The collection, which is sure to delight parents as well as children, is made from ethically sourced premium jersey material and is hand-made to order, ensuring a level of quality unmatched by many mass-produced garments.
At Uniquely Manchester, we take immense pride in supporting our local businesses and independent makers and creators. Every piece in our kids clothing collection is meticulously hand-crafted by talented individuals right here in Manchester. This not only ensures a level of quality and attention to detail, but it also contributes to the thriving independent community of this great city.
The new range of sweatshirts, hoodies, t-shirts, leggings and dresses are available in various fun and enchanting designs, including bees (of course…this is Manchester!), dinosaurs, rainbows, mermaids and polar bears, and there’ll be more to come. The dresses can be long-sleeved, short sleeved or sleeveless – take your pick.
Each item of clothing is bursting with personality and charm; each one has been thoughtfully designed with individuality in mind and made with a passion to create playful yet practical pieces to be loved by the wearer. Just like the children, this range is truly unique.
You can check out the new range here: https://uniquelymanchester.co.uk/collections/kids-clothing but remember to keep checking back as we plan to add to the collection!
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There’s no getting away from the fact that we’re smack bang in the middle of wedding season, graduation season, and summer party season (not to mention the ongoing deluge of birthdays). Whilst that, of course, means lots of incredible occasions and time spent making marvellous memories, it does very often leave us feeling a bit stuck when it comes to working out what to give as a gift. We completely understand how awfully tricky it can be to find something thoughtful and original but, fear not, should the recipient of your present just so happen to live in Manchester or be a lover of the city then we have a whole host of incredible offerings that will utterly delight them.
Manchester Bee Engraved Glassware
The perfect gift for couples and singles alike, this best-selling range has become somewhat iconic and is adored by all who see it. The duo of Manchester Bee Champagne Flutes and Manchester Bee Wine Glasses are ideal as a wedding, engagement or anniversary gifts, whilst the single Engraved Manchester Bee Wine Glass is great to take to a house party, and the Manchester Bee Engraved Glass Tumbler is the newest edition to the collection.
Manchester Modern Metro Art
Looking for something unique for a New Home gift? Humorously highlighting the quirks and peculiarities of Manchester and the surrounding districts, this series of fun retro designs really is a must-have. With tongue-in-cheek posters for Manchester city centre and towns such as Bolton, Didsbury, Monton, Oldham, Urmston, and Worsley, the wonderful prints playfully poke loving fun in a way that is sure to make you smile.
Manchester Gin
Utterly blessed with some outstanding distilling talent in Manchester, Uniquely Manchester is very lucky to stock a wide range of gins; all of your favourites but also some small batch beauties that you may not yet have discovered. Fitting as a gift for any occasion, the nod to Manchester is what makes these gins really special. Some of our best sellers include Manchester Gin by Fac51 Hacienda, Doctors Favourite Gin, and Manchester Gin – Signature.
Manchester Ceramic Worker Bees
Handmade and hand-painted in Manchester, these magnificent ceramic worker bees tell the story of Manchester through its iconic cultural history. Each truly unique bee is mounted and framed. As a special gift for a loved one, the Because I Love You ceramic worker bee is utterly apt, whilst Manchester United fans will love the Busbee Babes, and party people of a certain age will appreciate the Hacienda Bee.
And, of course, the personalised ceramic Wedding Bee is a truly unique and special gift to give!
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
We’ve told you about a few of our incredible products; there’s still so much more to browse on our site.
If you can’t find exactly what you are looking for, or perhaps would like something a little more bespoke, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and we’ll see what we can do. We’ve always very keen to help.
And finally! Uniquely Manchester is constantly adding to its range of authentic Manchester art, photography, homeware, gifts and alcohol. Please do follow us on social media or sign up for our emails (we promise we don’t spam!) so that you can stay up to date with our latest news, offers and newest products:
Facebook: @uniquelymanchester
Instagram: @uniquelymanchester
Twitter: @Uniquely_Manc
]]>It seems like only yesterday that we were in the office filled with trepidation about hitting the ‘go live’ button. What if we didn’t have everything in place? What if the customers didn’t come? Fortunately, it was, and they did.
It has been a wonderful, whirlwind, four years. We’ve added more and more product lines. Our best-selling lines have become iconic. Our customer base has grown exponentially. And we’ve even managed to successfully navigate a global pandemic. Suffice to say, we’re feeling very proud. Proud of our hugely talented suppliers. And proud of our fantastic customers. If you fall into either of those categories then, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Uniquely Manchester wouldn’t have reached this milestone without you.
For anyone not familiar with Uniquely Manchester, we are an online gift shop selling all things made, designed, printed or produced in and around Manchester. We support a fantastic group of Greater Manchester independents and we work with some amazing local artists, designers, makers and distillers.
Since launching four years ago, Uniquely Manchester has introduced many new products and expanded our collections. Favourites include the brilliant, and some of the best, Manchester fine art and iconic photography, Manchester art, and the Manchester homeware and glassware ranges. We’ve added to the stunning Manchester skyline gin glass and whiskey tumbler glass with a whole range of Manchester bee glassware. The beautiful bee range includes a gin glass, rum and whisky tumbler, champagne flutes, shot glass, pint glass and glass tankard. And the latest addition, the Manchester bee engraved wine glass gift set.
Regional gin and rum remain in demand, and Uniquely Manchester stock a phenomenal range. Manchester made and themed gifts are also in abundance; we’ve added Manchester themed accessories, including Manchester themed scarves, including the ever popular Manchester bee scarf and the Pankhurst scarf.
There’s also the Manchester skyline beach bag (or shopping bag) with the strapline ‘Everything except a beach’ which is now flying out for the summer holidays. And the Manchester skyline chopping board / serving platter is proving an impressive display for a cheese board. The range of Manchester fridge magnets are the perfect souvenir from Manchester.
