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Fascinating Photos Show What Manchester Looked Like in the 1960s

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In the 1960s Manchester was going through a hard time as the local economy was struggling due to high unemployment rates. Manchester lost 150,000 jobs in manufacturing between 1961 and 1983. Cotton processing, trading, and Heavy industry were also suffering a huge downturn. The Royal Exchange also ceased trading in 1968. The population also declined during that time. At the beginning of the 1960s, the population of Manchester was 662,000, and by 1971 it was around 544,000.

Many buildings, skyscrapers, housing schemes were built in the 1960s, old and overcrowded housing was cleared to make a way for high-rise blocks of flats. The city-center also saw major re-development, with developments such as the Manchester Arndale. In 1962 the CIS Tower became the tallest office block in the UK, and in 1965 Piccadilly Plaza complex opened.

Here below are some stunning photos from the 1960s that show what Manchester looked like in the 1960s. These photographs show streets, roads, landmarks, buildings, and everyday life.

Also check, What Manchester looked like in the 1970s.

#1 The Bank of England branch office building on King Street, photographed around 1967.

The Bank of England branch office building on King Street, photographed around 1967.

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#2 View looking north over the site of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in the mid 1960s.

View looking north over the site of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in the mid 1960s.

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#7 Manchester Whit Walk, 1966 Whit Walk procession along Market Street.

Manchester Whit Walk, 1966 Whit Walk procession along Market Street.

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#8 A group of five ‘K6’ public telephone boxes at the edge Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, around 1969.

A group of five 'K6' public telephone boxes at the edge Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, around 1969.

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#9 Interior of the Whitworth Art Gallery in the mid-1960s, after a refurbishment scheme designed by Bickerdike Allen & Partners.

Interior of the Whitworth Art Gallery in the mid-1960s, after a refurbishment scheme designed by Bickerdike Allen & Partners.

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#10 Shoppers outside the Marks & Spencer store at the junction of Cross Street, Corporation Street and St Mary’s Gate in 1964.

Shoppers outside the Marks & Spencer store at the junction of Cross Street, Corporation Street and St Mary's Gate in 1964.

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#11 The Lass O’ Gowrie pub on Charles Street in the late 1960s.

The Lass O' Gowrie pub on Charles Street in the late 1960s.

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#12 The elevated section of the Mancunian Way under construction in 1966.

The elevated section of the Mancunian Way under construction in 1966.

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#13 View of Hollings Building (aka the Toast Rack) from the tower of Owen’s Park student residences in 1967.

View of Hollings Building (aka the Toast Rack) from the tower of Owen's Park student residences in 1967.

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#14 View along Mosley Street towards Piccadilly from the junction with Princess Street in 1966.

View along Mosley Street towards Piccadilly from the junction with Princess Street in 1966.

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#15 ABC Television House on Mount Street, from the junction of Oxford Street and Lower Mosley Street, 1960.

ABC Television House on Mount Street, from the junction of Oxford Street and Lower Mosley Street, 1960.

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#16 View looking north along Oxford Road at All Saints, Manchester, 1966.

View looking north along Oxford Road at All Saints, Manchester, 1966.

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#17 Corner shop and terraced housing in Hulme c. 1967.

Corner shop and terraced housing in Hulme c. 1967.

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#18 View of the train shed from the goods entrance at Manchester Central Station in the mid-1960s.

View of the train shed from the goods entrance at Manchester Central Station in the mid-1960s.

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#19 View along Ackers Street towards Oxford Road, showing the Church of the Holy Name from the south east, 1960s.

View along Ackers Street towards Oxford Road, showing the Church of the Holy Name from the south east, 1960s.

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#20 Victorian office buildings on King Street in the early 1960s.

Victorian office buildings on King Street in the early 1960s.

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#21 John Dalton College of Technology from Cambridge Street, around 1967.

John Dalton College of Technology from Cambridge Street, around 1967.

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#22 The Plymouth Grove Hotel at the junction of Plymouth Grove and Shakespeare Street, around 1969.

The Plymouth Grove Hotel at the junction of Plymouth Grove and Shakespeare Street, around 1969.

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#23 The elevated section of the Mancunian Way and adjoining slip road at All Saints, 1968.

The elevated section of the Mancunian Way and adjoining slip road at All Saints, 1968.

