AN emergency town hall meeting has been called following rumours that Afflecks Palace could close within days.

Key players at the quirky shopping centre are expected to attend the meeting, called by the council's city centre spokesman Coun Pat Karney, as rumours circulate that its closure is imminent.

The M.E.N revealed last week that the building's management company had told stall-holders it was unlikely Afflecks' lease would be renewed since the landlords had given `no formal response' to a tenancy request.

Although landlords Bruntwood claim a new lease has been offered, negotiations have stalled and 7,000 protesters have left comments on the petitionspot.com website stressing the importance of the emporium to Manchester's identity.

The centre's future has hung in the balance for the past 12 months.

Coun Karney said the public was "fed-up" with the uncertainty and he wants to "knock heads together" to get an answer about the centre's future.

"The public are fed up of the confusion surrounding the future of Afflecks Palace," he said.

"Key players seem to be talking to the media rather than sitting down and talking to each other.

"Afflecks Palace is a hugely important attraction with enthusiasts far beyond Manchester's boundaries, and a significant component of the Northern Quarter's distinctive identity. I can assure people that the City Council will do everything possible to try to keep Afflecks Palace open and hopefully Thursday's meeting should go a long way towards clarifying the issues."

The closed meeting will take place at 10am at Manchester Town Hall.

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