Cubitts opens first Manchester store in Northern Quarter
British spectacle maker Cubitts has opened its first Manchester store, marking the brand's long-awaited arrival in the city after almost a decade of searching for the right location.
Situated at 16 Smithfield Buildings on Hilton Street in the Northern Quarter, the new shop becomes Cubitts' 21st worldwide and 19th in the UK. The opening follows the launch of The Yard, the brand's new headquarters and optical manufactory in King's Cross, London, earlier this year.
Cubitts said it had deliberately waited to secure a site that reflected its focus on craftsmanship, fitting and spectacle repair, rather than opening simply to establish a presence in Manchester.
The store occupies part of the former Affleck & Brown department store, a landmark building dating back to the 1860s that was once known as the "Harrods of the North". Designed in partnership with Manchester-based studio YOUTH, the space has been conceived as a working optician, with eye examination rooms, a dedicated repairs desk, bespoke consultation areas and display space for optical frames and sunglasses.
Tom Broughton, founder of Cubitts, said: “We've been looking for the right home in Manchester for almost a decade. We wanted to be in the Northern Quarter, but only if we could find a building with the history and character to justify our arrival. Smithfield Buildings felt immediately right.”
“Manchester does not need another London brand telling it how interesting it is. We're simply pleased to finally be here, and hope to make ourselves useful.”
Broughton added that it was important the shop was designed in Manchester rather than being "deposited" into the city, with references to the city's industrial and creative heritage incorporated through its materials, furnishings and artwork.
Alongside its range of optical frames and sunglasses, the store will offer eye examinations, repairs, reglazing, made-to-measure frames and bespoke spectacle consultations. Cubitts also confirmed that a collection of Manchester-exclusive frames is in development and will be announced separately.
Founded in King's Cross in 2013, Cubitts has built its reputation around handcrafted spectacles designed to be repaired rather than replaced. Last month, the company opened its 13,000 sq ft headquarters and optical manufactory, The Yard, bringing design, manufacturing, repairs and training together under one roof in central London.
The Manchester opening represents the latest step in the brand's continued investment in its UK retail and service network.
Tom Broughton will be speaking at TheIndustry.fashion Summit on 15 October 2026 at The Forum, Leadenhall.
