Salford Quays

The Port of Manchester docks closed in the 1970s leading to the decline of a large part of Salford and Manchester. In the early 1980s the Enterprise Zone was established to the north and south of Salford Quays (Enterprise Zone incentives ended in 1991 having been available for ten years - the closeness of the Enterprise Zone to Salford Quays later helped both to attract business). At an exhibition in London local authorities were invited to show proposals for developing sites like the derelict land at Manchester Docks. Conversations with an architect led to the germ of an idea and later the firm of architects Shepherd, Epstein and Hunter with Salford City Council developed the plans for Salford Quays. During the 1980s, Salford City Council (SCC) purchased much of the dock area from the Manchester Ship Canal Company. In 1983 and 1984 SCC and Urban Waterside Limited, a private developer, drew up development plans. The plan was finally published on the 7th of May 1985 and approved by the Department of the Environment. The area was first referred to as Salford Quays in the 1984 plans.

Salford Quays provides an excellent example of inner city redevelopment. Planners have breathed new life into an area that was derelict yet had enormous potential. This picture shows Salford Quays viewed from the southwest. The picture shows how close Salford Quays is to the city centre of Manchester (centre background). When the Metrolink route is completed it should encourage visits by tourists. Accessibility to the regions motorways, railways and the city centre of Manchester has been important in the development of Salford Quays. The southern edge of Salford can be seen to the left of the photograph.

In the foreground is part of Trafford Park industrial estate. Trafford Park was once the largest industrial estate in Europe and its industries relied on the Port of Manchester docks. They included chemicals, timber handling, grain storage, engineering and distributive activities. When Trafford Park Development Corporation is due to be disbanded at the end of the 1990s responsibility for the area will pass back to Trafford Borough Council and Salford City Council. Some of the original large companies remain like Kelloggs, Rank Hovis and Cerestar (glucose products). New firms include Ciba-Geigy, Ford Trucks and Konica. The red roofed building, centre right, is the MGM Canon Cinema. The proposed site for a new Performing Arts Centre is shown towards the bottom right of the photograph. This will also house the Lowry collection when it is completed near the turn of the century.

Manchester grew rapidly in the nineteenth century as an industrial centre, particularly for Lancashire's cotton textile industry. However, by the 1870s business had begun to decline, one major problem was lack of access to the coast and the port of Liverpool. Many factories went out of business while others moved closer to Liverpool where they could benefit from better access to ocean going ships. If they stayed in Manchester they faced heavy transport costs for raw materials and manufactured goods carried by rail to and from Liverpool. Factories and warehouses were closing in Manchester leading to severe unemployment.

The late 19th century also experienced a worldwide recession that affected trade; consequently many businessmen were determined to find ways to cut costs. In 1894 the Manchester Ship Canal was completed and opened by Queen Victoria. The Port of Manchester became Britain's third major port and the docks at Salford were the most modem and well equipped in the world.

Decline of the Docks

The Canal once linked the Mersey estuary and the sea with the Port of Manchester. It was partly problems with the Canal though that led to the decline of the Port of Manchester. Although blockages of the Canal were infrequent they were potentially serious as they prevented access to and from the Port. In March 1969 the 'Manchester Courage' bound for Montreal ran into and broke open the lower lock gates at Irlam. In addition to this damage the level of water consequently fell along a stretch of the Canal between Irlam and Barton. It took five weeks for normal operations to be resumed; during this time ships were stuck in the docks.

In the mid 1960's there were some optimistic signs as a new storage shed was under construction on No.6 dock, many ships were using the Port of Manchester and the rail connections were very busy. However, a series of strikes in the 1960s and 1970s, one by the National Union of Seamen in 1966 lasting for 47 days, led to a loss of confidence and many customers took their business away from the Port.

Large ships occasionally pass along the Canal today taking goods like timber and chemicals to Trafford Park Industrial Estate. The appearance of the Canal has changed little from when this photograph was taken, it is largely disused though except for pleasure craft that need access to Salford Quays.

View 1: The Canon Cinema

�

The Canon eight screen cinema was the first building to be opened at Salford Quays in December 1986 and employs approximately 50 people. Because of its location, car parking provision and accessibility it attracts people from the local area as well as other parts of Greater Manchester.

View 2: The Copthorne Hotel

The Copthome Hotel was opened in June 1987. It is a four star hotel with 66 bedrooms. It has a banqueting suite and leisure facilities and caters for conference visitors to Manchester. Approximately 140 people are employed in the hotel.

View 3: The Marina

Much of the investment has been in leisure facilities; this includes the Canon Cinema. This picture shows the marinaa to the south of Salford Quays In the summer many of the moorings are occupied by small launches and yachts. Boats, like the one in the centre of the photograph, take visitors around the quays. Another area of housing on Pier 6. can be seen in the background and on the right is the eastern end of the Copthorne Hotel.

View 4: The Toby Restaurant (Pier 5)

The Toby restaurant is one of several at Salford Quays. It is located at the back of the Copthorne Hotel and is near the cinema and marina

View 5: Waterfront 2000

Waterfront 2000 is a large business park providing 165,000 square feet of office and workspace. Many companies have been attracted to Salford Quays, largely in the fields of electronics, light engineering and computing. Approximately 650 new jobs have been generated in the Waterfront 2000 development.

At the right of this picture, disturbance to the water can be seen. At various points throughout Salford Quays the water is oxygenated by air being bubbled into the water. The water is now sufficiently clean for Salford Quays to have been stocked with fish, local people can often be seen angling at weekends. The basins are also used for canoeing and other water sports.

View 6: Pier 8 viewed from Pier 7

The low red brick building on the left is the Salford Quays Project Office. This has been the focus for much of the planning work and co-ordination of the project. Adjacent to this building is the new Heritage Centre that provides a service to schools, colleges and the public. Primary school pupils through to university students have already used Salford Quays. A number of older office blocks are visible in the background.

View 7: Old dock cranes (between Piers 7 and 8)

Much has been done to preserve the maritime history of the area. This picture shows two old cargo cranes that have been restored and relocated, a number of old ships will also be moored as examples of the dock's "past glories". The ship just visible on the right is used as a floating restaurant and bar. A replica of the Golden Hind, Francis Drake's ship, was moored at Salford Quays during 1992 and was visited by many school parties as well as members of the general public.

View 8: Grain Wharf Residential Development

With grants and publicity in the national press and trade magazines, Salford Quays becarne an important location for investment. Two of the quays are dominated by new housing developments. This picture shows one of the designs and some of the landscaping that has been completed. Also the attempt to retain a maritime link in the architecture - the small round windows and the painted balconies being evocative of ships and old warehouses. Garages are concealed at the back of the housing blocks.

The only houses being built are for private ownership and they are usually sold at prices higher than for comparable properties elsewhere in Manchester. Small family houses were initially sold for about �40,000 similar properties are now sold for over �80,000. This has tended to exclude local people from purchasing these properties and has been a criticism of Salford Quays.