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Manchester

A look at how Manchester has changed since the IRA bomb. Published in the What's On supplement of the Surrey Advertiser

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tonyjarnogreen
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38 views

Manchester

A look at how Manchester has changed since the IRA bomb. Published in the What's On supplement of the Surrey Advertiser

Uploaded by

tonyjarnogreen
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Whats On 21st November 2008 9

Cosmopolitan Manchester fulfils height of ambitions


by Tony Green
WHEN the IRA bombed Manchester in 1996, one could easily think that the terrorist organisation had adopted a new aesthetic policy. I suspect that across many sections of the city, the blast, which killed no one, was met with tacit approval. The heart of the explosion was at the ugly and ageing Arndale Centre, which had all of the architectural qualities of an air raid shelter anyway. More than 10 years later, the city is unrecognisable. As if taking inspiration from the Victorians who shaped much of the city, a massive regeneration project that coincided with and was accelerated by the terrorist attack, has provided an opportunity to improve the city centre. It was an opportunity taken. More than 1 billion has been spent on redevelopment which has led to Manchester reinventing itself. Abandon any ideas about cloth caps and whippets. The Granada Studios tour that allowed visitors to walk down the famous cobbles of Coronation Street has closed. Now visitors are invited to shop in Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, drink cocktails in any of a number of chichi bars around the city. More than anything, Manchester is a social city and driven by the large numbers of people who have gone back into the centre to live, there is an endless supply of watering holes and restaurants. Manchester does not have an abundance of landmarks, but those it does have are worth a visit, including perhaps the most iconic image of the city, the Town Hall, designed by Alfred Waterhouse. Tours can be arranged in the visitor centre next door. Unlike many northern cities, Manchester is not sentimental about its 19th century glory days. The Museum of Science and Industry explores the citys grimy history from its position at the centre of the cotton industry and the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Bringing things right up to date, Urbis

The imposing architecture of Manchester Town Hall. examines modern urban living with a constantly changing programme of exhibitions, one of which recently profiled Tony Wilson, famous for founding the now-defunct Factory records and the nightclub the Hacienda, now demolished. It is possible to stay in some of the citys more interesting buildings and top of the list has to be the citys latest landmark, the new Hilton Beetham Tower. Not only is the hotel in the tallest residential building in the country, offering views of the Pennines in one direction and the Cheshire plain in the other, it is home to one of the citys latest and most popular bars, Cloud 23 on the 23rd floor.Guests at the Hilton have priority in finding a corner. The chic modern style of this latest hotel reflects much of Manchesters attitude of embracing the new. The old is celebrated in other hotels. The Palace got its name from the neighbouring Palace Theatre, and occupies the former headquarters of the Refuge Assurance building. The Britannia Hotel takes up a grand Victorian warehouse which has an exterior illustrating a different style of architecture on each floor. Be warned however; rather like a ship, not every room has a window. These are described as economy rooms and are best avoided. Should visitors tire of the bars and restaurants, the city offers a wide range of more cultured evening distractions, from the regular concerts given by the Hall Orchestra in their new home, the Bridgewater Hall, to the wide selection of theatrical entertainment.

The 47-storey Hilton Beetham Tower in Deansgate. The Palace and Opera House theatres both offer familiar tourist fodder, usually touring productions on their way to or from the West End. More interesting productions can be found at the Royal Exchange Theatre. This remarkable theatre in the round is housed in a grand old trading hall. Its space age design is now more than 30 years old, but is designed to allow every member of the 700 capacity audience to be close to the stage. Its location in St Anns Square is close to the best shopping area, running from King Street to Exchange Square where another trading hall, this time the Corn Exchange, has also recently been converted to become the Triangle shopping centre. Manchester Cathedral is close by as well as one of the citys oldest buildings, the Old Wellington Inn. Thought to date back to 1552 it has been moved on two occasions, once to make room for the monolithic Arndale Centre. The second move was also courtesy of the IRA bomb, which also provided the opportunity to demolish the 1960s concrete monstrosity that surrounded the Tudor inn, now more suitably positioned between the Cathedral and Triangle Centre. Manchester has plenty to offer visitors. The small city centre makes travelling around easy and there is also the famous friendliness of the locals to ensure a city break here is both a surprise and a pleasure. Tony Green stayed at the Hilton Beetham Tower Hotel at Deansgate. For reservations, call 0161 870 1600. For Manchester Tourist Information, call 0871 222 8223.

In the heart of Manchester youll find the Urbis and Printworks complexes.

The Bridgewater Hall is the new home of the Hall Orchestra.

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