Barton Arcade

The Barton Arcade is a small set of shops in Manchester City centre, which is just off Deansgate but still is pretty central and close to Market Street.
The Barton Arcade is quite a nice, Grade II listed building, as pointed out in other reviews, and mainly consists of independent shops including Barber Barber and Pot Kettle Black.
As commented on before, this is quite a small building, and is more of a nice building to look at, rather than somewhere to look around and shop, with of course most of the shops here being relatively high end, and excluding Pot Kettle Black and Barber Barber, most of the shops are rather clothing, and jewelry, with a few restaurants in the mix.
I do agree an updated review is needed for Barton Arcade as it is quite a nice place, but I must agree with Sarah-​Anne M that they is near enough nothing there, which isn’t really worth going to, although it is a nice area, and they is a nice, independent coffee shop (Pot Kettle Black), it simply isn’t really worth going out of your way to see, especially if you only have limited time in Manchester and /​or the weather isn’t too great.
Scoring the Barton Arcade is hard, as being a nice, old building I would like to score around 3 stars, but the lack of shops I feel would get it a one star, therefore I feel that 2 stars is in the middle of these ratings and probably the fairer, however I may be back to hopefully upgrade Barton Arcade to 3 stars in the future, after some more consideration and perhaps more visits.

Enter via Deansgate or St Anne’s square, you’ll find an interesting mix of independent businesses in a beautiful Victorian structure of iron and glass building dating back to 1871.
There are shoe shops, hairdressers, Australian travel, damn good sandwiches, a bridal store, jewellery stores and Kitchen restaurant and bar.
I can imagine you’d find yourself in the arcade looking for something specific rather than just a browse. There’s a lack of excitement and bustle in here, but if you’re looking for that just go up to Market Street. Or not.

Barton Arcade is a truly beautiful old shopping arcade just off St. Anne’s Square. It has all its old fittings and is full of light thanks to its awesome glass roof. There are several layers of balconies above the lower level that have office space running off them.
It really is delightful in here. The only that les Barton Arcade down is the quality of the businesses in here. It feels like it should be an exciting, exclusive arcade but to be honest that stuff is all over on King Street and Market Street and there are a few empty units in here.
I’m sure one day Barton Arcade will become cool again, but at the moment it’s pretty quiet and doesn’t exactly represent the centre of Manchester’s shopping experience.

As if Barton Arcade is a Grade II Listed Building!
I’m not suprised, it is a gorgeous little shopping arcade but it’s just such a waste! There’s nothing there!
I popped in the other day as it was raining and it’s a good short cut from Deansgate to St Ann’s Square. I was shocked by just how bare it was. Literally about four shops and a bar (watch this space for the review). Edwards, of course, is an institution in Manchester so I’m glad that’s still around. Where has everyone else gone?!
I seriously hope that some more tenants are found soon because it’s such a shame to let such a gorgeous place die off. Maybe a café would liven it up a bit?

This arcade was an excellent find, the shoe shop here was really good, it was an independant retailler with some very funky lines. There are a number of independant retailers based here a reall good alternative to the high street, epecially if you prefer to have a different look