Manchester’s beloved independent shopping hub Afflecks has reopened its doors to the public today following temporary closure amid England’s second national lockdown.
And it’s just in time to start getting the gifts in ahead of the festive period.
The reopening of the historic shopping emporium in the heart of the Northern Quarter marks the beginning of an “Afflecks Christmas”, and the whole eclectic Afflecks family will be open for the ultimate independent Christmas shopping experience, with Mancunians invited to shop local and small this festive season.
Over 50 local, independent businesses will be open for extra-special Christmas shopping.
All four floors of the building will be open seven days a week right up until Christmas Eve, and will be operating under all necessary COVID-19 safety guidelines.
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The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has undoubtedly presented an incredibly challenging time for the dozens of small, creative enterprises in the building, and the second forced closure of the year has had a huge impact on their businesses.
This means the retailers are even more delighted to be able to welcome their customers into the building again, with the support of the owners of Afflecks, Bruntwood Works.
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Afflecks
Speaking on the reopening today, Miki Christi – Manager of The Manchester Shop at Afflecks – said” We are so excited to be opening again, we actually cannot wait to see everyone’s lovely faces.
“It’s a weird Christmas and not the festive season we all know and love, but it’s more important than ever I think to give thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts and support local, independent businesses, so come and see us and let’s make this an Afflecks Christmas”
Andrea George – Director of Retail at Bruntwood Works – added: “We’re so pleased that our iconic Afflecks is able to reopen just in time for Christmas and a crucial trading period for the businesses.
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“We are proud to support the whole family of independent enterprises at Afflecks this Christmas, and they’re very looking forward to welcoming customers back”.
You can find more information on COVID-safety precautions ahead of your visit via the Afflecks website here.
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Drinks prices revealed as Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub opens inside T2
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Manchester Airport’s first-ever JD Wetherspoon pub has officially opened its doors inside Terminal 2.
The 300-seater pub – which welcomed its first customers earlier this week – is named The Belle Vue after Manchester’s historic showground.
Throughout the pub, you’ll spot design features that nod to the city’s sporting heritage – including vintage event posters and memorabilia, a ‘locker wall’ hosting trophies and other sporting exhibits, and a cricket-themed design in the carpets and bar panels.
Creating around 150 jobs in the process, The Belle Vue is the final planned new eatery to open in the airport’s redeveloped Terminal 2, marking one of the final steps in the super-terminal’s decade-long, £1.5bn transformation.
Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub has opened inside Terminal 2 / Credit: Supplied
According to the MEN, pints are priced from £6.20 for Carling and Coors lager, £6.45 for Budweiser, £6.60 for Guinness, and £6.70 for Poretti and 1664 Biere.
Prosecco is £9.20 for 175ml glass and £37.10 for the full bottle, while spirts and mixers are £6.80 for singles and £10.20 for doubles.
There’s also the classic Wetherspoons tea and coffee machines, where you can refill as many times as you like for just £3.60.
“It’s a proud moment to see the final new retail unit opening in our new-look Terminal 2,” commented Richard Jackson, who is the Retail Director at Manchester Airport.
“To be rounding off this 10-year programme by adding such an iconic name as Wetherspoon to the terminal is particularly special and we know that it will prove extremely popular with passengers. We think they’ll love the nods to Manchester’s heritage in the décor and design – and of course the name.”
The Belle Vue will be open from the first flight to the final flight each day, and food will be served from opening until 10pm.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd December 2020 
