Manchester’s beloved independent shopping emporium Afflecks has recently been named in the top 10% of tourist attractions in the world.
The influential TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards – which takes place annually and sees TripAdvisor comb through reviews, ratings and comments from travellers across the globe and use that information to award the very best attractions – has featured Afflecks in the prestigious 2020 list.
This award means that Afflecks is in the top 10% rated visitor destinations in the world, and confirms the opinion of the thousands of loyal fans who flock to the shopping emporium every year.
Afflecks has long been celebrated as a bastion of Manchester’s famous independent and creative spirit, and a safe space in the city. Established in 1982, Afflecks has become famous the world over for its eclectic and eccentric shops and services and the hugely diverse and creative enterprises that the emporium supports.
Spread over three floors, the impressive, bohemian, maze-like environment is perfect for exploring.
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Afflecks
Afflecks remains one of the city’s longest-standing retail experiences.
It was saved from closure back in 2010 by Bruntwood Works – who still own and operate the building to this day – and currently supports over 60 independent traders within the building, from tattoo artists to fashion boutiques.
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Afflecks is undoubtedly a hive of creativity and a safe space for independent entrepreneurs, artists and makers to start out, experiment and grow, so it’s brilliant to see it awarded the accolades it deserves.
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Andrea George – Director of Retail for Bruntwood Work – said: “We’re delighted to receive this accolade from TripAdvisor. Mancunians have long known that Afflecks is the greatest, independent shopping experience there is and it’s wonderful to hear that the whole world agrees.
“Afflecks is part of the heart and soul of Manchester. Disruptive, different, independent, individual, trailblazing. It embodies the spirit of the city perfectly and that is why it holds such a special place in the hearts of the community and is beloved of visitors from around the world.
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“It’s a great award for Afflecks and for Manchester, and showcases just how far reaching the influence of our emporium is.”
You can find more information via the Afflecks website here.
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Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd September 2020 
