Ceramicists, jewellers and even sneaker cleaners will open at the Oxford Road complex this month
In a jumble of shipping containers beneath the Mancunian Way? Not the most obvious place to launch a retail, food and drink complex. But Hatch has gone from strength to strength; perhaps in part due to its location on what was previously a pretty characterless stretch of Oxford Road’s university corridor.
The semi-permanent pop-up, part of owner Bruntwood’s wider Circle Square masterplan, is planned as a five-to-ten-year project and has already undergone several expansions since opening in December 2017.
An influx of food and traders span Scandi coffee bar Takk to arancini specialists, T’Arricrii while a vibrant events calendar has seen everything from reggae yoga to a festive ‘urban Narnia.’
Now the complex is set to expand again, this time on the retail side. A diverse range of indie shops will launch on 17 June, causing Hatch - dubbed a ‘creative village’ - to treble in size.
According to the blurb: ‘This new retail village will be a central part of Hatch and a place where shoppers can discover new products, experience great services (from hair cuts to luxury shoe cleaning), take part in workshops, learn new skills and then kick back over a great lunch, dinner, cocktail, craft beer or coffee.
‘The shops at Hatch will be offering bespoke workshops and events so there’ll always be something going on, whilst a regular series of weekend markets is planned to compliment the offering (with) a contemporary, hands-on shopping experience.’
Here are the traders coming to Hatch this June…
SUZY LOVES MILO
Reworked and upcycled vintage clothing from around the globe.
SHOP SMALL
A new venture designed to celebrate local and independent artists, makers and creators. Products include enamel pins, gemstone jewellery, art prints, cards, flowerpots, dog accessories and more.
RIGGED OUT
‘By the street wear community, for the street wear community’. Specialising in independent alternative brands from around the world, including; Carrots By Anwar, Chinatown Market, Clear Weather, Felt USA, WeMoto, The Hundreds, X-Large, Jungles Jungles, Pas De Mer, Loco Love, bound and many more.
ABACUS
Established jewellery shop and Afflecks favourite. Abacus will be returning to Hatch after a six week pop-up last Christmas with an array of their popular sterling silver jewellery and body jewellery.
SNEAKER PHARM
The city’s ‘first premium shoe cleaning boutique.’... Packages like the ‘signature overhaul’ include delicate hand washing, stain removal, suede resets, reshaping, paint retouching and lace cleaning…rendering them, literally, good as new.
BULB FLOWER STUDIO
A brand-new concept in contemporary experiential floristry that ‘combines the currencies of art, music, football, fashion and culture into the simple act of buying flowers’. It’s a young company that aims to make floristry accessible.
PoppyK
Husband, wife (and cat) team selling handmade jewellery and gifts - some made from scratch, some sourced globally
THE PORTLAND BARBERS
Male grooming experts, currently based on Charlotte Street in Chinatown. Hatch will be their new city centre HQ.
DJ GYM
The first Northern branch of the UK network. Offering one-to-one DJ and production courses, accredited by the London Sound Academy and taught by pros in a state-of-the-art studio. Perks for DJ Gym graduates include a monthly slot at Ministry of Sound and an annual tour in Ibiza.
MINDFUL STORE
A store that showcases sustainable brands, who pay a fixed monthly fee in exchange for exposure - and keep 100% of sales revenue. Winner of the Environmental category in the Alliance MBS ‘Venture Further 2019’ awards, the innovative shop also tells the story of each product using QR codes.
VIN-YARD
Selling an eclectic mix of wines, vin-yard wine bar + shop offers ‘affordable alternatives to the usual mass produced vino’ - including vegan, organic, natural and biodynamic wines to drink in or take away. Owner Anna has many years’ industry experience and is on hand to share her knowledge.
BEER BOX
Beer Box brew craft beer as Black Storm Brewery and sell it at their takeaway beer concept Beer Box - currently only found in Newcastle. They’ll be selling their own beers as well as dozens more craft brews in cans and bottles, from around the world.
NORDIC MUSE
The all-new retailers will join Hatch’s longest serving shop Nordic Muse, who’ll remain at Hatch with their popular own-label jewellery and branded Nordic lifestyle products.
The final trader to join will be Clay Studio who, as winner of Hatch’s 2018 retail competition, will receive four weeks rent-free. Founded in 2016, the membership collective - based in Hulme - provides a dedicated workshop for new graduates, hobby ceramicists and experienced makers. Hatch will be its first ‘front door’, selling handmade ceramics direct to the public as well as offering workshops; focusing on a different discipline each week.
Hatch isn’t the only indie complex thriving amidst the high street gloom. Afflecks, also owned by Bruntwood, is celebrating a full house; with five new traders including comic store Wow Comix, upcycled fashion service The Trouser Project, retro cassette seller Mars Tapes and two cafes (Urban Grind and Animaid).
Expansions in the quirky shopping emporium, meanwhile, include; The Northern Quarter Gallery, Egoiste Gallery, Bees Knees Boutique, Trippy Kitty alternative fashion store, Red and Blue Umbrella vintage clothing specialists and Perspex jewellery sellers Sour Cherry. The venue is also currently hosting Manchester Youth Market, providing an outlet and training for budding entrepreneurs.
General Manager Tony Martin said: “It's fantastic to see our businesses thrive at Afflecks! As well as supporting these entrepreneurs, our sister venture Hatch has provided further opportunities for independent traders to shine.”
