Affleck’s Palace


The 8:15 To Manchester

Manchester Indie Bands Rail Map Art Poster by indieprints on Etsy

Manchester Indie Bands Rail Map Art Poster by indieprints on Etsy

via manchestergalore.tumblr.com

I’ve written before about the Radio 2 series The Peoples Songs. A few weeks ago, they did an episode about musicals and I tweeted about my desire for a MadChester based one. A piece of whimsy I soon forgot about.

Then I found out about Sunshine On Leith.

If the Proclaimers can have a musical, then surely there’s room for one dedicated to dodging the rain and the bullets.

It’s still whimsy, but I’m going to kick ideas around and something may yet come of it. I’ll probably have a list of songs from ’88 to ’93 that I’d love to see in a film before I have any hint of the story they’d be hung on. But it’s a great excuse to create myself a Madchester playlist and watch videos like this-


Tomatoes on Tib Street



Tomatoes on Tib Street, originally uploaded by spinneyhead.

Not strictly Tib Street, but in the shadow of Affleck’s nonetheless. Someone has made good use of one of the big planters which has lost its tree. As well as the large tomato plant there are also some lettuce, parsley and mint. Very pretty and I hope they get a good harvest out of it.


Just Affleck's

Affleck's Day

Affleck’s Palace has been rebranded as Affleck’s to mark the change of management. Sadly the mosaics along Tib and Church streets have gone as well. They’ve been replaced, but the cartoony images that have gone up aren’t as striking. Nonetheless, I’ll photograph them some time soon.

Wandering around the building on Saturday I didn’t notice any of the work Bruntwood say they’ve done on it, I was too busy noticing what had gone or moved. The good news is there aren’t many empty spaces and I’d be surprised if they don’t fill up soon.

Now, I promised someone I’d show her around Affleck’s. Time to see when she can make it.

More photos from Affleck’s Day.


Just Affleck’s

Affleck's Day

Affleck’s Palace has been rebranded as Affleck’s to mark the change of management. Sadly the mosaics along Tib and Church streets have gone as well. They’ve been replaced, but the cartoony images that have gone up aren’t as striking. Nonetheless, I’ll photograph them some time soon.

Wandering around the building on Saturday I didn’t notice any of the work Bruntwood say they’ve done on it, I was too busy noticing what had gone or moved. The good news is there aren’t many empty spaces and I’d be surprised if they don’t fill up soon.

Now, I promised someone I’d show her around Affleck’s. Time to see when she can make it.

More photos from Affleck’s Day.


Affleck's Day


Affleck’s Day, originally uploaded by spinneyhead.

Yesterday on the top floor of Affleck’s. More pictures to come when I charge my camera batteries and get the images off it.


Affleck’s Day


Affleck’s Day, originally uploaded by spinneyhead.

Yesterday on the top floor of Affleck’s. More pictures to come when I charge my camera batteries and get the images off it.


Affleck's demo


Affleck’s demo, originally uploaded by spinneyhead.

This is the demo of goths outside Affleck’s on Saturday, collecting petitions and being excited about something for once. With the last minute attempts to rescue the institution faltering the future still looks uncertain and bleak for Affleck’s.


Affleck’s demo


Affleck’s demo, originally uploaded by spinneyhead.

This is the demo of goths outside Affleck’s on Saturday, collecting petitions and being excited about something for once. With the last minute attempts to rescue the institution faltering the future still looks uncertain and bleak for Affleck’s.


Is the Yeti crying?


The Yeti, originally uploaded by spinneyhead.

As the future of Affleck’s Palace is looking very uncertain I felt the need to go there for what could be thae very last time and take some pictures. You’ll find them on Flickr in my Affleck’s Palace set.

I know I only visited once or twice a year for the last few years, but I’d really hate to see Affleck’s go. It’s where I bought my favourite leather jacket and there are loads of things there I know I want to get when I finally have some money.


It's not looking good for Affleck's

The management of Affleck’s Palace have still not receibved any notification from the building’s owers Bruntwood about renewal of their lease. So they’ve had to tell their tenants that they may have as little as two weeks left in the building.

If Affleck’s dies then it’ll take a big chunk of what makes Manchester special with it.


Affleck's future still uncertain

The lease for Affleck’s Palace to stay in its current building- after which it is named- came up on June 14th. However, nothing has been agreed between Bruntwood, the building’s owners, and the group that runs the arcade. Bruntwood say they will roll the lease over until a proper agreement is finalised, but also that the building needs refurbishment. They claim to support Afflecks, but with the real estate all around it shooting up in value, you have to wonder how long they’ll be able to resist the temptation for easy money by converting it to flats.