OLD TRAFFORD MANCHESTER BUILDING BOOM | Construction, Demolition Hidden Stories

[@AidanEyewitness]

This video took a bit longer to prepare than others and it's a little bit longer length at just over 14 minutes. As ever I look forward to your comments, many thanks for watching!

[@vinimaguire8109]

Hi Aiden....Its Vini Maguire here from Australia you may remember I was one of your first subscribers in 1997 when we got in touch as I'm originally from Stretford. The BBC ended up coming to my home to interview me regarding how I logged on to your new ground breaking website "Eyewitness News" ...you ran a pub quiz competition which I think I won. Back in 1997 I was one of the first private individuals to use a dial up modem here in Australia to access the infancy of the World Wide Web or "Super Information Highway" to read the news back home in Manchester the UK. Great to see your still going strong with fantastic content on a fantastic subject....Manchester

[@AidanEyewitness]

Oh yes, I remember you well, and it's great to hear from you. Yes, I kept documenting Manchester and also LIverpool. My archive photos are good insert into the new videos. Many thanks for contacting and hope to hear from you again. :)

[@extrude22]

I remember going for a job interview at the former British Gas building in 2010. Amazing how quickly things change.

[@LizThomas-gk9sb]

Fantastic video again. Thank you for taking the time to put so much into these videos. Keep up the amazing work! Can't wait for the next one.

[@AidanEyewitness]

I'm very pleased to read your comment, very much appreciated and many thanks!

[@ians3586]

Great catch on "it's", it's a pet peeve of mine also. Thank you for objecting to the demolition of Trafford Town Hall. We still need modern day Sir John Betjemans to preserve our heritage. Good to hear that at least Ireland still has its railings. Good to see the cat at 13:35 waited for the train to pass before crossing. Interesting and Informative video!

[@bizzlemedia]

I'm SO glad the all-seeing algorithm put this video in front of me this morning. Beautifully delivered in an articulate style, demystifying so many curiosities around the buildings I pass every day but know little about. I've lived in Manchester for nearly 3 years now since COVID, and I will never tire of peeling back layer after layer of history within this ever changing city. It's so bitter sweet, as I feel a lot of beautiful relics are falling fowl of the post-millenium planners, BUT the upshot is that new housing stock is being added to the pool, and the city is pulsating with optimism and investment. A great video sir, I look forward to the next one!

[@AidanEyewitness]

Very glad to hear your comments and many thanks for your positive feedback. I write the script carefully and do a lot of research. After recording I do a lot of tidying up and editing. It's good to be able to put my local knowledge to use.

[@peterkavanagh1827]

I live in Old Trafford. Great to learn about the area. It is doing okay for itself.

[@AidanEyewitness]

It's great to hear from people who live in or ar from the area, I'm glad you liked the video - I am not from this area, I'm more from kind of general south Manchester / Stockport / south Trafford area. :) Many thanks for your comment.

[@GeorgieGemmell-iw3lo]

My old stomping ground! I used live on Rye Bank Road in Firswood and walked to work at Exchange Quay. I thought way back in 2018/19 this is prime land for development. I figured it was just a matter of time and we'd soon see less of the industrial use. Great video and it was very nostalgic for me. I've long since moved away

[@AidanEyewitness]

That's great to hear, I really like to hear people talking about their own memories and connections with a place. My cricket fan friend told me the cricked ground wanted to buy the land where the Hardrock stood, but they couldn't afford it.

[@mattrea9088]

Great video. Can confirm all traditional brickwork on the buildings. Ordsall lane has changed so much in the last year also just down the road. I'm currently working near Salford university which is also on the change and worth a visit ☺️

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks for your comment and info about the brickwork. Ordsall Lane, that's on my 'to do' list, there is a big new residential block under construction there. And a modern building in Salford Uni is to be demolished. Must capture that.

[@GriffithsFfestiniog]

Really enjoyable video which took me back to my childhood. I was born in next to the football ground and lived and worked all around the area. So many memories my mother worked at Manchester United from 1956 for nearly fifty years and the club was an essential part of my life, still a Red through and through. I refer to myself as a Lancastrian from Stretford never a Mancunian, very interesting to see how the area has changed I moved away in 1975.

[@AidanEyewitness]

That's fantastic, many thanks for your comment. I'm pleased that the video has been interesting to people from this area and that my information about county boundaries has struck a chord! A lot has changed since 1975, my last full year at school!

[@paulmason6474]

Another informative video thank you well done😊

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks, your comment is very much appreciated!

[@Kenners.]

Another fantastic video Aidan. Gorse hill in Stretford is my old stomping ground, i lived there from early 70s to mid 00s. lots of great memories back then sneaking in to LCCC to watch the Cricket in the 80s and working in Trafford Park. i used to live next to the B&Q, but too young to remember the concert venue. keep up the great work, a coffee is on the way, ;)

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks for your positive feedback and many many thanks for buying me a coffee. It's of practical use and gives me great encouragment. Plenty more videos are in planning.

[@markfaz8689]

Awesome video, a lot of history you covered from my neck of the woods 👍 Thanks

[@Lord_Liverpool]

I see AidanEyewitness on my notifications. I immediately click on the video!

[@AidanEyewitness]

Very good to hear that and I'm sure KZbin picks that up as well. Thank you for your feedback and your great comments!

[@StephenPritchard-f9j]

fantastic video love when new ones come along ❤

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks, that's great, it really encourages me!

[@AndrewKylie86]

Mate I’m from Ancoats Your videos are mint I watch them all There good mate 😎

[@AidanEyewitness]

i'm very pleased to hear that, I'm really glad you like all my videos and thanks for posting the comment, I really appreciate it!

[@davidjb-750]

Used to work at Oakland House many years ago. Sad to see the old entrance to the botanical gardens in such a state. Was always pleased that they kept it despite the many changes that’s happened on that site. Hard to believe there was once a lake there. Talking about Old Trafford not being in Manchester, Old Trafford football ground is actually in Gorse Hill…😊

[@AidanEyewitness]

I didn't know that the stadium is in Gorse Hill. It's great to hear your impressions as someone who has worked in this area. Many thanks

[@yosefkorn]

When you take the tram between Deansgate and cornbrook, and you look out of the widow, there is so many buildings going up. It's hard to focus on what's what. These new neighbourhoods are relatively attractive to look at when walking around.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Yes, there is a great vista over the ship canal and Salford. There are lots of new buildings under construction. Many thanks for your comment!

[@georgeedwards4807]

I've got the Now and Then Book ! It's great 👍

[@AidanEyewitness]

Is that the Manchester United Then and Now booK? I also did the 'now' photos for Manchester Then and Now and Liverpool Then and Now, all out of print unfortunately.

[@watcherzero5256]

The Red Routes are in a few places in Greater Manchester (Trafford has the red lines installed this year, while Bury and Wigan have had the red bus lanes for many years that allow other traffic outside certain daytime hours) but they are at the moment considering a mass roll out of Red Routes in GM. The main place you see red routes is London, I don't think you find them in many other parts of the country, Coventry a couple of months ago decided to roll them out after a consultation (mainly covering the Coventry Very Light Rail Route and a few neighbouring roads).

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks for this information. I always associate red double yellow lines with London. I don't know of any in other parts of Greater Manchester.

[@jacquijohncartman49]

Brian Statham is pronounced as if it were spelled "Staytham".

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks for pointing this out. I've added an apology in a linked short video, with the correct pronunciation.

[@johnwalker6736]

Well done,Aidan…….Brian Statham was a fast(ish) bowler for LCCC as well as England.

[@UnbelievableEricthegiraffe]

Is that why there is a Metrolink station a few stops down the line towards Sale called Dane road?.

[@rinkydinkmcruk]

If Westminster is in London then old Trafford is in Manchester

[@AidanEyewitness]

@@rinkydinkmcruk i agree!

[@TheWhiteSpaceUK]

@@AidanEyewitness So do I. If it’s good enough for (Greater) London then it’s good enough for (Greater) Manchester. If Greater Manchester wishes to sell itself as one ‘City’ then so be it… I say this as a born Brummie.

[@apunkman]

I used to go to the Hardrock & Village, I remember Bowling Alley there, once went to the village night club, years later, Slade played there too! Also stock car racing at White City. I lived close to Ayres Road next to Seymour Park. Went to the Carlton club in Whally Range. I worked at Old Trafford Cricket Ground as a kid serving tea and selling ice creams 15p an hour In 1972. I have driven down Ayes road It’s a shame the place looks so neglected and run down these days.

[@AidanEyewitness]

That's fantastic, I love hearing about people describing their familiar area from a long time ago. It's important that we don't forget how it was. Very different to today. 15p an hour - that's very interesting! A concert ticket to the Hardrock was £1.50. How times have changed!

