Afflecks Palace - Page 6

flange · April 7th, 2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Afflecks celebration is April 12

By Simon Binns

Independent Manchester shopping centre Afflecks is holding a “celebration day” on April 12.

New owner Bruntwood and Afflecks stallholders are inviting people to the Church Street venue from 10:30am until 6pm where local artists, musicians and DJs will perform.

Visitors will also have a chance to become a part of the venue’s history, as everyone who visits and buys from the Northern Quarter centre will have their picture taken to create an original piece of artwork permanently displayed at the venue.

“Afflecks Day is the stallholder’s way of thanking everyone in Manchester for their continued support,” said Afflecks manager Tony Martin. “We want to make this market bigger and better and hope Afflecks Day will help us.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness....on-is-april-12

flange · April 11th, 2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Afflecks salutes new era

Deborah Linton

11/ 4/2008

MUCH-LOVED shopping emporium Afflecks - without `Palace' in its title - will celebrate a new era with a day of music, art and entertainment tomorrow.

New owners Bruntwood took over management of the Tib Street centre at the start of the month and will host an Afflecks Day party - with stallholders - for the public.

The indoor market has shortened its name to Afflecks from Afflecks Palace and a programme of home-grown Manchester entertainment, including DJing sets from Madchester favourites Tom Hingley, formerly of Inspiral Carpets, and Dave Haslam of Hacienda fame, are scheduled for the day, which aims to get customers back into the quirky shops.

Much of the centre's artwork, as well as the original name, went with founder Elaine Walsh when she handed over to Bruntwood.

Stallholders feared they would lose their businesses when Mrs Walsh did not renew her 25-year lease last year.

Landlord Bruntwood stepped in to buy the business in February.

The day will also see the launch of a new website, www.afflecks.com.

Eighteen pieces of artwork by Manchester University illustrator Tom Judd will be unveiled during tomorrow's celebrations.

The diverse shopping on offer inspired the artist to use a cartoon fox to illustrate a journey of discovery. The fox went on to inspire promotional material for Afflecks.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....lutes_new_era_

lamarkia1 · April 13th, 2008, 10:43 PM

Went to the open day, there was some nice artwork being done on the top floor. Got our picture taken to go on the new photo wall

jrb · April 14th, 2008, 09:28 AM

From Crains.

Afflecks traders optimistic but fearful of rent increase
Former tenants who left during talks go back to their stands
By James Chapelard

They're still fearful of a rent increase, but traders at Afflecks say they are optimistic about life under the direct control of commercial property colossus Bruntwood.

Formerly known as Afflecks Palace, the trend-setting emporium was relaunched at the weekend with art, music, new facias and a fresh paint job.

The idea was to give the embodiment of the city's independent retail a new lease of life after months when its future seemed uncertain.

Bruntwood, which already owned the freehold of the building on Church Street, bought out leaseholder Elaine Walsh in February following weeks of negotiation. The change of name was decided upon to avoid infringing Walsh's intellectual property rights.

A fox wearing a top hat, sporting wings and holding a whip features in the new crest-style logo, designed by advertising agency Love Creative. It symbolises the “urban creature” in Afflecks' customers, said Bruntwood.

Crain's spoke to several traders who said their rents, paid on weekly contracts, had stayed the same. The cheapest units cost £75 per week.

Carl Myatt from Afflecks Trade Association said he hoped Bruntwood would continue to promote the famous emporium, after they indicated they might put some money towards advertising and marketing.

He added: “Everyone is happy it is staying open and the rents are staying the same. I hope the spirit of Afflecks Palace will stay. They said the rents are going to stay the same. I am being open minded about it. I'm not thinking doom and gloom. I'm just happy I still have a business.”

Miki Christi, of jewellery stall Extreme Largeness, said: “There is a bit of a concern at the moment that rents might go up. But the fact they want to rebrand and relaunch is a good thing. It will breathe new life into it.”

Several tenants said Bruntwood had delivered on their promise to spruce up the place. The building has been thoroughly cleaned and re-painted and the owners have commissioned artists, including the Northern Quarter's own Ben Pepper, to cover the inside and outside in new work to replace the mosaics of famous Manchester figures which were removed in March.