The Manchester gift sets have been amazingly popular; it seems like everyone loves a bit of Manchester chocolate to go with their gin or rum glass and favourite tipple. We’ve also introduced the Uniquely Manchester gift card; something that came in very handy when we were approached by businesses looking for gifts to buy their staff.
One of the things we are extremely thrilled by is the feedback and reviews we’ve received. Along with stocking quality products, delivering first-rate customer service tops the list of priorities at Uniquely Manchester. We’re well aware that we need to to set up a review page, and we will; once we’ve won the battle with our very, very long ‘to do’ list. In the meantime, if you want to see what people have been saying you can click here.
As for the future of Uniquely Manchester? Even more exciting times are ahead! Year five will see the launch of a new suppliers and products, and you’ll be the first to hear about these!
And what did we actually do to celebrate our 4th birthday? With still so much to do, and so many things we want to do, and so many new products we want to bring you….we worked of course…
Anyway, cheers…and here’s to the next year of Uniquely Manchester providing you with the best Manchester gifts and souvenirs, and supporting even more brilliant Greater Manchester talent and businesses.
]]>Manchester gin glass & salted caramel chocolates
Our Manchester balloon gin glasses have been a constant favourite since day one, whether it be the Manchester skyline or the Manchester bee gin glass. Now they are also available with a bag of Slattery’s delicious salted caramel bee chocolates, especially for Mother’s Day.
Manchester chocolate & gin box
One of our most popular gift sets, this Manchester gin miniatures and Manchester chocolate selection is a winner every time. It never fails to delight when received as a gift.
Manchester skyline chopping board
Brand new to the Uniquely Manchester gifts is our stunning Manchester skyline chopping board. If mum doesn’t want to cut on this board it can also be used as a cheese or serving board. Either way, it’ll make a fantastic addition to anyone’s kitchen
Manchester skyline beach/tote bag
It’s been said that Manchester has everything except a beach. This fabulous Manchester skyline beach bag is exclusively designed in Manchester and printed on ethically sourced white canvas. The perfect gift to show off on the beach or around town.
Manchester bee flute glasses & chocolates
Another Manchester gift set that’s proved very popular since we introduced it, our Manchester bee champagne flutes gift set can be bought as it is, or with a bag of the delicious salted caramel bee chocolates as an extra treat. Or if it’s wine glasses you’d prefer, our bee wine glass gift set can also have the chocolate bees added, just message us while you’re on the site.
Manchester bee tumbler glass & salted caramel chocolates
If whisky, rum or soft drinks is the preferred choice of tipple, our popular bee glass tumblers can have the option of the bee chocolates.
The Sylvia – silk and modal scarf
We have a range of beautiful Manchester themed scarves, made from either silk and modal or 100% pure wool, and all of them ethically sourced. Why not treat mum to the beautiful Sylvia scarf, as named after Sylvia Pankhurst, daughter of Emmeline.
Who can say no to chocolates? Especially this delicious collection of Manchester themed chocolates.
Manchester mug with bee chocolates
If mum is partial to a nice northern cuppa, our Manchester skyline mugs and bee and honeycomb mugs are available in different colours and can be purchased alone or with a packet of the salted caramel bee chocolates. If you can’t find the combination you want, just ask!
Manchester bee champagne glasses gift set
Again, another of our gift sets that have been flying out of the door and getting rave reviews ever since they were introduced on the site, the Manchester bee champagne flute glasses are simply elegant and stunning
Oh, and if you have a northern mum who is into her art, the fabulously quirky and fun Northern Mother print is available in our modern retro art collection. It’s available as a mounted print, a poster, or framed in various sizes, whichever part of the north she’s from.
We hope these have helped with your ‘what to buy for Mother’s Day’ dilemma. We have so many other gift options to choose from (we couldn’t fit them all in this blog!) so if you’re still looking then get yourself a brew and take a browse on www.uniquelymanchester.co.uk
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There’s a very obvious theme to the feedback we get. Actually, three themes. We get an overwhelmingly positive response about the products we stock. We get a huge amount of incredibly humbling comments about our customer service. And we’re absolutely terrible at publicly promoting how happy our customers are with Uniquely Manchester.
99% of the customer feedback we get comes directly to us via email or phone. Which we are unbelievably grateful for, and makes us feel pretty fantastic. But if you search online for reviews about Uniquely Manchester, you won’t find very much! Which isn’t ideal for new customers seeking some reassurance that they’re buying the best, from the best.
It’s our own fault. Establishing a digital presence on review sites is on our ‘to do’ list, but we’ve been so busy continually adding new products and ranges to Uniquely Manchester that we haven’t had time to get our online review options inline.
But we will. We definitely will. Although it’s probably going to be after Christmas now, as we’re about to hit our busiest time of year. We know how important reviews are, particularly if you haven’t bought from a site before and you want to be confident of your purchase. But, as a small independent business, our focus and priorities from day one have been quality service and quality products, so sometimes other things have to stay a little bit longer on our list of things to do.
We’re not completely without online reviews. Customers are able to review Uniquely Manchester on our Facebook page and on Google, and we’re very proud to say that 100% of the ratings we’ve had on both platforms have given us the full five stars. By the way, it goes without saying that we’d be thrilled if you could spare a few seconds to rate us, or a minute to write a review:
Facebook: (1) Uniquely Manchester | Facebook
Goggle: https://bit.ly/32x10C3
In the meantime, we thought it was about time we shared some of the things that people have been saying about us:
Yes, these are all genuine comments! We haven’t included names because…well y’know…we’ve not had the time to go back to all the customers to ask if they’d be okay with us mentioning them (obviously!).
If you’re looking for a gift made in Manchester, Manchester themed, Manchester designed, or produced in Manchester and haven’t bought from Uniquely Manchester before then we do hope you’ll give us a try. And if you have purchased from us previously – thank you!
Final thought, it’ll soon be Christmas, so if you want to start your shopping early it’s uniquelymanchester.co.uk …(sorry!)
