What was the first thing you bought at Afflecks? For Miki Christie it was a pair of fishnet tights, sticky black lipstick and a box of nag champa - a heady sandalwood-scented incense.
Fast forward 32 years, and while the stalls may have changed, and even the soundtrack too, these items are still on Miki’s shopping list. Now though, she is the proud owner of The Manchester Shop, which sits at the Oldham Street entrance of this alternative shopping mecca.
Like many who have either passed through or set up shop at Afflecks, there is something undeniably special about this place. Born in 1982, it was the brainchild of Elaine and James Walsh and despite its difficult location and the uncertain times in which it was established, it has continued to be a beacon for indie and alternative culture ever since.
In the same year Afflecks was born, economic decline spelt mass unemployment, the last commercial ship sailed in and then out of Salford Docks and down the Manchester Ship Canal, and major recreation centres like Belle Vue faded into obscurity. Yet, despite the tough times, a mood of resilience and rebellion was being spawned here in Manchester, ripe conditions for Afflecks to flourish.
So, when Elaine and James made the move from a basement near Kendals to the heart of the Northern Quarter, something quite remarkable happened. “I always say it was the acorn from which the Northern Quarter grew,” reflects Sean Berry of Panic Posters in the shopping emporium’s new portrait book marking its 40th anniversary.
“Sometimes I look back at the early eighties and remember there was nothing in the Northern Quarter, it wasn’t even called Northern Quarter, it was bandit country, that scary bit off Piccadilly. Before, it was pet shops and two types of ‘p’ shops, p**n and pawn.”
In 1986 Sean came to Afflecks and started working for Tom Bloxham’s poster shop, later taking over the lease in the mid nineties. He believes that the pandemic has actually played a part in boosting the shop’s fortunes. “It’s had a bit of a metamorphosis, partly due to the pandemic, but also the way it's grown organically over the years”, Sean tells me on a recent visit.
“When the pandemic hit everyone was shopping online and you had this homogenous choice of products from shops that you see in the Arndale and Trafford Centre - Afflecks felt different. I think people were starved of the hands-on, physical nature of shopping and it pulled them in with a vengeance after the pandemic.”
Like many other independent shops in the Northern Quarter, Sean was concerned that the pandemic may signal the end of places like Afflecks, but it appears to have gone the other way. “When we opened the first day restrictions were eased, I was really worried nobody would come into a shop ever again...(but) since then Afflecks has been so busy, footfall has shot up and people just love it.
“You can go into the Arndale and see the same shops you would see in Singapore, or Rio or Australia. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s a big portion of people who like the visual experience, the unique experience of things that you won’t get anywhere else and Afflecks provides that with bells on. It’s not just my shop, it’s all the others in here - you walk around and it's an adventure.”
It’s difficult not to be impressed with the variety of wares, knick-knacks and miscellanea you can acquire just mooching around Afflecks, but it's also a safe space for people to experiment and be themselves - a sentiment artist Baiba Auria, owner of Egoiste Gallery can relate to.
“After daydreaming about creating an accessible, contemporary and irreverent art gallery, Andrew Courtenay and I opened one in a tiny place on the third floor. I hated the way galleries are seen, they’re regarded as quite stuffy and scary especially if it’s a smaller one.
“I just wanted to find a gallery where people were comfortable and myself and my partner thought well Afflecks - this free, wild and creative space, where everything is possible.”
Since setting up shop around five years ago, Baiba and John have expanded twice, won awards and ultimately flourished as a business, having been given the space and support to thrive in this cornucopia of creativity. “It is the space I dreamed of, it still needs a bit of polishing, but you can come in, it doesn’t feel intimidating, and you can buy art that is signed by the artists.”
Many more of Afflecks most treasured artists, creators and shopkeepers are celebrated in its 40th anniversary book and exhibition space, a publication that newly appointed General Manager AJ Martyn describes as “a love letter to one of the city’s most beloved places, penned by the people of Manchester”.
He joined the Afflecks’ family in the summer, following in the footsteps of former general manager Tony Martin - a tough act to follow. But he joins at a time of resurgence and rejuvenation for independent shopping.
“I was really excited to come along and do what is probably one of the best jobs in Manchester, if not the country. Afflecks means so many things to so many people, it’s very mercurial in that respect, so there are a lot of different hats to wear.
“We’re very conscious of the history of the building but also to keep evolving Afflecks and keep it relevant. The pandemic was a watershed moment, especially for retail and independent retail, whilst it was tough at the time, now we’re seeing really great things.
“I think we saw older relatives adopt online shopping, but with younger shoppers - who are online shopping natives - we saw the opposite and we’re seeing across retail a desire to engage across physical spaces, have an experience and socialise with people they weren’t able to over the last few years. What better building in Manchester to get that exciting in-person experience.”
Everyone has an Afflecks story, including adopted Mancunians like AJ. “Shopping in American Graffiti for the last-minute Halloween costume stands out for me, as it probably does for all of Manchester. Trying on vintage clothes, crazy hats, and trying to work out if cowboy boots would suit me, but I also really remember Panic Posters and flicking through those poster decks.”
He’s also especially proud of the 40th anniversary celebrations, including a series of portraits shot by acclaimed photographer Paul Wolfgang Webster, who has work in the National Portrait Gallery and was commissioned to take 40 pictures of 40 people who have special untold stories about the place - like Baiba, Sean and Miki.
“I think the portraits highlight the individual spirit of the space, and what’s unique and special about these people, but it also feeds into that larger narrative of Afflecks being this massive spectrum of colourful personalities.”
Downstairs, we grab five with Miki, who is proudly surveying her store, The Manchester Shop. “We’ve been operating for eight or nine years now. This is my little love song to Manchester.
“I wanted to create something selling products based around Manchester, made by Mancunians in Manchester, for the people of Manchester. After a ‘Mini Manc’ baby grow? How about a ‘Buzzin’ R Kid’ tee, or a ‘Womanchester’ tea towel? Chances are Miki has you covered.
As you might have guessed, and like many habiting the space, her love of Afflecks is closely tied to her affection for Manchester. “I grew up North of the city and as a teenager was stretching to find my own identity.
“I’ve always been interested in subculture and things like that so Afflecks was a natural lighthouse for me. It was wondrous and amazing and a little bit scary and a tad dangerous because it was full of ideas and aesthetics that I hadn’t come across before.
Today, she watches on gleefully as she sees teenagers make the same excursion to Afflecks that she did 32 years ago - her shopping list of fishnet tights, black lipstick, and a box of nag champa still in hand.
“There are so many beautiful and amazing memories that I have of Afflecks. I think one of the most treasured is seeing people’s journeys, having young people walk through the doors and seeing them relax, get excited, find home, and be in the midst of people that understand what they’re trying to convey in themselves - I think that’s something I take from it every day.”
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