[@English_Dawn]

Thank you for your film. The area was once the Saxon "Stretford". However the Normans couldn't pronounce it and pronounced it as "Trafford". Trafford Hall dated back to those times. 👉 Manchester Cricket Club played near Talbot Road and the de Trafford family, aping Crystal Palace, wanted an Arts Exhibition on the site. 👉They offered MCC a new site on the site of an old racecourse 🐎. This then became Old Trafford Cricket Ground, the second oldest Test ground (after the Oval). 👉Queen Victoria and Prince Albert arrived at Victoria Station before travelling by carriage over Victoria Bridge, which they also opened, before travelling to the Arts Exhibition site which, as you say, became later a Botanical Gardens then later a sports ground, England played New Zealand at Rugby Union there. 🏉 Nearby, near Trafford Bar, is the famous Throstle Nest Junction named after The Throstle Nest Hotel near Henshaws Blind Institute which was a major landmark. The Mersey & Irwell Navigation Company in the 1700's built numerous locks including one near Henshaws Blind Academy. Later MSC kept the existing lock at Mode Wheel (near the BBC) but demolished the above lock. Throstle Nest Junction was the famous rail site where trains from London St. Pancras etc bifurcated on the Midland Railway, going right to Mcr Central and left to Liverpool Central. 👉So many building projects pass planning permission then enter torpor. Devolpment is complicated, contracts need to be signed and money raised. One Heritage Salford is a case in point. It is a shame because it's one of the most elegant designs. The big boys, Renaker and Salboy are usually well organised and usually have their ducks in row. So hopefully One Heritage can jointly develop or sell to one of the big boys. 👉 On Thursday planning was given for another residential tower in Piccadilly, at Sparkle Street. 👉Planning permission isn't permanent it's time limited (I think usually 3 years) to give the developer time to get their act together or they have to reapply for planning permission. 👉This brings us full circle to Park Place. Great Jackson Street Estates were given planning permission for two 56-storey towers but apparently went into torpor over a disagreement with the council. Long story short, peace has broken out and they have just signed a 106 Agreement, which resets it. They now have another three years to get boots on the ground or have to further apply. N. B. Brian Statham (pron. "Staytham" was a fast England and Lancashire County Cricket Club bowler that was a contemporary of Freddie Truman and operated in tandem with him for England. 👉 Kellogs has famously been associated with the area and was one of the last regular commercial users of Hulme Locks. 👉Jim Ratcliffe has big plans and hopes to get goverment money for the £2b project. 👉For-the-record the Freightliner depot had previously being Trafford Park Shed, the motive power depot of Manchester Central. It's associated carriage sidings were at Cornbrook which became an industrial estate and road. Utd's previous ground was Bank Street (Their second ground). It is now the location of the Velodrome near City's ground and where they changed their name from Newton Heath and their colours from green and yellow halves. Last Tuesday, early morning, City lifted the frame of a new landmark, the SkyBar into position on the extended Family Stand. Aesthetically in a different league to the proposed Old Trafford stadium. Much obliged for the film. 😀

[@watcherzero5256]

History is a bit off, the name predated the Normans. The family and the their holdings including the hall was actually established after Cnut Viking conquest of the area in 1016, after the Norman conquest in 1066 they changed their family name to the De Traffords to blend into Norman society.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Very interesting information, I wasn't aware of that. Many thanks!

[@SirFlashman-zv7ue]

Nobody's seen the proposed new United ground because it's not been designed yet. The only model was part of a massing plan for the whole Old Trafford area, not an actual design of the stadium.

[@paulwild3676]

The only Lancashire cricket club ground actually in current Lancashire, is in Lytham. All the others are now in Metro counties. Aigburth in Liverpool, Southport and Old Trafford are now no longer in Lancashire, yet Lancashire play at them.

[@mazinnasralla2036]

If you argue, as you did, that a City's boundary is defined by the continuity of it's buildings then Salford should be subsumed within Manchester. This is an argument of convenience and it's not very convincing. Yes the City of Manchester is small. I like that Manchester is small. I can visit all aspects on foot unlike sprawling cities like London which I don't like much.

[@69Phuket]

Bowie does B&Q. Who's a thunk!

[@AidanEyewitness]

It was a long time before the venue became a B&Q warehouse when David Bowie played there. I once went to a New Year party there, that was Dec 31 1974.

