After more than a year of uncertainty, or rather seemingly preparing for the inevitable, Manchester’s long-standing Church Street Markets are finally set to shut up shop for good this weekend.
A stalwart of the local community as a whole, the Church Street stalls were some of the last remaining vestiges from Manchester’s original market scene and have sat steadily on the edge of the Northern Quarter for over half a century.
Unfortunately, however, with the city centre skyline ever-changing and new developments popping up all the time, the much-loved market stalls are set to make way for a new apartment complex, with an official closure notice being handed down this week.
For the majority of the four remaining traders – Afro Caribbean Asian, McCall’s Greengrocers, McCall’s Organics and Manchester Bookbuyers – this weekend will sadly mark their final weekend in Manchester, at least on this particular corner, anyway.
Although not all of the vendors were willing to talk ahead of the undoubtedly emotional final few days on Church Street, with many simply settling to call it “a shame”, we did speak with one of the longest-standing stall operators, Edward Hopkinson, owner of the much-loved Manchester Bookbuyers stall.
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While most of the cult-favourite albeit increasingly quiet traders will be vacating the promises this Saturday, Edward explained how he will be here until at least 14 September and hopefully “another two months” at least until he sells up all of his stock.
Having been here for over 54 years, he told The Manc: “At my age, I don’t have time to buy a long-playing record”, so the chances of finding a new home at least in his case look unlikely.
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Explaining that he’d be given little information beyond the building behind the market stalls being pulled down to make way for new flats, he added that Manchester City Council had been unable to find them a new location once vacating Church Street.
Speaking in an official statement, a Council spokesperson said: “Church Street has been a popular market in the heart of the Northern Quarter for some years, and we have worked with those traders in an attempt to relocate their businesses since it was first announced in 2022 that the market would eventually close after planning permission was granted for a comprehensive development by the owner of the adjacent properties to regenerate the wider site.
“Unfortunately, after extensive efforts we were unable to find an alternative market site that suited all parties, and we have since agreed a settlement with the businesses as part of the closure process. We’d like to thank the traders for their service to our city.”
Edward went on to say, simply, “What can you do? These are apartments [pointing], those are apartments, and them – as if we need any more.”
Plans to buy the plot actually began way back in 2018, with planning permission being granted in 2020 and McAleer & Rushe’s investment eventually purchasing the site alongside development firm MRP in January 2022; it’s merely been a torrid waiting game for the vendors ever since.
Writing in a recent post on social media, Caz of McCall’s Organics (who supply many local businesses like Holy Grain, Magpie Bakery and more) said: “This too shall pass. Our site is to be developed and with no suitable premises to go to, we will be closing the shutters for the final time on 14th of September…
“I’m gonna be pretty fairly busy in the lead up so if I don’t get to your messages, just know that I love ya!”
Church Street Markets was also formerly home to Dust Dogs & Dive food stall, which took the place of the original Northern Soul location in the fifth unit that has been closed for some time now.
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The Manchester foodie icons ultimately opened a new venue on nearby Tib Street back in 2019, but that expansion could have never happened without their days as one of the popular street food vendors over on Church Street.
It goes without saying that were gutted to hear of any local business closing, especially when it involves small independents like these, but Church St Markets closing is a huge loss for so many reasons – not least because of what it meant to those who have been patrons for many years and decades, even.
There has been an outpouring of love and support for the stalls following this news online and we strongly urge Mancs to pay these hard-working community assets one final visit. Thank you for everything and we wish you all the best.
Tributes paid as Curzon Ashton FC founder Harry Twamley dies following a ‘long illness’
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring as local team Curzon Ashton FC have confirmed that club founder Harry Twamley BEM has sadly passed awayat the age of 82.
Based in Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, the National League North side shared the news on Wednesday morning, with fans across the region as well as up and down the English footballing pyramid paying their respects.
Posting on social media, the Curzon Ashton official accounts wrote: “It is with deep regret that we announce that Harry Twamley (BEM) passed away after a long illness.”
