Fred Aldous

Professional Art Store
This place is incredible, containing everything a creative chap needs to get started on a project. A likely key influencer of the hipster movement in the northern quarter and overall very professional place. I am consistency shocked more people don’t know the name of this store by now, they even have a great website to order from not to mention several services and expertise to help guide you on your creative journey. Can be a bit pricey at times but one could argue the costs are often deserved when you take onboard the company as a whole.
Ground Floor
This part of the store is mainly a collection of art fashion goods like the popular stationary you find in Paperchase. Personally I’m not a fan of this stuff but I understand it sells very well especially as gifts, I will say they do have some rare items that did impress me.
Basement One
This contains the vast quantity of their artistic materials with an incredible range and variety, if you can’t find something here art is probably not for you. I’d say it’s especially good for painters of all types, massive brush range also.
Basement Two
This recent extension has professional art rooms that are rentable but mainly holds vast quantities of materials to apply art to. Paper, card, canvas etc in a myriad of sizes and quantities, my personal recommendation is anything by homegrown English company Daler Rowney est 1783.
Overall this is a top store, great even for a quick window shop that may likely inspire you to stretch your creative muscle. Manchester has some fantastic artists and I always wonder how many of them were aided by this stores’ great community support. Art a great way to reflect on life in a powerful way and Fred Aldous is a great place to start.
The unexamined life is not worth living — Socrates
Ps
Here’s a link to their webstore

A place for all your art needs. A shop that is a danger on pay days to people who like to stock up on all of those little things you don’t need and for people who do need things too. I like that every type of craft is covered here pretty much, plus you can pop in for gift ideas on the top floor. A shop that caters to all my needs.

Incredible place, but dangerous at the same time as you could easily spend a lot of money in here!
The first time I popped in was when I needed a few items for an event and I thought I’d gamble on Fred Aldous having the stuff I needed — they did! Anything you need for arts & craft or decorations they have it and with some good choice!
I’ve now been in a few times when I need to pick up bits and bobs or essentials for work i.e. scissors etc.
Loads of interesting present and gift ideas in here as well so if you’re out and about birthday shopping or it’s coming up to christmas — I’d say Fred Aldous is a great option with some similar style stuff to Oklahoma!
Most of the stuff here is well priced and I’ve always been fairly surprised that my total wasn’t higher when purchasing as I think the interior and style gives off an expensive vibe but really it’s good value for money!
A short simple review for a top NQ shop!

This place is lethal if you’ve just been paid… or even if you haven’t! A crafter’s paradise, anything and everything under one roof with very helpful and accomodating staff. I used to be wary about coming here as my thoughts were always that it would be expensive due to it being in Manchester but I’ve been pleasantly surprised; very reasonable and competitive prices.
There’s also the added bonus of Ministry of Craft basing workshops within the premises which can help you with a new skill or get tips on an old one; these workshops do need to be booked in advance.

Being in what seems like an ignorant NQ bubble I have failed to explore the area in last year I have lived and breathed Manchester shops. Eventually I came across this gem in recommendation from a friend! An arty crafty gift shop great for presents and the more creative souls out there!
I know what you are going to say — your organised! Yes I have bought more Christmas presents but technically it is November now? This included a rubber band old school plane to assemble yourself — (my dad loves to think he can do DIY) so this is the best way to channel his energy to ensure nothing in the house gets broken! Festive family breakdown = avoided!
The next present was for my arty crafty Aunt who will be making her own poker dot underwear this Christmas complete with everything you need to make your own knick-​knacks — fantastic or what?! Love everything about this quirky store!

Cavernous arts & crafts store. Great way to kill an hour or two exploring everything they have. I was there recently for a Ministry Of Craft sewing class — making PJ pants. The teacher was excellent, very patient & obviously very well experienced with the machines. Looking forward to going back for more classes!

An excellent Aladdin’s cave of art and craft supplies, tools, and media! Anything you can possibly want or need as an artist or a hobby craftist you can find here, even things for costume making and office goods.
They even have a couple of vintage photo booths for old-​school photos, even if you’re not a hipster!
They also have classrooms and studios in the lower part of the building, which can be hired or used with arrangement of the business.
It may not be the cheapest shop out there, but it has a gigantic range, and it’s very good quality.

I would have loved to have a place like this near me when I was a kid.
You enter on street level to a decent sized arts and craft shop with a mixture of gifts, art supplies and a brilliant selection of greeting cards. They also have a couple of retro photo booths, photos from which have been blown up and used to decorate the store.
But the real magic begins when you go downstairs. The next floor down is much, much bigger with aisle after aisle of art supplies for everything from knitting to model making. From street level, you’d never guess the size of this place.
As if that wasn’t enough, there’s yet another floor further down stocked with frames and paper. Down here the amazing thing is the space they have to rent out — for example, you can rent time using their laser cutter, or in their special shadow free photo studio.
TL;DR — A TARDIS like gem with every kind of art supply you could possible need.

