Manchester Memories of Deansgate Hulme and Piccadilly Gardens
New Piccadilly Gardens seen from Jarvis Piccadilly Hotel
I would just like to say how much i have enjoyed looking at your site. I was born in Hulme, moved to Wythenshawe in my mid-twenties, and have now lived in Wales for the last seven years.
Looking at your pictures, I cannot believe how much Manchester has changed. The memories came flooding back. I spent many hours walking up Deansgate to the town centre. I went to St Pius X school for the final two years of my school life, after St Ignatius boys school was closed.
The horror of a new school just sent a shiver down my spine when I saw that photo of it being demolished.
Recently I was in Hulme to see family and I was amazed at how many pubs had closed. When I started to go out drinking twenty years ago there was at least fifteen pubs within a ten to twenty minute walk of my house. Now there is only three or so.
The ones that have gone are: the Unicorn, the Mancunian, the Hope, the Bulls Head, the Star, the Grey Parrot, the Crown, the Falstaffe, the Little Albert and the Talbot.
Going back a bit further, there was a boat on the canal near Mark Addys bridge (not sure if of the spelling of Addy’s) that used to to be a night club. They had a plan there that was going to be a restaurant but I don’t think it went ahead.
And what happened to all the scrap yards down under the arches, e.g. Grestys I remember when i got my first car I was always there.
Barracks Park in Hulme is a place I will always remember from my childhood.
When we have people like you who put the time and effort into building sites like these, we should be grateful.
It’s a shame to say some things don’t always change for the better, but at least we can keep an eye on what’s changing. I also remember from the playground at school - I think it was St Ignatius - I could see the top of the Toast Rack building.
Recantly we stayed at a hotel in Piccadilly. I was mortified when I went for a walk round the gardens, only to find they were gone.
Whoever is responsible for that concrete wall should be… [had to delete Tony’s actual words, but we know what he means. EOM]
Keep up the good work.
Tony
Tony Edmonds
Hulme has changed beyond recognition twice in the last 30 years. That’s a very interesting list of pub names, which many residents of the old Hulme will recognise. The name Gresty’s is very familiar and has ‘under the arches’ type associations. I have very vivid memories of Piccadilly Gardens from my earliest childhood and from my teens when I used to meet school friends there. As for the new Piccadilly Gardens, the less said the better. Thanks very much for your message.