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However, we’ve just been reminded of something that did take us completely by surprise exactly two years ago this week; on Monday 21st October 2019 we experienced a HUGE spike in visits to our site like we’d never seen before (A good surprise!).
]]>However, we’ve just been reminded of something that did take us completely by surprise exactly two years ago this week; on Monday 21st October 2019 we experienced a HUGE spike in visits to our site like we’d never seen before (A good surprise!).
‘Ah’, we thought at the time, ‘our amazingly executed marketing campaign must be working!’
‘Oh’, we realised, ‘but we haven’t implemented a marketing campaign . . . ’
Hmmm. Well we scratched our heads for a bit, before our crack team of super sleuths began a thorough investigation (the Uniquely Manchester bosses took to google). Turns out, we had The Guardian to thank to for the sudden surge of website visitors! The national newspaper had published an article about the growth of Manchester’s skyline and the influx of luxury flats in the city. More specifically, it referenced the term ‘Manc-Hattan’ . . . which just happens to be the title of one of the fantastic pieces in our retro art collection
Created by incredible artist Eric Jackson, the tongue-in-cheek poster juxtaposes Manchester’s shiny new skyscrapers with one of the city’s favourite and beautiful old pubs, The Peveril of the Peak.
Of course, people have differing views on the new buildings, with many valid points for and against. But as the buildings continue to appear, and with further plans for investment, it looks like the Manchester skyline is set to evolve further still. No doubt the Manc-Hattan poster will be updated accordingly. In fact, perhaps we’d better get Eric ready to create the ‘Manc-Hattan through the years’ series…!
Former journalist Eric, from Stockport, has created a whole range of playful posters that poke fun at, and evoke fondness for, the peculiarities of Manchester and its surrounding area and towns. Poster slogans include, “Be different . . just like everyone else in Chorlton”, “Climb the ladder to a better bruschetta in . . Hale”, and “Just say ‘no’ to Chorley Cakes. You’re in . . . Eccles.” The Manc-Hatten poster states: ‘Manchester – Just like New York, but so much more charming’. And we certainly can’t argue with that.
So, thank you to The Guardian for directing the masses to our website, and thank you to Eric for your brilliant pieces of art that always put a smile on our faces and the faces of the many customers who buy them.
Oh, and if you missed the article you can read it here , although spoiler alert, it’s not the most complimentary article you’ll ever read about our great city…
]]>There’s nothing quite as special as receiving an unexpected, and thoughtful, present in the post. And it seems you lot are a very thoughtful lot indeed! Since the start of lockdown, Uniquely Manchester has had an influx of orders from people wishing to send meaningful gifts to put a smile on the faces of folk that love our incredible city and region.
There’s no getting away from the fact that it has been, and still is, a difficult time for many people. Being unable to visit friends and family and desperately missing spending time with the people we care about is really tough. People everywhere want to show those who matter to them that they are thinking of them. And those who have loved ones with a penchant for all things Manc, have been turning to Uniquely Manchester to help them send surprise deliveries of pure delight.
Perhaps predictably, we’ve had a significant number of orders for spirits to be sent to, well, keep spirits up! Uniquely Manchester stocks over 50 different gins and over 20 different rums, as well as a range of gin liqueurs, all originating from the region; so you’re spoilt for choice if you want to send a taste of Manchester.
Did you know that Greater Manchester and Cheshire have a vast array of local distillers working hard to bring us an incredible selection of small batch gins and rums? From Oldham based Defiance Premium Ginto The Salford Rum Company Spiced Rum, to Imaginaria Premium Gin Liqueurs, we really do have a tipple to suit every fancy. And it would be amiss of us not to mention two of our suppliers, Manchester Gin and Didsbury Gin, who really are taking the gin-lovers’ world by storm on a rather big scale. Didsbury has also just released its amazing Manchester Tart Gin. and we love it!
We do, however, hasten to add that not all our gifts are alcoholic! Favourite ‘thinking of you’ gifts include the Ceramic Worker Bees, Manchester Bee engraved glassware Manchester Modern Retro Art, and our range of Glass Art and Street Signs.
A lot of people are also choosing to send birthday gifts direct through us too. In the past we’ve had the occasional request to send things direct and we’ve offered to include a personal message.
Since lockdown, and the closure of shops, we’ve seen a marked increase in people wanting us to send the gift to the recipient with a personal birthday message inside – which we are more than happy to do. Pick of the pressies include Manchester themed Glassware, Homeware, Doodle Maps, Mugs, and Iconic Photography (oh, and obviously alcohol!)
All our gifts are prepared in a safe environment and delivered directly by Uniquely Manchester or via Royal Mail, with all the necessary health precautions in place. Delivery is contactless, with no signature required.
If you would like to send a gift, please visit www.uniquelymanchester.co.uk - and remember to add your message in the notes. If you have any questions you can always email us: info@uniquelymanchester.co.uk
Finally, the biggest THANK YOU to everyone who is choosing to support local businesses, and in particular those who have chosen Uniquely Manchester. We, along with our artists, are truly grateful!
PS just a little reminder that Father’s Day is nearly here…
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Three months into lockdown and a couple of things have become very clear to the team at Uniquely Manchester. Firstly, a lot of people have been making the most of the time by catching up on those jobs at home that usually get put aside for a ‘rainy day’. Secondly, Mancunians are so flippin’ proud of their city (of course, we already knew that!).
It would seem that top of the list of rainy day tasks getting completed during lockdown is home redecorating and refreshing. And fans of Manchester far and wide are updating their walls with art and photography from - and of - our incredible city and locality. Personally, Uniquely Manchester couldn’t be prouder of the pride people are showing for the places we know and love. An awful lot of people are wanting a little bit of Greater Manchester on their walls!
What makes this even better is that, by purchasing Manchester themed or made art and photography, Uniquely Manchester customers are not just showing what great taste they have (clearly!), but they are also supporting a local independent business and its regionally based artists and photographers. This is truly appreciated to an extent we cannot even begin to express!
