We created an artistic bookstore for all of Manchester to come and enjoy - we also have our own coffee
We went to Unitom in the northern quarter as part of our look at some of the city's best independent creative businesses.
We spoke to Tim, the manager and buyer to understand more about the store, what makes it special and why Manchester is the right place for a creative hub such as this.
Tim Bell said: “Unitom is primarily a visual arts orientated bookshop. We've been open for just over three years now. A big part of our ethos is being a bit of a cultural hub for Manchester so people can come and explore, be inspired creatively. A big part of that is also encouraging our customers to put their work out there in the physical realm as well.”
On the topic of local artists, Tim said: “It's really important for us to be able to present local artists' work, small emerging artists' work alongside those big coffee table, huge publishers. It's great for us to be able to put someone's first little zine on a shelf alongside a big Tashian monograph about Helmut Newton or something.”
Adding: “I think Manchester's got a really rich sort of cultural heritage spanning the spectrum of the arts. Especially here in the Northern Quarter, there's still a really strong sense of that artistic community and there's lots of small independents that nurture those new local talents. There's a real opportunity for people to put their work out there.”
Tim also talked about wanting to make Unitom a collaborative creative space, he said: “There's lots of small great galleries and people can put in their own exhibitions. I see the publishing world, especially self-publishing, as a real opportunity for people to explore creativity and put out new ideas.”
Adding: “I worked for Magma at Manchester for a long time, almost 15 years just prior to its closure during Covid. We collaborated with some regular customers of Magma in the opening of this. And it's done really well for us. So, we're three and a half years in now and we're growing and doing more and experimenting with new things all the time. It was really important for us that it didn't just feel like a retail space.”
Unitom also offer their own coffee too, taking the experience to a new level, Tim said: “when we first opened, we offered a very simple coffee offering. It was just a batch filter. And it was just so we could offer something that might, you know, encourage people to sit in here a bit longer and have a drink whilst they browse the publications. And we now offer a range of espresso-based drinks. Our house coffee is with Dark Arts, which is a London-based drink. I know we are not a coffee shop, but I would boast that our coffee is comparable to a lot of the specialist coffee shops in Manchester.”