Indie shopping emporium Afflecks is set to reopen to the public this weekend as part of the city’s return to normality post-pandemic.
Like many retail establishments, the beloved independent shopping institution in the heart of Manchester city centre temporarily shut up shop back in March amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but will be opening its doors once again this Saturday.
Over fifty traders from the eclectic Afflecks family of independent businesses will be trading across all four floors under strict COVID-19 safety guidelines.
The coronavirus pandemic has presented an incredibly challenging time for the dozens of small, creative enterprises in the building. Whilst many have been trading online since March and have kept the spirit of Afflecks alive via their social media accounts, a forced closure has still had a huge impact on their businesses, but retailers are delighted to be able to welcome their customers into the building again.
Like all retailers, the shopping experience at Afflecks will look a little bit different when it opens doors after lockdown, but the indoor market’s tradition of being a safe space for everyone will remain at the heart and soul of the experience.
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Afflecks
Here’s what you can expect from a trip to Afflecks once doors reopen this weekend:
Two-Metre Social Distancing – A strict two-metre rule will be in place right across the building and all customers should adhere to this.
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An Increased Cleaning Schedule – All areas of the building will be sufficiently and regularly cleaned, with a particular focus on touchpoints.
Hand Sanitiser – There will be sanitising stations at entrance and exit points.
A New Entrance and Exit Process – Entrance-only via Church Street. – Managed entrance and exit via Oldham Street. – Tib Street entrance will be closed.
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One-Way System – This will be in place in certain common areas of the building and again, must be adhered to by customers.
Reduced Capacity – A reduced capacity will allow for necessary social distancing across the site.
COVID-safe Traders – All traders have completed COVID-safe risk assessment and will be operating their own individual COVID-safe measures.
ATM and games machines will not be in operation.
The lifts will be closed – except for requested access only.
Afflecks
The Afflecks team and all of the traders have worked incredibly hard to ensure that the centre is a safe place to be whilst still allowing customers to enjoy the unique spirit of Afflecks.
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Whether that’s appreciating the incredible public art, individual vintage finds, a warm welcome from a trader, or that handmade piece you can’t get anywhere else, the re-opening of Afflecks presents an opportunity to support local, independent retail at its very best.
Speaking ahead of reopening this weekend, Andrea George, Director of Retail at Bruntwood Works – owners of Afflecks – said: “We’re delighted to be able to support our Afflecks family back to the building.”
“We’ve worked very hard, together with all the traders, to create a safe and sustainable independent shopping experience. We recognise how hard hit small businesses have been by this crisis and we’re committed to ensuring that the independent retail remains at the heart and soul of the high street as shops begin to reopen”.
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Afflecks will reopen to the public on Saturday 20th June.
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It will then continue to operate five days a week: Tuesday – Friday, 10.30am-6.00pm, and Saturday 10am-6:00pm.
You can find out more information ahead of reopening via the Afflecks website here.
News
Body of woman found in River Mersey last year finally identified after ‘extensive’ investigation
Emily Sergeant
The body of woman who was found in the River Mersey last year has finally been identified.
Following what has been described as an ‘extensive investigation’ by Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Major Incident Team to determine the identity of the body, which was sadly discovered in the river adjacent to Chorlton Water Park on 21 March 2024, the family of the victim has now been informed and supported by specialist officers.
The victim has been formally named as 38-year-old Laura Stanley, who was originally from Derbyshire but was living in Stockport.
After the body was discovered, and ‘exhaustive and determined’ investigation by GMP officers began to identify here, including detailed checks of both national and international databases.
The Major Incident Team (MIT) also closely worked in collaboration with specialist forensic service providers to create an anthropological profile, which eventually culminated in the creation of a facial reconstruction image.
Following several media appeals, a relative of Laura contacted officers and then a DNA match was confirmed through a familial link.
“Laura was a kind and gentle person with a great sense of fun and adventure,” Laura’s family said in a heartbreaking tribute to her.
“She was generous, thoughtful, caring and always keen to volunteer within the community. Laura was a proud and loving mum and she will be greatly missed by her girls and all of her friends and family who loved her dearly.”
The River Mersey, across from Chorlton Water Park, where Laura’s body was discovered / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
While Laura has now been identified, police say further investigations will take place to understand her last movements, the events that led to her death, and her discovery in the river.
Additionally, as is standard practice, GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate is also reviewing a previous missing report relating to Laura in the time before the discovery of her body, which will determine prior contact relating to Laura, and whether the appropriate measures were enacted.
#UPDATE | A woman who was discovered in the River Mersey last year has been identified following an extensive investigation by officers in GMP’s Major Incident Team.
Thank you to those of you who have shared our appeals over the last year.
Anyone who knew Laura and thinks they may be able to assist with the investigation is asked to contact police by calling 101, or by using the Live Chat Service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log number 1191 of 21 March 2024.
Alternatively, you can contact the Major Incident Team Syndicate 3 directly on 0161 856 9479, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
It is currently believed that Laura was last seen around January 2024.
Featured Image – GMP
News
More than 70,000 home buyers set to pay thousands after missing stamp duty relief deadline
Emily Sergeant
More than 70,000 home buyers across England are estimated to have missed the stamp duty relief deadline.
This sadly means they’ll be required to fork out thousands of pounds extra.
In case you hadn’t heard, up until yesterday (31 March 2025), anyone who was moving and had bought a home in the past was not required to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax, better-known as just stamp duty, on the portion of the property price up to £250,000.
But from today (1 April), this threshold has now fallen back to £125,000, which unfortunately means that property purchasers are facing an extra £2,500 in moving costs, on average.
While the end of the stamp duty relief will mostly affect those Greater Manchester buyers who had already previously purchased properties, first time buyers are sadly not exempt from the deadline changes too, as their current stamp duty threshold of £425,000 has now fallen back to £300,000 as of today.
Person holding the keys to a new house in their hand / Credit: Maria Ziegler (via Unsplash)
Given that the average property price for a first time buyer-type home is currently around £227,965, according to Rightmove, the new £300,000 threshold may hit those purchasing properties in more expensive areas – particularly the South East.
A third of those estimated 70,000 home buyers who have missed the deadline are thought to be first time buyers.
Leading property platform Rightmove published an analysis in February into just how much of an impact the end of the stamp duty relief would have on home buyers, all while calling on the UK Government to announce a short extension to the deadline to help people in the middle of the property purchasing process avoid potentially thousands of pounds in extra moving costs.
But despite these calls from industry leaders, there was no extension to the deadline announced in the last week’s latest Spring Statement.
“It’s extremely disappointing that the Government has not used the Spring Statement as an opportunity to extend the impending stamp duty deadline for those currently going through the home-moving process,” commented Rightmove’s property expert Colleen Babcock.
“We estimate over 70,000 people are going to miss the deadline and complete in April instead, and a third of those are first time buyers.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th June 2020 