As those already familiar with Uniquely Manchester will know, Uni It’s absolutely impossible to pick favourites, but, with so many incredible items to choose from, we thought you’d appreciate a quick guide to the amazing art and fantastic photography we have in stock:
Manchester modern retro art: From Wigan to Woodsmoor, and everywhere in between, these brilliant posters depict the quirky traits of our region’s towns and villages. If your town isn’t featured yet, you can be sure there will be plans to do so at some point in the future!
Cool Mancunia and Iconic Manchester art collections: The essence of Manchester culture, including its music and sport legends, is encapsulated in these uber cool pieces.
Manchester glass art and street signs: These one-off pieces are handmade and look incredible on any wall. The new unframed Manchester street sign is proving particularly popular both home and abroad as we get in to barbeque season, so we can only assume there will be a few man sheds and summer houses proudly promoting their owner’s roots!
Manchester worker bee ceramics: Handmade and hand painted in Manchester, this collection is always popular and always in demand. Each one has its own message, from sport, to music, to being a proud Mancunian. We also offer a beautiful bespoke wedding worker bee.
Manchester doodle maps: Proving that we definitely do things differently here, the intricate workings of the fantastic Dave Draws Doodle maps feature Manchester, Salford, Altrincham, and the Northern Quarter.
Manchester iconic photography: Just as popular as our artwork ranges, is our stunning collection of photography, featuring striking images of Manchester and its landmarks. Available as prints, mounts, or framed. There’s also the beautiful fine art photography, currently available as prints.
Orders are prepared in a safe environment and delivered directly by Uniquely Manchester or via Royal Mail, with all the necessary health precautions in place. Delivery is contactless, with no signature required.
Finally, the biggest THANK YOU to everyone who is choosing to support local businesses, and in particular those who have chosen Uniquely Manchester. We, along with our artists, are truly grateful!
]]>Yes, Uniquely Manchester now has even more incredible items for you to buy, and they may help with your dilemma if you’ve still not found the perfect Mother’s Day gift. All items are, of course, lovingly designed or created in Manchester by uniquely talented artists, creators and independents.
At Uniquely Manchester we are constantly looking for new suppliers so that we are able to give you even more options when looking for that special something. As you know, we pride ourselves on what we offer and each item we sell is a reflection on us, so it has to be the perfect fit.
Uniquely Manchester is absolutely delighted to announce our first two new additions to the mix for 2020: Ollie & Fred Scarves – The Manchester Range, and handmade Beeswax Balms Gift Sets. We’re sure you’ll love them as much as we do!
Ollie & Fred Scarves – The Manchester Range
These beautifully crafted scarves are luxurious, eye-catching, and all have a Manchester reference.
Magnificent in monochrome, the sound wave design on the Whitworth scarf will seem familiar to fans of one of Manchester’s most-loved bands, Joy Division. And, fitting that we’ve just celebrated International Women’s Day (8thMarch), the visually striking Sylvia scarf in the iconic suffragette colours is named after Emmeline Pankhurst’s daughter.
For those of you who like to make a statement, we also have Ollie & Fred yellow and black bee stripe socks as well as the most amazing coin purses and clutch bags! Perfect gifts for Mother’s Day, although we won’t be surprised if you just go ahead and treat yourself!
There are two versions of the stunning worker Bee scarf, a skinny silk blend scarf and a lightweight 100% wool scarf. However, no sooner did we put them on our site, they (unsurprisingly) sold out! We should have more in stock in a few weeks so keep your eyes peeled (oh, and they are so nice we recommend buying both!).
Inspired by the creator’s very own Manchester bees, Beeswax Balms contain essential oils to sooth, moisturise and relax.
These lovely little gift sets, which are suitable for vegetarians and are not tested on animals, come as a set of three or five balms; each balm comes in a 28g tin with hand printed bee label and the batch number.
Choose from The Ultimate skincare set, which includes a relaxing bedtime balm, healing hand balm, muscle rub and refreshing foot balm plus a beautifully moisturising lip balm; or opt for one of the sets of 3: Essential skincare or Relaxing skincare gift sets.
We love the Relaxing Bedtime Balm, with its calming properties, to rub into wrists, temples and chest for a restful night. The Refreshing Foot Balm is a real treat for tired feet, the Healing Beeswax Balm will revive even the driest of skin, and the Soothing Muscle Rub provides a cooling, numbing sensation to help ease pain.
These are perfect little gifts, be it a pamper relaxation set or a set to revive the weary traveller.
So! Two amazing new collections to add to your wish list! And conveniently launched just in time for Mother’s Day….don’t say we don’t spoil you…
]]>Uniquely Manchester’s 2019 highlights:
However, we managed to organise everything in preparation for our return (whilst still sunning ourselves)Then we hit the ground running when we landed in the early hours on the Thursday to deliver them in plenty of time on the Friday. Job done! (and a few self-congratulatory much needed drinks enjoyed later that day….)
There are many other highlights for 2019 and we are so proud and so delighted for all the support we’ve had – and continue to have - as a (still fairly new) independent business.
Looking ahead we have some exciting plans for 2020, with a selection of new Manchester artists and designers adding more fantastic items to our incredible range. We will also be expanding the product ranges from our extremely talented existing makers and creators.
We’ll have lots of new products to tell you about throughout the year, so keep posted and keep following us on social media to be first in the know.
And remember, if you are looking for something personalised or bespoke just ask the question…if we can do it for you, we will! (although try to give us a bit of notice…and preferably don’t ask for it while we are sunning ourselves on a beach…ideally….)
Finally, to each and every one of you who have supported Uniquely Manchester, bought from Uniquely Manchester or supplied products for Uniquely Manchester – THANK YOU!
]]>A second piece of advice (hey, we’re here to help!), if the contents of a particular gift set on the website aren’t exactly what you want then just get in touch and ask us to swap things around! Simply tell us which products you’d like to be included in a gift set and we’ll do our very best to accommodate. (The more notice you can give the better, especially as ‘that’ time of year is nearly upon us.)
