In 2013, Manchester International Festival and The Biospheric Foundation joined forces for The Biospheric Project, turning a run down factory on a Salford estate into an urban farm. Walk 78 steps from the project to the council block of Newbank Tower and you'll get to the shop, '78 Steps', which sells produce grown at and soruced by the Biospheric team.
In the face of shopping and eating chains, big name brands and dominating companies taking over our high streets, it's good to know that, in amongst the fantastic restaurants, brilliant pubs and bars and annual events that happen in the region, there's still room for smaller, independent businesses and events to thrive. That's right, Chorlton isn't the only place in Greater Manchester where you can shop for organic tofu and head out for a night of real ale. Indepence is doing very well, thank you, in Salford and close by in Prestwich, Bury.
So from pet shops to grocery stores, festivals to pubs, here are just 12 of many independently minded things to do in and around to Salford.
