A group of artists are bidding to start reviving Manchester’s King Street - by opening a not-for-profit coffee shop.

The Honest Coffee shop would sell artisan coffee and cakes - but put its profits back into Manchester community groups and causes.

Artists and entrepreneurs would also be able to pay for workspace by the hour in the shop, aiming to be an alternative to big international coffee shop chains.

The group behind the project, Future Artists Creative Co-op, is currently in talks with two landlords on King Street to identify an empty shop it could take over.

The group, based at the Sharp Project in East Manchester, has already raised £15,000 towards opening the shop, and is now in the process of raising the last £5,000 needed through website Kickstarter.

With £2,500 already donated the group is a week away from their deadline - and urging Mancunians to back the project, which would give grants through community foundation Forever Manchester from the shop’s profits.

And leaders have chosen King Street as a venue in a bid to kick-start its revival - it currently has 12 empty shops on what was once Manchester’s most exclusive shopping street.

Future Artists member Mark Ashmore, 33, said: “The idea for this came because there are a lot of pop-up shops and fringe spaces but no one, central space for artists and creatives to work in Manchester.

“As well as a work space we would have a coffee shop open to everyone, selling artisan cakes and coffee.

“This sounds like a Northern Quarter idea but our preferred location is King Street.

“It has a really interesting 200-year-old history - but with 12 empty units we think this idea would diversify it.

“We also want this to generate conversation about what a high street should be and offer a Mancunian alternative to big corporate brands.

“We are so close to our funding target now that if a thousand people who read this could donate £5 we will be able to open a place which changes Manchester’s arts scene and supports people.”

Actress Victoria Connett, 30, from Salford, who is also a member of Future Artists, said: “A space like this could help people network and build their careers. “And the profits would be given back to the community - not someone at the top.”