Finally, fear not if you’re stuck for inspiration, overwhelmed by all the choice, or struggling to find something special and unique to give him, her or them. We’ve selected five fantastic gift-sets, all you have to do is add to cart.
All Uniquely Manchester gift sets (with the exception of The Edge gin liqueurs) come in either a black or white magnetic lid gift box which can be reused once the contents have been enjoyed!
Newly launched and already a favourite, this beautifully boxed gift set includes a bottle of Manchester gin, a Manchester bee engraved balloon gin glass, and a sumptuous caramel filled chocolate bee.
Believe us when we tell you that the chocolate in these boxes tastes utterly divine! Supplied by Manchester’s finest chocolatier, Slattery’s, there are a range of chocolate gift-sets, featuring goodies such as large ‘On the 6thDay’ chocolate bars, Manchester Bee Oreos, Manchester Bee chocolate lollies and caramel filled bees.
If gin is their thing, then this one’s for them! Shelly’s have bottled all the glorious flavours of a Manchester tart and infused them with a light, citrus gin. The natural flavours of Raspberry, Vanilla, a dash of coconut and a hint of cherry make this a charming sweet treat, especially as it comes with Uniquely Manchester’s best-selling gift, the stunning Manchester Skyline gin glass. (oh, and we now sell Manchester Tart Truffles made with Slattery’s chocolate….they are heavenly!!!)
The bottle of Salford Rum Company Spiced Rum, emblazoned with the iconic The Salford Rum Company label, in this gift set is flippin’ stunning that you don’t even have to love rum to desperately want this bottle in your drinks cabinet! And, of course, there’s only one way to drink a great rum from a beautiful bottle; by pouring it into an equally beautiful The Salford Rum Company engraved rum tumbler.
Worker Bee Tea and Coffee Sets
Make brew-time even better with a wonderful Worker Bee mug, a delicious choice of teas and coffees, and optional caramel-filled chocolate bee from Slattery’s.
These are just a taster (see what we did there…) of our gift sets. You’ll find more on the website but, as we pointed out earlier, it may be possible to mix and match products in the gift sets so just get in touch and ask the question. If Uniquely Manchester can help resolve your gift dilemmas, then rest assured we will!
]]>There really is no place like Manchester when it comes to fun and festivities and this year the annual Manchester Pride festival, which takes place every August bank holiday weekend, is set to be even bigger and better! 10,000 people will take part in the Pride parade on Saturday 24thAugust, and Pride Live, located at the Mayfield Depot, will see some of the biggest names taking to the stage including Ariana Grande, Cheryl and Emili Sande.
Of course, at this stage (pardon the pun) it would be remiss of us not to point out the Manchester Pride collection on our site, which, as you’d expect, is full of quirky, amusing and statement art.
Pride art
Local artist Henry Martin, renowned for his stunning Northern Quarter paintings, has created a range of original prints taken from real life observations of the characters enjoying Manchester Pride, from the Colourful Couple (regulars to the event) to Police at Pride, the Dancing Woman and more.
Pride ceramic worker bee
The Bee Proud three-dimensional framed ceramic bee is a beautiful adornment for any wall, with its colourful rainbow body and simple statement.
Pride street sign art
If you’re looking for a real statement piece the stunning Canal Street Love for All street sign art is an eye-catching collector’s item – each one is hand made so no two will be the same. Truly unique.
Pride rum
And of course, let’s not forget the Salford Rum PRIDE collector’s edition spiced rum, with an added splash of rainbow on its exclusively designed map of Salford docks label created by local artist Dave Draws. You definitely won’t be able to stop at ‘just the one’!
So! Enjoy the festivities, have a browse through Uniquely Manchester, and treat yourself (or someone else!) to something that is uniquely Pride and uniquely Manchester.
If you want to check what’s happening over the bank holiday weekend visit www.manchesterpride.com
As the slogan says, Manchester really is a city to be proud in (and of!)
]]>Uniquely Manchester headquarters was extraordinarily busy one Wednesday last month (12thJune 2019 to be precise), thanks to a little marketing support . . . from none other than Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby!
A sudden influx of orders from all over the UK, and all for Rockstar Rum, left us a little perplexed; Uniquely Manchester stocks such a large range of goods that one product rarely dominates sales like that.
All became clear when we received a call from a customer (wanting to buy Rockstar Rum, of course!). who told us that the Pineapple Grenade Spiced Rum had just been featured on ITV’s This Morning, and that it had received rave reviews! Despite the Rockstar Rum Pineapple Grenade being 65% proof, the fun loving duo found it deliciously smooth and were instant fans. Philip commented that the rum, which is available to buy for £32.95 from Uniquely Manchester, is “dangerously smooth” and Holly was heard to say she was “taking it for the dressing room”.
This Morning, ‘Daytime Programme’ winner at The National Television Awards, is viewed by over one million people every day. Suffice to say Uniquely Manchester – and other outlets, sold out of Rockstar Rum very fast!
Tom Hurst, founder and chief of executive, told Drinks Retail News: “The response to being featured on This Morning has been dramatic. . .
“The sister brand to Pineapple Grenade called Two Swallows also sold out as a result of interest in Rockstar Spirits as a whole. Any product featured on TV is amazing exposure but it was the strength and authenticity of the reaction from Holly that really resonated with the consumers.”
If you’ve ever questioned whether traditional media still holds any clout in this day and age of Instagram, Kardashians and selfies, then wonder no more! Uniquely Manchester’s June sales pay testament to the fact that people arestill watching, reading and being influenced by TV, radio and print.
The modern way is for many brands to favour digital media, influencers and bloggers. But the product placement of Rockstar Rum on national television was a real reminder that traditional media is still a very persuasive media and absolutely still has its place. What was really fantastic, was to see how traditional and digital can be combined to really boost reach. The clip featuring Rockstar Rum was This Morning’s most watched clip the week it went live, with nearly 400,000 views!
