'We could make Manchester better in 24 hours. If we don't, no-one else will'

We’ve all dreamt of living the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. life — where we have immaculate apartment opposite our best mates, we celebrate Christmas together, and fall in and out of love easily.

A core part of the make-believe, aspirational world of that sitcom, is of course Central Perk, the coffee shop which always has the comfy settees free. There, the gang would while away the hours chatting, or reading.

Now, although Manchester has a Central Perk reincarnate, the closest to the ideal of a coffee shop which is a second home is more likely to be the House of Books and Friends, on King Street.

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Part-coffee shop and part-bookshop, it’s got a relaxed atmosphere, a plethora of reading material to buy — and as this writer can attest to, good WiFi and a wicked mocha.

Overseeing the bookshop element of the ornate store is Naomi Self, 36. She’s only lived in Manchester for four years, but has made a home in Prestwich for herself, and curated one of the best literary collections in the city.

So, what makes her tick?

Where’s your favourite hidden gem?

I will have to say our bookshop, House of Books and Friends. It’s quite new and not everyone knows we’re here yet.

A wise choice. Where would be your second?

That’s one, and for another hidden gem would have to be really obvious, like the People’s History Museum. It’s not hidden but if you’ve not been since the pandemic, I’d go again.

We don’t get museums that often!

Well, book people like museums!

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

It’s really interesting to go down to the Deansgate area at night and see the big skyscrapers coming up. I used to live in Scotland, in a much, much, much smaller city