Manchester Arndale

Susie Stubbs
BW

The Manchester Arndale is massive, a mecca to high street shopping without the inconvenience of the actual high street itself: all of the centre’s 240 shops are indoors, making the Arndale the UK’s largest city centre shopping centre. It was originally built in the 1970s, and its “bile yellow” tile-clad exterior won it few fans. In 1996, the Economist called it “one of Europe’s ugliest shopping centres… the epitome of lousy modern architecture”.

That all changed, of course, when the IRA bomb exploded just outside the Arndale on Corporation Street. The bomb caused enormous damage to all of the buildings in the vicinity, but it also kick-started the redevelopment of the Arndale, which was only finally completed in 2006 with the opening of its Winter Garden.

Today, the Arndale is a far more pleasant place to be than its 1970s predecessor, with more natural light and a vastly improved layout. While it offers little that is unique to Manchester, it does at least aim to offer everything under one roof and it is an undeniable success: 38 million people visit it every year. It was also canny enough to retain the original markets it was once famous for during a recent scrub-up; this unlikely haven of independence in a temple of capitalism has more character and vibrancy than the rest of the Arndale combined. It’s an excellent place to grab a top notch lunch, local produce and pints or simply get your phone fixed for a very agreeable price.

Market Street ManchesterM4 3AQ View map
Telephone: 0161 833 9851 Visit Now

Services and Facilities

Shop, cafes, food court

Opening Hours

  • Monday9:00am - 8:00pm
  • Tuesday9:00am - 8:00pm
  • Wednesday9:00am - 8:00pm
  • Thursday9:00am - 8:00pm
  • Friday9:00am - 8:00pm
  • Saturday9:00am - 8:00pm
  • Sunday11:30am - 5:30pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Manchester Arndale

The Herds, The Walk Productions
FestivalsManchester
MIF25: THE HERDS

Manchester International Festival 2025 kicks off with an awe-inspiring outdoor spectacle as THE HERDS take to the streets of Manchester, Rochdale, and Wigan.

free entry
Until
ComedyManchester
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

free entry
Walking Stock Image
TourManchester
Bombed and Besieged: Manchester at War

Marking the anniversary of the Christmas Blitz, this walking tour explores Manchester’s history of conflict, from the English Civil Wars to the World Wars and beyond.

from £20.00
Elizabeth Gaskell's House
TourManchester
The Manchester Literary Tour

On the eve of Elizabeth Gaskell’s birthday, join Jonathan Schofield Tours for a stroll around the sites (and sights) of Manchester’s literary past.

from £20.00

Where to go near Manchester Arndale

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Museum of Illusions

Museum of Illusions Manchester is part of the global Museum of Illusions Group, the largest and fastest-growing chain of private museums in the world.

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Stock Exchange Hotel

The Stock Exchange is a brand new luxury hotel from celebrated Manchester United footballers Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville’s GG Hospitality brand.

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The Butcher

A new addition to the Arndale’s Urban Playground, The Butcher serves up dishes made with the best quality meat available.

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Tender

Niall Keating has brought his Michelin-approved style of cooking to Tender at The Stock Exchange.

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Habas Bar & Restaurant

Habas is a modern Middle Eastern-influenced restaurant in the very centre of Manchester and the latest venture from El Gato Negro’s Simon Shaw.

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63 Degrees

63 Degrees is brings French cuisine to Manchester’s Northern Quarter; the Parisian Moreau family who run it pride themselves on cooking with fresh ingredients.

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Moose Coffee Manchester

Moose Coffee celebrates ‘the best meal of the day’ (brunch) in American style, with stack pancakes, potato hash, Huevos Rancheros and eggs any way. There’s always a queue.

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House of Books & Friends

Playing a powerful role in the community, this venue functions as a bookshop, café and place to meet and chat with likeminded individuals.

Culture Guides

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Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month

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Tours and Activities in the North

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