TRADERS at Afflecks Palace could be evicted in two weeks. Stall-holders received the news from the shopping centre's management in a hand-delievered letter on Saturday.
It states that unless bosses hear from landlords Bruntwood before January 19, they will be given a week's notice to pack up.
More than 100 traders at the Northern Quarter centre have been operating in limbo since their lease expired last June.
No new agreement has been reached and the letter will come as a crushing blow to those who hoped the 25-year-old centre would be saved.
The document claims that management have received no `formal response' from Bruntwood to a tenancy request notice served in October.
It adds: "We can only assume therefore that they do not intend to offer us a new lease".
John Chapman, a chartered surveyor representing Afflecks Palace in negotiations over a new lease, said the letter was sent out to keep stallholders up to date.
He added: "It is not a notice of eviction - it is a letter of information."
Nobody from Bruntwood was available for comment.
Afflecks, on the site of the old Afflecks & Brown department store on Oldham Street, is widely regarded as the heart of the city's thriving Northern Quarter.
Generations of youngsters have flocked to its stalls to snap up alternative fashions and accessories. It is known as the launching pad for many fashion success stories and can include Red Or Dead designer Wayne Hemmingway among its famous alumni.
Last year, just months before the old lease was due to end, the M.E.N. revealed that a stand-off developed between Afflecks managers and Bruntwood and no meetings were held.
That sparked outrage and a petition demanding the centre remain open was signed by almost 5,000. Since then, talks have been held between the centre's management and Bruntwood.
But the letter paints a grim picture for Afflecks' future.
Stallholder Leoncia Murphy, 25, described the indoor market as an `institution'.
She said: "The city will lose out if this happens.
"It looks as though it could be the end of an era unless somebody rich can find somewhere else for us."
What do you think? Have your say.
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stephenc, prestwich (06/01/2008 at 15:06)
Ms D, Manchester (06/01/2008 at 18:16)
whistlingdixy (06/01/2008 at 21:13)
David, Manchester (06/01/2008 at 22:35)
Chris, Oldham (07/01/2008 at 11:50)
If people only wanted to save Afflecks for the sake of nostalgia, then this might get a bit tiresome. However, its still a masive draw, and kids from across the country know and love Afflecks. Its not just a Mcr institution, its a centre for alternative culture.
Pipski, Manchester (07/01/2008 at 12:27)
flo, Manchester (07/01/2008 at 14:25)
Why would anyone want to visit here now when it's the same as everywhere else?
ant (07/01/2008 at 14:57)
The possible closure of Afflecks Palace with the prospect of 100 traders losing their businesses is far more important than that of Amir Khan getting fined and banned from driving for speeding.
ace, manchester (07/01/2008 at 15:32)
David, Manchester (07/01/2008 at 15:33)
The City Council needs to get to work providing a space for alternative traders like those in Afflecks. Manchester needs a permanent home for alternative traders. If it doesn't get one then it is the end.
SamV, Manchester (07/01/2008 at 15:42)
Bruntwood may be able to squeeze more money from the property through redevelopment, however as it is, Afflecks could add some interest to their propery portfolio.
SamV, Manchester (07/01/2008 at 15:44)
cllr.pat karney (07/01/2008 at 16:16)
Giles, Voice of City Fans (07/01/2008 at 16:33)
North Bury, Bury (07/01/2008 at 16:34)
http://www.bruntwood.co.uk/news/18/
ace, manchester (07/01/2008 at 16:39)
The council and planners are ripping the heart out of manchester? they did this in the 1960s by ripping important communities appart and destroying important buildings and places of interest (all for the sake of developers) But a city is more than just a bunch of planners and developers a heart of a city is made by people and communities.Which these people are not bothered about they only care about "MONEY" .
Anthony B, COLWYN BAY (07/01/2008 at 16:40)
lou185, manchester (07/01/2008 at 17:46)
sms (07/01/2008 at 18:03)
The reason the northern quarter, and Manchester as a whole, have gained such popularity is due to places like afflecks. It would be a crime to shut it down. Not least because it's the closest thing the kids have got too to a youth club. We are so behind other European countries when it comes to providing the essentials the young population needs.
Please don't let our city become a victim of its own success and stand up against turning afflecks into yet another block of flats. Please!!!
Giles, Voice of City Fans (07/01/2008 at 20:47)
David, Manchester (07/01/2008 at 21:51)
http://www.bruntwood.co.uk/news/18/
it is indeed disgusting that this man Michael Ogelsby's firm is destroying 100 livelihoods and this man has a range of fancy posts on government bodies. I am totally against a respectable position like Sheriff of Greater Manchester being given to someone ruining Manchester. The website says he gets his Sheriff at the Town Hall on April 19. It's a scandal and Manchester's politicians should block this.
Andrew, Manchester (07/01/2008 at 22:55)
ktb, Bury (07/01/2008 at 23:57)
Kodi, Manchester (08/01/2008 at 13:39)
First the Corn Exchange, then the Coliseum, and now the last stand of originality and quirkiness in Manchester's retail offerings: Afflecks.
People come from all over the country to shop at Afflecks, BECAUSE it is different and unique. To get rid of it just so yet more greedy developers can destroy the last corner of non-mainstream shopping and build more bland, over-priced flats for over-paid sales executives is insane and unjust. The Council should stop this. They say they're keen to tout the Northern Quarter as a funky unusual place, full of creatives, original thinkers and free spirits, so they should put their money where their mouths are and actually defend a place which, apart from anything else, is one of the precious few tourist attractions we have left in the city. I can't begin to say how angry this makes me. It's as senseless as the time when an idiot who bought a new flat next to Night and Day on Oldham Street tried to get the venue closed down... because it was too noisy! Thankfully, that insanity was quashed, and I pray that this will be too.
erin.emergency (08/01/2008 at 17:46)
it would be like taking away the bohemian heart of manchester.
its just so wrong.
masses of people go there for its different style and its where alot of people feel accepted.
its like a second home to many people, and the afflecks style is something you wont find anywhere else is manchester. why ruin manchester by taking away this amazing place.
i almost cried when i found out afflecks might be closing for real. it gives people somewhere to go during the week and at the weekend. where they can be themselves and buy things unique.