P h o t o B l o g

Monday 1 February 2010

St Michael's Square


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Here is a different view of St Michael's Square, with St Michael's Parish Church peeping up behind the buildings.

This splendid Victorian shop building now sells beds. When it was built in 1900 it occupied a very prominent position on the corner of Stamford Street and Scotland Street, then two of the main roads in the town centre. Stamford Street was the main shopping street and St Michael's Square was the terminus for buses to Stalybridge and Dukinfield so this spot would have been crowded with pedestrians.

Now the main traffic route has moved to the by=pass at the back of the church while the shopping area has migrated to Warrington Street and the Ladysmith and Arcades malls.

The building on the right, St Michael's House, was once the registry office but now houses the offices of a number of organisations.

"St Michael's Square" is my contribution to this week's "My World" feature. Please check out the other blogs participating in this week's My World.


See Birds Eye View of this location.

13 comments:

  1. Wonderful old building. Selling beds now? A recycled building!

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  2. that's too historic and pretty a building to be selling beds.

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  3. I agree! Far too historic and lovely to be selling beds! Such a terrific capture!! Have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  4. What a lovely old building.

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  5. During and just after WW2 the ground floor used to be a car sales showroom. Can't remmemder the make of car they sold but I think they were 'luxury' cars

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  6. it's really good to know that it's still in good use. I like its big windows..there must be some really good light in those rooms. My world entry is up too.

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  7. an impression structure. i like the attic, makes the building more prominent.

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  8. used to be Monks garage,he had various properties in and around Ashton.Remember the registry office only to well,sat in the Caprice opposite trying to decide whether or no to turn up to be married,no one to ask a bit of advice from so went ahead got married.what a fool

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  9. Such a waste of a building treasure, spoiled by the gawdy signs. Wonder how many more had doubts about crossing that road to make their vows? This photo captures a piece of history.

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  10. I would disagree with those who think the shop shouldn't be selling beds - I am happy that the shop is in use. There are a few old shops in the area that are not used and the buildings become derelict.

    It is interesting to compare this shop with this one further along the same street, where the building does not have the same architectural appeal but the shop has kept its character and charm.

    One problem with the shop in today's photo is that the road layout changes mean that there is not a lot of passing footfall so the shop has to be one that people will head for on purpose rather than one that depends on passing trade.

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  11. Martin, I'd rather have this building selling beds but still standing, unlike the one that's just come down less than 50 yards away on the opposite side of the road.

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