We went to 'weird' Manc institution Afflecks Palace to find out why it means so much to people of Manchester

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
It’s the ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of quirky, independent stores loved by Mancs and visitors alike. But what is it that makes Afflecks Palace so special? 

The building currently offers retail space to around 70 independent businesses and is right at home in the trendiest part of town - the Northern Quarter. But as we found on our visit, it’s so much more than an eclectic emporium that’s stood the test of time for more than 40 years - with people visiting and then making their lives in the building. It even hosted its first wedding recently.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lou Moon from Occult on the ground floor said: “I remember coming here when I first moved to Manchester in 2011 and just being blown away by all the choices of all the independent shops in here. It’s a real hub of acceptance and a place you can feel very safe. You get a lot of tourists too and they just love it here, it’s a bit novel and there’s also a real, welcoming, familiar feeling being here.”

Sean and Millie, the first couple to tie the knot at Afflecks Palace. Credit: Jody HartleySean and Millie, the first couple to tie the knot at Afflecks Palace. Credit: Jody Hartley
Sean and Millie, the first couple to tie the knot at Afflecks Palace. Credit: Jody Hartley | Jody Hartley

Sand from Milner and Sons says the place had a similar impact on him. “When I came to visit the city I thought it was the most creative place in the world,” he told ManchesterWorld.

“It was so weird, there was so much going on. Everybody here was categorically cooler than I thought I was at the time and I was like ‘yeah, I want in’. This is Manchester condensed in a little ball. If you’re a young kid coming in trying to figure out your style, what you want to be when you grow up then this is the place to get that tester of the different things that you have an actual interest in.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Welcome to the new Manchester World

'Ordinary Mancs, extraordinary stories'

You’re currently reading the new-look Manchester World and we’d love for you to have a look around the site and tell us what you think. We’ve got you covered however you digest your news. You can sign up to our new bumper Friday newsletter but if video is more your thing, you can follow us on TikTok.

Harry Schofield is another who enjoyed it so much he decided to work at Afflecks. “I came mooching around one day and fell in love with all the little niche stores around here and the people coming in here,” he said. “I actually came to the jewellery store where I now work and the people really make it. It really typifies Manchester’s community spirit.”

Alistair Hall, who runs the brilliantly-named Vinyl Resting Place has seen his childhood memories turn into a job at a place with “a heart to it”. 

“I first started coming to Manchester on weekends from school and this was exciting because there was loads of different shops and you had the chance of seeing people like Ian Brown or another local celebrity just shopping here,” he said. “It stands for independence and letting people blossom and just do their own thing. It’s a great thing. It all seems to revolve around money but this place has a heart to it.”

Watch our special video report from Afflecks Palace above. We’d love to here your memories of the place - email [email protected]

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.