A stroll through the Northern Quarter will make you feel inadequately dressed — even if you’re kitted out to the nines.
Everywhere you look, there are men and women who are just more stylish than you. More put-together than you. More cool than you.
The truth is they’re probably wondering the same about you, but it can’t stop inevitable questions. “Where do they find that sort of clobber?,” you ask yourself as you sit in Stevenson Square.
READ MORE: Defaced mural of Paul O’Grady painted over with touching tribute
The answer is usually a trendy shop like Bionic Seven, on Port Street. When the MEN visits Darcey Cox behind the counter, it’s relaxed with soft electronic tunes playing. What makes him tick?
Where’s your favourite hidden gem?
This will sound trite, but here, probably. Not many people know about us, because we’re over here. We used to be near Oi Polloi, but now we’re here.
Again, not a lot of people know about us.
If I chose something other than here, clothing-wise, I’d go for This Thing Of Ours, that’s a really cool shop in Ardwick. It’s really forward-thinking menswear.
What’s your favourite view of the city or in the city?
I’d go for watching the world go by, by the library. It’s just nice to watch the day stroll through, with the sun beaming down.
You have the walkway that casts the shadows, too, it looks lovely.
Where’s best to go for your dinner in town?
This is a hard question because I’m always trying to find the best place. It used to be La Collina, but the prices have gone up.
This & That, a classic staple. If not there, Arndale Shwarma. The falafel wrap is amazing, the best.
Where would you take someone to show them the real Manchester?
Northern Quarter to show them the back streets. I’d also go to Victoria Square in Ancoats, where the mill workers used to live, I’d take them there.
I’d also go to Castlefield to show them how Manchester used to be with the canals. I’d avoid Deansgate at all costs. I’d then do round the back where Manchester and Salford connect to have a pint at the Eagle Inn, and back to the Cathedral.
What’s your favourite Mancunian neighbourhood?
Hulme or Whalley Range. It's an integral community for the city. They have brought a lot of music over with Jamaican culture, and a lot people of influence are from there.
It’s very community driven too, when the council knocked down the Bullring (Hulme Crescents) the community built up something in the red bricks. It’s quite social.
What are the five words that best describe the city?
Historic, industrial, moving too fast at the minute — there’s too much gentrification and growth — sense of style, and music.
City or United?
City.
Liam or Noel?
Neither, I don’t like them both.
Your favourite city pub is…?
Bar Fringe.
What’s the one change you'd make to Manchester if you could…
Tram fares. I’d get rid of them. We already pay taxes for public transport, we shouldn’t have to have a private company taking money away from us.
For more of today's top stories click here.
READ NEXT:
