A striking shop front is your first handshake with customers. It needs to be visually compelling, durable, secure and compliant. To help businesses in Manchester make the right choice, here is a ranked list of the top five shop front companies — based on reputation, service scope, and expertise.
Shop Front Fitters
Shop Front Fitters tops the list for one simple reason. They combine design, manufacture and installation under one roof, giving businesses a seamless service.
From initial sketches to final sign-off, their team manages the process with precision. Shop Front Fitters' portfolio includes large-scale city centre stores, independent high street outlets and retail chains, showing their versatility.
They specialise in aluminium, steel and glass façades, with options for reinforced security shutters, doors and custom glazing. Attention to detail is their hallmark.
Installations are engineered to last, with strong emphasis on both compliance and finish. Businesses often cite their reliability and aftercare as key reasons for repeat work.
Strengths
End-to-end service: design, fabrication, installation
Flexibility across façade materials and finishes
Experience handling challenging urban sites
Considerations
Higher cost on premium materials
Lead times may be longer for bespoke features
If you would like to contact the best Shop Front Fitters in Manchester, please visit the link to their website and get a quote today.
Shop Front Installation
Shop Front Installation earns second place through its strong track record in turnkey projects. They focus heavily on smooth, disruption-free installation.
Their teams are experienced in retrofitting old premises, replacing dated shop fronts, and coordinating full fit-outs without unnecessary downtime for the client.
The service at Shop Front Installation is ideal for business owners who don’t want to juggle multiple contractors. They manage on-site logistics well, meaning projects finish faster and with fewer complications.
Although less focused on high-concept design, they excel at delivering reliable, practical results that meet functional and aesthetic requirements.
Strengths
Smooth installation coordination
Good for refurbishments or upgrades
Reliable execution with fewer touchpoints
Considerations
Less emphasis on bespoke design innovation
You may need a consultant for aesthetics
For more information on Shop Front Installation Manchester, make sure to reach out today.
Aluminium Shopfronts
Aluminium Shopfronts secures the third spot by doing one thing extremely well: aluminium. Their focused expertise makes them highly competitive for businesses that value durability, strength and low maintenance.
Aluminium shop fronts are lightweight yet robust, ideal for busy retail streets and hospitality venues across Manchester.
Aluminium Shopfronts Manchester offer modular systems, allowing for easy repairs or upgrades. This reduces long-term costs and simplifies maintenance.
They also offer a wide range of glazing options, security integrations and powder-coated finishes. Clients who need value without compromising quality often turn to them.
Strengths
Strong expertise in aluminium systems
Good balance of strength, aesthetics and cost
Modular design that’s easier to repair or update
Considerations
May lack strength in very large-span glazed facades
Design options might be more limited than full bespoke firms
Shop Front Design
Shop Front Design stands out for its creative approach. They focus on making the shop front an extension of the brand. Their concepts often combine glazing, lighting, signage and architectural detail to create a strong first impression.
This design-led approach suits premium retailers, boutique stores and hospitality venues wanting something distinctive.
As well as manufacturing or installing in-house, Shop Front Design provide the very best designs for their customers. This division can add to costs but allows for more flexible, tailored outcomes.
Their ability to merge aesthetics with practical requirements makes them a solid choice for businesses that view the shop front as a marketing asset.
Strengths
Stylish, brand-driven concepts
High visual impact
Good at integrating signage, lighting and window display
Considerations
Can become expensive if materials or structural demands increase
Contact Shop Front Design Manchester today to design your new store front.
Store Fronts
Manchester Store Fronts earns the fifth position as a dependable, straightforward choice. They provide solid, no-nonsense shop fronts suited to standard retail environments. Their work focuses on delivering reliable results at accessible prices, which appeals to small businesses and independent traders across Manchester.
They are not as design-driven as others on this list, but they maintain consistent quality and dependable service. For many clients, especially those on tighter budgets, this balance of affordability and reliability makes them a practical option.
Strengths
Reliable baseline option
Good for standard high street requirements
Less risk overrun
Considerations
Less differentiation in appearance
May not be suitable for highly bespoke or high-end retail
How We Ranked Them
We evaluated companies on three key criteria:
Service breadth – design, manufacture, installation, aftercare
Reputation & proven projects – visible work, client reviews
Specialist strengths – material expertise, creativity, reliability
Where two firms were close, we gave priority to the one that better manages complex installations in dense urban environments (where Manchester often requires extra planning).
Tips for Picking a Shop Front Company in Manchester
Check local experience – city centre sites have restrictions on access, loading and planning.
Ask for references or real sites – seeing real installations reveals a lot more than portfolios.
Get full specs – gloss photos are fine, but you need structural, glazing and security specs.
Plan for maintenance – shop fronts age; ask who’s responsible for wear, repairs, and replacement parts.
Align with brand & footfall – your façade should match how many customers you want to attract and who they are.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a shop front in Manchester cost?
The cost of a shop front usually starts around £3,000 for a simple aluminium or glass installation.
Complex designs, premium glazing and bespoke materials can push costs well above £10,000.
Do I need planning permission for a new shop front?
A new shop front will generally need planning permission.
This is especially true in city centre conservation areas.
Check with Manchester City Council before committing.
Which material is best for a shop front?
The best material for a shop front is aluminium and glass.
Aluminium offers durability and low maintenance.
Glass maximises visibility but needs robust framing and security.
Timber can add character but requires regular upkeep.
How long does installation take?
Standard shop fronts take one to two weeks to install once fabrication is complete.
Bespoke or large projects may take longer depending on structural complexity.
Can I get a shop front customised to my brand?
Shop front installations can be customised to your brand.
Most companies offer custom colours, glazing options, signage integration and lighting design to align with your brand identity.
Conclusion
Manchester’s shop front market is competitive, but each of the five companies above has proven expertise.
Shop Front Fitters stands out for full-service capability, while Shop Front Installation and Aluminium Shopfronts excel in execution and material specialism.
Shop Front Design is the choice for visual impact, and Store Fronts provides dependable solutions for straightforward needs.
The right partner depends on your budget, brand and project complexity. Choose carefully, and your shop front will drive footfall and strengthen your presence on Manchester’s streets.
