How did Afflecks go from a quirky indie bazaar filled with "vulgar tat" to a tourist destination owned by a big property firm? In this week's episode, Mollie and Jack explore the history of a Manchester institution, including the role it played in supporting generations of hopeful artists and entrepreneurs, the myth of two missing Banksys, and the "eccentric hippies" who dreamed it up in 1982.

With thanks to RHS Glow for sponsoring this week's podcast. If you find it a struggle every year to get into the Christmas spirit, we have the event for you. Glow is running at RHS Garden Bridgewater, from the 27th November all the way to the 30th December, with a series of awe-inspiring displays. There’s a brand-new illuminated trail that will enchant visitors of all ages with spectacular light shows every evening. Stroll through twinkling yew domes resembling hedgehogs, follow swirling snowflake lights and watch a thrilling light juggling show. Then kindle your inner glow with a glass of mulled wine and some roast marshmallows. Tickets are now available starting at just £12.95 for adults and £6.95 for children — click here for tickets and more details.

Recommendations:

How Afflecks went from quirky indie to part of a retail portfolio, The Mill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, the writer Jordon Francis tells us about Manchester’s African and Caribbean Over 50s clubs in Stretford and Moss Side, where dominoes allow members of the Windrush generation to relax, unwind, and share stories of the old days. It's a lovely story about community building, the importance of storytelling and why it's essential to preserve community spaces, filled with great insights about the game of dominoes itself (Did you know the game of dominoes originated in twelfth century China hundreds of years before it became a cultural phenomenon for the African Caribbean diaspora?) and some lovely details about a show at the Royal Exchange set at a dominoes tournament, centered around its cast telling personal stories about their experiences as black people living in the UK. Thanks to Jordon for joining us on this week's podcast.

Recommendations:

At Manchester’s African and Caribbean social clubs, dominoes are both leisure and lifeline, The Mill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Carlton Club, a beautiful social club in Whalley Range, is a phenomenal south Manchester success story, drawing in hundreds of attendees at its wellness, foodie and clubbing events every week. So why has an eviction notice been served to the Carlton Club? And how come some of the social club's own members are behind the eviction notice? Mollie and Jack discuss some of the key points from our two-part investigation into this topic, which you can read in more depth via the links below.

With thanks to Bruntwood SciTech for sponsoring this week's episode. Big ambitions for your business? You need much more than just a place to work. Bruntwood SciTech offers spaces tailored for your team, while connecting you to a 1,100-strong national community of science, tech and innovation-led businesses including the likes of Roku, AO and Deliveroo. Whether you’re growing your team, or looking to make stronger connections within a tight knit community, we can find the perfect space for your business to flourish. See workspaces in Manchester and enquire today.

Recommendations:

What went wrong at the Carlton Club?, The Mill

The Carlton Club saga: The Building Company speaks, The Mill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.