Junk Shop

Not just another vintage clothes shop, this little Northern Quarter store stocks sustainable fashion, clothing by local designers – and the odd cake tin.

A quick glance above the door of Junk Shop is all it takes to be clued up about its distinctive mission statement. “Sustainable fashion made in Manchester” proudly adorns the Dale Street store’s shop front. Step inside this vintage haunt and you’ll be met with everything from pocket watches and 1970’s typewriters to handmade dresses, handbags and costume jewellery. But Junk doesn’t just source one-off vintage finds. This rising empire has spent the past few years collaborating with sustainable designers to bring locally-produced fashion to the city centre. Since opening in 2007, the store has developed three unique labels – Made In The Mill, Jumble and Label of Love – and it’s this ethical element that helps differentiate Junk from some of its neighbours.

Inside, the store is kitted out with a mishmash of recycled materials, most notably a walk-in wardrobe that doubles as the shop’s changing rooms. The props that cover Junk’s floor – cake tins, the occasional vintage bike – could easily be mistaken by customers as “for sale” items, but that’s not really a problem at Junk: its staff will price up on the spot. Nothing is off limits.

Staff will price up on the spot – nothing is off limits

Junk doesn’t stop at the four walls of its Northern Quarter premises, either, as it offers a range of courses including Shirt Making and Gentlemen’s Tailoring, Beginner’s Dressmaking, and, for absolute beginners, An Introduction to Sewing Machines. Most courses run for four weeks (in the evenings), but there are day courses, too; prices start at £60. With an online store and decent blog to boot, Junk has enough going on to ensure that it not only rides the crest of the current vintage fashion wave. It’ll keep churning out new (and ethical) fashion finds time after time.