I’ve recently got my bike back on the road after a hiatus of one year…god it feels good again (although my backside isn’t as convinced yet). The freedom of the bike, the air breezing itself into your face and hair, the overall health benefits do wonders for one well being.
So…near to us lies the Fallowfield loop (around eight miles of off road cycleway around South Manchester) which heads (in one direction at least) towards Chorlton Come Hardy - home of Dangermouse, Chorlton and the Wheelies and the Bee Gees amongst others distinguished persons.
This week then I’ve returned to Unicorn (neglected unfortunately since last summer…it just doesn’t feel right driving to the Unicorn does it? How I’ve missed the place. As soon as you enter the doors, it immediately transports you to some hippy commune in deepest Cornwall (mind you Chorlton is part hippy commune) and you’re gently tapped in the face area with a glorious display of frankly odd looking food bits.
I’ve quite probably only tried a fraction of the food and goods on offer here, some of which scares me a little. I think a trip here is perfect at the moment and makes complete sense. With oil price at am all time high it’s time to jump on a bike and peddle places and stock up on foods which can last you a heck of a long time if chosen wisely. I can’t say this place is cheap but again if you pick the right things they’ll last you a lot longer than convenience food bought elsewhere: a huge range of dried foods are stocked - grab a huge bag of chick peas a couple of jars of tahini and you’ve got your hummus needs satiated for the next few months!
There is a small delhi, which sells some handy spinach bhaji’s and an organic and vegan wine display, although if I’m honest I’ve never tried this freedom booze. It recently won the best independent shop in the UK award as voted by Observer readers and it’s not hard to see why it gets people talking.

Put simply, The Unicorn is the best supermarket in Greater Manchester. And when I call it a supermarket, I don’t mean in the same way as Tesco or M&S are supermarkets. Unicorn is a market that is super. Even for non-vegetarians, this awesome grocery store will cater for you palate. It may appear overpriced, but I would advocate the approach of buying a little less but that little less being of a better quality. There is also a very nice smell in Unicorn, although I can never place what it is. One slight downer is when you see people in Tesco, using their Unicorn ‘eat healthily’ bags. What’s that all about?

This place is heaven. Offering everything from organic fruit and veg, dried beans, cereals, fancy teas and a myriad of items for a something-free diet, you can't fail.
It started as a small store but has grown and expanded to include tasty treats made of dried fruits (my favourite) and is always promoting some organic, environmental or ethical cause. Take your own bag and fill up with the goodies on offer here

The antithesis of the chain supermarket, the Unicorn is an advocate of fresh, fair-trade, local and organic produce. It's always bustling with people from all walks of life - Mums, Dads, students and generally every-day people who simply appreciate quality organic food. It has a superb fruit selection (granted it's a bit pricier than your average supermarket) but it's reassuring to know it's all pesticide free.

Organic wines, fruit juices, deli counter and refridgerator produce are also available.