In-Situ

«Look at this stuff — isn’t is neat? Wouldn’t you think my collection’s complete? Wouldn’t think I’m the girl, the girl who has everything?» These practically infamous lyrics from Disney’s The Little Mermaid have been ringing around my head since we popped into In-​Situ as a group on Friday.
Currently working on The Pilcrow Pub, I spend a lot of time at Phoenix House on Ellsemere Street, a side of the city I rarely frequent. After a busy day ‘in the workshop’, we wondered down here for a peruse of the beautiful antique items and furniture.
If I had a house, I’d be bankrupt; not just because I’m an official member of the renting generation (#politics) but because I would come and spend all my money here. Brass door knobs? I’ll take 10. Toast holder for an open fire? I’ll take it. Stained glass? Replace my windows, please.
The guys working here were super friendly and happy to chat through any of the items. You could easily come and spend all your time and/​or money here without a second thought.
Perhaps it’s a good thing it’s on the other side of the city…

Oh my gosh! This shop made me want to buy a run down period house and become a Grand Designs home renovator! So this is where all the hipster café/​bats/​restaurants must come to get their kooky interior nick-​nacks! On offer are cast iron coat hooks, reclaimed period doors and floors, retro lamps, stained glass windows panes — basically everything you need to set up your very own hipster home! I’m bookmarking this for when I win the lottery and buy a house in Didsbury!

You pass this place, and you just wouldn’t in a million years guess that there was a shop in there. Well, I wouldn’t. But the architecturally stunning exterior is just a hint of the wonderful things you’ll find in this shop.
This is the sort of place I come to and pretty much want to redesign my apartment from the bottom up. You wouldn’t believe the variety of gorgeous vintage bric-​à-​brac they stock. And it’s reasonably priced too, and not all so huge and ridiculous that you couldn’t get it up a narrow staircase. From wine racks to umbrella holders, letterboxes to desks and chairs and gardenware, often these are things you had no idea you needed but all of a sudden you can’t live without them.
Ain’t it always the way?
Don’t even dare to come in here if you’re trying to save money. I’m a frugal budgeter and I’m barely even swayed at the best of times, but if there’s one thing I can’t resist, it’s vintage loveliness. After a trip here, so will you.

Yes indeed. A rare unanimous 5 star business. This place is on my road, about 1 minute from my house, and until the other day i never saw it. This is because I live in Castlefield, and i literally only ever go north towards Deansgate. The one time I went south towards Old Trafford on foot, i was delighted to discover two businesses just minutes walk from my gaff.
These were a pub called Pomona Palace (see Unilocal) which is a decent place for a pint, and this place, selling old and antique furniture and bits and bobs for the house.
Basically you wont see stuff this cool anywhere else, you’ll literally want it all. When I can afford to furnish my own place I will be straight down here. Its all so mismatched and its got so much character that I cant even begin to generalize about the stuff they sell.
Basically if you’re cool, you’ll love it. If not, the problem is with you.

WOW. Just WOW. I had no idea. If I’d have known I would have told my friends who just refurbished their house to come here. If I had the money to refurbish my own house I’d buy everything in here because I can’t imagine needing to go anywhere else!
What I’m most fascinated by are the mantles. They have the most amazing array to choose from, and some great bargains too. If you consider yourself a bit of a DIY freak then you could buy yourself a gorgeous oak mantle and refinish it yourself but even the cast iron and marble pieces start at £300.
My next favourite items in here are the graceful old radiators and the ceiling roses. Now all I need is that grand Georgian apartment goddamit!

A veritable treasure trove of architectural salvage. From eclesiastical items like church pews and stained glass windows to iconic Victorian pieces such as Belfast sinks and panelled oak doors this place has it all. A fantastic place to spend a Sunday as you can literally explore for hours. Anybody wanting to add some timely industrial, rugged or shabby chic style to their home will find everything they need in this dusty wonderland. Its collection of reclaimed flooring (ie re-​sawn oak boards, parquet and pitch pine beams) is probably the most extensive in the central Manchester area and the mid 20^th century furniture on show just gives you yet another reason to wish you were born in the sixties!

I have spent hours in here rummaging through different doors, flooring, radiators, bit and bobs for my new flat. Everytime I make a decision on what I want I come back in and the have even better versions than before.
The staff here are fantastic and if you don’t find what your looking for one week try again the next. The staff will keep an eye out for certain items if you have something special i mind i.e. a certain type of wooden flooring. More importantly they can and will advise you on what items work well together etc. Great little shop in a rather unexpected location!