Business

Manchester’s independent retail emporium Afflecks is all ready to reopen on Monday

Afflecks family of independent retail traders are "thrilled" to be ushering in the spring.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 9th April 2021

Manchester’s beloved independent shopping hub Afflecks gearing up ready to reopen its doors to the public next week.

As the country begins ‘Step Two’ in the government’s roadmap to lifting England’s current national lockdown – which crucially allows non-essential retail to begin trading once again – the over 55 independent traders across all four floors of the iconic Northern Quarter-based retail emporium will be open seven days a week from Monday 12th April.

After what has been an exceptionally challenging winter amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the whole Afflecks family of independent retail traders are “thrilled” to be ushering in the spring.

Sadly though the two hospitality businesses within the building – Ginger’s Comfort Emporium and Urban Grind – will be reopening during the next phase of lockdown restrictions easing.

They are currently scheduled to reopen on 17th May.

Afflecks


With the summer season on the horizon, Afflecks is encouraging customers to shop independent where possible and “soak up that one-of-a-kind Afflecks experience”, whether that be appreciating the incredible public art, sourcing individual vintage finds, getting a warm welcome from a much-missed trader, or finding that handmade piece you can’t get anywhere else.

The reopening of Afflecks is your chance to support local, independent retail at its very best.

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“We’re delighted to be able to support our Afflecks family back to the building.” said Andrea George, Director of Retail at Afflecks’ owners, Bruntwood Works.

“It’s been a long, challenging winter for everyone and the small, independent businesses at Afflecks are no exception. Afflecks is an iconic shopping experience that is recognised across the globe [and] we’re proud to have this beacon of independent retail here in the city.

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“We can’t wait to welcome customers back”.

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Afflecks COVID-safety Measures
  • Compulsory face covering (unless medically exempt).
  • Two-metre social distancing
  • An increased cleaning schedule of all areas, with a particular focus on ‘touchpoints’.
  • Hand sanitiser stations throughout the building.
  • One-way system (in certain areas of the building).
  • Reduced Capacity – Allowing for social distancing across the site.
  • COVID-Safe Traders – All traders have completed COVID-safe risk assessment and will be operating their own individual COVID-safety measures.
  • ATM and games machines are not in operation.
  • Limited numbers in lifts.
Opening Times
  • Monday – Friday: 10.30am – 6pm
  • Saturday: 10am – 6pm
  • Sunday: 11am – 5pm

You can find more information on COVID-safety precautions ahead of your visit via the Afflecks website here.

Business

Morrisons introduces new quiet hours to make stores less ‘overwhelming’ for shoppers

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Morrisons has decided to extend its popular ‘Quieter Hour’ across the UK to help make its stores less “overwhelming” for shoppers.

Introduced earlier this month to mark World Autism Acceptance Week, and in a bid to turn what can be a daunting task for many people into “a calmer and more enjoyable experience”, the supermarket chain has announced an extension to its already popular initiative by adding new ‘Quieter Hours’ during weekday afternoons.

In case you weren’t aware, Morrisons first introduced its Quieter Hour all the way back in July 2018, and has been welcoming people who may struggle supermarket shopping environments through its doors ever since.

The initiative – which initially took place between 9am and 10am on a Saturday, and for the first hour of trade on a Sunday – originally began as part of the National Autistic Society’s ‘Autism Hour campaign’, after it was found that some neurodiverse people, including those with autism, can find shopping in a supermarket “overwhelming”.

Morrisons has introduced new quiet hours to make stores less ‘overwhelming’ for shoppers / Credit: Morrisons

Supermarkets can lead many people to experience increased sensitivity to light and sound, such as loud music, bright lights, and busy environments, and in turn, this can cause anxiety or, in some of the worst cases, even physical pain.

But now, after the trial has proved to be so successful and well-received, Morrisons has made the decision to extended the initiative to weekdays too, as well as weekends – with ‘Quieter Hours’ now also running every week from Monday to Thursday between 2-3pm.

The company says the extension is all with the aim of “helping even more customers”.

During ‘Quieter Hours’, Morrisons stores operate lower levels of lighting, turn music and radios off, avoid making tannoy announcements, reduce movement of trolleys and baskets, and turn checkout beeps and other electrical noises down.

“The weekly shop can be a daunting task for those who may struggle with noises associated with it,” commented Charlotte Exell, who is the Business Sponsor of Ability at Morrisons.

Read more:

“At Morrisons, we are always looking for more ways to support customers, and as the Quieter Hour is incredibly popular in our stores across the nation, we have listened to customers and will now help more shoppers in our extended times.”

Featured Image – Morrisons

Business

The BBC is looking for Manc entrepreneurs for a new series of The Apprentice

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Reckon you’ve got what it takes to be Lord Sugar’s next business partner?

The current 2024 season of The Apprentice might be coming to a close, but the show is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

In fact, there’s already a chance to apply for the next season of the hit TV show.

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur with a business-savvy mind, someone who’s always just fancied themselves for doing well in the field, or you have a business idea that you think could be the next big thing, everyone is encouraged to apply for the new series – and the BBC is particularly calling on people from Greater Manchester.

Basically, as long as “you think you’ve got the talent and confidence to impress Britain’s toughest backer”, then the show’s producers are keen to hear from you.

A casting call on the BBC website reads: “Could you be his next investment? If you think you’ve got the talent and confidence to impress Britain’s toughest backer, the process starts here. The winning candidate will receive an investment and go into a 50:50 business with Lord Sugar. Fighting it out for his investment candidates will take part in twelve tough tasks to win one life-changing opportunity.”

There’s a few simple questions to answer as part of the initial process, but the two major ones where you’ll have your chance to set yourself apart from the rest are:

  • Why should you be Lord Sugar’s business partner?
  • What’s the most impressive thing you’ve ever done in business?
The BBC is looking for Manc entrepreneurs for a new season of The Apprentice / Credit: BBC

Applications are now open and close on 1 December 2024 at 23:59, with successful candidates set to be contacted for interviews in the new year.

Initial interviews will be taking place across the UK, and at least two dates have been pencilled for Manchester, Leeds, and/or Birmingham, with additional interviews to decide on the final candidates then set to follow in early 2025, and filming for the series due to takes place for 10 to 12 weeks from 7 April – 22 June 2025.

Read more:

If you think you’re up to the challenge, then you can stick an application in here.

Featured Image – BBC

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