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Store Detective: Jil Black

Helen Crosbie
19/ 5/2008

TUCKED away in a corner of the increasingly chic Barton Arcade hides a boutique brimming with exclusive fashion finds.

It's high on the shopping list of all Manchester's in-the-know stylistas, from Corrie stars to footballers' WAGs.

After 13 years in the industry, Jil has an expert eye for colourful, individual women's pieces. Originally, the business started out as her husband Phil's menswear venture - which still has a presence in the ornate Victorian arcade - before Jil branched out on her own.

And her eclectic store has led the way for the rest of the Arcade, which is fast filling with other fabulous boutiques. Relaxed, light, and airy, it is becoming an enclave of style that, thankfully, feels miles away from the mad scramble on Market Street.

Individuality

Scouting the fashion shows "for anything that looks different" in Paris, Denmark and Germany, Jill is keen on only stocking independent labels who are not afraid to experiment with style and individuality.

"I don't want to have the same stock as every other shop, it gets boring with familiar brands everywhere," says Jil on a quick tour of the store. "You are unlikely to find any of our clothes in any other shop in Manchester."

Jill manages to choose items that would attract a wide range of customers as the shop is stocked with items that would suit anyone from 16 to 66. With regular customers - including Corrie's Tina O'Brien and Beverley Callard - coming back time and again.

Plus, because she's selective about the pieces she sells, some items are very rare, adding to the quirky, exclusive style of the shop.

And, as for the price. You certainly don't need to flash the cash to shop here, with prices ranging from £35 for a lovely floral dress to £400 for an amazingly shaped jacket.

Look out for what promises to be a fab refurb of the store later this month - and the launch of her new website jilblackwomens.com this summer

BEST FOR Independent-minded shoppers

WHERE Barton Arcade, Manchester. 0161 834 5160