Located in the city centre, Duffy Motors is proud of its location. You will find us in an old railway arch between the Gmex Centre and Beetham Tower, our garage is only a short drive away from major road links like the Mancunian Way, Princess Road and Chester Road.

This convenient location also means that there is a lot to do while you wait for an MOT. If you are coming in over the festive period, make sure you check out some of these things to do.

Camp out at the office

The majority of our customers like to leave their car with us and head to work in the city centre. They drop their car off in the morning, head into work on foot or on public transport, and return later in the afternoon or the evening on their way home. You can leave your car with us all day if you want to. And avoid those expensive city centre car parking fees.

Light rail Metrolink tram in the city center of Manchester, UK. The system has 77 stops along 78.1 km and runs through seven of the ten boroughs

Christmas shopping

Whether you’ve planned well in advance or left it until the last minute, don’t worry. Located just next to Duffy Motors’ garage, is the Great Northern Warehouse which provides a fine array of independent shops to satisfy your friends and family. But it doesn’t stop there. Other great shopping areas are close by, including Spinningfields, King Street and the Manchester Arndale.

 

Christmas markets

The award winning markets are back again this year, winding through the city centre. There are over 300 free and accessible yuletide stalls and chalets for you to enjoy, offering crafted seasonal gifts, from handmade jewellery to bespoke Christmas products. Manchester’s Christmas Markets are famous for traditional bratwurst, but you can also treat yourself to Hungarian goulash, Spanish paella or a good old-fashioned hog roast.

Ice Village

The Ice Village has returned! Immerse yourself in a unique, frosty and festive atmosphere. The Ice Village offers you the opportunity to see these amazing ice creations up close, this years theme being Beasts and Fairytale Delights. Also, enter Manchester’s first ever Ice Tiki Bar, where you will be able to enjoy delicious cocktails such as: The Manc-ini , Manchester SeaFreeze or Sex on the Snow. A selection of Mocktails are available too. All set in a background of tropical sculptures including Easter Island ‘Moai’ ice statues and giant fruits. A free drink will be included on entrance to the bar – plus if you aren’t wrapped up enough, a thermal cape will be provided.

Hurl Some Axes

Not your typical festive activity, but what an experience. Unleash your inner Viking by throwing axes at wooden targets. Whistle Punks is within a stones throw of the garage in the Great Northern Warehouse. We recommend that you book in advance to secure a spot and prices range from £20 – £34.50 per person (18 or over only)

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Afternoon tea

Treat yourself to afternoon tea in Manchester’s most opulent champagne bar and restaurant; Cloud 23. Indulge in a selection of small sandwiches or satisfy your sweet tooth with handmade cakes and tarts, all whilst looking out to a spectacular view of the city.

Located in the Beetham Tower, just next to Duffy Motors there aren’t many other places better to wait whilst your car gets serviced.

When you bring your car for an MOT or service at Duffy Motors, you’ll need to leave your car with us for at least an hour before you can get on your way.

Fortunately, because Duffy Motors is a city centre garage, there are lots of things that you can do to pass the time in Manchester.

There are a lot of great coffee shops within a five or ten-minute walk from the garage. We’ve picked some of our favourites below.

We’re based off Deansgate, just around the back of the Beetham Tower, and it’s easy to get here by car.

To make things easy, many of our customers who work in the city centre like to drop their car off in the morning, before walking or taking public transport to work and picking the car up on the way home. There are lots of great transport links from Duffy Motors and we have the space to store your car free of charge.

ManCoCo

ManCoCo is an artisan micro coffee roaster that imports and roasts all their own coffee. It’s one of the top-reviewed coffee shops in the city – with a lot of reviewers describing it as the best coffee they’ve ever had.

You’ll find their small coffee shop in a railway arch just like ours. It’s just around the corner on Hewitt Street so you’ll have no trouble finding it.

Grindsmith

Grindsmith is our city centre garage’s closest coffee spot. You’ll find it on Deansgate, just on the other side of the Great Northern Warehouse and the coffee and food is well worth the trip.

The  shop also shares the building with a co-working space and a start-up incubator, so you can rub shoulders with some business elites and get some work done.

Where to Get a Coffee Fix During Your City Centre MOT - Duffy Motors

Cloud 23

Located on the 23rd floor of the imposing Beetham Tower, Cloud 23 is the place to enjoy a brew with a view. If you prefer tea to coffee then is the place to go.

There’s an afternoon tea deal with snacks, cakes and even champagne. It’s a little bit on the expensive side, but you can often find discount vouchers on Groupon.

Pot Kettle Black

Located just down Deansgate in the Grade II listed Barton Arcade, the brilliantly light and airy Pot Kettle Black makes coffee for people who really appreciate good coffee.

They’ve just recently opened a second mini-outlet on the bottom floor of the imposing No.1 Spinningfields tower that’s even closer to Duffy’s city centre garage.

Java Bar Espresso

A pleasant and lively café located just on the approach to Manchester Oxford Road train station.

Serving up delicious cakes and coffee made from the finest produce, this place is perfect if you want to grab a quick bite or refreshment before catching a train on to work. And the outside seating area is great for people watching.

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