City Cents-Manchester

Mancunian journalist and broadcaster Elizabeth Alker spent €100 in her city. Here’s what she bought

1 MAN UNITED SCARF
Manchester United are the current European champions, while Man City boast a strong local following. United fans are often seen as glory supporters, so while it will protect from the wind, it might not withstand frosty looks on Derby Day. €12.50

2 HACIENDA CLASSICS
The Haçienda is an apartment block now, but the legacy of this super-club and the Factory Records label behind it lives on. It spawned the likes of the Happy Mondays and following in their footsteps, a stream of musicians, DJs and venues. €14

3 BENCH T-SHIRT
The story behind home-grown label Bench is one of rags to riches. This über-trendy, skateand urban-wear brand grew out of its flagship store in the city’s fashionable bohemian northern quarter. The print is a surreal image of Manchester – look for the flashy Hilton hotel skyscraper. €25

4 CHINESE TEA SET
Manchester has the second-largest Chinese population in the UK. Located bang in the city centre is China Town, packed with all manner of east Asian restaurants. The stores tucked between Mosley Street and Portland Street stock great crockery and ingredients. €12 Tea €1

MOUSE MAT
This mat depicts the first ever computer chip. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry (www.mosi.org.uk), and you’ll find that as well as the baby computer, Manchester was also home to the spinning Jenny and the test-tube baby. €10.45

6 MARY BARTON
Not exactly a beach read, but then 19th-century working class Manchester wasn’t sunny and didn’t Elizabeth Gaskell know it. Work by Gaskell, Anthony Burgess and other homespun literary talent can be bought from the shop in the fantastic Urbis gallery. €8.99

7 MORRISSEY’S MANCHESTER
The Smiths’ extraordinary frontman is a reminder of Manchester’s radical heritage. With a nod to Morrissey’s views, this guide signposts the city’s role in revolutionary politics from suffrage to The Communist Manifesto. €6.50

8 HOLT BEER
Holt is one of Manchester’s most famous breweries. Its beers are available from the Ape and Apple pub on John Dalton Street. The bee on the bottle of HumDinger crops up all over the place and is symbolic of the city as a hive of activity. Two bottles, €5

9 LOWRY BIRTHDAY CARD
Lowry’s cityscape couldn’t be more different from the dynamic area surrounding the site dedicated to the artist’s work. Located in the newly developed Salford Quays, The Lowry Centre is an impressive architectural structure and home to a permanent collection. €3.50