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#24 The official opening of the extension to the Manchester College of Art and Design by Princess Margaret on 2nd October 1966.

The official opening of the extension to the Manchester College of Art and Design by Princess Margaret on 2nd October 1966.

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#25 View across St Peters’ Square to the Cenotaph, Library and Town Hall Extension, 1965.

View across St Peters' Square to the Cenotaph, Library and Town Hall Extension, 1965.

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#26 View of Radnor Street, Hulme, looking south-east around 1967 shortly before the redevelopment of the area.

View of Radnor Street, Hulme, looking south-east around 1967 shortly before the redevelopment of the area.

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#27 Diesel trains on platforms 5 and 6 at Manchester Central Station in the mid-1960s.

Diesel trains on platforms 5 and 6 at Manchester Central Station in the mid-1960s.

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#28 The warehouse of James Brown & Son at the corner of Portland Street and Aytoun Street, 1960s.

The warehouse of James Brown & Son at the corner of Portland Street and Aytoun Street, 1960s.

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#29 Albert Square and the Albert Memorial in the early 1960s.

Albert Square and the Albert Memorial in the early 1960s.

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#30 The Manchester City Art Gallery at the junction of Mosley Street and Princess Street, 1960s.

The Manchester City Art Gallery at the junction of Mosley Street and Princess Street, 1960s.

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#31 The rear of Peter House from Lower Mosley Street in 1967.

The rear of Peter House from Lower Mosley Street in 1967.

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#32 View towards Manchester city centre with Grosvenor Square and Oxford Road in the foreground, September 1965.

View towards Manchester city centre with Grosvenor Square and Oxford Road in the foreground, September 1965.

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#33 The Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) Building from Miller Street in the late 1960s.

The Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) Building from Miller Street in the late 1960s.

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#34 Portland Street on the eastern side of Piccadilly Gardens, early 1964.

Portland Street on the eastern side of Piccadilly Gardens, early 1964.

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#35 The official opening of the extension to the Manchester College of Art and Design by Princess Margaret on 2nd October 1966.

The official opening of the extension to the Manchester College of Art and Design by Princess Margaret on 2nd October 1966.

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#36 The George Inn on the junction of Radnor Street and Pinder Street, Hulme, left isolated by the demolition of surrounding houses and shops.

The George Inn on the junction of Radnor Street and Pinder Street, Hulme, left isolated by the demolition of surrounding houses and shops.

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#37 Boundary Street West shortly after completion of the Manchester College of Art and Design’s extension in 1966.

Boundary Street West shortly after completion of the Manchester College of Art and Design's extension in 1966.

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#38 The Reform Club on the junction of King Street and Spring Gardens, 1960s.

The Reform Club on the junction of King Street and Spring Gardens, 1960s.

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#40 St Andrew’s House (left) and Telephone House (centre), two newly built office blocks on the south-east side of Portland Street in 1963.

St Andrew's House (left) and Telephone House (centre), two newly built office blocks on the south-east side of Portland Street in 1963.

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#41 Piccadilly Plaza development whilst under construction in early 1964.

Piccadilly Plaza development whilst under construction in early 1964.

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#42 St Andrew’s House (left) and Telephone House (centre), two newly built office blocks on the south-east side of Portland Street in 1963.

St Andrew's House (left) and Telephone House (centre), two newly built office blocks on the south-east side of Portland Street in 1963.

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#43 A British European Airways (BEA) plane on the apron at Ringway (Manchester) Airport in 1964.

A British European Airways (BEA) plane on the apron at Ringway (Manchester) Airport in 1964.

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#44 The concourse at Manchester Central Station in the mid-1960s.

The concourse at Manchester Central Station in the mid-1960s.

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#45 The Scala cinema on Wilmslow Road, Withington in October 1969.

The Scala cinema on Wilmslow Road, Withington in October 1969.

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#46 The official opening of the extension to the Manchester College of Art and Design by Princess Margaret on 2nd October 1966.

The official opening of the extension to the Manchester College of Art and Design by Princess Margaret on 2nd October 1966.

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#47 Balloon Structure in the University Quadrangle, 1968

Balloon Structure in the University Quadrangle, 1968

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#48 Student fashion show at Manchester College of Art and Design, 1966. Held in the Assembly Hall in Chatham Building.

