Manchester

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Manchester‘s vegan grocery Unicorn grows its own

Get closer to nature at Manchester's vegan superstore Unicorn

Manchester may be many things, but a rural oasis it is not. Urban dwellers here are more used to grim, grey concrete than all things bright and beautiful. But an eco co-operative in Chorlton has set out to add a dash of green to Manchester’s skyline with a wetland roof garden – one of the first of its kind in the UK. Over 800 square metres of flat roof at vegan superstore Unicorn has been planted with sedum and wetland (AKA a pond with soggy plants). The idea behind the garden is twofold: it’ll help insulate this industrial building during winter and it’ll provide a new home for the Black Redstart, a robin-like bird that’s now as rare as the Golden Eagle. Access to the roof garden is limited but Unicorn is holding a series of special open days during the summer – your chance to get closer to nature alongside one of South Manchester’s busiest bus routes.
Unicorn Albany Road, Chorlton, M21 0BN (861 0010/www.unicorn-grocery.co.uk). Open days held on Jun 29, Jul 27 and Aug 27, 10.30am-4.30pm; free.

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