Welcome to Unmissable, our weekly digest of stories we think you might have missed..
(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Three years ago, the Manchester Evening News was lamenting the fall from grace of Manchester’s ‘poshest street’.
Back then on King Street, post-Covid lockdown, a succession of retailers had moved out, and the number of empty units was raising eyebrows, although landlords had promised that big things were on the way.
And boy, did they turn out to be right, says Dianne Bourne.
Welcome to Unmissable, our weekly digest of stories we think you might have missed.
Over the weekend, we published a feature on the stunning revival of King Street. As Dianne writes: “Walk along this same cobbled stretch today between Cross Street and Deansgate and there’s an embarrassment of riches. Quite literally.”
She goes on to explain how King Street has returned to its former glory, with a raft of jewellers, boutiques, and high-end designers offering regional fashion exclusives.
Audemars Piguet, a watch brand renowned for its million-pound timepieces, has taken over the entire Georgian mansion at the heart of King Street, the oldest surviving property, and arguably its grandest. Their entry-level watches start at £30k. It’s a great read and a brilliant insight into Manchester’s elite shopping area. Read it here.
From high-end to high-rises, this weekend we published an article on the situation with the Seven Sisters tower blocks in Rochdale. The blocks have been under threat of demolition for years, and some residents have been fighting to save them. George Lythgoe went to speak to them and find out what’s going on. Read it here.
This quote from Adam Maidment’s fascinating read on Avril Eventhal sums up a brilliantly weird life lived well: “She was the first person to admit that she wasn’t conventionally talented, she was ridiculous, she was outrageous, and just the embodiment of camp.” Read it here.
Damon Wilkinson’s weekly crime recaps are some of our most well-read weekend content, and this edition was particularly eye-opening. He recounts the rise and fall of Manchester City’s Guvnors and Young Guvnors, who wreaked havoc on the terraces of English football. Read it here.
And finally, when Jenna Campbell visits a venue, you always get more than just a food review. This week’s story is a great example, as she visited a brand new traditional Chinese bakery, with a twist, in a basement. Read it here.
Diamonds, designers and doormen: The renaissance of ‘Manchester’s Mayfair’
King Street in Manchester has welcomed a number of high end boutiques in recent weeks(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Only three years ago we reported on the amount of empty shop units there, but today the street is near paved with gold. Read it here.
Seven Sisters: The skyline that stood still
The Seven Sisters tower blocks in Rochdale(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
The Seven Sisters tower blocks have been under threat from the bulldozer for years. Read it here.
From Jewish housewife to gay bar icon: The life and times of one ‘larger than life’ Manchester performer
Avril A performing on stage, sometime in the 1980s(Image: Dave Davis)
‘She was the first person to admit that she wasn’t conventionally talented – she was ridiculous, she was outrageous and just the embodiment of camp’. Read it here.
How undercover cops smashed Manchester City’s feared Guvnors firm in football’s biggest ever hooligan bust
Crowd trouble at the Manchester City versus Manchester United match at Maine Road in September 1989
‘There existed a hard core of people associated with this club whose sole purpose was violence for violence’s sake’. Read it here.
Inside the fabulous Chinese bakery tucked out of sight with queues out the door
Lottie’s Bakehouse in Manchester (Image: Manchester Evening News)
It’s only been open a matter of days but Lottie’s Bakehouse has already impressed customers with its Chinese buns and freshly baked loaves. Read it here.