Of all the districts in Central Manchester, the Oxford Road Corridor — as it has been rebranded — arguably throws more of life at you, at once, than anywhere else. With tens upon tens of thousands of students dominating footfall here between September and May each year, the variety of what’s on offer in this corner of town is hardly surprising, nor is the level of energy emanating from every corner, side street, gallery, museum, faculty office, bar, restaurant and gig venue. It’s also home to one of our favourite shops in the city, Bare Necessities Thrift.
Founded by Tony Shum, who grew up relying on second hand clothing, this upstairs store is committed to finding and reselling high quality, on-trend used items you need in your wardrobe, hence the name of the company. The focus is largely on vintage fashion produced between the 1980s and 2000s, a period that spans a plethora of subcultures and tribes, movements, eras and happenings. As such, once you’ve tracked this address down prepare to discover an incredibly varied array of jackets, coats, sweaters, trousers, jeans, t-shirts and so much more. As the team proudly declare, there really is something for everyone.
Starting life as an online-only shop during the chaos of the Covid-19 pandemic, the fact Bare Necessities has gone on to open a physical store at all is proof of how good the overall offering is. The fact the same team has subsequently expanded the business to now incorporate no less than three locations — Salford, Manchester City Centre, and Oxford Road — only emphasises that point. A true hidden gem which attracts everyone from students seeking discount styles, to vintage enthusiasts and collectors, every week the circular economy-driven store introduces an estimated 500 new items, meaning you’re guaranteed a different experience every time you visit.