I have some great memories of Affleck's which will probably be with forever. Used to love the buzz of making my way up the stairs following my ears in search of the heavy bass coming out of speakers in Fat City records' shop. Then searching for new import CDs and vinyl, knowing that they were at least two weeks ahead of HMV. Intoxicating.
Really interesting piece about a well loved Manchester icon. Personally I only really remember Oldham Street as it was in the 1960s. Affleck and Brown's was a place where I would meet my boyfriend, well, outside the store really as I believe it was quite upmarket in those days and not somewhere a trendy 16 year old wanted to shop.
As I left the city in 1971 Afflecks Palace had not even opened. I did, however, visit it in the 70s when it was very dark inside and smelling of joss sticks.
Lovely article. Made some terrible fashion mistakes empowered by Affleck's. Still wish I had my Gio Goi sweatshirt though.
I still visit occasionally and, for me, the spirit and offbeat nature of original survive but in a contemporary way. My teenage stepdaughter loves it just as much as her mum did. How many institutions can you say that about?
Excellent article. I have a long held fondness for Oldham Street. First Saturday job in 1978 was in Argos (now Turtle Bay/ Mint Lounge). Had my 19th birthday party in a room above the Millstone. In the Acid House years, Eastern Bloc which started in a unit opposite Leo’s shop, before moving across the road, was my go-to for music. Typically, Factory/Hacienda opened a merchandise shop in Affleck’s round about 1990 but didn’t bother telling anyone it was there.
My 17 year old son, who doesn’t want to dress mainstream at all, loves Affleck’s and when he has friends visiting or whenever we visit the city centre, he always wants to go round the clothes units (while I find an excuse to bob into Vinyl Resting Place) or just mooch round the place, so I guess Affleck’s is still what it set out to be, all those years ago.
Amazing article. Deep dive, Manchester centric. More like this. (I mean, everything The Mill does is great, but I liked this one a lot!)
Thanks Colin, glad you enjoyed
I have some great memories of Affleck's which will probably be with forever. Used to love the buzz of making my way up the stairs following my ears in search of the heavy bass coming out of speakers in Fat City records' shop. Then searching for new import CDs and vinyl, knowing that they were at least two weeks ahead of HMV. Intoxicating.
Really interesting piece about a well loved Manchester icon. Personally I only really remember Oldham Street as it was in the 1960s. Affleck and Brown's was a place where I would meet my boyfriend, well, outside the store really as I believe it was quite upmarket in those days and not somewhere a trendy 16 year old wanted to shop.
As I left the city in 1971 Afflecks Palace had not even opened. I did, however, visit it in the 70s when it was very dark inside and smelling of joss sticks.
Lovely article. Made some terrible fashion mistakes empowered by Affleck's. Still wish I had my Gio Goi sweatshirt though.
I still visit occasionally and, for me, the spirit and offbeat nature of original survive but in a contemporary way. My teenage stepdaughter loves it just as much as her mum did. How many institutions can you say that about?
Excellent article. I have a long held fondness for Oldham Street. First Saturday job in 1978 was in Argos (now Turtle Bay/ Mint Lounge). Had my 19th birthday party in a room above the Millstone. In the Acid House years, Eastern Bloc which started in a unit opposite Leo’s shop, before moving across the road, was my go-to for music. Typically, Factory/Hacienda opened a merchandise shop in Affleck’s round about 1990 but didn’t bother telling anyone it was there.
My 17 year old son, who doesn’t want to dress mainstream at all, loves Affleck’s and when he has friends visiting or whenever we visit the city centre, he always wants to go round the clothes units (while I find an excuse to bob into Vinyl Resting Place) or just mooch round the place, so I guess Affleck’s is still what it set out to be, all those years ago.
Write the book.
NOBODY needs that :)
Manchester and the world need to hear about your experiences.