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Then and Now: Lower Moseley Street

THEN: Lower Moseley Street and Bridgewater Street

They are, on one side of Lower Mosley Street, Bridgewater Hall, the principal home for the world renowned Halle Orchestra, and across the road, the GMEX exhibition and conference centre.

But the apparent harmony between commerce and music culture was, however, no easy achievement as both structures emerged from neglected sites crying out for constructive care and sympathetic attention.

In the end, it was GMEX that saved the old Central Station from sad oblivion, and the concert venue assisted greatly in bringing life back to the spot where one of the city's main bus stations, pictured on the right in the older image, stood until it was demolished in 1973.

NOW: Flanked by Gmex and the Bridgewater Hall

Older buildings that have survived the changes have found new uses for working, luxury living, and increased leisure choices.

And the vitality of this five-acre site close to GMEX is enhanced further by the regular site of Manchester's super-trams gliding past, the imposing British Council offices are located nearby, and on a clear day, the Rochdale Canal might even attract boating enthusiasts.

The archive photograph is part of a collection chronicling the changing face of Manchester during the past 250 years, stored on a computer at Central Library.

Do you have any memories of the area?

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