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.

Independent shops and things to do in Salford and North Manchester
The state of independence is alive and well in Salford and Prestwich

Salford Music Festival
Run by volunteers and featuring hundreds of bands playing over 4 days at various venues across the city, this superb event showcases bands you don't know and a few bands you do, (The Fall, anyone?). It's a not for profit organisation which aims to promote music and Salford.
More things to do in Salford
One of the club's main claims to fame is providing the backdrop for the seminal photograph that appeared as the gatefold image for The Smiths album, 'The Queen Is Dead' but there's more ot it than that.
Salford is a city full of surprises, and not the least significant of these is the magnificent Ordsall Hall, a Grade I listed Tudor manor house slap bang in the middle of a housing estate.
Close to Salford University and in the grounds of Peel Park lies Salford Museum & Art Gallery, which opened in 1850 as the very first 'unconditionally free' public library in the UK.
Discover Time Out original video
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