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The Run of The Mill
The inside story of Afflecks
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.
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How Afflecks went from quirky indie to part of a retail portfolio, The Mill
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The inside storey of the CIS tower
17:55|Hello and welcome back to Run of The Mill! This week, Jack is joined by new staff writer Alec Herron to discuss his latest piece about the history of the iconic CIS Tower, Manchester's first skyscraper. For the story Alec spoke to the former staff members of Co-operative Insurance, which inhabited the building for decades. They described a kind of vertical village, with a free canteen in the basement, a disco room, bowling alleys, saunas, a plush executive lounge, high-end restaurant and observation deck. Kind of utopian, also kind of Severance. Enjoy!If you'd like to sponsor Run of The Mill, email grace@millmediaco.uk.
£32 for two chicken burgers at Labour Conference, welcome to Burnham's Britain
30:43|Welcome back to Run of the Mill! In this week's episode, Jack is joined by our newest staffer Ethan Penny, who has spend the week at Labour Conference in Liverpool watching Andy Burnham's enchanting hold over the national Labour Party in action.
Corn! Cigs! Bikes! What can't you find on the streets of Manchester nowadays?
22:49|Welcome back to Run of The Mill! This week Jack and Ophira cover the holy trinity of the Manchester streetscape: cig butts, hire bikes and corn sellers. Plus: we call on you, the listeners, to send in your top alternate routes for when you're trying to avoid whatever bits Manchester City Centre you like least. If you'd like to sponsor an episode of Run of The Mill, email grace@millmediaco.uk
How much are Mancunians making?
20:59|Jack and Ophira have been walking around Manchester asking people how much they earn. In today's episode, they talk money, the conclusion of the Mill impostor saga, seeing Gary Neville in the flesh, and applying for a job as Burnham's new No.10 North media adviser.
The Mill v food court jester - LIVE?!
19:49|Welcome back to the Run of The Mill! All sorts has been going on: a Mill-imposter has been trying to make Reddit think we're investigating people we aren't; we noticed Peppa Pig put the Factory Records logo on a medal and demand to know why, we look at how Greater Manchester's most scandalous council got control of the UK's biggest public pension fund and ask if Manchester's padel boom is on the verge of going bust. Ophira and Jack are on the mics, and if you want to read their and the rest of the team's work, go to: manchestermill.co.uk.If you'd like to sponsor an episode of Run of The Mill, email grace@millmediaco.uk.
The absurd truth behind Educate and Empower
22:37|In this week's episode of Run of The Mill, Ophira Gottlieb and Jack Dulhanty talk through our latest story on Educate and Empower, a self-proclaimed charity. Its employees dot the city asking for £5 donations from the public, but in its offices - wreathed in cigar smoke - the company's owner Phillip Hanks doesn't see it that way. He calls them sales. And, despite making tens of thousands from those believing they're donating to a good cause, Educate and Empower has only made paltry donations to a few sports clubs. So what's really going on?
You live in a sleepy village, then a "face melting" festival arrives
15:11|In our latest episode of our newly rebranded podcast, the Run of The Mill (ignore our outdated Spotify name, we're working on it), Ophira and Lucy talk about the latter's latest story about Moovin' Festival, which has landed in the sleepy village of Compstall on the eastern edge of Stockport. It's 500 residents aren't happy. They aren't happy with it's face-melting rock, or Craic by The Creek Irish festival, or the country festival either. What they're least happy about is the attendees, who have turned their semi-rural paradise into a party-haven. Can Compstall overcome this community tension? Listen to find out. If you'd like to sponsor one of our podcasts, email grace@millmediaco.uk.
The Mill Mayoral election hustings roundup
21:08|In the latest episode of the Manchester Briefing from The Mill, Jack and Lucy discuss our recent mayoral hustings, breaking down each of the candidates' campaign promises and opening the floor to Reform's Sian Astley - who unfortunately dropped out of the event at the last minute. If you'd like to read more about the hustings, and the rest of our by election coverage, go to manchestermill.co.uk. And, if you'd like to sponsor a future episode of the Manchester Briefing, email grace@millmediaco.uk.
We take a tour of Burnham's new digs
21:40|In today's episode, staff writers Ophira Gottlieb and Jack Dulhanty recount a recent walking tour of all the places Andy Burnham could set up No.10 North. Jack has been speaking to the people who know Manchester's buildings best - the leaders of its development industry - to get a sense of what buildings would be most suitable to host a Prime Ministerial office. Which of Manchester's building's could withstand a bomb, a tank attack, or a cavalry charge? This is the place to find out. If you'd like to get in touch with any tips for stories, email editor@manchestermill.co.uk.To sponsor an episode of our podcast, or one of our newsletters, email grace@millmediaco.uk.