Unicorn Grocery

Unicorn is an organic and whole foods grocery store, selling affordable, wholesome food and striving to support local producers.

The Chorlton-based shop has been open since 1996, and is also a workers co-operative, where the staff have created a place they would want to shop in themselves. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by wooden pallets full of locally grown, seasonal fruit and vegetables - so freshly picked that they’re still covered in soil, and all sold loose without packaging to maintain their ethical stance.

Stocking over 2,500 other products in store, there’s almost no need to visit a chain supermarket ever again, especially if organic, ethical and vegetarian food is your thing. Their prices are cheaper than most supermarkets, too, and there are plenty of unusual products that you won’t find in your local Tesco.

As well as organic beer and wine, the Unicorn team pack many of their dried goods (nuts, grains, pulses) on site, and also sell freshly baked bread, sourced from four different bakeries across the Northwest. They also have an extensive deli counter with heaps of mezze items, as well as food made in store, such as soup, flapjacks and salads. The size of the store has expanded several times over the years, and has also added solar panels in 2005, and even a rooftop pond and wildlife garden in 2007.

Unicorn was named one of The Skinny readers' favourite food shops in the North in The Skinny Food and Drink Survey 2017 - and The Skinny Food and Drink Survey 2015, while we're on the case.

You may also like Epicerie Ludo and Eighth Day. 

[Charlotte Davies]