Roxxy Watson, whose Strawberry Peach stall has been in Afflecks for 14 years, added: “The new management has taken a keen interest to promote us. It is in their interest to lease out all the units. The more investment they put in the better in the long term. If it is sold as a going concern they are going to bring it up to get the best price. It's just business.”

Tenants returning

Tony Martin, Afflecks' new manager, said a trickle of former tenants were now returning. He said: “We want to give Afflecks a new identity. It is evolving. It is time for a change. But we do want to keep it unique. It is early days but people have already seen the difference since we have been here. Our team are giving it a bit of love. We are cleaning it up, it was filthy before. We have got a list of people wanting to come back. We are getting an understanding of the business.”

Martin said six new traders had signed up and three stall holders who left during the negotiations have now returned, making the centre 75 per cent full with 34 shops. The shops coming to the iconic outlet are a clairvoyant, a CD store called Grunge Monkey and Call Girl, which will sell hand made T-shirts.

When pressed, Bruntwood would not commit itself to keeping rents at the present level for any specific length of time.

In February, the company indicated that it would seek to lease the premises to an operator with greater experience in running market-style properties.

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April 13th, 2008, 10:43 PM	#103
lamarkia1 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 93 Likes (Received): 0	Went to the open day, there was some nice artwork being done on the top floor. Got our picture taken to go on the new photo wall

April 14th, 2008, 09:28 AM	#104
jrb 10th February 2008 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Manchester Posts: 26,326 Likes (Received): 251	From Crains. Afflecks traders optimistic but fearful of rent increase Former tenants who left during talks go back to their stands By James Chapelard They're still fearful of a rent increase, but traders at Afflecks say they are optimistic about life under the direct control of commercial property colossus Bruntwood. Formerly known as Afflecks Palace, the trend-setting emporium was relaunched at the weekend with art, music, new facias and a fresh paint job. The idea was to give the embodiment of the city's independent retail a new lease of life after months when its future seemed uncertain. Bruntwood, which already owned the freehold of the building on Church Street, bought out leaseholder Elaine Walsh in February following weeks of negotiation. The change of name was decided upon to avoid infringing Walsh's intellectual property rights. A fox wearing a top hat, sporting wings and holding a whip features in the new crest-style logo, designed by advertising agency Love Creative. It symbolises the “urban creature” in Afflecks' customers, said Bruntwood. Crain's spoke to several traders who said their rents, paid on weekly contracts, had stayed the same. The cheapest units cost £75 per week. Carl Myatt from Afflecks Trade Association said he hoped Bruntwood would continue to promote the famous emporium, after they indicated they might put some money towards advertising and marketing. He added: “Everyone is happy it is staying open and the rents are staying the same. I hope the spirit of Afflecks Palace will stay. They said the rents are going to stay the same. I am being open minded about it. I'm not thinking doom and gloom. I'm just happy I still have a business.” Miki Christi, of jewellery stall Extreme Largeness, said: “There is a bit of a concern at the moment that rents might go up. But the fact they want to rebrand and relaunch is a good thing. It will breathe new life into it.” Several tenants said Bruntwood had delivered on their promise to spruce up the place. The building has been thoroughly cleaned and re-painted and the owners have commissioned artists, including the Northern Quarter's own Ben Pepper, to cover the inside and outside in new work to replace the mosaics of famous Manchester figures which were removed in March. Roxxy Watson, whose Strawberry Peach stall has been in Afflecks for 14 years, added: “The new management has taken a keen interest to promote us. It is in their interest to lease out all the units. The more investment they put in the better in the long term. If it is sold as a going concern they are going to bring it up to get the best price. It's just business.” Tenants returning Tony Martin, Afflecks' new manager, said a trickle of former tenants were now returning. He said: “We want to give Afflecks a new identity. It is evolving. It is time for a change. But we do want to keep it unique. It is early days but people have already seen the difference since we have been here. Our team are giving it a bit of love. We are cleaning it up, it was filthy before. We have got a list of people wanting to come back. We are getting an understanding of the business.” Martin said six new traders had signed up and three stall holders who left during the negotiations have now returned, making the centre 75 per cent full with 34 shops. The shops coming to the iconic outlet are a clairvoyant, a CD store called Grunge Monkey and Call Girl, which will sell hand made T-shirts. When pressed, Bruntwood would not commit itself to keeping rents at the present level for any specific length of time. In February, the company indicated that it would seek to lease the premises to an operator with greater experience in running market-style properties.