I work in town: Matthew Cornford, owner of Queer Lit bookshop

The Queer Lit bookshop is tucked away on Tib Street in the Northern Quarter.

It’s only a small premises, but has more than 6,000 books on display — and a feverish level of interest for a mild Thursday afternoon when the Manchester Evening News pays a visit. There are people flicking through pages of novels, tilting their heads to read spines on shelves, and strategising which book they’ll buy next on a tight budget.

It’s owned by Matthew Cornford, and opened up as a physical store in August 2021. Since then, the shop has donated more than 300 books to MPs on the trans community, and won business awards.

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So, with Matthew being a small business owner in the heart of the city’s trendiest spot, what makes him tick?

Where’s your favourite hidden gem?

Hidden behind one of the old mills, there’s a batting cage where you can go and get p***** up and bat baseballs. I think it’s called base Bar. It’s really quiet, it’s a great date idea and I really enjoy it. I went on a date ages ago, and it’s really cool, but I’ve never known anyone talk about it.

What’s your favourite view of the city or in the city?

If you go on the route going up Hyde Road, you get to see a line straight down to the city and it just shows you all the skyscrapers. You don’t need to be high, you can be at ground level, but you can see everything.

Where’s best to go for your dinner in town?

Nine times out of 10 I go to Rustica, just to get a sandwich. The girls in there are amazing, and look after you. It’s reasonably well priced, so dinner while at work? You can’t get better.

There’s always a huge queue, isn’t there?

Oh yeah, they literally take over their corner.