3 floors of arts & crafts heaven.
I was looking for card to print out wedding invites on and this shop was suggested as a good place to look. It’s a lot bigger than it looks from the outside, with 3 floors including a lower basement that you might not spot unless you go looking for it.
They have everything you could possibly want including a vintage photo booth! I was tempted by stamp and ink sets, gorgeous wools, photo frames, cards and stickers. It’s not the cheapest option but you will have plenty of choice and definitely find what you need. I could have bought pre folded blank cards to print our invites on, handmade envelopes for them made from recycled paper, vintage style hearts to write invites on and so much more!
The staff were helpful and friendly so my trip was a great experience overall.

Wow — this place was a surprise in terms of size, variety of products and general awesomeness!
An art shop that has supposedly been there for 1886, it basically takes over an entire part of Stevenson square and if you haven’t been before then I’d highly recommend going down a level — and then another level into the cavernous warehouse — holy guacamole this place is huge!
Pretty much everyone who I came across while popping in to buy some art supplies was super friendly and efficient, pretty much knowing where each bit of stock was and where I should find it. I also found their prices pretty good value and the range fairly impressive which made me see how they’d stood the test of time!
Overall if I need some more art supplies and general stationery then I’ll definitely be popping back in the future!

If you are a lover of art, craft, paper, paints or anything creative then this my dear is the place for you! I completely forgot how much I loved painting and playing with ribbons, sparkles back in my high school days till I visited this place recently! They have a massive collection (I mean massive) spread over three floors of all these amazing wonders.
I was there a few days back to get a foam-​board and some paint for one of my projects and landed up spending more than half an hour just browsing through the store! The staff are very friendly and always more than happy to find things for you if you are struggling (which is quite likely because of the sheer size of the store). It is located right in the center of Stevenson Square in Northern Quarter and has a very non pretentious store front (very subtle and minimalistic).
The price was a bit on the higher range, as in more than the student union shop but I guess its worth it because of the location and quality of the things they have.
Verdict: Oh I am definitely paying many more visits and might just start a new hobby — This store has inspired me!

Snowy, dreary Manchester. Do I want to go shopping amongst the crowds? Do I want to go the cinema alone? Or do I want to go to Fred Aldous and take a course on découpage jewellery? I’ll go for the latter thank you.
This jewellery course was a present for my last birthday from my mumma, probably in an attempt to make me even half as crafty as she is, and I was initially reluctant (read terrified) when I woke up this morning and realised that I am quite uncrafty, probably due to unresolved issues with my GCSE textiles teacher, but that’s a different story altogether. Walking into Fred Aldous it was quite empty upstairs and, although I knew-​ish where I was going downstairs, I asked a member of staff who was very friendly and pointed me in the right direction to the Ministry of Craft; down the red stairs and to the end of the room, past hireable studios and more professional looking items for purchase.
The reception space for Ministry of Craft is a crafters paradise and you’re basically guaranteed to walk away signed up to another class — they have everything, from conquering your sewing machine to sewing your own knickers! After grabbing a cup of tea I was pointed in the direction of the first classroom and introduced to the class tutor, Sam. We all got stuck right in, directed at all turns but also allowed to let our own imaginations set free. Although she had examples out and advised us what were the ‘easy’ materials to use, she encouraged us to do our own thing and really consider what we would want to wear. I’ve come away with a leopard print pendant, a floral bangle, a brooch that may or may not be heading my mumma’s way as a thank you gift, AND a pendant to take home and use for découpage in the future. Sam explained that we got the choice of taking a pendant or brooch home because they had received the wrong size bangle and pricing didn’t work out, but it would be a nice addition to any future classes.
Four stars for Freddy boy but the extra star for the Ministry of Craft.

From art galleries to that which makes it all possible — art supplies. I might not be a painter, sketcher or sculptor myself but having grown up with a brother who took art at university and a father who scrawled pictures for me regularly (one of which became a tattoo of mine, bonus fact for you there) I have many times been led through art stores in my life. Whether you’re a photographer, a glass blower, a straightforward drawer or even just engage in home crafts from time to time, you’ll be spoilt for choice at Fred Aldous.
The staff are friendly and you won’t instantly feel like you don’t belong if you haven’t got a goatee or don’t know the date of Salvador Dali’s death. It’s a trick question, it’s something to do with when he stopped being good apparently. Tut, these artists.
Anyway even if art is as unfamiliar to you as a cat that wears suspender braces and can recite all fifty American states, it’s still worth going in there for unusual gift ideas. Building and origami kits will satisfy the most curious and prematurely intelligent of child; sewing boxes are fantastic even as decorative items. Add unusual laser cut mirrors and a bunch of cards and giftwrap and you’re onto a winner.