If you weren’t lucky enough to get your hands on a bottle of Pineapple Grenade after the This Morning feature then, fear not, it’s back in stock at Uniquely Manchester- and we’ve got plenty! We also stock the delicious Two Swallows Salted Caramel Spiced Rum.
And even more good news, the producers of Rockstar Rum will soon be releasing a Grapefruit Grenade, and have more innovative releases planned for the future in the world of spiced rum.
We say ‘cheers’ to that!
]]>Stockport-based distillery Hatters Gin has now launched its new small-batch premium gin and it’s available to buy online exclusively at Uniquely Manchester.
Founded in August 2018 by Stockport local Sacha Mannion, Hatters Gin was born out of a six-year passion for the juniper-based tipple. During this time, Sacha, aged 28, immersed himself in all things gin; visiting countless distilleries, training in the requisite processes, and learning how to blend flavours and balance botanicals.
Sacha said: “My definitive aim was to create a superior product that was more fruity and floral than other gins – and to really put Stockport on the gin map. It took months to develop, revise, refine, improve and test the recipe, but it was absolutely worth all the hard work because the end result tastes truly sensational. I’m thrilled!”
Hatters gin combines organic Macedonian juniper with a unique blend of ingredients that include coriander, citrus fruit peel, orris root, liquorice, summer berries and honey from a local bee-keeper. The fabulously distinct Hat label design on the bottle has been illustrated by Manchester tattoo artist The Jayne Tattoos, giving it a truly unique look.
A family micro-distillery, Hatters produce its gin in small batches; ensuring that every bottle is of the highest standards and superior taste.
Hatters is the latest brand to join the flourishing market of regional independents retailing on Uniquely Manchester, who currently has over 50 different varieties of small batch gin and gin liqueurs, all originating from Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
Founded by Neil Ayers in May 2018, UniquelyManchester.co.uk is a collective of unique works by independent artists, photographers, designers and creatives. Everything for sale on Uniquely Manchester is either made, produced, designed in or derived from, Greater Manchester and surrounding areas by local independents; or it is relevant to the region.
Neil said: “It’s great to have Hatters gin on board – both in terms of the quality of the product and the ethos of the company. We are extremely selective about the brands and products we sell and affiliate with, and Hatters is the perfect fit for Uniquely Manchester.’
Priced at £33.95, Hatters Gin is available to purchase now from uniquelymanchester.co.uk
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We are delighted to announce our latest addition to the Uniquely Manchester community; professional artist Justin Eagleton.
Justin from Middleton in North Manchester is the newest addition to Uniquely Manchester. He joins the amazing mix of local independent artists, photographers, designers and makers we are immensely proud of – many of whom we’ve yet to introduce to you, but we will rectify that we promise.
Justin’s Manchester City and Manchester United themed work featuring club legends, as well as his unique doodle style illustrated map of Manchester, is available on the site now with a promise of much more to come which – we can’t lie - we’re getting very excited about!
Justin, who proudly describes himself as a born and bred Mancunian, says: “I’m very excited to be working with such an iconic brand as Uniquely Manchester on a variety of bespoke artwork and sharing my creative passion with the people of this great city and beyond”.
You may already be familiar with Justin as he’s been in the news quite a lot recently. He was commissioned by Tackle4Mcr to create a piece of artwork for Vincent Kompany’s Testimonial Gala Dinner where he presented the finished artwork to the Manchester City captain. A signed print of the same artwork was auctioned off on the night, raising an impressive £8k for Andy Burnham’s ‘A Bed Every Night’ initiative. He was also involved in last year’s highly successful ‘Bee In The City’ campaign, where he was chosen to design one of the bees on display in the city centre and his iconic ‘Hac ‘BEE’ Enda artwork was sold to a private collector for a staggering £20K.
We are thrilled Justin has come on board, his work is exceptional and portrays the very essence of what we are about: local independent talent creating work that can be, and should be, enjoyed by everyone. If you’re already familiar with Uniquely Manchester you’ll know we are very much about supporting local businesses and talent and providing a platform to promote their work and creativity further afield.
And just to remind you (or enlighten those who are new to the site!) UniquelyManchester.co.uk, which launched in May 2018, is a collective of unique works by independent artists, photographers, designers and creatives. Everything for sale on UniquelyManchester.co.uk is either made, produced, designed in or derived from, Greater Manchester and surrounding areas by local independents; or it is relevant to the region.
We have an amazing range of product and varying styles on the website, including an impressive range of over 50 different varieties of gin, gin liqueurs and rum, with some exciting plans for more to come.
To view our range of Justins work, Check out our "Iconic Manchester Art" Collection
Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Uniquely_Manc and on Facebook & Instagram @uniquelymanchesterif you want to be the first to know.
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- Eric Jackson, Artist.
There’s something very special about Northern humour and there isn’t anything more Uniquely Manchester than local folk’s ability to be self-deprecating and, well, find humour in themselves and their surroundings.
Stockport-based artist Eric Jackson encapsulates this brilliantly in his tongue-in-cheek prints and products that playfully parody our regional towns and villages in the art deco poster style of yesteryear. Eric, formerly a writer at the Manchester Evening News, has combined his two loves – words and imagery – to create an ever-increasing range of poster art that cheekily, but hugely affectionately, pokes fun at the idiosyncrasies of specific localities in Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire.
Inspired by traditional seaside advertisements for tourists, Eric’s art looks and feels beautifully nostalgic; but his wry observations couldn’t be more up-to-date! Uniquely Manchester is delighted to offer a wide selection of Eric Jackson works for sale, all of which can be found in our Modern Retro section. Available as framed or unframed prints, or mounts, Eric’s quirky art not only looks the part, but is also guaranteed to be a real conversation starter!
We’ve detailed ten of our favourite pieces below (in no particular order - we love them all!).
