Give Handmade this Christmas & Support Manchester Makers

On December 2nd one of the Northern Quarter’s catalyst spaces, Manchester Craft & Design Centre, will welcome back fans of beautiful and handmade gifts.

In this week’s blog Kate Day, the Centre’s Director, shines a light on the community of talented craft makers based in the old Victorian market building and explains how we can support them by pledging to ‘Give Handmade this Christmas’.

How did the venue come to life?

The premises is owned by Manchester City Council and has been in operation as a venue for craft since 1982, in part leading regeneration in the Northern Quarter to its place today as a independent, creative quarter of the city. In fact the very phrase ‘The Northern Quarter’ was coined in our building!

What’s the last year been like for the independent makers at the Centre?

Like many small businesses, the 30 or so independent makers, artists and designers who form our community at Manchester Craft & Design Centre have been hit hard by the events of 2020.

However adaptable and resilient the makers have been in selling online, they have really missed the opportunity to interact with their customers. This is especially true in the run up to Christmas, which is a crucial time of year for sales.

For those who haven’t been to the Centre, tell us what we’ll find in the work/shops?

There is a really wide range of beautiful objects and unique gifts to choose from, including ceramics, jewellery, lighting, contemporary glass or pewter work, leather bags and purses, knitted accessories and more, all handmade by our resident makers.

More and more people want to support local indies, how can we show the makers at the Centre some love?

We would love everyone to Give Handmade this Christmas by visiting our studios or buying from the makers online, who can all be contacted via our website. We also sell Manchester Craft & Design Centre gift vouchers from £10, so if you’ve got a picky person in your life they can come and choose that special gift themselves!

Our makers are all small independent and local businesses, and they really do appreciate your support.

What are the opening arrangements in the run up to Christmas?

We are so looking forward to opening our doors again from 2 December and welcoming back our visitors for a Covid-safe and special shopping experience in the Centre, in the heart of the Northern Quarter. We are open daily in December until Christmas Eve, just check our website for opening hours.

We wish everyone a wonderful festive season.

Kate Day is the Director of Manchester Craft & Design Centre, Northern Quarter, 17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 5JD