![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_JS377324922.jpg\")
A sign at the boundary of Salford and Manchester.<\/p>\nPeople in Salford have their say on the city’s identity<\/p>\n
07:11, 09 Aug 2025Updated 08:32, 09 Aug 2025<\/p>\n
A sign at the boundary of Salford and Manchester.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a question that divides Salford.<\/p>\n
Historically, the city was part of Lancashire, a county which once stretched from Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria down to Manchester.<\/p>\n
Since 1974, Salford has been part of Greater Manchester, one of the ten boroughs that make up the city-region.<\/p>\n
Some Salfordians hold on to their Lancashire roots and say the city has always felt a connection to the historic county, whereas others feel it stands on its own, different from anywhere else.<\/p>\n
To see planning applications; traffic and road diversions and layout changes; and more, visit the Public Notices Portal HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n In a borough which stretches from the city centre by the River Irwell out to Worsley<\/a>, Little Hulton, and Irlam, it\u2019s no wonder people feel differently about where Salford<\/a> belongs.<\/p>\n With Salford getting ready to celebrate 100 years of gaining city status<\/a>, its identity remains an important topic.<\/p>\n \u201cSalford has always felt more like Lancashire to me, because we\u2019re not Manchester,\u201d said Sharon Smith, who lives in Little Hulton. \u201cIt\u2019s always been its own place, its own city.\u201d<\/p>\n Sharon is out shopping at Salford precinct with her friend Maria Hampson. The two have been friends since nursery, 53 years in total, and say they feel more like sisters.<\/p>\n Maria adds with a smile: \u201cSalford is a place of its own, do not ever call us Manchester.<\/p>\n \u201cI was born here and we\u2019re a proud city, I am glad to be from here. We\u2019ve always been \u2018Salford, Lancashire\u2019 – rather than Greater Manchester.\u201d<\/p>\n Salfordians are very different from Mancuians, they say, and should not all be lumped together despite the two cities sharing a boundary and much of their history.<\/p>\n \u201cI love the people in this city,\u201d Sharon says. \u201cYou get all walks of life. Most of us are mad as a box of frogs but that\u2019s why we\u2019re from Salford. Most people are very friendly here.\u201d<\/p>\n Maria agrees: \u201cPeople here keep in touch with each other, they go out of their way to help each other. If you\u2019re friends with someone from Salford, they\u2019re a friend for life.\u201d<\/p>\n The two ladies point out that Salford, like many other places, does have hardship, but it\u2019s something they feel brings people together more than being a dividing point.<\/p>\n A short walk to the other side of the shopping centre, Steve Wunderley is out to pick up a few bits, and offers his take on the question.<\/p>\n \u201cSalford has always had a proud identity, but it\u2019s changing so much now,\u201d the Lower Broughton resident says.<\/p>\n \u201cManchester is very busy, everyone\u2019s in a rush, I wouldn\u2019t dream of going there. People here have got more time.<\/p>\n \u201cIt winds me up when you hear people say that somewhere like Salford Quays<\/a> is in Manchester, because it\u2019s not.<\/p>\n \u201cbut things are becoming different and it\u2019s not the same way it was when I was growing up.\u201d<\/p>\n Steve\u2019s right – the changes happening in Salford are huge.<\/p>\n Large parts of the city centre from MediaCity to Greengate have been transformed into destinations<\/a> for living and work.<\/p>\n The city\u2019s story and history has been one of constant change, once known as a \u2018dirty old town\u2019, it has become one of the best places to live in Greater Manchester, with a growing population and huge demand for housing.<\/p>\n Alan lives in Higher Broughton and is proud to be a Salfordian.<\/p>\n![\"Sharon](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_JS377324625.jpg\")
Sharon Smith (L) and Maria Hampson (R) live in Salford.<\/p>\n![\"Steve](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_JS377324629.jpg\")
Steve Wunderley lives in Lower Broughton in Salford.<\/p>\n![\"Alan](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_JS377324630.jpg\")
Alan is a Salford resident living in Higher Broughton.<\/p>\n