“Our condolences are expressed to Richard and Jayne and to the rest of his family at this time.”
While they explained that a full statement will be shared online in the coming days, the initial announcement on the club website featured heartfelt words from former club chairman Wayne Salkeld, who took over from Twamley back in the 2018/19 season, spending five years at the helm.
Salkeld said: “It’s a sad day for everyone at the club. I was honoured when Harry asked me to become chairman in 2018/19 and I will never forget that day.
“I’m going to miss our phone calls which were every day. Thanks for the memories and we will work hard to keep your legacy going.”
Curzon Ashton director Oliver Newall also shared a touching tribute to the club founder, who set up the club back in 1963, adding: “What an incredible man. Someone who brought Curzon Ashton into the world and whom without we would not have had so many amazing moments and memories.
“The word legend gets thrown around too often… Harry Twamley was a legend and he will be missed so much.” He was joined by numerous fans and other clubs in offering their condolences.
By all accounts, one of the loveliest men in football. (Credit: Screenshots via X)
Other teams paying tribute included Salford City, Saddleworth Cricket Club and nearby non-league outfit, FC United of Manchester.
The lattermost wrote: “From all at FC United, we would like to pay our respects to a legend of the game in Greater Manchester, we ground-shared at Curzon Ashton and saw first-hand what an immense character Harry was.”
Twamley was named in Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s Honours list back in 2017 and awarded an Order of the British Empire medal for his services to amateur football. Our thoughts go out to his friends, family, The Nash and their supporters.
Rest in peace to an important local figure and treasured champion of the grassroots game.
Johnny Marr denies Morrissey’s claims about obtaining ‘100%’ of The Smiths trademark
Danny Jones
Johnny Marr has come out to deny the claims made by former bandmate Morrissey that he now controls “100%” of the rights to The Smiths trademark and intellectual property.
In case you missed it, earlier this week Morrissey came out with a statement detailing how Marr had recently obtained “100% trademark rights/intellectual property” and can now tour without him.
Fans were already enjoying drumming up suggestions for singers who could take the iconic frontman’s place on stage but don’t get too carried away, as the former lead guitarist has already come out to refute the allegations.
As per a lengthy statement on his social media accounts, Marr not only rubbishes the rumours that any temporary singer or plans to tour are on the cards but explains that ownership of The Smiths right is still shared with Morrissey – he just simply hasn’t signed a document yet.
A spokesperson for Marr writes: “In 2018, following an attempt by a third party to use the Smiths’ name – and upon discovery that the trademark was not owned by the band – Marr reached out to Morrissey, via his representatives, to work together in protecting the Smiths’ name.
“A failure to respond led Marr to register the trademark himself. It was subsequently agreed with Morrissey’s lawyers that this trademark was held for the mutual benefit of Morrissey and Marr.
As a gesture of goodwill, in January 2024, Marr signed an assignment of joint ownership to Morrissey. Execution of this document still requires Morrissey to sign.”
Responding personally via his representation, the 60-year-old added: “To prevent third parties from profiting from the band’s name, it was left to me to protect the legacy. This I have done on behalf of both myself and my former bandmates.”
He also cleared up more claims made by Morrissey, who said the pair had both been met with a potential and ‘lucrative’ deal to tour together as The Smiths once again, to which Marr has now clarified: “I didn’t ignore the offer; I said no.” At the risk of pointing out the obvious by the way…
hate to break it to Morrissey but Marr has been doing this for years already https://t.co/FL6cGGTZO4
So no, while it might have been registered by Marr and his team, he doesn’t own all of the rights to The Smiths; in actuality, it looks as though the Manchester music legend took steps to make sure that both he and Morrissey maintained shared ownership.
Presuming this response clears up all the speculation surrounding the trademark, the 65-year-old could seemingly have avoided all of this by simply giving his signature and completing the document.
Put it this way, if you were somehow holding out hope for an Oasis AND a Smiths reunion, we wouldn’t hold our breaths…