Friday, 25 February 2022

The telephone box …. the arch .. and a time before now

Now I won’t be alone in remembering this telephone box in St Peter’s Square, but I think it was tucked away at the start of Library Walk.


And if you can remember that kiosk you will remember also that old square dominated by the Cenotaph and surrounded by a mix of mid-20th century buildings and the odd one or two from when the old Queen was on the throne.


But there can be no one now alive who worshipped at the church which dominated the spot, gave its name to the square, and was demolished in 1907. *

Since then, the place has undergone a series of changes, welcomed by some and mourned by others, which have included the erection of the Cenotaph, the arrival of the first tram stop and then the remodelling to accommodate the Second City Crossing.

Along the way all the buildings around the square have been replaced with new ones, including Central Ref, the Town Hall extension, and the buildings to the east and southeast, leaving only the Midland Hotel, which opened in 1903.


Location; St Peter’s Square**



Pictures, a telephone box a box and the Town Hall Extension, 2019, from the collection of Andrew Simpson, St Peter’s Square, circa 1990s, from the collection of picture postcards of Rita Bishop  St Peter’s Square, Manchester, 1962 – 3664.5, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass

*St Peter’s Church, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search?q=st+peter%27s+church

**St Peter’s Square, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/St%20Peter%27s%20Square


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