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

An image of author Marianne Brooker stood in front of green fauna, wearing glasses, smiling and looking up away from camera.
LiteratureCity Centre
Marianne Brooker at House of Books & Friends

Marianne Brooker will be at House of Books & Friends to discuss her new book, Intervals, published by Fitzcarraldo and longlisted for the inaugural Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.

from £5.00
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

Where to go near Manchester Arndale

Manchester
Hotel
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.

Manchester
Restaurant
The Butcher

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

The Bull and Bear
Manchester
Restaurant
The Bull & Bear Manchester

Headed up by Tom Kerridge, The Bull & Bear Manchester is the in-house restaurant at The Stock Exchange, the stunning hotel owned by Gary Neville and other famous faces.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
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.

Picture of 63 Degrees in Manchester's Northern Quarter
Manchester
Restaurant
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.

moose coffee manchester creative tourist
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
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.

Manchester
Shop
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

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.