In the early 1980s, several traditional and local industries were declining and many of them were closed under the radical economic restructuring often known as Thatcherism. The traffic on Port of Manchester was declined and eventually, the port closed in 1982. However, the city was also developed rapidly in the 1980s. On November 5, 1980, Manchester became a nuclear-free city. It was a progressive gesture but largely symbolic.
The city center was contracted and it became a shadow of its nineteenth-century self. The abandoned Central Station was converted into the Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre (now Manchester Central) in 1982. The Museum of Science and Industry opened in 1983 and Castlefield was brought to life. The Jewish Museum opened in 1984 and The Chinese Arts Centre was founded in 1986. The Central Manchester Development Corporation was created in 1988 to renovate former warehouse areas and canal basins.
The 1980s was an auspicious period for Manchester railways. The Woodhead Line was closed in 1981. Many new and low-cost stations were opened including Flowery Field, Hag Fold, and Ryder Brow.
Here below are some amazing photos from the 1980s that will take you back to old Manchester. Also check, how Manchester looked like in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1990s.
Piccadilly Gardens looked so much prettier than today’s ugly, zombie infested concrete hell-hole
That’s right. I first remembered it in the late 1960’s when mum used to take me to town for shopping; now the garden has gone, it’s more like a meeting place for drunks. Last saw it with my wife in 2017 – Ugh! We couldn’t wait to get back to Ringway for our flight home!
Crazy how much of the city centre used to just be “fuck all”
it’s really mad how empty and hollow most UK cities became after WW2 and stayed until quiet recently.
There were still a lot of areas like that when I first moved here for university 16 years ago. Just waste ground where now stands huge glass buildings. The city did feel a lot more ‘open’ then, a lot less claustrophobic.
All up to interpretation, I get what you’re saying.
I’m glad the factory foundations and open air car parks are gone.
it’s really mad how empty and hollow most UK cities became after WW2 and stayed until quiet recently.
Say what you want about the IRA and the Luftwaffe, their service to civic space…
I was more thinking the rise of the car but yep they didn’t help either.
The photo of the great northern warehouse is fascinating, looks like its in the middle of nowhere.
Gosh, the John Rylands Library looks just the same.
Yeah needs modernising.
I don’t know how it lasted this long really withut someone getting it up to date. The cathedral could use a bit of new cladding too.
It’s a nice example of neo-Gothic design. I like it. I don’t want it changed.
It was sarcasm mate