Afflecks landlords hit back

Mike Keegan

January 08, 2008

| Submit Comments | Comments (10) | Previous | Next

THE landlords of Afflecks Palace have hit out after the building's management company told stallholders they could be forced to pack up this month.

As revealed in yesterday's M.E.N, traders were given a hand-delivered letter on Saturday from the centre's management.

It claimed that landlords Bruntwood had given no `formal response' to a tenancy request served in October. It said: `We can only assume that they do not intend to offer us a new lease'.

The letter advised stallholders that if nothing was heard by January 19, they would be given a week's notice.

But a spokesman for Bruntwood has expressed surprise at its content.

He said that a new lease had been offered - and added that the January 19 deadline `has no significance' to Bruntwood. He said in a statement: "We have been surprised to read some of the recent reports about Afflecks Palace and we share the concerns of stallholders.

"Our direct relationship is not with stallholders, but with Elaine Walsh, who trades as Afflecks Palace, and our understanding has been that she was committed to renewing her lease.

"We remain focused on finding a solution, but this is dependant on Elaine Walsh's commitment to run her own business.

"In the meantime, Afflecks Palace has a legal right to occupy the building and to a new lease."

Elaine Walsh would not make any comment on the matter.

Stallholders have been working in limbo since the old lease expired in June last year.

The M.E.N. revealed months before the lease was due to end that a stand-off had developed between Afflecks managers and Bruntwood.

That sparked outrage and fears that the 25-year-old Northern Quarter establishment could be facing the axe.

Since then, talks have been held between the centre's management and Bruntwood.

But the letter seemed to indicate that those talks were at stalemate.

If the axe was to fall on Afflecks, the popular Arcade in the same building would not be affected.

What do you think? Have your say.

You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video.

460

275

Vsj_PY6G8nI

false

Articles

Afflecks traders face boot

| Submit Comments | Comments (10) | Previous | Next

Showing comments 1 to 10 and replies | View All

rob masters (08/01/2008 at 10:06)

Funny how Bruntwood claim to be in the same position information-wise as the stallholders. It would be wise to reflect on who would benefit from the current situation. Would it be Elaine Welsh, for whom all uncertainties lead to a loss of stallholders and therefore a loss of income, and for whom the end of Afflecks Palace holds absolutely NO financial benefits? Or might it be Bruntwood,who stand to regain vacant posession of a building that friendly urban developers are just gagging to get their mitts on?
One might consider as well which of these parties might be considered to be the one in the position that they could say whatever they want with impunity-would that be the small limited company or the massive property giant?
Also, could any councillor outline any way in which they have acted to forstall the end of Afflecks? For example by minimising any rise in a markets license fee?

Big Mike, Manchester (08/01/2008 at 13:01)

It has started
The mud has started to be thrown by the big boy’s !

May I start by saying
In the six years I held a unit at Afflecks Palace,
I found Elaine Walsh (who is Afflecks Palace) to be the amazing person!
Unlike the big corporate businesses that own, control and choke the city we work and now live in.
Afflecks palace has always given its support to anyone who wanted to try and bring something different to the world for retail.
There is always mention of “Red or Dead” Mark Hemingway and Tom Bloxham starting out in Afflecks Palace, but once you clime so high do you ever look down, do you ever look back ?
Do you remember were you come from and who helped you get your first taste of success?
Take the time to look up when you are in Manchester and see who has placed its mark on your city.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a success!
But at what cost? What damage is done to our city?
Separate the good from the bad, the company from the individual!
Here’s to you “The Manchester Developer” keep Building, keep Improving, keep Control.
Mike.

Pete Jones (08/01/2008 at 15:34)

It would be a real shame to let Affleck's die after 25 years. The first time my big sister took me to Oldham Street when she was a student in Manchester was an experience that helped shape my most formative years - I thought Affleck's was the coolest thing in the whole world, and it was a big part of what made me fall in love with the city.
As a mecca for the city's youth seeking to express themselves, get a cheap pair of retro pumps, or just cover their halls room in Morrissey posters, it has been and should continue to be an important part of Manchester's cultural identity, the fabric of the city, and just a really cool place to be. SAVE AFFLECK'S!

Poolie, salford (08/01/2008 at 19:52)

i first worked in afflecks 22 years ago, and have returned back there to work many many times, the last time only a couple of years ago. it's one of the places that put the great into greater manchester. and this is all down to elaine. she has always worked relentlessly to keep afflecks the original and the best. but as we all have seen over the years, bruntwood have also been working relentlesly to make manchester into just another large profit making scheme for thier bank balance. if and when the doors close for the last time, i for one will be proper gutted and angry that another great thing about manchester has been commited to the history books by the men with the fat wallets. all i can do is thank elaine for the many years of love and devotion she has given to providing and making afflecks such a great place, and in the process giving us a top place to work and shop!!
cheers elaine. xxx

jimbibob (08/01/2008 at 21:14)

it would be an outrage to see this place go to waste, it is the heart and soul of REAL shopping, i dont know what they are thinking of doing with it, but i imagine its going to be flats! STUPID

there are hundreds of jobs at stake, and all off the stall owners but there life into the running of theres! bruntwood would be essentially throwing them out onto the streets with nowhere to go! and for what? just so they can make sum money which they can make elsewhere? its a disgrace!

Keep Afflecks - Keep Culture!

darkone, manchester (09/01/2008 at 14:59)

it would be a great tragedy if afflecks weere to close. where would yopung people go then. famopus faces have passed through its doors

Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells (09/01/2008 at 15:37)

It's good to see that there are some intelligent people who can see beyond the corporate BS and political whitewash and see what is going on. It's just a shame that the council appear to be doing absolutely nothing to safeguard something so iconic. But maybe that's another story.... Bring on the trendy wine bar, eh?

tantrum (09/01/2008 at 17:12)

What a horrible situation, my heart goes out to Elaine who is fully committed to keeping the centre going - as previous comments state she has so much to lose and nothing to gain from the closure of Afflecks Palace.
No-one but the management and the landlords know on what terms a new lease has been offered by the landlords & whether it is a finacially viable proposition for the management (combined with the market traders license, the insurance, upkeep and service charges etc), we can only speculate. But based on the comments supplied by Bruntwoods it seems that a lease was put together to suit their terms, basically saying Elaine can take it or leave it which neatly shifts any blame for the closure from themselves onto her shoulders.

dandaman2099, chorley (09/01/2008 at 17:59)

u cant! thts nt fair on all the people who enjoy going to afflecks! i go atleast 5 times in 2 weeks with my friends and its the best place to be. theres a major assortment of stock and more than enuf people go there.

Fez (10/01/2008 at 20:41)

Throughout all the speculation and gossip one person has, as yet, not said a word. Come on Elaine, tell us what is really going on and clear the air. If Bruntwood really are the bad guys, tell us how and why!

()

Report

News