'Kendals is really good these days - but it feels like everyone's forgotten it exists'

I'm wandering around the shiny bright accessories hall inside Kendals - OK, technically House of Fraser - and wondering what bargains I might be able to snap up for myself. There are "20% off everything" discount posters hanging all around the store to lure shoppers in, so I'm expecting it to be busy.

I head on up to the first floor fashion department to browse a little further before heading up to the second floor to buy myself some new shoes. It's a Thursday lunchtime, the shelves are all well stocked, and there are shop assistants milling about adding clothes onto the rails.

But there's one weird thing missing as I make my way around Manchester's once go-to shopping destination - and that's shoppers.