Intro, the 90s Manchester menswear store that survived the IRA bomb
A fixture in the city centre for three generations, the business was originally started by the late Irvin Grant in 1980s in the Royal Exchange under the name Zico.
With a glut of new luxury menswear stores opening in Manchester city it’s easy to overlook what we already have.
In the past few years, Manchester’s welcomed the likes of KershKicks, KickGame, Sneaker63, Yards Store, Clints Inc and, more recently, END. Clothing, significantly upping its premium menswear game.
Whilst it’s been a long time coming, right now it feels like there are endless options for male shoppers looking for some luxury. But for those who knew where to look, there have always been a few reliable gems.
We’re talking about INTRO a local family-run clothing store that’s been dressing well-heeled Mancs ever since the nineties.
A fixture in the city centre for three generations, the business was originally started by the late Irvin Grant in 1980s in the Royal Exchange under the name Zico.
The first floor of INTRO clothing on Deansgate. / Image: The Manc Group
Image: Supplied
Named after the famous 80s Brazilian footballer Arthur Antunes Coimbra, better known as Zico, the store became something of a go-to in the eighties and early nineties for fashionable gents – until the bomb hit, anyway.
After many happy years, the storefront was forced to relocate after it was nearly destroyed by the devastating 1996 IRA Bomb, which famously left little more than a bright red Market Street post box standing in its wake.
Fortunately, Irvin had already opened a second store, INTRO, with the same philosophy six years earlier. This meant that when disaster struck his sought after collections of exclusive, premium menswear were able to relocate to INTRO.
Sadly Irvin passed away from cancer earlier this year, so now the family legacy is being carried on by his sons Oliver and Adam.
They tell us: “Basically dad originally went to work for his dad in the late 1960s at his shop called Just in Fashion just off Market street.
“At the time, the store also carried the same philosophy of showcasing brands you couldn’t find anywhere else, in those days it was Levi’s flared jeans and Ben Sherman shirts!
“His mum also owned a shoe company specialising in handmade leather shoes from Portugal which celebrities like Tom Jones would wear.”
Image: Supplied
mage: Supplied
“We’ve always tried to stick with the same philosophy which continues to this: keeping it exclusive, and something you can’t find everywhere else, and that’s what we’ll always be like.”
“We’re not going to do commercial labels, we’re about being different a bit European […] We do things differently.”
“So from the 80s he had a shop called Zico then he opened a shop called INTRO in 1990, because Zico was at the Royal Exchange.
“We had two shops at the time, INTRO and Zico, and 1996 when the bomb went off Zico got hit hard and it affected business so Zico was written off, so that was the end of that in 96. But INTRO continued, yeah. and like I say 1990 established and hopefully we’ll continue.”
Since 2000 you’ll find INTRO on Deansgate on the front of the Barton Arcade. Thirty-two years on, it’s still going strong and stocking some of the most sought-after exclusive luxury menswear brands on the market.
Inside, you’ll find clothing and accessories from brands such as Thom Krom, Transit, Hannes Roether, Danile Fiesoli, Tramarossa, Herno, Limitato, Off The Rails, PT Torino, Vision of Super, Cote & Ciel, Goti and many more.
Split across two floors, a quick dig into the rails reveals graphic t-shirts, sweatpants, hoodies, luxury trainers and rows upon rows of designer jeans.
Elsewhere, for those after more business-appropriate attire, you’ll find a mix of smart suit jackets and tailored but casual sports coats, jackets and overshirts, perfect for taking busy city lads from day to night.
As well as having a physical shop on Deansgate, INTRO also has an online store where shoppers can browse at leisure online. To find out more and visit Intro’s website, click here.
Feature image – The Manc Group
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Manchester Arndale is hosting FREE workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe
Emily Sergeant
Is your wardrobe feeling a little bland? Need to make some changes, but your bank account isn’t quite on the same wavelength? This event is here to help.
Those looking for some new ways to get creative with their style and put a spin on the clothes they already have are invited to head down to Manchester Arndale this weekend, as the Reimagine Your Fashion event is set to be a fun hands-on weekend celebrating personal style, smart choices, and sustainable ideas.
Whether you’re into upcycling, love yourself a styling session, or you just fancy doing something different in the city this summer, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into this weekend.
