Northern Quarter cult favourite Affleck’s Palace is officially reopening its doors on Saturday – with large crowds expected to swarm to the venue after a three-month hibernation .
An “emporium of eclecticism,” Affleck’s is known as the go-to spot for a retro-style shopping experience in Manchester – housing numerous outlets that both embrace and emulate the city’s values whilst pushing the boundaries.
A quirky, alternative, indoor market of metropolitan fashion and lifestyle, the venue has become a treasured part of Mancunian culture.
But what’s the story behind it?
Before becoming the indoor market we know and love today, the Affleck’s building was occupied as a drapery business named Affleck & Brown, gaining a successful reputation as a place to find a variety of fabrics and furs.
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The company was bought by Debenhams in the 1950s, but was forced to close in the seventies due to difficult economic conditions in the area.
In 1982, the building was rebranded by James and Elaine Walsh – who wanted to offer an affordable space for Manchester’s creative collective.
In the 1990’s, in what is referred to as the ‘Madchester’ period, Affleck’s Palace came into its prime as the place to buy oversized band tees of the Rolling Stones or Oasis and a pair of flared jeans to match.
It slowly morphed into the Camden Market of the North, attracting visitors from all around the globe who wanted to rummage through vintage stores, record shops and discover the labyrinth layout of Affleck’s for themselves.
Today, Affleck’s houses eclectic brands such as Thunderegg, Pop Boutique and The Manchester Shop as well as tattoo store, massage parlour and K-POP store.
Independents have never needed support more than they do right now. And Affleck’s is the place to find them.
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We tried Greater Manchester’s first eight-course pie-tasting menu and it was absolutely unreal
Danny Jones
Every now and again the opportunity to eat something genuinely new and different and which pushes the envelope when it comes to the kind of food you ever even thought you’d enjoy — sitting down for the inaugural ‘PieSessions’ was one of those such occasions.
This month, we had the privilege of being invited along to one of the most exclusive and highly-anticipated dining events in Greater Manchester: an eight-course pie-tasting event created by pie-pros Ate Days A Week, Scotty’s Pies and a number of other collaborators.
Hosting a true first for the region, Notion Bar over in Stockport was packed out with over 50 guests who were all eagerly awaiting to taste pies from the local favourite, MasterChef contestant turned meat and pastry specialist Scott Eckersley-Bell, as well as Wigan staples Baldy’s Pies and Harwoods Patisserie.
At first glance, the popular SK Deep South-inspired dive bar might not look like the place to offer up a gourmet tasting menu, but what it did have was an accessible charm and a bunch of hungry people not only willing to keep their minds open but who simply love all things pie. Who doesn’t?
(Credit: PieSessions)
At the top of the bill was probably one of the most interesting things we’ve eaten all year: a Japanese-inspired ‘Pie-Scream’ which delivered the exact savoury spin as it promised on the tin. A malt-crust cone stuffed with smoothly pipped mash, katsu curry sauce and crispy Teriyaki bacon in place of a flake.
We believe we call that ‘making a good first impression’. From that moment on, we knew we weren’t just going to be eating any old meal and that it wasn’t just going to be plate after plate of what you normally consider a pie; everything was different and we can honestly say everything was good, if not amazing.
Next up we had probably one of our standouts from the entire night which was a garlic, ginger and soy pork mince tartlet with a perfect piece of honey-glazed pork belly next to it, as well as a light edamame and spring onion purée to balance out the strong flavours.
Following on from the opener, the pair delivered all of the tried and tested Asian flavours in a method most will have never experienced them in before and, in truth, we could have even taken some extra spice with that virtually perfect tartlet but they were careful not to thrash our palettes early doors.
‘Pie-Scream’ and a duo of pork we could have eaten a dozen of.
Two down, six to go and when we tell you it was plate after plate of precise pie-based ingenuity, we’re not exaggerating. From the short rib slider, which was almost like an elevated Wigan kebab, to the gentler poached cod pithivier which kind of reminded us of a seafood twist on a Cornish pasty, there was a single thing we didn’t like.
The way the menu was also carefully constructed not to beat you over the head with non-stop meat, pastry and gravy but to fluctuate between smaller bites and more substantial courses was already pretty impressive, as we managed to make it to the end of the meal at the perfect level of full.
We were even pleasantly surprised to see how the team tackled the issue of pudding, with a sweet and just sharp enough take on parfait with fresh orange, stem ginger and brown sugar, as well as a much richer chocolate, salted caramel and hazelnut brownie for a big finish.
To be honest, we loved the tiny little lemon madeleines they surprised us with as an after-dinner treat even more than the desserts (the two of us in attendance are lemon fiends, to be fair) but the best course of the night has to go to the ‘Big Jim Volume 2.0’.
It didn’t matter who was behind the course, it was banger after banger.It was genuinely a strong three-way tie between the pork tartlet, ‘Big Jim’ and
Speaking to Ate Days A Week Founder Andy James on our way out, you could clearly see how his passion for the concept had translated amongst his colleagues, into the excitement of the guests and then back onto him after he saw how well the whole thing went down.
There was a real buzz about the place that was nothing like we’d ever experienced before with other tasting menus and we think it’s because those in attendance had never sat down for a meal that was as experimental as this one whilst also being that accessible.
Yes, it might be a touch posher than pie, mash and gravy but it never stayed too far away from that simple British pleasure and while there were certainly a few thrills to give you that tasting menu feel, nothing felt out of place and neither did the diners.
