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Manchester Central Station appears in my thesis, here are a few lesser known details on its transformation from Station to exhibition centre... #NightingaleHospital #ManchesterCentral https://twitter.com/BBCNWT/status/1249646534528053250
First up, an idea for an exhibition centre the scale of London's Olympia appeared in the City of Manchester plan 1945 https://issuu.com/cyberbadger/docs/city_of_manchester_plan_1945
A new purpose built site was projected along the Water Street/Lower Byrom Street area for several years... imagine where Granada ended up. These intersected with plans for a new ringroad.
Meanwhile, the City Exhibition Hall on Lower Byrom Street continued to host events from trade fairs to ice shows and ideal homes. https://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=441&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=1570
The Lower Campfield Market Hall that house the City Hall was originally built as an enclosed market hall in 1877, this failed to attract traders from Shudehill Market and became and exhibition hall c.1909
The venue became the focus for criticism in the interwar period and plans for a new exhibition centre escalated after the City of Manchester plan...
By 1953, a building double the size of City Hall between Quay Street and Water Street as outlined on the 1945 City of Manchester Plan was projected
In 1956, when #Granada purchased the land earmarked on Water Street, a Strangeways location was considered!
Meanwhile, modernisation plans fermented for the future of Britain's complex railway network
As the prospect of closures neared, groups like @thevicsoc campaigned to preserve architecturally significant stations.
Along with Liverpool Road Station, Central Station was afforded listed protection in 1963. Nearby Exchange Station did not receive protection.
Whilst railway preservation was in action, separately, designs for Manchester's rival to Olympia had shifted to Belle Vue in 1962.
Central is due to close as a result of Beeching closures; it was abandoned along with Exchange
Station by British Railways in May 1969
Station by British Railways in May 1969
Swiftly, the Station is considered for re-use by @ManCityCouncil
Yet, not quite straightforward, this intersects with my research as it was considered as a prospect for the permanent home for @sim_manchester - founded in 1966 and only in temporary premises at UMIST @UoMHeritage 20/10/1969
As early as 1965, the City Council was in talks with BR over the re-use of Central Station for an exhibition hall, rather than for a museum
much tension ensued as Museum proponents saw Central as ideal for large exhibits
much tension ensued as Museum proponents saw Central as ideal for large exhibits
Donald Cardwell, historian of science and technology and leading figure behind the museum takes his scheme to the national press, such as @thetimes in 1970 to gain support
Cardwell and his @UoMHeritage UMIST colleague, Arnold Pacey, stated it was the second largest arch span
roofed railway station in Britain after St Pancras and there was âreason to believe it was the first steel framed building in the worldâ
roofed railway station in Britain after St Pancras and there was âreason to believe it was the first steel framed building in the worldâ
Great firsts were a big deal at the time in #hstm at the time...
(I have never read any conclusive findings on this nor further claims re. steel originality)
A key reason Central Station was preferred by @sim_manchester was it's good condition (compared with prospects like Liverpool Road) and load bearing floors & room for heavy industry exhibits
Cardwell wished to house a displays of bridges within Central Station demonstrating developments in construction/arch spans...
(I'm not sure how popular this would have been)
Ultimately, @ManCityCouncil had their designs for a large-scale exhibition hall in progress, whilst @sim_manchester was considered for a purpose built location on Oxford Road's Education Corridor...
A major change in funding for @sim_manchester when the Greater Manchester Council became the leading contributor in 1975 laid to rest both prospects...
GMC sought to preserve industrial heritage and marry @sim_manchester with a regional candidate...
Liverpool Road Station as 'oldest in the world' was the subject of commemoration and fascination for decades
It's shocking condition (despite listed status) when it all but closed in 1975 meant it was the focus of preservation action
After considerable pressure, GMC purchased Liverpool Road for the @sim_manchester from BR on 26 July 1978
The two Stations' fate was in motion. Central Station was to become G-MEX, Liverpool Road @sim_manchester https://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=4339&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=4956
https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/about-us/celebrating-50-years
... some nice images in this article @sim_manchester
... some nice images in this article @sim_manchester
@sim_manchester opened on 15 September 1983 at Liverpool Road Station
G-MEX opened on 21 March 1986 at Central Station
I'm very glad it was this way around - not an exhibition hall at Liverpool Road and a museum with fixed exhibits at Central - because I doubt the complex and older buildings could have housed the crucial #NightingaleHospital Manchester @sim_manchester !
C'est fin! thanks for reading and all best to our #NHSThankYou