[@69Phuket]

@@AidanEyewitness Was in New Moston at the time. St. Mary's Road. Bomb sites it was. Behind us was the Ferranti Factory and the security guy had pips on his lapel;, we didn't mess with him! But there was an old Women that my mates used to throw stones at as she bravely went to the corner shop. Shocking to witness. My Stepdad was a hippie escapee from Derbyshire. He had all the albums you could want to hear over the decades. Anyway I love local history. Thanks for replying. @'77' we located to Woodhouse Park. Wythenshawe. Yeah that was awesome...Lost all my friends. Became a lost soul in a council estate.

[@watcherzero5256]

13:35 brave kittie

[@AidanEyewitness]

Sometimes I accidentally catch interesting individuals in my photos and videoclips, whether pussy cats or Manchester United legends!

[@footballfanar9717]

The modern Lancashire map at 4:23 must be inaccurate as Blackburn is part of modern day Lancashire

[@AidanEyewitness]

No, it's correct. I have followed the red dotted line as given on the Google map which marks the current boundary of the Lancashire County Council area. Blackburn with Darwen is a unitary authority that isn't part of Lancashire County Council, along with Blackpool. There is the 'ceremonial' county of Lancashire, that's the one created in 1974 but since then those two areas left it. So you could say there are three Lancashires - the original one, the ceremonial county set up in 1974 and the current Lancashire County Council area. When you drive out of Blackpool past Starr Gate at the south end of the promenade, you'll see a sign saying 'Welcome to Lancashire'. Many thanks for your comment

[@hungbearlover]

What’s the electronics tune at the 3 minute

[@youngmurphy7556]

I did my YTS in that abandoned building just after it was built. It was the HQ for Norweb who later merged with North West Water to become United Utilities. In fact, working with the electricians I got right inside that building, inside the huge aircon on the top and under the false floors. They say the shape was meant to represent the old NW logo of Norweb from above. I find this only slightly plausible.

[@AidanEyewitness]

That's very interseting. Ah yes, Norweb, later UU. I really find it interesting to hear from people who have worked in or on a building. Designed to look like the Norweb logo? Hmm, not sure about that!

[@youngmurphy7556]

@AidanEyewitness That's just what the full time maintenance team said to me. Google "norweb 1980s Preston" in image search and you should get a shop front with the old logo. If you look at the building on Google maps above the entrance, you'll see a zig-zag edge. That's supposed to be taken from the logo. Possible but not completely convincing to me.

[@youngmurphy7556]

"One if the most famous parts of Manchester isn't actually in Manchester" There are quite a few districts of the ancient parish of Manchester that are in the current admin boundaries of Manchester but weren't in the original municipal borough of Manchester. They ended up being part of Manchester at the whims of some bureaucrats. Other districts, e.g. Heaton Norris, Failsworth and Stretford, were left out. No one really quibbles about them not being Manchester just because they have a different coloured bin. And some bits of current Manchester (historically Cheshire) are nowhere near the city centre. OT is a stone's throw from the centre. It's like saying Parliament isn't in London because it's the City of Westminster, not City of London. Pointless comment.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Yes, all very good points. It's not boundaries that matter but urban development and transport links. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts, I agree totally.

[@roverchap]

That thing about civic boundaries in metropolitan areas gets very silly and parochial. Saying Old Trafford isn't in Manchester is the same as saying that Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament aren't in London because they're in the City of Westminster, not the City of London.

[@AidanEyewitness]

That's right but a commenter was adamant that Manchester was only what was inside the city boundary. I think he was from Birmingham.

[@stevenhoughton1406]

But it's not in Manchester just like West Bromwich is not in Birmingham. We have boundaries for a reason.

[@TheWhiteSpaceUK]

@@stevenhoughton1406 If it’s good enough for (Greater) London to sell itself as a ‘City’ , it’s good enough for (Greater) Manchester. That’s what MOST international Cities do (some like Birmingham don’t though). Council boundaries mean little to the world. West Bromwich may not be in the City of Birmingham but it’s definitely in Brum’s wider metropolitan area! That’s what matters to international businesses/travellers etc. WSUK, a born Brummie.

[@stevenhoughton1406]

@@TheWhiteSpaceUK So by your logic the city of Wolverhampton and Coventry are part of Birmingham and Bolton and the city of Salford are part of Manchester. Lol

[@chrislethbridge1759]

It always annoys me that the (very small) City and all its boroughs are always quoted for the population and geography of London, but the same principle is never applied to the country’s other major conurbations. Anyone might be forgiven for thinking there was an attempt to diminish the size and status of the regional metropolitan areas in relation to the capital…😂

[@steveygee1]

I wouldn’t say 600k people is small.