Pulling off one of the best teas we’ve had in a long time from a tiny kitchen inside a rough-around-the-edges late-night drinking spot, we already know there will be a sequel to PieSessions not only because Andy told us so but because it was such a massive success. Count us in for the next one.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 — dates, locations, prices and everything you need to know
Daisy Jackson
Rejoice, Manchester it’s that time again — famously the most wonderful time of year, and you know what that means: we’ll soon be filling our faces with bratwurst, cheersing steins of Bavarian beer and filling our houses with far too many festive trinkets because the Christmas Markets are back.
We’re not even tooting our own horn when we say this, it’s just a fact that the Manchester Christmas Markets are some of the best and most popular on the planet and this year we celebrate 25 years since the seasonal stalls first opened up in 0161 and started a legendary annual tradition.
It doesn’t matter how many years roll by, we still await their arrival like little kids waiting for Christmas morning and set our schedules for what time we’re going to head out on which day to cross off the must-haves on our markets checklist.
With that in mind, we thought we’d help you put together your own plan of attack this holiday season and give you all the info you need to know to make the most of the 2023 Manchester Christmas Markets. You can thank us later.
When do the Manchester Christmas Markets start this year?
The Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 will return to the city on Friday 10 November.
The main hubs, across locations including Piccadilly Gardens — a.k.a. the ‘Winter Gardens’ come this time of year — King Street and St Ann’s Square, will all be open until 21 December.
But the Cathedral Gardens site, which is home to the ice rink, opens a little earlier each year and is already welcoming customers, with a handful of stalls operating through until 31 December.
That means that 2023’s dates for the main Manchester Christmas Markets will span a whopping six weeks. Heaven.
Opening and closing times for the Manchester Christmas Markets
These are the opening and closing times for each of the Manchester Christmas Markets sites:
The Winter Gardens (Piccadilly) – Open daily from 10am-9pm (street food stalls open until 6pm, craft stalls open until 8pm)
King Street – Open daily 10am-9pm (Craft stall open until 8pm)
St Ann’s Square – Open daily 10am-8pm
New Cathedral Street – Open daily 10am-8pm
Exchange Square and Corn Exchange – Open daily 10am-9pm (Craft stalls open until 8pm)
Market Street – Open Monday to Saturday 10am-8pm. Open until 6pm on Sundays
Cathedral Gardens – Open daily 10am-9pm (Craft stalls open until 8pm)
All the Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 locations
The official map of the Manchester Christmas Markets locations this year.
The markets will be sprawling right across the city centre as usual, with wooden huts lining the streets at nine different locations this year.
Manchester City Council has now confirmed all the places you’ll be able to enjoy the Manchester Christmas Markets, and you can find out more about what’s on offer at each one here.
The council have also published a handy map to help you plan your route around the Manchester Christmas Markets.
Winter Gardens at Piccadilly Gardens
St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street
Market Street
King Street
New Cathedral Street
Exchange Square
The Corn Exchange
Cathedral Gardens
How much is food and drink at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2023?
Until the Manchester Christmas Markets open on Friday 10 November, we don’t know exactly what the price of food and drink will be.
But as a few stalls have already opened alongside the ice rink, we do know a couple of traders’ prices.
The Yorkshire pudding wrap — which has huge queues forming every year (rightfully so) — has gone up a little and will now set you back £10, a £2 increase on last year.
Mulled wine has also gone up to £5.50 from £5 last year, and don’t forget to factor in the price of a Christmas Market mug deposit with your drinks too!
To be honest, we’ll pay obscene amounts for those unreal deep-fried pigs in blankets that debuted last year. My word…
Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 mug design and price
The Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 mug design
Every year the Manchester Christmas Markets has a limited-edition mug design, and this year the collectable souvenir has taken inspiration from the Nutcracker.
There are two different sizes and 2023 designs to collect when the markets officially open next week.
When you order a hot drink at the markets you’ll be charged a £3.50 deposit for a mug (that’s up from £3 last year).
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You can then return your cup when you’re finished to get your money back, or take it home as a memento.
Last year, the Manchester Christmas Markets mugs were so popular they ran out before the markets had even finished – but they’ve ordered extras this year to be on the safe side.
Travel advice and how to get to the Manchester Christmas Markets 2023
Transport for Greater Manchester has urged people to use public transport wherever possible to travel in and out of the city centre for the Manchester Christmas Markets.
That’s because of all the events running alongside the festivities, from huge football matches to gigs at the AO Arena to Black Friday sales.
The Bee Network app will help you to plan your journey and you can read all the latest travel advice here.
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The best hotels to stay in for the Manchester Christmas Markets
Now, for those of you travelling into town to sample our world-famous markets — as literally thousands do every single year — you might be in need of somewhere to lay your head after a few too many steaming mugs of Glühwein.
Fortunately, since this city continues to be such a popular tourist attraction all year round, there are plenty of hotels to suit whatever your budget is.
In fact, you’re so lucky that we already put together a list of the best hotels in Manchester a little while back, so you’re welcome in advance.
And that should do you for now and your guide to the 2023 Manchester Christmas Markets — we’re sure most of you know the score by now: it’ll be a big, cold, a bit busy but utterly wonderful as it always is.
We’ve found the trick is to try out a few days during the week if you want to beat the rush and then come back at the weekend for the full-bellied crowds brimming with festive cheer.
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There really is nothing like it in our opinion and we’ll be sure to keep bringing you plenty of updates on all things Christmas Markets-related going on in Manchester over the next couple of months.
Jess Walmsley -
19th June 2020 
