About Us

Our History Our Mission Meet The Team Meet The Board Jobs

1800s

The heart of Manchester’s shopping district was located in the Northern Quarter.

Manchester was known as the centre of the cotton and textile industry, gaining the name ‘Cottonopolis’, but it also played a huge part in the manufacture of flint glass.

1873

Our building first opened its doors in 1873. This popular city-centre shopping hub was filled with markets known as the Smithfield Markets.

Our building was part of the retail fish market and was home to 40 traders with stalls and offices at weekly rentals.

1973

The Smithfield Markets closed their doors after 100 years of trading. Trading ceased due to the increasing competition from the newly opened Arndale Shopping Centre.

1978

As the majority of the markets were demolished, the remaining disused retail fish market was to be converted into Manchester Craft Village - a creative space for local makers and visitors.

1978-1982

Work took four years to complete, with restoration and renovation taking place throughout the building.

1982

After 4 years of conservation, the building reopened its doors to the public.

The premises, owned by Manchester City Council, has been in operation as a venue for craft ever since.  Manchester Craft Village played its part in the regeneration of this area. In fact, the phrase ‘The Northern Quarter’ was rumoured to be coined in our building!

2003

Initially operating as an artists’ cooperative, the Centre became a not-for-profit limited company with a voluntary Board of Directors, changing its name from Manchester Craft Village to Manchester Craft and Design Centre.

2013

Manchester Craft and Design Centre won ‘Best independent Retailer’ for the second time at the Manchester Tourism Awards.

Read this MEN article about the success of the Northern Quarter in 2013

2017

The Centre became a charity, supporting our work to engage audiences with craft and design.

2021

We commissioned a new mural on the side of our building on Copperas Street with the help of residents from the Smithfield Estate. The mural by Hammo is inspired by the story of Jimmy Kelly, a fishmonger who looked after the cats after the markets closed down.

1800s

History

2021

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Mission Statement

MCAD is Manchester’s space for craft, making and community

We promote craft in all its forms, expanding the definition and relevance of craft for everyone. We nurture and develop emerging and established talent, support viable creative careers, and showcase innovative and ambitious craft practices.

MCAD is a place of enterprise, production and creativity and reflects the rich diversity of its 21st century communities. We welcome everyone to experience and engage with making and our creative community. We safeguard a space for everyday creativity in the heart of the Northern Quarter and look outwards beyond our building.

Our team

About

General Manager

Jessica Bennett is the General Manager at MCAD, where she plays a key leadership role in driving the Centre’s vision and strategic direction. She oversees day-to-day operations, leads the team, supports the Maker community, promotes MCAD’s profile, and delivers on both operational goals and income generation targets.

With over a decade of experience in the creative industries, Jessica is also Director of Paradise Works, a gallery and artist studio space in Salford, and works independently as a curator. Her work is rooted in supporting creative communities, fostering collaboration, and championing contemporary art and design.

Our Board

Manchester Craft and Design (MCAD) is a registered charity.

We are working towards a Board of Trustees that is representative of the diversity of 21st Century Britain and that closely reflects the diverse communities we work with. We have a separate Board of Directors for our trading arm, MCAD Enterprises.

Emma Anderson (Chair)

Director, Macclesfield Museums, The Silk Heritage Trust

Shiraz Anwar

Creative, Digital & Tech Founder and Innovation & Growth Champion

Dr Yekta Bakırlıoğlu

Senior Lecturer in Design Management, Lancaster University

Bernadette Bone

Specialist Conservation Architect Director BB Heritage Studio

Professor Martyn Evans

MMU Director of Manchester School of Art and Professor of Design

Jack Kirby

Group Head of Collection Services, Science Museum Group

Rachel Knight

Head of Exhibitions & Gallery Projects, Science and Industry Museum

Jennifer Tegg

Marketing and Behaviour Change Consultant

Paula Watt

Project Manager

Mike Woodward

Heritage & Culture Consultant