Bow Street

Today's view of the world of Ashton under Lyne shows Bow Street, alongside the Market Hall, seen from Market Street.

Bow Street is a fairly unremarkable street running alongside the Open Market and the Market Hall but it has seen some notable changes over the years.

Today it is a pedestrian zone, with access for traders' vehicles only at certain times, making a more relaxing experience for shoppers. It hasn't always been like that, of course, and I can remember when it was possible to park your car near that phone box and nip into the Market Hall for something. Earlier still the street was a busy bus route (and trolley bus and tram route before that) with several services calling or terminating at stops alongside the Open Market.

The row of buildings along the left hand side has undergone various changes as well. B&M Bargains was previously a Kwik Save supermarket and before that I think it was a Liptons' store. Maybe someone has a better memory than me? The New Market Hotel stood on that spot until around the 1960s.

The pharmacy hasn't always been Boots. I remember it being something else not too long ago. Was it Hibbert's? Pound Busters Superstore, the yellow building in the centre of the photo, hasn't always been a shop. For many years it was the Nag's Head pub and then more recently the Chute Bar. Perhaps someone reading this knows how long Holloway's Travel Goods has been there. I suspect it is rather longer than the others!

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