Monday 25 January 2010

Them were the days.......




As Manchester continues to throw it's self whole heartedly behind the homogenization of British cities, Church St records is the latest victim of the wreckers ball. Back in the day this was the place to buy second hand records, books and uhmm...... porn. Behind it was the legendary 'Blob Shop' pub where you could have a pint (and a ciggy) and be offered cheap non specific 'meat' sold out of a sports bag by some scally. Happy days..

8 comments:

marcus doyle said...

Mark,
These pics of yours are important and I see a valuable document of Manchester in the years to come.
Whats to say Walker Evans didn't have similar views and memories as you when he was snapping away (apart from the fact he wasn't in Mancs).

mark page said...

Cheers Marcus. I'm only sorry that I only had time to "snap em" with the little digi.I would have like to have done them more justice with the Rolli or Bronica....

Ciara said...

i noticed those had gone the other day. shame, not that I ever bought anything in there

Matt D said...

is the book shop from around that area still going to be there? i've got some portraits of the owner i shot on a rollei sl66 that i would like to give to him before he disappears into obscurity!

©gloop said...

I saw them on Saturday, bulldozing the remains into oblivion.

It'll probably be a Starbucks.....

mark page said...

Matt,
bookshop gone as well.

Steve,
Or they may stick some planters there with olive trees in.

Ciara,
What you never bought a 'Gunchester' Tshirt from them?

Anne Fernie said...

I was so upset when I saw the mesh fence and a pile of rubble that I went to the town hall to find out what had happened. They are going to erect 'purpose-built'units for the same stallholders who will return paying much increased rents of course. I tried presenting the issue about 'character' and 'homogenisation' etc. but they truly appeared puzzled. When I brought up Grey Mare Lane market (another place they are itching to get their hands on) they asked 'but WHY do you like it? It's seedy and dirty'. Hey ho.

mark page said...

These are the same clampits who are closing down URBIS for a football museum.. I can't just blame Manchester though, It's a modern British malaise.....