Now until last week I had never explored Smithy Lane.
It is pretty easy to miss added to which it is not the most inviting of places.
But if you do wander down, it takes you to Garden Lane which is even narrower but widens out before joining St Mary’s Passage and also offers another diversion which is Dunlop Street which connects with Back South Parade.
And for those who leave the big NCP Car park these last two streets will be familiar enough.
Today the collection are pretty dismal bunch and I doubt that they were much better a century and a bit ago.
Back then Dunlop Street was called Greek Street and Garden Lane extended down as far as South Gate and at its eastern end took a sharp right past the Gas Works before joining Albert Street.
Once the gas works had gone the site became a Police Station for A Division. The cells faced out on to Albert Street leaving only the tiny Gas Street on its eastern side as a reminder to what had once been.
I often wonder if any of those locked up for the night wandered over to the Turkish Baths on the corner of Albert Street and Back South Parade or fastened on a pint in the pub opposite.
But that and a few more tales of Smithy Lane or for another time.
Location; Manchester
Picture;; Smithy Lane, 2016 from the collection of Andrew Simpson
But if you do wander down, it takes you to Garden Lane which is even narrower but widens out before joining St Mary’s Passage and also offers another diversion which is Dunlop Street which connects with Back South Parade.
And for those who leave the big NCP Car park these last two streets will be familiar enough.
Today the collection are pretty dismal bunch and I doubt that they were much better a century and a bit ago.
Back then Dunlop Street was called Greek Street and Garden Lane extended down as far as South Gate and at its eastern end took a sharp right past the Gas Works before joining Albert Street.
Once the gas works had gone the site became a Police Station for A Division. The cells faced out on to Albert Street leaving only the tiny Gas Street on its eastern side as a reminder to what had once been.
I often wonder if any of those locked up for the night wandered over to the Turkish Baths on the corner of Albert Street and Back South Parade or fastened on a pint in the pub opposite.
But that and a few more tales of Smithy Lane or for another time.
Location; Manchester
Picture;; Smithy Lane, 2016 from the collection of Andrew Simpson
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