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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Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks season.
Bonfire Night may be loved by us humans for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that come along with it… but sadly, the November holiday isn’t quite so fun for our four-legged friends.
Loud bangs, flashing lights, and unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives are just some of the reasons why fireworks are frightening to pets.
Not only that, but with multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays across this time of year, pets are rarely able to pinpoint when and where the booming explosions are coming from, therefore creating even more anxiety around this time of year.
Classic FM will play calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
Which is why, for the ninth year running now, Classic FM is once again teaming up with the RSPCA for two Pet Classics programmes packed with ‘the most soothing and comforting classical music’.
The music has been handpicked to help calm and settle any anxious pets.
A survey by the RSPCA revealed that almost two-thirds (63%) of animal owners reported their pet was distressed during fireworks season, and that playing relaxing music was the most common way (36%) to help calm or prepare their animal.
Presenters Dan Walker, Aled Jones, and Dawn O’Porter will each host a night of the specially created programme to help keep the nation’s pets calm through the whizzes and bangs.
Dan will present the first programme on Bonfire Night itself (Thursday 5 November), and then as celebrations continue throughout the weekend, Aled will be on hand to bring some peace to Friday 6 November, and Dawn picks up the baton on Saturday 7 November.
All three Pet Classics programmes will be broadcast from 5pm to 10pm, and you can listen on Classic FM or Global Player available across the UK.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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What is the UK’s national dish? New survey reveals Brits’ pick in landslide victory
Emily Sergeant
If you’ve ever thought to Google the question ‘what is Britain’s national dish?’, then you probably came away thinking it’s chicken tikka masala.
But is that actually the truth? A new survey has disproved the claim, massively.
There’s no denying that chicken tikka masala – an Indian curry that’s actually widely thought to have been created in Britain – is a popular dish that’s loved by many, but despite what many headlines have claimed over the years, a new YouGov survey has revealed it’s not what Brits consider to be the country’s ‘national dish’.
YouGov conducted two online surveys earlier this month, made up of 2,079 and 2,104 adults aged 18+ living in Great Britain.
And, in their own words, Brits chose fish and chips as the country’s national dish, making it the ‘resounding’ winner with 49% of the vote.
What is the UK’s national dish? A new survey has revealed Brits’ pick in a landslide victory / Credit: The Manc Group
With nearly half of the overall vote, this puts fish and chips far ahead of the roast dinner in second place, which only 24% of people picked – including the 6% who made sure to specify a beef roast.
In fact, only 3% of Brits actually name chicken tikka masala as the UK’s national dish, although 52% in the survey did confess that they eat some form of curry at least once a month, so it is still a popular pick regardless.
Fish and chips is by far the most common answer across all generations too, according to the survey (45-50%), with the biggest difference between age groups being that 18-24 year olds are less likely to have nominated roast dinner and more likely to have chosen chicken tikka masala instead.
What do Brits say is the UK’s national dish?
Fish and chips – 49%
Roast dinner – 24%
Chicken tikka masala – 3%
Curry (non-specific) – 2%
Full English breakfast – 2%
Bangers and mash – 1%
Cottage or shepherd’s pie – 1%
Other – 3%
Don’t know – 15%
The survey also showed that, of the three top contenders for the UK’s national dish, roast dinners are the most frequently eaten, as 52% of people said they eat them on a monthly basis – including 16% who do so every week.
Aside from the frequently mentioned dishes, some survey respondents also gave shoutouts to the full English breakfast (2%), bangers and mash (1%), and cottage or shepherd’s pie (1%).
Emily Sergeant -
2nd September 2020 