You can expect creative workshops, curated fashion rails, live styling tips, and a chance to give your pre-loved clothes a second life.
Oh, and did we mention it’s all free to take part in? Perfect.
There’s a collection of free ‘REWORK’ workshops taking place over the two-day event on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July, where you can learn how to turn old into gold – from patchwork denim makeovers, to scrunchie making, custom tote design, and loads more.
There’s no need to be a sewing pro either, as the workshops are beginner-friendly and designed to be relaxed and creative with all tools provided, so all you have to do is bring along the clothing items you want to upcycle.
Manchester Arndale is hosting free workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe this weekend / Credit: Priscilla Du Preez | Ashley Diane Worsham (via Unsplash)
At the ‘RESTYLE’ sessions, Rosie, who is the stylist behind Manchester Arndale’s summer campaign, will break down this season’s biggest trends and show you how to style what’s in store now, as well as being on-hand for styling tips and outfit advice.
And finally, there’ll also be a ‘RECYCLE’ station and drop-off point where you pass on your clean pre-loved clothes to two brilliant local charities doing vital work right here in Manchester – MASH, which supports women involved in sex work and those facing homelessness or gender-based violence, and Mustard Tree which works to tackle poverty across Greater Manchester.
“Your clothes could be someone else’s fresh start,” a spokesperson for Manchester Arndale said ahead of the event.
Reimagine Your Fashion is taking place at Exchange Court in Manchester Arndale on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July running from 12pm, and you can find out more information and the times of the free workshops online here.
Featured Image – Sarah Brown (via Unsplash)
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Free Britpop karaoke event comes to Printworks this week ahead of Oasis reunion
Thomas Melia
A Britpop-themed karaoke event is making its way to Printworks this week and is expected to attract a ‘Wonderwall’ of Oasis fans.
Didn’t get tickets to see one of Manchester’s biggest musical exports at their upcoming ‘Oasis Live ’25’ tour dates? Don’t ‘Slide Away’, sing your heart out at Printworks instead.
Anyone who missed out on the biggest reunion of the year but still wants that cathartic crowd-singing feeling can soak it all up at Manchester‘s leading entertainment complex with this all-new fan-led event.
Printworks is hosting a free event featuring karaoke and live music in the lead up to Oasis’ epic hometown shows and everyone is invited.
The free Oasis sing-along will be hosted by Oasis tribute band Whatever Oasis Tribute, who will be performing two live shows at 6pm and 7pm.
You’ll definitely want to warm up your vocal chords as they’re playing all your favourite Oasis bangers, from ‘Wonderwall’ to ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’, and everything in between.
Of course, being home to Europe’s largest digital ceiling, it would be rude not to make the most of it and what better way to use it than by screening lyrics to the Burnage band’s hits ‘Up in the Sky’.
There will be lots of other activities taking place at this immersive fan event too, expect free giveaways and even a Britpop-themed visual art display voiced by Happy Mondays star and Manc royalty, Bez.
As you look up in this city centre venue, you’ll see vibrant displays of iconic imagery relating to the golden era of 90s British music and culture appearing on the digital ceiling, narrated by everyone’s favourite maraca-playing icon.
Expect Union Jack motifs, recognisable fashion trends, and even kaleidoscopic colours that evoke the feeling of this very important decade.
Printworks will be screening iconic 90s imagery on their digital ceiling / Credit: Supplied
And don’t worry, you won’t have to be ‘Standing on the Shoulder of Giants’ to get a taste of the Britpop action, as this illuminated and interactive ceiling spans 1,000 sqm, oh and ‘She’s Electric’ too.
In the spirit of all things Oasis, Printworks vendor Big Licks is offering a complimentary small tub of soft-serve ice cream to anyone wearing a bucket hat on the day of any upcoming Oasis shows.
Tank & Paddle will also be giving away free shots to bucket hat-wearers on Thursday 3 July to celebrate the sing-along event.
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “Oasis are part of Manchester’s DNA, and we wanted to give our visitors a way to experience that connection – even if they didn’t get tickets.”
Printworks’ free Britpop-themed event is taking place on Thursday 3 July, featuring live music from Oasis tribute band Whatever, free karaoke, a Britpop display voiced by Bez, and lots more.
The Manc -
23rd September 2022 
