Plans for a new two-storey creative hub, celebrating crafts like pottery, photography, and textiles, is set to open in Manchester.
The Makers Quarter will take shape at Kampus, and is designed to be the city’s first ‘all-in-one creative destination’.
It’s been created by couple Sophie Mason and Stephen Hobson, who previously ran the space from Salford and found that ‘impractical spaces and isolation’ are major problems for creatives.
This first-of-its-kind destination will have space for visitors to get hands-on with various crafts, while independent businesses can have a space of their own.
Parts of the building will run like a creative co-working space, with shared machinery and tech including 3D printers and laser cutters.
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There’ll be a deli and coffee shop, a concept store selling items made on site, and a whole schedule of classes people can join in with.
The terrace at Makers QuarterThe courtyard at Makers QuarterConcept store at Makers QuarterGround floor cafe at Makers QuarterCredit: Hobbs & Mason: www.hobbsandmason.co.uk / Photorealistic Visualisation by – HeJ Hey Studio @hej.hey.studio // www.hejhey.com
The Makers Quarter co-founders Sophie and Stephen met at the University of Manchester 18 years ago and soon started their first business, restoring vintage furniture.
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Sophie said: “Our intention for Makers Quarter Kampus is to give the creatives of Manchester a permanent city centre home.
“Space to design, create, make, teach, learn and sell – somewhere to settle in and be proud of. With the studios upstairs, shared facilities, classes, a concept store and deli downstairs, it will have a really creative buzz about the place, we can’t wait!
The first floor studio at Makers Quarter. Seating area at Makers QuarterArt studio at Makers QuarterCredit: Hobbs & Mason: www.hobbsandmason.co.uk / Photorealistic Visualisation by – HeJ Hey Studio @hej.hey.studio // www.hejhey.com
“People are becoming more mindful of the products they buy and we want our concept store ‘Kolab’ to support this. Visitors will have a destination where they know every product on the shelf supports a local or independent business, hand-made and carefully curated.”
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Stephen said: “We also want to encourage an interactive shopping experience so visitors can not only come to shop for homewares they can create them. Set alongside the other independent brands housed at Kampus we couldn’t be in better company.”
Makers Quarter at Kampus, planned to open later this year, is set to feature:
Design and Maker Studios: For monthly rental and perfect for hands-on crafts like Art, Photography, Pottery, Upholstery, product making or more digital and design-led businesses. The first floor member studios will bring together like-minded creatives and provide access to shared machinery and tech including 3D printers and laser cutters.
The studio members will also have access to all the equipment downstairs including kilns, potter’s wheels, screen printing facilities, a textiles room and much more.
Pay-As-You-Go Workbenches: A creative take on co-working space, with the option of ad-hoc use on a membership basis accessing various equipment and facilities. This will be booked via an online system.
MQ Classes: A full programme of classes for visitors, including ceramic workshops run by local experts at eight pottery wheels; upholstery classes; jewellery making; candle-making workshops and many more.
Coffee Shop, Deli and Concept Store: A bustling coffee shop at the Makers Quarter entrance with views into the makerspace and ever-evolving Gallery exhibiting local artists’ work. The coffee shop will neighbour the concept store, selling hand-made collections from a variety of independent makers including interior finishes, furniture, candles, textiles and art.
It joins local businesses like Nell’s, Pollen Bakery, and Yum Cha, in the £250m Kampus neighbourhood that’s home to more than 500 apartments across five buildings.
Adam Higgins, co-founder at Capital&Centric, said: “We promised an eclectic melting pot of indie businesses at Kampus and we’re proud of how it’s shaping up. Makers Quarter will be a sterling addition to the line-up and the first of a kind in Manchester – a haven for creatives who want to collaborate.
“It’ll brilliant to welcome artists, potters, furniture-makers and an army of creative talent to new, modern workspaces in the heart of the city, set right alongside the foodie offer from the much-loved neighbours.”
Featured image: Hobbs & Mason: www.hobbsandmason.co.uk / Photorealistic Visualisation by – HeJ Hey Studio @hej.hey.studio // www.hejhey.com
Art & Culture
Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Featured Images — Emma Farrer (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
Art & Culture
Manichester organisers confirm tribute festival will return in 2027
Danny Jones
For anyone who didn’t manage to make it to the inaugural ‘Manichester’ festival held earlier this year in memory of British music legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, you’ll be glad to hear that the tribute festival will be returning in 2027.
Set up in the name of the late, great Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, the event sold out in the blink of an eye, as hordes of Mancs and more turned up to honour the local icon through live music.
Following paying their respects in the immediate aftermath, his surviving family members, peers and other figures from within the industry then held that wonderful evening, where several big names turned up to remember with live performances – and it’s official: they’re not done yet.
Writing in a lengthy caption, the brand said, “The family of Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield have thanked everyone who made Manichester at Diecast such a special day — performers, organisers, and the thousands who turned up to celebrate a true Manchester icon.”
The evidently emotional and grateful statement goes on to read: “On behalf of Gene, George & the Family — thank you to everyone who performed, contributed and attended Manichester on 30 May 2026, and for all your kind words of support.
“The response was massive — fans travelled from everywhere, demand through the roof, love for Mani louder than ever. [Local fashion label] GioGoi even said they could’ve filled Old Trafford.”
Revealing that the team of organisers have now green-lit the follow-up edition next year, they promise to deliver the same kind of magic, only “bigger, better, built properly” and with more music and people involved this time around.
They also thanked Manc-Mexican musician and creative, Alejandro Reyes Knight, for filming and editing the content on the night, adding that since he “grew up in Madchester”, there was no better person to be tasked with the job.
For anyone who was there at Diecast on the special memorial evening itself, we don’t need to tell you how special the energy was in the room.
We spent a good week or so looking back at footage following the maiden Manichester festival, as we’re sure plenty of you did, too; safe to say we’re glad we’ll have another opportunity to celebrate his life and career in the best way we know how: with plenty of tunes and singing our hearts out.
It remains to be seen whether Diecast will remain the host venue for the sophomore tribute fest, and the next date is also still yet to be fully set.
All we do know is that with such a good lineup and turnout the first time around, you can expect an excellent and equally heartfelt sequel in 2027.
You can register your interest right HERE. Wherever and whenever it is, we’ll see you there.
@the.manc Yesterday, Manchester laid one of the city's greatest music legends, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, to rest at Manchester Cathedral. 🍋 Fellow band member and life-long friend Ian Brown read out a speech as hundreds gathered outside the cathedral to pay their respects to The Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist. Mani will be missed by many, and we send love to all his family and friends. ❤️ #manchester#mani#ianbrown#thestoneroses#stoneroses♬ original sound – The Manc
Daisy Jackson -
15th February 2023 
