We’re lucky enough to live in a city with a world-beating pop culture heritage. The face of this place has changed dramatically even in the time Manchester’s Finest has been operating. But, despite the rampant redevelopment and sights increasingly set on sky-scraping towers, there are still plenty of bonafide institutions situated closer to street level. Places that reflect a more independent attitude which, for many, defines what our hometown has always been about. Enter Afflecks Palace, or Afflecks, an address that arguably makes the strongest case for what we mean. Welcome to DIY retail heaven.
First opening in 1982, Afflecks is one of the most iconic assets in the Northern Quarter. A vibrant and eclectic market spread over multiple floors of a historic building, today this goldmine boasts more than 60 small shops spanning a multitude of interests. Easy to lose yourself in, harder to eject yourself from, each level has its own handy directory to show what’s on offer, with store owners pictured alongside details of what they sell, adding to a sense of community and individual identity.
Encouraging disruptive and trailblazing ideas — the true spirit of Manchester — on our most recent trip Afflecks was brimming with life mid-Monday morning. Once inside, we browsed vintage and rare records at Vinyl Resting Place, experienced Reiki healing at Higher Vibe Tribe, perused an entire unit full of pin badges, and then managed to find what claims to be the UK’s last remaining cassette shop. Later, we grabbed a bite and fresh cup of Joe, then hit some clothes rails to scour an abundance of one-offs. Truly like no other place we know of in the city, or anywhere else we’ve been lucky enough to shop, the fact this labyrinthine gem has never had more shops open in its 40-year-plus history is commendable.