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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Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester
Emily Sergeant
Today is National Doughnut Day, and to celebrate, Morrisons is on the look-out for one sweet treat fan to take on a new role.
That’s right – today (5 June) is National Doughnut Day, and Morrisons is officially on the hunt for the nation’s ultimate doughnut devotee with the launch of its brand-new (and delicious) role, The Chief Doughnut Tester – with all glaze enthusiasts, sprinkle connoisseurs, and jam-filled aficionados urged to get applying.
The search is on to crown one lucky fan who’ll take on the dream job of taste-testing their way through the supermarket‘s range of doughnuts.
The Chief Doughnut Tester is more than just a title, Morrisons says it’s ‘serious business’.
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester / Credit: Morrisons
The new hire will be tasked with taste-testing doughnuts before they hit the shelves, giving verdicts on new flavours and textures, all in the name of research.
The role will also involve teaming up with Morrisons’ internal doughnut-expert team to develop new and limited-edition treats that’ll be in stores next year.
Crowned as the nation’s definitive doughnut authority, the selected winner won’t just earn the title of Chief Doughnut Tester, they’ll also receive the ultimate of sweet perks – a year’s free supply of Morrisons fresh doughnuts, which the retailer sells more than 1.1 million of weekly.
Aspiring Chief Doughnut Testers can apply on the Morrisons website here, by filling in a short 200-words about why’re the ideal candidate.
Applications close at midnight tonight (Friday 5 June), so you’ll need to be quick.
Featured Image – Annie Spratt (via Unsplash)
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First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd December 2020 
