Copson Street in Withington is a quiet escape from the rush of cars and buses along Wilmslow Road – but it wasn’t always like this.
The street in the trendy south Manchester suburb was redesigned last year to make it easier to use for people and cyclists.
It was partially pedestrianised and got new seating and trees in front of the local shops, as well a space to host markets and events.
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The plans were delivered last May by Manchester City Council, after a survey found more than 70 percent of locals were in favour of redesigning the area with a ‘pedestrian-first’ approach.
Further up the road outside Withington Library, a new public square was created aimed at encouraging people to spend more time in the village.
Davenport Avenue next to the library was made one-way to stop non-local traffic cutting through the residential estate.
A new public space was made outside the library(Image: Manchester Evening News)
But what do people think of the changes a year on?
Residents and businesses told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they largely welcome the direction Withington is going.
Leah Newton, 32, is the owner of Ice Shack in Withington, a dessert café based in front of the public square.
She said: “It was quite difficult during the construction phase but now it’s done it’s been really nice to see a lot of different people using it than there were before, it’s always full of families and kids.
“You see kids doing little dance competitions outside, it’s nice.
“I’m a local resident too and I do most of my shopping on Copson Street, and I’m spending far more there than I was before because it feels much safer.
“I would never walk down there at night before but I recently went down there at 10 o’clock and it was really nice.
“The changes have made Withington feel more walkable.”
Leah Newton said the changes have made Withington a better place(Image: Declan Carey / Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Manchester council previously said the changes in Withington were aimed at turning it into a place where people are proud to live and work, with the project funded from a pot of £2.8m from the government.
The money was split between Withington high street and Moston high street. Withington’s sum from that pot sits at £2.1m, with the cash only allowed to be spent on upgrades to its high street.
Over on Copson Street, Alanna Atkinson, 34, said: “I’d definitely say it’s better with the changes they’ve made. I’m a mum and it feels to me that it’s better for little ones now, and it looks nice.
“I think it does probably help to get more people walking and cycling, and you’ve got the cycle lanes on the main road to use as well. It’s just a nice environment.”
Not everyone was as pleased with the changes though.
There were concerns raised by some businesses that making it harder to drive and park closer to the shops could impact trade.
What was once a series of parking bays on Copson Street is now a tree-lined street with places for locking bikes or sitting on benches.
Suhail Zafar, 69, works in a shop on Copson Street, and said: “The optics are good, it definitely does look better, but for trading if anything we are worse off than before.
Suhail Zafar, 69, said trade has fallen after the changes on Copson Street(Image: Declan Carey / Local Democracy Reporting Service)
“I told them during the planning phase that if they pedestrianised it, it would definitely affect trade here.
“People like to come in the morning, stop in the shops, get some food, and then go to work. There were people like builders coming to do that.
“Generally speaking, I think a lack of parking is one of the major factors that is killing high streets, people like just stopping and going, so it’s having a big effect.
“For me, that money would have been better spent improving the parks, or creating new jobs such as litter pickers, having more people working and using the area.”
There are other car parks serving the area, such as on Gledhill Street parallel to Wilmslow Road, and a car park at the Coop on Copson Street
Councillor Gavin White represents the Old Moat ward and serves as executive member for housing and development at the town hall.
“We’ve worked alongside residents and businesses to get the investment as local councillors, and we do believe the improvements have made a positive difference, the new trees and benches and public realm,” he said.
“Working with local charity Withington Walls with the murals and the artwork as well has been really positive.
“The space outside the library has been used for different events, and Copson Street has now got a monthly market which brings more people into Withington.”
So what could the future of the area look like?
The busy high street hosts several shops as well as spots to eat and drink(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Coun White added: “We’ve still got a few things we want to tackle, we’ve got a few empty shops but we’ve got plans working with landlords to get them back into use, but our empty shop rate is lower than the national average.
“There’s a few things in terms of parking that we’re working on to make sure that the pedestrianised area works in the way that it should do, there’s going to be further enforcement and potentially a camera to help with that on Copson Street.
“We’d like to see more improvements to some of the public realm in the middle of the village, and working with Withington Walls on further murals as well, because we think that’s going to be a really important part of the vibrancy of Withington.
“It’s certainly not finished yet, we’re really pleased with the improvements that have been made and we’ll keep working to see further things happen.”
Other plans in the pipeline include ideas for a ‘pocket park’ at the end of Parsonage Road next to Coffee Lab, with places to sit and dwell, Coun White explained.
A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: “Withington is one of the early examples of the type of neighbourhood investment that we have expanded across the city to improve our high streets as the beating hearts of our communities to make them more attractive for local people and visitors to spend time in – and ultimately support businesses to drive local economic growth.
“The investment has given Withington high quality public spaces to hold events and bring the community together, including market days and Christmas events, with the aim of building up the visitor economy in the local area while complementing established businesses – not competing with them.
“The programme also invested in active travel infrastructure and highways investment as part of a pedestrian first approach that makes sure the space is welcoming and safe for visitors.
“So far, we’ve had some great feedback from local people, businesses and local groups but we are keen to hear ways that we continue to work with the community to maintain their new public spaces and improve the high street for years to come.”