Andrew Simpson: So goodbye and thanks for the memories ……….

Sunday, 19 November 2023

So goodbye and thanks for the memories ……….

And along with the memories there will be the heaps of things we have bought over the last half century from Chorlton Precinct, as well as the shops and the events.

Shopping the Precinct, 1979

So, in this year when the Precinct will be replaced by something else, it is fitting that Cath Fernley staged an exhibition of what we will lose.

With the backing of the developers, she brought together a photographer, an artist and a historian to mark the end of a shopping experience.

Phil Portus took the photographs, Peter Topping a series of paintings and I threw in a few old pictures and a story.

To which Cath added some fascinating archive material, which included the original plans, some images of “before the Precinct” and a report from the Manchester Evening News.

Phil's pictures, 2023

And because she thought it was important to share the history of the place she encouraged visitors to leave their memories which will be collated and retained.

All of which sat beside the plans laid out for the future of the site by P J Livesey.

They are staging a second consultation exercise which will run through November into December.

I have to say that a lot of people came thorough the doors on Saturday, taking in the plans, talking to the Livesey team and also taking time out to admire the work of Phil and Peter and add their memories on the white board.