Ten doses of northern humour from artist Eric Jackson
• ‘Black pudding puts you in the mood for love in . . . Bury’
• ‘Welcome to tomato soupville. Deliciously rich in Worlsey’
• ‘What, no whippets? Southerners are also shocked by the lack of ferrets and tripe in . . . Manchester’
• ‘Be different! Just like everyone else in . . . Chorlton’
• ‘Visita La Venezia del Nord in . . . Salford’
• ‘Discover the pyramid! The source of the Mersey, Europe’s largest brick structure and diabolical car parks in . . . Stockport’
• ‘On no, surely not another media whore moving to . . . Didsbury’
• ‘Stay safe! On the best side of the Pennines in . . . Lancashire’
• ‘Get your skates on! That Farrow and Ball ‘Elephant’s Breath’ paint isn’t going to buy itself, you know, in . . . Altrincham’
• ‘The best thing about London. Is it: those lovely City bankers, the £2m studio apartments, or the constant congestion? No, it’s the train from Euston to . . . Manchester Piccadilly’
Eric Jackson’s collection on Uniquely Manchester currently covers: Altrincham, Bowden , Bramhall, Burnage, Bury, Cheadle Hulme, Chorlton, Didsbury, Eccles, Hale, Hazel Grove, The Heatons, Lancashire, Manchester, Manchester City football club, Manchester United football club, Oldham, Prestwich, Sale, Salford, Stockport, Stretford, Tameside, Timperley, Urmston, Whalley Range, Worsley and Wythenshawe. - You'll find these in our Modern Retro Art collection.
If Uniquely Manchester doesn’t yet stock your town then please do let us know via twitter, facebook or info@uniquelymanchester.co.uk. Eric is constantly adding to the collection so if he’s not already done it, or has plans to do it , he may just add your request to the list!
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But now we see rum also enjoying a new-found fame – and having tasted the spiced rum we can see why!
]]>But now we see rum also enjoying a new-found fame, and having tasted the spiced rum we can see why!
At Uniquely Manchester towers we were delighted to discover that Manchester boasts lots of independent gin and rum distillers. What better gift to give a gin or rum aficionado than something that’s home-produced, in small batches, and beautifully presented…oh, and tastes delicious! There’s the added attraction that you’re supporting small, independent local businesses too.
We’ve added a selection of Manchester and Salford produced gin and rum to our collections, and there’s plenty more to come. Allow us to introduce you to a few….along with our recommendations on how to fully enjoy them:
Hidden Gem gin is a truly artisan spirit, made with an infusion of botanicals, sourced from near and far, including rosemary and apple from distillers Carmel & Joe's own garden (when in season) along with, citrus, angelica, liquorice and lashings of milk thistle.
The gin is named after the much-loved St Mary's Church in the centre of Manchester, known locally as The Hidden Gem, as it's the place Carmel's Grandparents met almost 100 years ago.
Hidden Gem is fresh tasting and smooth with citrus notes and a complex finish. Made in small batches, blended, bottled and labelled by hand.
Serving Suggestions: Usually best served with a premium light tonic, but as for the perfect garnish, well the choice is yours! Because of the large variety of botanicals you can tailor it to suit your own taste. If you prefer a sweet gin use a slice of sweet orange, but if your tastebuds prefer something sharper go with lemon. We like it with fresh cucumber or a slice of apple - they are all botanicals in the gin, so take your pick, experiment and enjoy....
A truly sumptuous Premium Gin born out of a pure love of the spirit. Hand crafted, using an exquisite blend of 10 botanicals and a unique distillation process, this is a drink for the true connoisseur.
Worsley Gin is based in the beautiful leafy village of its namesake in the North West of England. Known for its picturesque setting and chocolate box architecture, and it is already receiving glowing reviews.
Encased in a stunning diamond shaped, Italian glass bottle, using a hand finished process which pays homage to both heritage and science, the taste matches the look - beautifully exquisite, elegant and distinctive.
Worsley Gin is the ultimate decadent gin experience.
Serving Suggestions: This gin is actually delicious neat over ice, or enjoyed with a premium tonic with a garnish of strawberries, blackberries and mint to take you in to the winter months.
(there’s also a Worsley Gin Glass if you want the complete Worsley gin experience!)
The Salford Rum Company, Spiced Rum 70cl.
This stunning creation is presented in a ceramic bottle with wooden cork stopper. The exclusive Salford map label, is designed by Manchester artist "DaveDraws". Each bottle is hand marked with the bottle and batch number.
Distilled in the shadows of the old Salford docks, this small batch golden spiced rum is hand blended with spices and expertly infused with vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and dried fruits.
Salford Rum is inspired by the Caribbean rum and spice imports received into Salford Docks during the 1800s, and is a tribute to the dock workers who were the beating heart of our great city.
A truly unique rum in a truly unique collectors item bottle.
Serving Suggestions: Neat, over ice!
The Manchester Still – Daltons Element Spiced Rum
Fusing tradition with a Mancunian twist, Manchester Still have come up with a smooth, yet punchy, rum that truly represents the spirit of the city in which it was made, with notes of orange peel, cinnamon bark, and brown sugar.
Dalton's Element was a labour of love. It took over a year to perfect, and is what we consider to be the perfect spiced rum. It’s a combination of traditional spiced rum practices, with a Mancunian twist to deliver a truly unique spiced flavour.
Serving Suggestions: this rum will enhance many a cocktail, or simply enjoy it neat on the rocks.
The Manchester Still – Faraday’s Proof White Rum
Faraday's Proof is a white rum, carefully distilled from natural unrefined molasses, using a highly scientific and systematic approach to provide unparalleled purity and a smooth yet distinctive rum.
This is a gentle rum with soft fruits, hints of sugar cane and a clean, fresh finish.
Serving Suggestions: This is the ideal rum for your favourite cocktails, we recommend a Daiquiri, Mojito or a simple Cuba Libre.
Both Manchester Still rums are presented in a cool bottle with a silver Manchester bee label.
So that’s just a taster of what we have. We keep adding to our collection - in fact we have added more as this is being written - so we’ll no doubt acquaint you with those very soon.
