Pic. Mosaic artist Mark Kennedy's celebration of Bob Dylan's 'Judas' gig at the Manchester Free Trade Hall, 1966. As exhibited on the exterior of Afflecks Palace. We have heard that there is a possibillity that popular boho-hangout and alternative shopping haven Afflecks Palace may be shut down to be developed into more over-priced and badly made flats. Afflecks has been an important hub in Manchester's cultural life for twenty or so years now, and is arguably responsible for the regeneration of what is now known as 'The Northern Quarter' - an area that 10 years ago only the brave would venture into, but is now a mass of record shops, bars, galleries and trendy cafes. Over the years Ed Barton has had various eccentric and inspiring stalls and galleries within Afflecks. Johnny Marr used to work there and remembers Tony Wilson coming in to show him the plans of a new club he was going to open called The Hacienda. The original Eastern Bloc Records shop was located on the ground floor of Afflecks Palace on Oldham Street when it was being run by Martin Price of 808 State. The place was somewhere where you may bump into one of your musical heroes and is still a magnet for the areas many 'music-tourists'. With so many of Manchester's venues and pubs being closed down and converted to modern living spaces it would be a tragedy for Afflecks Palace to become a memory for a generation of music lovers. There is an online petition set up for people to add their names in protest of the proposed closure. Please add your name and help save this popular landmark to alternative culture.