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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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”.
___
Afflecks will reopen to the public on Saturday 20th June.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
Castlefield is being transformed into Gotham amidst more Hollywood filming in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Castlefield, with its iconic viaduct and cobbled streets, is once again being used for big-budget filming as the latest Batman/DC Universe title, Clayface, looks to be setting up in the eye-catching Manc corner.
Whether it’s football kit reveals and brand shoots, BBC dramas or the next upcoming Netflix series, production crews can’t get enough of Castlefield, it would seem.
For those who hadn’t heard, work on the new Clayface movie revolving around the cult favourite Batman villain is well underway, and the North West has been used as the backdrop on multiple ocassions this month already.
You can see early glimpses of the set being put together down below.
Come on, how cool is it that we get to stumble on stuff like this right on our doorstep so often?
Speaking to The Manc, a source detailed that the set is being assembled today (Tuesday, 16 September) ahead of a single day of principal photography on what we can only assume is more Clayface filming sometime tomorrow.
While she could not confirm with us directly, she said, “If you’re a comic book nerd and look at the posters, you’ll be able to figure it out.” We’ve certainly been studying all the easter eggs already.
It might not quite be as dark and gritty as Gotham City, but this particular part of Manchester has been used in TV and film – especially period dramas – many times for good reason.
The Victorian-era steel structure, dark red brick and overall industrial aesthetic work so well when it comes to creating a believable and cinematic world.
Besides perhaps the most famous instance of Peaky Blinders shooting in these parts, you can add multiple music videos, several Manchester United and Man City shirt launches, and so many more that we’re starting to lose track.
As for Clayface, this isn’t even the first time the upcoming DC ‘body-horror’ flick has popped up in Greater Manchester.
Last week saw the equally striking Art Deco facade of the old The Plaza Super Cinema in Stockport turned into a fictional movie premiere to stunning effect:
Speaking of, another childhood favourite is filming here in Manchester right now, too.
Besides perhaps the most famous instance of Peaky Blinders shooting in these parts, the new Narnia adaptation by Greta Gerwig may just be one of the biggest projects that has ever landed underneath the familiar ‘birdcage’.
ln fact, it just so happens that there are actually multiple noteworthy small and silver screen works fighting over the Castlefield shooting schedule at the moment…
Manchester City staff member sacked after wearing Man United shirt to shift
Danny Jones
Man City have divided a fair few supporters after they sacked a barman for wearing a United shirt to their shift during the Manchester derby.
Although it’s not exactly surprising, the decision has ruffled plenty of feathers on both sides, as well as among neutral fans.
The Blues emerged victorious in the 197th clash between the two local rivals, winning 3-0 on an evening that paid tribute to the late, great Ricky Hatton, but another backstory looming over the fixture that caught the attention of football fans online was the City staff member who lost his job.
Working on concessions inside the Etihad Stadium before the game, the barman was made known to the official MCFC Matchday Support channel on X, who quickly confirmed he had been let go before the game even began.
In the since-deleted post, the home fan who reported the worker wrote: “Absolute joke – letting one of the bar staff in block 315 wear a United shirt on Derby Day.”
Although many City fans applauded the fast action by the club on the day, it’s fair to say that sacking him so soon that he didn’t even last until kick-off has rubbed many others the wrong way.
One Liverpool fan commented: “I hate United way more than City, but to sack him from a job because of an item of clothing is crazy. So, so poor from Manchester City, this. It’s just football lads, he’s not wearing a political or derogatory symbol. It’s literally a football team…”
Another neutral added: “Getting a minimum wage worker sacked for having a bit of fun instead of just winding him up is the absolute sad state this country is in.”
Even the ‘Out Of Context Football Manager‘ parody account chipped in, writing: “The guy’s been sacked for this. All he needed was a formal warning. I get he’s taking the p*ss – but losing a salary he might really need over this?!
While many have been even more outspoken in their response, as you can see, many supporters – be they Red or otherwise – have come up with arguably the perfect solution:
Manchester City are yet to comment on the backlash, apart from the initial confirmation that the still-anonymous staff member has been released from his position, but as for Man United, simply sticking him on the kiosks in the Stretford End could prove to be a very easy bit of positive PR.
Besides the growing frustration around the fanbase, as Ruben Amorim has yet to turn things around at Old Trafford (pressure was growing even before the derby day defeat), the Red Devils could no doubt do with some positive press for a change.
In fact, it was only earlier this year that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and the wider INEOS Sports administration sanctioned a second round of redundancies at United, with approximately 450 individuals losing their jobs.
That being said, although some have labelled the sacking of the now ex-City barman as “absolutely horrendous behaviour” for Man City, many jumped to quip back that “[United are] more likely to sack more bar staff, not hire them”, as well as simultaneously taking aim at their significant transfer spending.
Emily Sergeant -
15th June 2020 