Oh, and by the way,you’ll be pleased to know we are getting another delivery of the Manchester skyline gin glasses time for Christmas!
]]>Monday 1stOctober is World Architecture Day and Uniquely Manchester can’t think of anywhere better than our fantastic city, in which to celebrate some of the greatest global architectural achievements.
Manchester, the first modern industrial city, is lucky enough to house an amazing array of impressive constructions, showcasing a vast range of architectural styles; from Edwardian Baroque to towering modern megastructures, Neo-Gothic to Art Deco, Palazzo to Art Nouveau.
And, excitingly, Manchester’s skyline is ever changing, with new super-structures adding yet more shape to the already spectacular cityscape. Until recently Beetham Tower was famously the city’s tallest building, but that’s been over-taken by The South Tower, which is currently under construction, albeit by a mere 20cms!
The city’s architecture features heavily in Uniquely Manchester’s products; check out the Fine Art Photography, Iconic Manchester, and Northern Quarter sections of the website.
We couldn’t possibly let World Architecture Day pass without paying tribute to our Top 10 favourite historic Manchester buildings. See if you agree!
This iconic Grade II listed building was declared open by King George V in 1935 and has recently undergone a £50m refurbishment. We definitely recommend having a look at previously hidden heritage spaces and the magnificent Wolfson Reading Room.
Regarded as one of the finest interpretations of Gothic revival architecture in
the world, this Grade I listed building is undergoing a £328.3 million upgrade, meaning the interior is currently closed to the public. It’s still worth a visit though, not least to gaze up at the beautiful 85m clock tower that dominates the exterior.
The striking gothic building, designed by architect Basil Champneys, took ten years to build and was opened to public readers on 1 January 1900. The Library which has been cited as the best example of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe,houses over 250,000 printed volumes, and well over a million manuscripts and archival items.
Now an award-winning exhibition and conference centre, Manchester Central Convention Complex (commonly known as Manchester Central, although some people still call it G-MEX!), was converted from Manchester Central station in 1982. The railway station opened in 1880 and, at its height, more than 400 trains passed through the station every day. The building's large wrought-iron arched roof was a praised piece of railway engineering and is the second widest unsupported iron arch in Britain.
Originallyknown as the Refuge Building, this red brick and terracotta Grade II listed building opened its doors in 1895, having been designed and built for the Refuge Assurance Company. In 1996, it was converted to The Palace Hotel, at a cost of £7 million pounds; and rebranded as ‘The Principal Manchester’ in 2016.
Mainly built in gothic style, the Grade I listed building sits on the site of what is believed to have been an early Saxon church; the remains of which are preserved inside the Cathedral and date back to around 700. The building underwent extensive interior and exterior rebuilding and refurbishment in both the 19thand 20thcentury.
Built in 1552, this is the oldest building of its kind in Manchester and was the birthplace of poet John Byrom in 1692. It became a public housein 1830; first known as the Vintners Arms, and becoming the Wellington Inn in 1865. In the aftermath of the Manchester bombing, it was decided as part of the city’s redevelopment that the building should be dismantled and rebuilt 300 metres towards Manchester Cathedral. The move was completed, and the pub reopened, in 1999.
Opened in 1872, the Smithfield Market was home to a vibrant hub of fruit, veg and fish markets. Though the Fish Market building has now been converted into apartments, the 19thcentury external walls remain and the beautifully carved arches of the original market can be seen and admired from High Street.
This grade II listed building with its Baroque clock tower began life as a Commodities exchange in 1874, becoming known as the hub of the world cotton trade and earning the city the name Cottonopolis. The building was heavily damaged in both the Manchester blitz and the Manchester bombing; but has been fully restored and is now a premium retail destination and home to the iconic Royal Exchange theatre.
This Art Deco building, which features carvings by local sculptor John Ashton Floyd, was completed in 1935 and began life as The Midland Bank. The grade II listed building became HSBC in the 1990s, before closing as a bank in 2008. Nowadays, the lower floor – the former banking hall – is a Jamie Oliver restaurant, with the upper floors of the iconic building being home to Hotel Gotham; a fantastic five-star boutique hotel that open in 2015.
So that’s our Top 10, do you agree…or have we missed off your favourite?
]]>Established in 2017 and launched in May 2018, Uniquely Manchester is a brand-new site bringing you authentic Manchester art, photography, handmade gifts and more.
At Uniquely Manchester we’ve brought together an amazing community of independent talent of which we are fiercely proud.
From stunning art & unique prints to aromatherapy candles & home fragrance; and from craft chocolate & hand sculptured wooden pens to funky bath dust & Manchester map accessories, everything on this website is designed and produced in Manchester, created by Manchester artisans, or Manchester themed.
All our artists, designers, photographers and artisans are passionate about their work, lovingly created, designed or handmade by themselves. Our photographers can spend days, weeks or even months outside in the famously unpredictable Manchester weather waiting to get that perfect photo. Each of our talented artists has their own unique style, capturing the essence, the loves - and the quirks - of this great city.
Our award-winning chocolate makers use only the finest ingredients to create amazing chocolate bars, many suitable for vegans, with each bar hand wrapped, and our luxury candle makers create beautiful mood enhancing candles and diffusers with aromatherapeutic properties using natural organic ingredients and their own blend of essential oils.
We also have a range of unique handmade gifts, invigorating room fragrances and bath products, and hand sculptured wooden pens made from natural sustainable wood from all over the world.
Although our goods are created, designed or derived from Manchester, you don’t have to be from Manchester to enjoy them. If you’re looking for something special and unique to give as a gift, or treat yourself, this site has something for everyone.
We are continuously looking for new brands and products to bring you and wherever possible the work will be created and produced within Greater Manchester, supporting local talent.
We love our products, we hope you will too!
If you have any questions feel free to email us at: info@uniquelymanchester.co.uk
Best wishes,
The Uniquely Manchester team
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