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
News
GMP officer sentenced after hitting pedestrian during police chase in Rochdale
Emily Sergeant
A police officer has been sentenced this week after he struck and ‘seriously injured’ a pedestrian following a pursuit of a suspected drink driver in Rochdale.
35-year-old Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer PC Sam Lockley pleaded guilty back in January 2026 following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
The IOPC investigation established that, in the early hours of the morning on 19 November 2023, PC Lockley was driving a marked police vehicle with the lights and sirens activated, and attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver on Drake Street in Rochdale.
A short pursuit that commenced but stopped merely a minute later after the police vehicle collided with a pedestrian on the footpath of Rochdale Road at approximately 3:30am.
The evidence gathered indicated that PC Lockley failed to slow down as he approached and drove through the red traffic lights at the Kingsway junction, and was travelling at a speed of 96mph in a 30mph zone.
The pedestrian suffered ‘serious injuries’ as a result of the collision, and received extensive medical treatment following.
At a hearing back in February of this year, PC Lockley received a two-year suspended sentence and was ordered to carry out 15 days community service, while also receiving two-year driving disqualification.
Also following the investigation, the IOPC decided that Lockley should face a gross misconduct hearing to face allegations that his manner of driving breached the police standards of professional behaviour.
“We continue to liaise with the force about disciplinary proceedings,” the IOPC concluded.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe added: “My sympathies remain with the man, who sustained serious injuries, and all those affected by the incident.
“This was a complex investigation which relied on extensive amounts of data and expert analysis and the evidence showed PC Lockley drove at excessive speeds at night-time and although he was responding to a report of a suspected drink driver, it does not excuse his manner of driving.
“PC Lockley admitted he drove in a dangerous manner when he didn’t address hazards or warnings during the pursuit and ultimately by the time he saw the pedestrian, he was travelling too fast to avoid a collision.
“His actions that day have had long-lasting consequences and he has now been held accountable.”
Featured Image – Rawpixel
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Manchester Town Hall is FINALLY taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018
Emily Sergeant
A new era is on the horizon, as Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’ll be finally taking bookings for weddings and events once again.
That’s right… for the first time since it closed its doors to the public for what is the UK’s biggest restoration project to date back in 2018, one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks is soon set to welcome its first weddings and events in a decade – with bookings for the city’s most romantic address now open once again.
Manchester Town Hall has stood at the centre of civic life in the city since 1877, and for generations, couples have exchanged their vows within its walls.
Now, as it enters the home stretch of its restoration, the Grade I-listed building is gearing up to kickstart weddings and corporate events from January 2028.
Set reopen to the public next year, first up will be a series of celebratory reopening events – which are yet to be announced – before a phased approach will then allow the building and teams to be fully prepared to host commercial events again from 2028.
Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’s finally taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018 / Credit: Supplied
From its grand architecture and soaring stained glass windows, to sweeping staircases that offer the perfect ‘just married’ photo opportunities, this one-of-a-kind venue gives couples the opportunity to combine the romance and grandeur of a historic setting with the energy of a city centre celebration.
Inside the restored building, you’ll find The Great Hall, which is a magnificent setting with striking architectural character, as well as The Conference Hall, The Banqueting Hall, and The Reception Room, all of which offer equally characterful spaces that are perfect for private dinners, ceremonies, or corporate events.
The Lord Mayor’s Parlour is one of many settings overlooking the newly reopened Albert Square, while various elegant reception areas provide the perfect location for drinks and arrival moments.
“Our Town Hall is a real Victorian masterpiece and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the public once again,” explained Cllr Garry Bridges, who is Leader of Manchester City Council, as bookings finally open up this week.
“It’s a special building which belongs to the people and it’s great that they will be able to celebrate important landmarks in their lives, such as marriage, in its spectacular setting.
“The Town Hall is full of history. Here’s to many more stories being written within its walls.”
Want to be one of the first people who gets married or hosts an event at Manchester Town Hall once it reopens in 2028? You can enquire about booking here.
Georgina Pellant -
28th December 2022 
