Cass Art is a creative playground for both seasoned professionals and art enthusiasts.

From paints and brushes to sketchbooks and easels, they’ve got the works. We were thrilled to find the store brimming with top-notch products for everyone, no matter your skill level.

And it’s not just about the supplies—Cass Art also hosts some cracking workshops that locals absolutely love. A few regulars we chatted with couldn’t stop raving about the massive selection, which definitely scores points with us.

The shop itself is neat, well-organised, and easy to navigate, with clear signs that make finding supplies a breeze. It can get a bit cramped during peak hours, but overall, it’s a welcoming and well-kept space.

As for the staff, we found them super helpful and attentive, which adds to the experience. However, a few folks we’ve talked to have mentioned less-than-stellar service, so it’s something to keep in mind.

Additionally, there have also been a few hiccups with deliveries arriving late, so bear that in mind when ordering from them.

The service is fantastic

“The service is fantastic with knowledgeable staff, who are always so very helpful with advice and recommendations.”

Peter David McHugh, Google Review

Loved the painting experience

“Loved the painting experience. Would love to go again.”

Folabomi Aboluwarin, Google Review

Fred Aldous is a true gem, and it’s been keeping the city’s creative sparks flying for over one hundred and thirty years!

When it comes to arts and crafts materials, Fred Aldous has it all. Whether it’s sketchbooks, paints, fabrics, or tools, this place is packed with top-notch goodies for every kind of project.

Furthermore, we also loved that the store itself is massive, spread across multiple floors, so you’ve got plenty of space to browse without feeling crowded.

That said, some folks we’ve spoken with have pointed out that the store isn’t the most accessible for those with disabilities, which can make getting around a bit tricky.

As for the service, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Many customers rave about the staff being knowledgeable and helpful, but others have found the service hit-or-miss.

Price-wise, Fred Aldous isn’t the cheapest option around. We noticed that our team paid a bit more here for the same products compared to other places.

All in all, though, Fred Aldous remains a top spot for Manchester’s artists and crafters. It’s a place where creativity truly thrives!

Such a colourful and fantastic place!

“Such a colourful and fantastic place! They’ve got all sorts of arts and craft supplies, crocheting kits for all levels, items from different local artists, and everything in between spread over 3 floors!”

Denitsa Gugova, Google Review

A must-visit place for your art and craft needs!

“A huge art and craft store. With three floors of art and craft supplies. They also screen printing services. Staff were very helpful and courteous. A must visit place for your art and craft needs!”

Jayasimha Nuggehalli, Google Review

M24 Arts and Crafts might not be the biggest or most centrally located art shop in Manchester, but it’s carved out a sweet spot by offering a wide range of affordable products.

Despite its smaller size, M24 Arts and Crafts has a surprisingly extensive selection.

We loved that they even stock some speciality items that can be tricky to find elsewhere. Our colleagues liked the variety, especially the niche products at wallet-friendly prices.

Plus, they’ve got membership perks that bring the cost down even further.

Now, it’s true that the store isn’t smack in the middle of Manchester, so it’s a bit of a trek for those who are far from Middleton. In our opinion, the savings are well worth the extra travel time.

Service at M24 gets a thumbs-up from our team. The smaller size of the shop means more personalised service, which we appreciate.

For artists and crafters who love variety and value a good bargain, M24 Arts and Crafts is a great place to consider.

A great shop

“This shop is crammed to the rafters with bits and bobs for all your crafting needs sewing, knitting, crochet, patchwork drawing, mosaics and painting. Some great bargains on material, from scraps to bits by the metre. They even do kids crafting parties. A great shop. It just had to be seen to be believed”

Dave W, Google Review

Great shop with really friendly people

“Great shop with really friendly people. Can’t believe how big it was. Stocks everything you can imagine and more. The kids were in their element and couldn’t decide what they wanted to do. We will be back soon.”

Andrew McMahon, Google Review

Suspect Package is a brilliant spot for urban artists in Manchester, known for its top-notch spray paints and airbrushing tools.

After browsing through their offerings, we love that they’ve got everything graffiti artists, muralists, and street artists could want.

The downside is that they’re only an online store, so customers won’t find a physical shop to browse. For those who like to check out products in person before buying, this might be a bit of a letdown.

On a brighter note, though, their website is easy to navigate, making the shopping experience hassle-free.

That said, but bear in mind they’re closed on weekends. So, rush orders or customer support would need to wait during these times.

As for pricing, it’s pretty reasonable for the quality they offer. We think that the high-quality gear justifies the slightly higher prices.

All in all, Suspect Package is well worth a look and is perfect for those who don’t want the hassle of shopping in-store.

Absolutely amazing

“Absolutely amazing, though one problem is that it says “2-3 days” though as I live in the UK it usually comes within 3-4 days. But everything else is perfect the layout and choices to choose but I wish there were paint sticks / solid markers plus grogs but honestly everything else is great! Really needs to be tried out by more people.”

Gabriel Czubik, Google Review

Good selection of products

“Good selection of products, only problem is that recently they’ve been taking longer to dispatch orders Edit: upped it to 5 stars, all recent orders have came quicker just appeared to be the one that was wrong.”

Dennis Wright, Google Review

For those on the hunt for a budget-friendly place to grab art supplies, books, games, or stationery in Manchester, The Works is worth a look.

This discount chain offers a range of products at prices that won’t break the bank which is why we think they’re worth considering.

The Works has all the basics covered—paints, brushes, sketchbooks, you name it—for casual artists and hobbyists. It might not have the high-end or niche stuff, but it covers the essentials well.

In our opinion, their offerings are great for beginners, but seasoned artists might find them a bit lacking in quality.

The store is basic but clean and well-organised. No posh art studios or snazzy features, but it gets the job done.

According to our colleagues, the staff are hard to find or not very helpful, though they’re generally polite. We think this can make for a less-than-stellar shopping experience at times.

Overall, The Works is a practical choice if you’re looking for affordable art supplies and a variety of other items.

Love going in here

“Love going in here, always clean and the staff always know where to guide you to find what you’re looking for. Always well stocked. It’s always nice to see a smiling face”

Paul Whiteman, Google Review

Great prices and friendly and helpful staff

“Love this store great prices and friendly and helpful staff always pointing me in the direction of alternatives, directed me to some great buys!”

Vince Wharton, Google Review