The main thing you need to know is that the Fred Aldous store is *way* bigger than what you can see from the street, with a cavernous basement — large enough to house an Anish Kapoor installation — filled with art and craft goodies.
Downstairs is a bit less cutesy, but all the necessaries for a wide range of art & crafts would appear to be there. If you are a newbie, I suggest going straight to the till for directions from a hip and helpful staff member as the aisles are not signposted or anything.
Art and crafts is not my field, but I walked out with the 50 cm steel rule that I was looking for — ‘Made in Germany’, and it looked it.
I also had a random query about how to ice a gingerbread man. The salesgirl was full of helpful and well-​informed suggestions, several of which bore no relation to my buying stuff from Fred Aldous. She advised against using a paintbrush, as hairs might fall off the brush onto the food; Tesco apparently sell a set of tubes of coloured icing ready to apply. Lastly, I asked for her recommendation for vegetarian food near Fred Aldous — a falafel burger at Common was her suggestion — sweet, I almost invited her along!
From my one visit, the vibe here is very approachable and about ‘making things’ rather than talking in tones of hushed reverence about long-​dead grandmasters and how to emulate them — although they do have plenty of brushes and paints if that is your niche. Every art & craft project can benefit from ‘how to’ advice — what tools and materials you need and how to use them — and a bit of know-​how from someone savvy at the point of sale can go a long way. And feeling at ease enough to ask those questions. Ask Fred. Fred is your friend. Fred listens. Fred knows. Fred has made one of those before.
Note: even if you’re not shopping for art stuff, the window displays here are worth a look in their own right for the virtuoso and extremely funky craft creations, and they keep refreshing the display.

I wish I had a shop like Fred Aldous near me when I was a kid. I can only imagine how much money I would have spent on do-​it-​yourself hobby kits and pots of paints. It’s an artists dream.
The shop, spread over three floors, is guaranteed to ignite your creative flame with everything you’d ever need to make a masterpiece — from canvas to crayons.
They’ve also got a superb selction of cool, unique gifts upstairs from the likes of Luckies, Suck UK and World Wide.
You will not leave disappointed. Or empty handed!

Fred Aldous is 125 years old. Holy cow, that is old for a shop selling sticky things, pretty paper and different shaped sparkly things.
For all your arts, crafts, design material needs, Fred delivers. I never knew things like these existed. I was sent here on a errand to buy foam board of a certain size, colour and some other sticky things. The staff here were so helpful as I really didn’t have a clue.
With 25,000 different items, the two floor store is brimming of creativity. I was inspired to get all art attack. Candle making, metal work, leather work and plain old painting. What can’t you get from Fred?

What I love about Fred Aldous art shop is that it’s devoid of the haughtiness of more traditional art shops. You know, the deeply reserved, hushed atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re in a watercolour painting yourself.
Fred Aldous is a welcoming and friendly two-​floors jam packed with all the art materials you could ever need or want. Paper to stickers, pencils to paints and hundreds of other items I don’t even understand, this shop is surely a mecca to Manchester artists.
Make sure you check out the cabinets upstairs where Fred Aldous display their great range of kitsch cameras. They have fish eye cameras and many others, as well as the great Diana camera, which my friend has been using recently to amazing effect.
Anyone want a mini canvas? One that’s literally a couple of centimetres squared? I do. And they have them at Fred Aldous.
Great service, great shop. Great.

Based on the outskirts of the Northern Quarter, Fred Aldous is a mammoth arts and crafts store that has been inspiring and supplying local artists with materials for decades.
A true Manchester institution, the shop is spread over two floors and currently has an eye-​catching window display featuring paper figures and canvases from graphic artist Chris Drury. The ground floor stocks different size canvases, paper, portfolios, postal tubes and sketch books whilst the basement is devoted to hundreds of different artists’ tools and accessories from brushes, pencils, pens and oils to clay, felt, beads and craft materials. I’d buy more from there myself but jeez, some of the stock is pricey.
Handily, Fred Aldous also sell DIY card kits — which encourage you to create your own Christmas /​Easter /​Valentine’s Day card. Whether or not the latter will help you secure your current crush depends on what you write inside!

The Narnia of artistic rescources.
Unassumingly sat on an unassuming corner of unassuming Lever street I’d actually always just assumed this place was a once was that had long closed down– such is its unassuming appearence.
But as we know in Manchester, appearances are always decieving– dark doors in dark alleyways turn out to be entrances to pretty drinking dens, the Northern Quarter never ends up as good a night out as it promises to be and the hobo with the hi-​tops turns out to be the owner of a rather successful graphic design company.
Taking a trip down the portal-​like staircase at the back end of Fred Aldous leads you to a world of creative riches with parquet under foot and wonderous lovliness all around.
Never a natural coloured hair in site, this is the best underground bunker with pencils I’ve ever seen– and I’ve seen the all.

A born and bred Manchester company, Fred Aldous on Lever St should be your first stop for art supplies. It originated as a handcart in the late 1880s, what a start. Their selection is extensive, the staff knowledgeable and all the art students I know swear by it.
In addition to the usual staple art materials– paints, brushes, storage cases, canvases, art paper, pastels, charcoals — they also stock tools and materials for other crafts. Jewellery, interiors, flowers, working with leather and metal, needlework. You name it — Fred Aldous can not only inspire you — to start a hobby or pursue some neglected passion — but also provide you with everything you need.
One thing that I’ll be doing to channel the current mood of Make Do and Mend (have you seen the mugs) is repairing all my old necklaces and bracelets or mixing and matching all the beads at the bottom of my jewellery box to try and end up with a Lanvin-​like statement.
If only they could improve my drawing skills too so that my sister (who is now in art school) doesn’t shriek WHAT’S THAT?