Now, here’s the real kicker: you’re arriving at Manchester at 10 PM, and you need a souvenir or a pen. Forget it. Most shops close by 9:00 PM or 9:30 PM. The airport turns into a ghost town faster than a pub at closing time. The only thing still open is the WHSmith near the arrivals hall, and maybe a Greggs if you’re very, very lucky.
It’s a bit of a bummer. You’d think a 24-hour airport would have a 24-hour shop, but Manchester is not that kind of city. It’s more of a “we’ll have your stuff ready by 7 AM, but please don’t ask for it at midnight” kind of place. I once landed at 11 PM and had to buy a neck pillow from a vending machine. It was like getting a hug from a robot.
