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
DMA’s confirm highly anticipated Hills End 10th anniversary tour dates
Danny Jones
Indie favourites DMA’s have finally confirmed their highly anticipated Hills End anniversary tour, celebrating 10 years since their breakout debut album with several UK dates – including Manchester.
The Aussie band beloved by Brits and music fans all over have been teasing a reveal of some sort over the past weeks, but now the news is official.
Up there with the Sydney music scene’s finest exports right now, DMA’s have always had a strong following over here, but especially so up North and Manchester in particular, with their youthful, uplifting and moving style often striking up similarities to our own indie rock roots.
Revealing details of the Hills End 10th anniversary shows on social media this Monday, the talented trio have confirmed a number of Northern gigs.
Besides us Mancs being the first stop on the run of live shows (honoured, of course), perhaps the most exciting part about this announcement is that this will be the very first time DMA’s will be performing their maiden LP live in full.
At this time, we’re not sure whether or not they’ll be playing from start to finish in order, but either way, fans are understandably very excited; you can consider us here at Audio North firmly included in that group, by the way.
We’re sure we don’t need to remind you lot reading this per se, but cherished tracks from the record obviously include ‘Delete’, ‘Lay Down’, ‘In The Moment’.
They’ll also be playing working-class outposts like Newcastle and Glasgow, as well as paying a visit to our friends over at The Hoot in Yorkshire. You can see the full list of shows down below.
DMA’s Hills End 10th anniversary tour 2026 – UK dates
February
Friday 06 – O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
Saturday 07 – NX, Newcastle
Sunday 08 – O2 Academy, Birmingham
Tuesday 10 – O2 Academy, Bristol
Thursday 12 – O2 Academy Brixton, London
Saturday 14 – O2 Academy, Leeds
Monday 16 – O2 Academy, Glasgow
May
Thursday 21 – Rock City, Nottingham
Friday 22 – UEA, Norwich
What an album this is.
“The UK has always felt like a second home for us. Hills End was where our story really began overseas, so it feels right to come back and celebrate it with the fans who’ve supported us from day one.”
Literally almost a full decade on from its release, the DMA’s anniversary tour kicks here in Manchester next Feb and, as of yet, no support act has been confirmed.
Tickets go on sale at 9am this Friday, 17 October; You can get ready to grab your tickets HERE.
Johnny Marr announces huge hometown show at Castlefield Bowl
Danny Jones
Johnny Marr is the latest act announced for next year’s Sounds of the City (SOTC), with the Manchester music legend set for a massive hometown show at Castlefield Bowl.
Not that we’re getting carried away or anything, but the SOTC 2026 lineup is already shaping up to be arguably one of the best ever.
With The K’s confirmed as the first band playing the annual outdoor festival in the city’s stunning amphitheatre, and other names now starting to fly in, the iconic Manc musician becomes number three on the roster.
Detailing his huge homecoming gig on Monday, 13 October, the legendary guitarist and songwriter is coming to Castlefield Bowl next summer.
I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be performing a hometown show at Castlefield Bowl on Thursday, 9 July 2026.
Presale begins Wednesday, 15 October at 10am BST, with general on sale from Friday, 17 October at 10am BST.
While he might be best known for his time with The Smiths, Johnny Marr has remained a noteworthy session player and featured artist alongside various artists ever since.
More importantly, he’s been releasing solo material for well over a decade now, with his recent Look Out Live! compilation record – made up of recordings from his London best of show – having only just dropped this past September.
Better still, he’s bringing fellow native indie and alternative band, Everything Everything, along for an all-Mancunian evening under what we hope will be sunny skies.
As big fans of both here at The Manc, we cannot wait for this one.
In case you missed the previous reveal, number two on the multi-date Sounds of the City lineup is another genre-defining name, as The Streets are set to play Castlefield Bowl once again, having last played the bucket list venue back in 2021.
As for ‘Misery Moz’s mate, the 61-year-old will be coming to the 10-day live event on 9 July, in between The K’s and Mike Skinner’s entourage.
Fans can land early access by signing up for presale via the official Johnny Marr mailing list from 10am this Wednesday, 15 October BST, while general admission tickets will be available from the same time on the following Friday (17 Oct).
Daisy Jackson -
15th February 2023 
