A revamped town centre thoroughfare has got the locals interested. Nick Jackson went to find out what people think of the rebirth of King Street.
The new King Street
The shop units are yet to be filled, but the curiosity of the Stretford public surrounding the newly-opened town centre thoroughfare King Street, can be clearly seen.
An opening ceremony last week was swiftly followed by a street party celebrating the rebirth of the street which was the hub of Stretford life back in the 1960s.
Then along came the concept of indoor ‘out-of-the-rain’ shopping and with it Stretford Mall, which is soon to be demolished as King Street, Sir Tony Lloyd Square and Pinnington Lane, as part of Bruntwood and Trafford council’s £50m revamp of the town centre, take prominence.
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Predictably, when big changes take place, initial feelings among the public, who have been eager to stroll along the new open-air King Street, are mixed.
There’s already a Greggs bakery taking shape and the photographic firm Max Spielman are taking a unit.
The new Greggs unit on King Street
Bespoke all-day dining specialist Longers has meanwhile announced plans to open a bar called Fosforo Lounge on the street.
Among some of the passersby walking down the thoroughfare, there is genuine excitement.
Mum Sophie Williams, in her 30s, said: “I think it’s brilliant. I’m really excited by this. I’m looking forward to lots of independent shops. It will be great when they’re all open.”
Daphne McArdle, 69, and Janet Bird, 72, were born and raised in Stretford. Daphne said, “I really like it. I was a bit disorientated at first, and I liked the mall, but I’m looking forward to when the units are occupied.”
Daphne McArdle, left, and Janet Bird
Janet said: “It’s a great boost for Stretford that there has been this much investment into the town centre. Let’s hope it’s successful.”
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Qi Wang and husband Ping approved of the new street. “I like it,” said Qi. “It’s very nice. We’ve lived in Stretford for 30 years, and I very much approve of what they’ve done. It will be nice when all the businesses have moved in.”
Elspeth Horan and husband Sam, both 34, were sampling the pavement culture at the Longford Tap bar with their baby daughter.
Sam Horan and wife Elspeth
Elspeth said: “We’ve never been here before and we really like it. We will definitely come back when there are shops, bars, and restaurants to visit.”
Margaret Dixon, 63, said: “It’s a bit disheartening to see it with all these empty units, and we’re not sure which businesses are going where.
“I’ve lived in Stretford all my life, and we need this to succeed. Hopefully, by the time we get to Christmas comes around, there will be lots of established businesses here.”
Margaret Dixon
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Not everyone was happy, though. One woman who didn’t want to be named said: “It’s a joke – a waste of money. It needed changing because the mall was dying – all charity shops, nail and beauty bars.
Kath, 46, said: “I don’t want it to have loads of bars and restaurants. I want somewhere I can go to do my shopping. It’s all very well, but no one’s got any money. If you go to the local cinemas, they’re all empty because everyone’s at home watching TV, so what chance does this have?”
Another anonymous contributor said: “I don’t like it. I liked the old King Street. It doesn’t seem like we’re going to get the scope of shops that we want. Where are people going to get their food?”
She said she and her husband go to Urmston, adding: “I was 16 when they knocked the old King Street down. I used to shop here all the time.”
Edmund Lawther, 67, said: “All the pubs are shutting, so how are all these bars going to succeed here? No one’s going to the cinema or pubs. They’re all at home watching TV.
Edmund Lawther
“If they’re not careful, they’ll make this place into a robbers’ paradise with all the bars, cafes, and restaurants.”
John Evans,76, said: “They’re trying to make it into a yuppie place. We don’t want Stretford to become like Chorlton and Didsbury. I remember the original King Street. It was a lot longer than this version of the street, and it was great back then in the 1960s.”
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