Manchester

People from Stockport don't like to admit this, but Stockport is part of Manchester. However, like everyone else, I'm from Stockport, Cheshire. However, this doesn't mean I'm not proud to admit Manchester is my home city.

Manchester gets a lot of bad press in the Media. Reports of Drug's gangs in control of various parts, shootings, murders, poverty. Most cities have similar problems, but the Manchester I know is vibrant, multi-cultural, has a great shopping area, and easy public transport links.

Most people arrive in Manchester at Piccadilly Station. You can get to almost anywhere in the UK from here by train. Most people then hop on the tram for the short ride into the city centre. However, you can walk down station approach (above).

The same cannot be said for Piccadilly Gardens, which has also gone through some renovations, if that's what you call them. Basically this has resulted in a new office block and a concrete monstrosity along one side of the gardens. In older days, before business ruled the roost, this used to be the place for people to meet and hang out.

Queen Victoria's statue and the water fountains are shown to the left.

At the North end of the gardens, the main shopping area start, with Primark on the left (which now occupies the old Lewis's building), and Debenhams on the right. Carrying on up the street leads you onto all the major stores, along with the Arndale Centre (Manchester's main indoor shopping centre). This part of Manchester hasn't changed in years, although the Arndale centre seems to be going through some changes at the time of writing (hopefully changes for the better).

Like most of Manchester, the Printworks is again fairly new, and, as the name suggests, occupies a building once used by the media.

It's a mix of restaurants, cafe bars, and a cinema complex. It's certainly worth a walk through, even if you can't afford to eat there.

The Hard Rock cafe entrance from the street is shown in the picture.

Picture 5 shows the Printworks from the other side. The building on the left is (you've guessed it) recently built. It's the Urbis building. Not the prettiest building, it's actually a museum. I can't really comment further than that, as I haven't been around it.

I believe it's some sort of tour the world exhibition, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. If you've been in it, let me know what it's like.

This area of Manchester has been rebuilt after the IRA bomb in the late Nineties.

The picture shows Selfridges, but off the picture on the right is the old Corn Exchange. This is now a small indoor shopping centre with designer shops (not somewhere I frequent).

In days gone by, it used to be a small indoor market, with stalls selling second hand goods, ethnic gear, music and video (the sort of place I would visit).

St Annes Square (shown right) is at the back of the Royal Exchange theatre. At various times of the year, this area plays host to various themed markets.

Although a small shopping area, most people pass by here to get to Kendals, a big department store towards the back of the picture, on the right.

Albert Square is in front of the Town Hall, an impressive looking building I'm sure you'll agree. Around the back of this is the central library.

The walk through to Albert Square from St. Annes Square can also be quite picturesque, provided you know where your going. One of the small passageways is covered by 3 plastic umbrellas above the passageway and is decorated along the walls with murals. It's hard to describe, and has to be seen to be appreciated.