in Places & People

Stunning Snapshots of Manchester in the 1960s

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In the 1960s, Manchester was experiencing a severe downturn in heavy industry, cotton processing, and trading, which led to high unemployment. Between 1961 and 1983, the city lost 150,000 manufacturing jobs. During that same decade, Manchester’s population declined from 662,000 to 544,000.

During this decade, several landmark buildings were constructed, including the world’s tallest building, the CIS Tower, and a new district of flats. Overcrowded and shabby housing was torn down to make way for tall, clean blocks of flats.

See Manchester in the 1960s through these fascinating vintage images from Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections.

#2 Display of Industrial Design students’ work at Manchester College of Art and Design’s diploma show.

Display of Industrial Design students' work at Manchester College of Art and Design's diploma show.

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#3 Hollings Building from the tower of Owen’s Park student residences.

Hollings Building from the tower of Owen's Park student residences.

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#5 Central Station.

Central Station.

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#10 Brown’s warehouse.

Brown's warehouse.

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#12 A fashion photoshoot by students at the Manchester College of Art and Design.

A fashion photoshoot by students at the Manchester College of Art and Design.

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#13 View across Piccadilly Gardens towards the Piccadilly Plaza.

View across Piccadilly Gardens towards the Piccadilly Plaza.

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#15 Shoppers outside the Marks & Spencer store.

Shoppers outside the Marks & Spencer store.

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#17 The Bank of England branch office building on King Street.

The Bank of England branch office building on King Street.

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#20 Whit Walk procession along Market Street.

Whit Walk procession along Market Street.

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#21 St Peter’s Square.

St Peter's Square.

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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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One Comment

  1. How sooty were those buildings!

    Whilst these images are a great snapshot of Manchester of that era, it was a very different place. Even in the ‘90s town was a ghost town after 6pm.

    And Piccadilly Gardens in the ‘60s had the sinister addition of Myra Hindley.

    Not everything in the past was better.

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