new manchester 'leftie' bookshop opening this sunday

Following in thefootsteps of Frontline Books, The Basement will stock a diverse range of
books and merchandise dealing with contemporary political and social
issues and celebrating grassroots culture.

Within the bookshop will be...

A cheap vegan, fair trade and organic cafe
Free Internet access
A mini-library for customers to browse some of the many titles on sale
An information space
An exhibition space

Manchester has a proud tradition of grass roots community action and a
diverse culture. Continuing in this tradition, The Basement is
not-for-profit and run by volunteers who were brought together by the
anti-war movement with a shared vision to bring alternative politics and a
little colour to Manchester's increasingly corporate-owned city centre.

The Basement is located in the Northern Quarter, alongside Manchester's
last independent shops and cafes . As one of the volunteers explains:

"The reputation of Manchester's Northern Quarter is of being a vibrant,
happening community but a lot of the new additions have been shops with
trendy branding. We feel we can widen the spectrum a bit. We want
somewhere to represent the energy and ideas of people who think there is
more to life than just shopping. There are loads of interesting things
going on in Manchester. There always have been. We want to make it easy
for people to find them and get involved. We're not just a shop, but a
gateway to another world."

If you are a Christmas shopper in need of a few interesting gifts but
weary with consumerism and in serious need of a brew, a place to put your
feet up, check your email and chat about the state of the world, then this
is the place for you.

Opportunities for photographs of the space will be available on the
Opening Day: 12th December from 11am - 6pm. Anyone is invited to come
along for fun, food, an introduction to the space, the odd film, general
day-time schmoozing and more besides.

Initial opening times will be 12noon-6pm Wednesday to Saturday.

The Basement, 24 Lever St (just off Piccadilly Gardens) M1. Opposite Fred
Aldous, next to Alpha Bootis Books.