Cubitts' Manchester store reinterprets city's history with contemporary design
Eyewear brand Cubitts opens first Manchester location reflecting industrial and musical heritage
1Design capturing Manchester's spirit
British eyewear brand Cubitts launched its first Manchester store in collaboration with local design studio Youth. The store's design thoughtfully incorporates the city's industrial past and musical legacy through a contemporary lens. Designers Oliver Collinge and Liam McGroarty aimed to create a space reflecting Manchester's present and future, avoiding clichés. The store features custom displays combining tubular steel supports with textured glass shelves, blending industrial aesthetics with modern functionality.
2Contemporary interpretation of industrial heritage
At the store's heart stands a faceted oak counter serving dual purpose as checkout and record player station. Two figurative sandstone sculptures by artist Richard Perry add artistic flair. The designers sought to create a space that feels 'both familiar and distinctly contemporary.' Drawing inspiration from Manchester's culture and historic character, the design reimagines these elements through a modern perspective, resulting in a fresh yet rooted aesthetic.
3Historic building with modern purpose
Located in Smithfield Buildings within the Northern Quarter, the store occupies space that once housed Affleck Brown department store, nicknamed 'Harrods of the North.' Cubitts founder Tom Broughton explained they chose this location after a decade-long search, drawn to its history as a cloth and bespoke garment supplier. The store visibly integrates eye examination facilities, spectacle repairs, and customization areas, maintaining transparency in operations.
4Authentic details with local materials
The design team incorporated waxed cotton curtains to softly divide spaces, paying homage to Affleck Brown's legacy. A standout feature is a vintage revolving bookcase crafted by Manchester cabinetmakers Goodall, Lamb and Heighway using timber salvaged from Royal Navy ship HMS Foudroyant. A wall displaying material samples highlights Cubitts' customization options, emphasizing the brand's commitment to personalization and craftsmanship.
5Industrial narratives through art
Artworks throughout the store reference industrial production, including Francis Hoyland's painting depicting a seamstress and Marcel Gille's cubist gouache of a forge worker. Completing the design are dimpled mirrors offering slightly blurred reflections and a curated collection of records spanning soul, jazz, punk and electronica. These elements create layered storytelling about Manchester's manufacturing and creative heritage.
6Respectful approach to urban fabric
Cubitts founder Broughton emphasized that 'Manchester doesn't need another London brand,' stressing the store was designed in Manchester rather than simply placed there. The brand found immediate resonance in the concept of 'a spectacle shop within a former draper's department store, in a neighborhood shaped by making, music and independent trade.' This approach demonstrates deep respect for local context.
7Global brand with local sensitivity
Cubitts Manchester marks the brand's 21st location, joining notable outlets like the peep-show-inspired Cubitts Soho and art-deco-style Cubitts Leeds. The company recently established new headquarters in London's King's Cross, occupying a historic building that originally served as stables for Crosse Blackwell Vinegar Works before becoming a publishing house office.
8Redefining retail design standards
Cubitts' Manchester store exemplifies the brand's approach to interpreting urban identity through contemporary design. By blending historical references with modern aesthetics, the store demonstrates how global brands can maintain authentic local connections. This project sets an inspiring precedent for harmonizing brand identity with city culture, offering valuable lessons for retail design that respects and celebrates place.