[@chrislethbridge1759]

@@steveygee1 I was referring there to the ‘municipal’ City of London which has a population of around 10k -which of course is crazy to take from its wider context.

[@AidanEyewitness]

The difference is that the London Boroughs came together into one administrative unit, but Manchester and Liverpool and surrounding boroughs remained separate, though nowadays they work together under combined authorities.

[@pippin9466]

I thinl they ahould rebuild th hard rock concert theatre on the plot were B&Q used tp be.

[@JohnnyZenith]

I was going to bed. Now I'm forced to watch this. I forgive you. The stadium does need replacing. Greater Manchester is Manchester.

[@AidanEyewitness]

I made it live at 3:45 in the afternoon, you had plenty of time to watch it!! It's okay, I forgive you! Many thanks for your thoughts as ever!

[@grahamtowers5513]

I live in Manchester which to me is Lancashire, when I was born it was Lancashire & to me it will always be Lancashire, I don't recognise it any other way and I never will

[@footballfanar9717]

You must be olden, but golden as Manchester hasn't been a part of Lancashire since the early/mid 70's.

[@grahamtowers5513]

@@footballfanar9717 Born in 1957, I was here in 1974 when that happened, like the old saying, you can take the man out of Lancashire but you can't take Lancashire out of the man, all of my correspondence is with Lancashire as my county and always will be.

[@grahamtowers5513]

@@footballfanar9717 The legislation that currently defines counties for the purposes of administration of local government is the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by various Orders in the 1990s). This legislation abolished the previous administrative counties, which were established by the Local Government Act 1933. However, these Acts did not specifically abolish traditional counties, so traditional counties still exist, but no longer for the purpose of the administration of local government

[@AidanEyewitness]

Correct.

[@youngmurphy7556]

That map with Blackburn not in the "new" Lancashire is seriously awful. By the way, Middlesex and Surrey don't have their main grounds in the county either. In fact, the county of Middlesex doesn't even exist. And Kent has one of its second grounds outside the county too. It's almost as if someone just redrew lines on a map with no regard for actual realities.

[@AidanEyewitness]

Yes, they should have left the original counties and created new administrative areas completely separate to them. Blackburn and Darwen and Blackpool left (new) Lancashire to become unitary authorities. Heading out of Blackpool you see signs saying 'Welcome to Lancashire'.

[@youngmurphy7556]

@@AidanEyewitness I was commenting on the Google maps boundary. The one you used in the video. It doesn't show the actual boundary of current Lancashire. It shows the jurisdiction of Lancashire County Council, not the actual county.

[@jacko10001-n]

With manchester united...over £700...million...pounds in debt....will the glazers and radcliffe cough up for a new stadium...or even refurbish the present stadium.?

[@jasongray4517]

Build a new stadium by all means, but i see no reason why taxpayers should have to chip in. Jim Ratcliffe take note P.S I rather like the old British Gas building. I assume you believe it to be "unreusable" for safety reasons?

[@AidanEyewitness]

Yes, it's a nice building but my gut feeling is based on its size, the amount of money required to restore it and the fact the nice design probably wouldn't be considered good enough to save. There may also be toxic materials present. Maybe I'm wrong and it will be completely renovated, but I'd doubt it. We'll see.

[@kenjoy7404]

Taxpayers aren't "chipping in" for the stadium, only the infrastructure...

[@UnbelievableEricthegiraffe]

I believe that the Old Trafford football ground has not been rebuilt. Utd should merge with either Altrincham FC or Trafford FC. No future for Manchester United 😮😊

[@AidanEyewitness]

I wouldn't know about that as I don't follow football, but many thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@nicolasnicolas3218]

As Manchester United fan, I’m finally really pleased to watch a video where you talk about OT and Man Utd. 🏟️💪

[@AidanEyewitness]

Regarding football I am neutral. The topic came up because of the big construction plans announced recently. Looks like I'll have to do one on east Manchester and Sportcity, to keep the other lot happy! Glad you liked the video!

[@RotiJohnPrata-h9o]

ManUre... at Old Tractor.. d'pub'clup is falling apart.... bring Ollie back...

[@AidanEyewitness]

Many thanks for your comment!

[@paul-ht7fq]

WOW that was an embarrassing comment 😬

[@RotiJohnPrata-h9o]

@@paul-ht7fq Olllieee.. rules, fruitcake.. back to work, your cousin's goat is haaangry..go