Student fashion show at Manchester College of Art and Design, 1966. Held in the Assembly Hall in Chatham Building.

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#49 View over Hulme looking north from near to St Mary’s church around 1967, showing the extensive area cleared in readiness for redevelopment.

View over Hulme looking north from near to St Mary's church around 1967, showing the extensive area cleared in readiness for redevelopment.

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#50 Preliminary construction work taking place on open ground on the east side of Hulme, around 1967.

Preliminary construction work taking place on open ground on the east side of Hulme, around 1967.

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#51 View over the the Victoria Park housing estate in Macclesfield, around 1968.

View over the the Victoria Park housing estate in Macclesfield, around 1968.

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#52 A student working in a workshop at the Regional College of Art, Manchester, around 1962.

A student working in a workshop at the Regional College of Art, Manchester, around 1962.

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#53 The woodworking workshop at the Manchester College of Art and Design in April 1968.

The woodworking workshop at the Manchester College of Art and Design in April 1968.

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#54 Burlington Street around 1968, with the University of Manchester’s Mobberly Tower student residences, Staff House and Refectory building.

Burlington Street around 1968, with the University of Manchester's Mobberly Tower student residences, Staff House and Refectory building.

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#55 Students (and the librarian) working in the library at the Regional College of Art, Manchester, around 1962.

Students (and the librarian) working in the library at the Regional College of Art, Manchester, around 1962.

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#56 The University of Manchester’s Mathematics Building on Oxford Road in 1969.

The University of Manchester's Mathematics Building on Oxford Road in 1969.

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#57 Terraced houses in Lucknow Grove, Hulme, mid 1960s.

Terraced houses in Lucknow Grove, Hulme, mid 1960s.

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#60 Entrance to the John Dalton College of Technology on Chester Street, late 1960s.

Entrance to the John Dalton College of Technology on Chester Street, late 1960s.

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#61 Unidentified street in Hulme, with a terrace of early 19th century back-to-back houses, 1967.

Unidentified street in Hulme, with a terrace of early 19th century back-to-back houses, 1967.

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#62 Crowborough Street near the junction with Ridley Grove, in the Hulme/Greenheys district of Manchester, 1967.

Crowborough Street near the junction with Ridley Grove, in the Hulme/Greenheys district of Manchester, 1967.

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#63 A student working in a studio at the Regional College of Art, Manchester, around 1962.

A student working in a studio at the Regional College of Art, Manchester, around 1962.

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#64 The Marist School for Girls, formerly the Denton Street and Bangor Street schools in Hulme, 1967.

The Marist School for Girls, formerly the Denton Street and Bangor Street schools in Hulme, 1967.

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#65 Rosamond Street West from Cambridge Street, 1967.

Rosamond Street West from Cambridge Street, 1967.

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#66 Ormond Street towards the (then) new extension to Manchester College of Art and Design, 1968.

Ormond Street towards the (then) new extension to Manchester College of Art and Design, 1968.

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#68 Radnor Street, Hulme, near the junction with Fenwick Street, 1967.

Radnor Street, Hulme, near the junction with Fenwick Street, 1967.

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#69 View over Hulme looking south west towards St Mary’s church around 1967.

View over Hulme looking south west towards St Mary's church around 1967.

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#70 View from Chester Street of the tower element of the John Dalton College of Technology in 1966-67.

View from Chester Street of the tower element of the John Dalton College of Technology in 1966-67.

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#71 Broomhurst Hall shortly after completion in 1963.

Broomhurst Hall shortly after completion in 1963.

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#72 The newly-built extension to Manchester College of Art and Design (now MMU’ s Chatham Building) in 1966.

The newly-built extension to Manchester College of Art and Design (now MMU' s Chatham Building) in 1966.

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#73 View across Hulme showing areas cleared for redevelopment, 1966.

View across Hulme showing areas cleared for redevelopment, 1966.

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#74 Oxford Road from the junction with Booth Street during the construction of the University of Manchester’s Precinct Centre in 1969.

Oxford Road from the junction with Booth Street during the construction of the University of Manchester's Precinct Centre in 1969.

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#75 Crowborough Street from the junction with Greenhill Street, showing the rear of the Webster Street School, around 1967.

Crowborough Street from the junction with Greenhill Street, showing the rear of the Webster Street School, around 1967.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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