Sneaker 63, the super rare trainer store tucked beneath a sushi shop in Manchester‘s Chinatown, has left fans heartbroken after announcing it will be closing its doors for good at the end of the year.
One of the first high-end trainer consignment stores of its kind to open in the city, the shop helped to put the city on the map for sneakerheads with money to burn.
Rare pieces have sold here for upwards of £6,000, and over the years owners developed a reputation for getting their hands on some of the most exclusive drops first – often appearing at the shop before they officially hit the market.
But now, one of Sneaker63’s co-owners has revealed that the rare trainer store will be closing permanently at the end of the year due to a partnership issue within the business.
Taking to social media, Jack Chen shared a heartfelt statement on his personal Instagram story revealing that the time had come to close up shop for good.
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He wrote: “It is with a deep sadness that Sneaker 63 will close its physical store on 31st December due to a partnership issue within Sneaker 63.
“I appreciate you all and the support from the start till now it’s been amazing to see you all and also watch through the years grow and your collections and stories that you’ve told about how you’ve copped that pair you always wanted.
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“I’m gonna miss that a lot and everyone .. so I hope to see y’all soon before close …. – Jack.”
Image: Instagram
Unreleased J Balvin x JORDAN 2, first pair in hand in the whole of UK / Europe at Sneaker 63. / Image: Sneaker 63 Instagram
Jack’s former Sneaker 63 co-owner Dominic Hespe sadly passed away last year after battling an inoperable late-stage cancer diagnosis.
Since then, it appears there has been an ongoing dispute between the remaining business partners. Unfortunately, attempts to come to an amicable solution with the help of legal representation appear to have been unsuccessful. The business will close for good on the final day of 2022.
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Speaking to The Manc, Jack added that all the stock at the shop will continue to be for sale right up until 31 December before he starts to notify the sellers they need to take back their items.
Sellers will then have the whole of January to come down to Chinatown and collect their pieces from Sneaker 63.
Asked if this would really be the end, he said: “Sadly yes for Sneaker 63”, before adding “But it’s not goodbye […] I’ll be back stronger and better.”
“With the passion I still have left of what I’ve loved the most, hopefully I can rebuild something using that and it’ll be done for the community.”
Feature image – Google Maps
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Greater Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Dozens of local restaurants will be adding an extra £1 onto every bill over the festive season to help fight street homelessness.
People in Greater Manchester are once again able to give back while they dine at some of the best restaurants the region has to offer in the run up to Christmas, as the successful StreetSmart fundraising initiative is back for another year.
This year, 26 fantastic restaurants have come together to support local homeless charities as the campaign launched this past Saturday (1 November).
Manchester independents such as Mana, Erst, Climat, 10 Tib Lane, Ezra & Gill, Tartuffe, and Blue Eyed Panda are among those taking part in the campaign this year, alongside several city centre chain restaurants such as Lina Stores, Tampopo, Banyan, Manahatta, and San Carlo.
StreetSmart works by each participating restaurant adding an extra £1 to every bill they deliver throughout November and December, with all of the money raised going directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to StreetSmart’s official sponsorship from LandAid.
The funds raised by StreetSmart in Greater Manchester this year will support the crucial work of organisations such as CentrePoint, which funds Independent Living Advisors for young people, and Real Change Manchester, which plugs into the existing homelessness charities to provide that extra boost of funding that makes all the difference.
The StreetSmart team says it’s determined to deliver another record-breaking year in 2025, and provide much-needed support to the services that help some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas / Credit: Supplied | Rifqi Ali Ridho (via Unsplash)
“The festive period can be an incredibly tough time for the vulnerable people in our community,” explained Glenn Pougnet, who is the Director of StreetSmart.
“StreetSmart provides a simple way for people to help some of our city’s most in need. Giving back whilst dining out at Christmas is what StreetSmart is all about, and we’re thrilled to have so many restaurants already taking part.
“Every £1 added to a bill adds up and makes a huge difference.”
Featured Image – John Carey (Supplied)
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Police appeal for information after pedestrian killed on Mancunian Way followed earlier welfare concern reports
Emily Sergeant
Police are continuing to appeal for information after a pedestrian was killed on Mancunian Way during the early hours.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the shocking incident occurred at approximately 12:50am on Friday 31 October when it was reported that a Volkswagen Passat had collided with a man in his 20s.
Sadly, the collision was fatal and the pedestrian died at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a man in his 40s, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the incident, subsequent police enquiries have established that a call was made to the force shortly after midnight which reported concern for a man walking on the carriageway, and GMP says it believes the man in that report was the man who was involved in the fatal collision.
Officers were sent out as ‘high priority’ to carry out an extensive search of the surrounding area after the report was made, but it was said that they couldn’t locate him.
#UPDATE | Officers are continuing to appeal for information following the fatal collision on Mancunian Way this morning.
We have referred ourselves to the IPOC after reports that the victim was possibly spotted on the carriageway earlier that morning.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) October 31, 2025
Due to this earlier report, GMP has confirmed that it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to look into its response to the search.
The victim’s family is aware, have been updated, and they are being supported by specialist officers at this time.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is still appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV footage, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the incident.
“This is a tragic incident for all involved and we express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who has lost his life, and whom we are doing our utmost to support at this time,” commented Sergeant Andrew Page.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of the 31/10/25, or by using the ‘report tool’ or LiveChat function on the GMP website – www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Georgina Pellant -
28th December 2022 
