There’s a certain eeriness in the air right now with all manner of odd happenings going on like dogs dressed as ghosts and giant inflatable monsters popping up all over town. Halloween is definitely approaching.
That can only mean one thing. It’s time to lock up some local personalities in a haunted Manchester location for charity.
The line-up for this year’s Halloween Lockdown includes actor, writer and former stand-up comedian Steve Edge from Phoenix Nights and Benidorm; former Lord Mayor of Manchester, now LGBT Advisor to The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Carl Austin-Behan; Sam Marshall from BBC Radio Manchester; and Mollie Winnard from Coronation Street. Oh, and me.
We’re going to be locked in on the top floor of Afflecks, Manchester’s favourite independent retail emporium, on Halloween to find out if it really is haunted and to raise funds for Forever Manchester.
Although it’s not known as one of Manchester’s most haunted buildings, Afflecks’ general manager Tony Martin says there have been been plenty of spooky happenings over the years. Afflecks traders have reported paranormal activity and the building is home to some secret passageways and ghostly storage areas – all of which will be included in our tour.
Guiding us will be ghost hunter Stuart Marshall who has visited hundreds of haunted locations all over the UK and has spent years searching for evidence of ghosts, spirits and other spooky entities.
He’s no stranger to supernatural happenings in Manchester, having conducted previous Forever Manchester Lockdowns underneath Barton Arcade and Old Granada Studios.
Our only way out is to raise as much money as we can for Forever Manchester, a fantastic local charity which supports a huge range of activities that help people in need across Greater Manchester.
The person who raises the most via their Just Giving page will be released first. The person who raises the least will be released last and left to face the spirits alone.
So please help me get released as quickly as possible by donating to Forever Manchester via my Just Giving page – just in case it really is haunted!