Buffy, Pokemon and many, many more. On the upper floor there is a full array of action figures from cult movies, plus plenty of videos and clothing. The lower floor is dedicated to US comics, graphic novels, posters and books. A comprehensive mail order catalogue is also available on request. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jason Ellis |
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Antiquarian and first editions |
The Ginnel Gallery, Lloyds House 18-22 Lloyd Street Manchester M2 5WA United Kingdom +44 161 832 7241 |
This atmospheric little bookseller is sited inside an antique centre that faces the Town Hall. The accent is on antiquarian tomes and hefty original leather-bound collections. However they also sell a good collection of modern first editions, Agatha Christie's for example. They're also strong on the arts and sport and if you want to buy sets of complete works of the literary greats such as Dickens or Shakespeare, this is probably a very good place to look. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A great collection of music related titles |
Charlotte House 10 Charlotte Street Manchester M1 4FL United Kingdom +44 161 236 7179 |
A refined and elegant bookshop with plenty of atmosphere. This large second-hand bookseller stocks antiquarian titles and publishers remainders. They're also noted for their impressive selection of classical records and CDs. The main categories of choice cover everything from politics to poetry and the musical influence in the shop means that the specialist collection of books on music classical and opera) is far greater than the average second-hand book dealer. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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For the transport specialist or enthusiast |
Unit 5, Piccadilly Station Approach Manchester M1 2GH United Kingdom +44 161 237 9840 |
A bookseller and a business - hailed as the world's leading transport publisher - ideally situated on the approach to Piccadilly railway station. Their list is impressive covering all aspects of aviation, maritime, military, railways and road transport. If you want any kind of related obscure title this is where you'll find them. The busy one floor shop also stocks charming miniature bus and train replicas for the discerning collector. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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New Age specialists |
The Coliseum Church Street Manchester M4 1PW United Kingdom |
Dedicated to the advancement of spiritual science, the fulfilment of human potential, harmony and unity - this is a great place for anyone with an interest in New Age philosophies. Situated on the first floor of The Coliseum, the shop carries hundreds of titles on reflexology, reiki, auras, spiritual healing, chakra, occult and ritual magic. Their main centre is in Wales and access to this outlet is by appointment only. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Spiritual enlightenment in the city centre |
16-20 Turner Street Northern Quarter Manchester M4 1DZ United Kingdom +44 161 834 9232 |
One of over 80 centres countrywide established by the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, the Manchester centre is situated in a disused warehouse in the Northern Quarter of the city. Now restored and completely transformed, this spacious and welcoming building has two shrine halls available weekdays for meditation, a large reception, reference library, bookshop and wholefood café (Earth) situated in the basement. Other activities run in the centre include yoga, shiatsu, acupuncture, aromatherapy and massage - under the name of Bodywise. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Anthony Watt  |
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For all things New Age |
110 Tib Street Manchester M4 1LR United Kingdom +44 161 839 9293 |
If you're interested in all things New Age, then you'll love this fascinating, quirky shop. Established for several years in the Northern Quarter, it is a magnet for anyone interested in exploring their spiritual side. It sells new and second hand books on all manner of subjects, including tarot, witchcraft, Celtic magic yoga, healing, psychedelia, body art, UFOs, cyberculture, folklore, shamanism and much more. There is also a popular vegetarian coffee shop on site, where you can relax with a hot drink or just sit and chat to like-minded souls. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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From Shakespeare to Star Trek |
25-27 Shudehill Manchester M4 2AF United Kingdom +44 161 834 9509 |
This is probably the biggest and best of the famous Shudehill bookshops. The large floorspace is filled to the ceiling with books of all kinds and the shop usually has music playing loud enough to be heard on the street outside. Heavily into science fiction—most specifically satisfying the needs of Star Trek fans—other shelf listings include everything from Shakespeare to sociology. The Exchange is open seven days a week and they also pay cash for any books, CDs, videos, LPs or audio cassettes you might wish to sell. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Trade and specialist publications |
9-21 Princess Street Albert Square Manchester M60 8AS United Kingdom +44 161 834 7201 |
Formerly Her Majesty's Stationery Office bookstore, this large, imposing shop stocks a comprehensive range of books on computing, finance, parliamentary legislation, law, construction and management. They are also the principal stockists of HSE, British Standards and Ordnance Survey publications, along with a good variety of useful travel and tourist guides plus an excellent section devoted to the local history of the area. A fast search and mail order service is available on request. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Chinese language books and arts |
16 Nicholas Street Manchester M1 4EJ United Kingdom +44 161 236 2333 |
Situated along one of the main arteries of Chinatown, this charming shop is dedicated to Chinese culture. It's set in a large, fairly anonymous building and is located on the ground floor - the door is just on the right as you enter. They have a fine collection of works on crafts like Origami and the oriental art and practice of Feng Shui. Chinese cookery books are conspicuous along with guides on the Martial Arts - with a special focus on Tai Chi - and for pleasure reading there is a shelf devoted to popular Chinese novels. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Largest bookstore in town |
91 Deansgate Manchester M3 2BW United Kingdom +44 161 832 1992 |
Waterstone's on Deansgate is probably the largest bookshop in the North West. Spread out over several massive floors, you can find just about every book you could ever want here. They are known for their regular launch events and book signings and there is a free in-store magazine available to keep you informed about what is going on. Classical music or mellow jazz pervades the store which is tastefully decorated in dark wood throughout. There is another small branch on St Ann's Square Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |