Who was the Hallbottom Street Hammer Killer? The story of Hyde’s horrific unsolved double murder
In 1979, Hallbottom Street – a then-quaint country-lane style road in Hyde – was tainted forever. A horrific double murder took place, ending the lives of a young couple who were bludgeoned to death as they slept in the safety of their own home.
Back in the 1960s, the Greater Manchester town of Hyde was a picturesque place to live. Found at the foothills of the Pennines, the market town thrived against a mixture of the scenic and the urban – ample with rural spaces to explore as well as the nearby hustle and bustle of Manchester.
What unsuspecting residents didn’t know, was that their town’s name was soon to be plagued by the infamous Moors Murderers. The notorious couple committed crimes that shook Britain – and sadly, it wouldn’t be the last tragic event to take place in this small town.
In 1979, Hallbottom Street – a then-quaint country-lane style road in Hyde – was tainted forever. A horrific double murder took place, ending the lives of a young couple who were bludgeoned to death as they slept in the safety of their own home.
Originally from Wythenshawe, Joe Gallagher was known as the brightest pupil in his class as a child; later thriving academically at St Bede’s in Whalley Range. In adulthood, he showed promise as a laboratory technician at Manchester Grammar School.
Frieda Hunter had moved to the area from her native Scotland to study a creative arts courts at the local Polytechnic college. Despite later dropping out of her course, she soon fell in love with the biker culture and music scene and decided to stay in Hyde to live with Gallagher.
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The couple’s home, 3 Hallbottom Street, Hyde, 1979
Tragically, on Saturday 24 February 1979, their love story was cut short. After Freida finished a busy shift at The Queen’s Hotel in Hyde, Joe picked her up from work at closing time as was their typical routine. It would be the last time the couple were seen alive.
When a colleague of Joe’s became concerned of the pair’s whereabouts, he forced his way into the couple’s property to find the rear kitchen window broken. As he searched the house, he discovered the deceased entwined in each other’s arms.
Each had been hit at least 14 times with a large heavy hammer in a horrific frenzy the senior detective investigating the case would later describe as “one of the most vicious killings [they] ever came across”.
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Both upstanding members of the community, a possible motive for the killing was never found. Neither Joe nor Frieda had any disagreements and neither was found to have anybody who bore them a long-standing grudge. Given the couple’s roots in the biker community – with friends scattered all over the country – officers made inquiries in London, Hampshire, Dorset, Birmingham and Edinburgh – all to no avail.
2,000 interviews took place, but the truth was still out of reach. The only discovery that became apparent throughout the course of the investigation was that Joe used cannabis for chronic pain for a condition he had since birth. A theory later emerged that the murder may have been drug-related on the back of this discovery – a theory that does not explain the level of violence used or why Frieda was also killed.
Hallbottom Street, Hyde
Like all other lines of enquiry, this too drew a blank. The theory that the murders were drug-related remains exactly that – a theory.
Throughout the course of the enquiry, several suspects were interviewed and eliminated – yet nobody has ever been charged in connection with the brutal double murder.
The case remains unsolved to this day.
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Anyone with information can contact GMP’s Cold Case Unit on 0161 856 0320 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
‘If only he was here’: Peter Hook reflects on Ian Curtis as Joy Division join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Danny Jones
We were lucky enough to play a part in a bit of music history (albeit only a small one) this week, as we had the privilege of chatting with the one and only Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order, as the pair were finally admitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A long overdue bit of recognition, if you ask, but a momentous day nonetheless.
Chatting with Hooky and a long-time friend, collaborator, and beloved Manchester-based DJ, Graeme Park, in the aftermath of being named in the ‘Class of 2026’, he was visibly moved and honoured by the announcement. Here’s what he had to say…
Joking from the off by repeating Graeme’s initial question, “How does it feel?” (an absolute tap-in, that one), the 70-year-old bassist and co-founder of both iconic Greater Manchester groups admitted that they “had a couple of false starts”, to put it mildly, but went on to add: “we can only thank our fans.”
Confessing there has been somewhat of a mixed reaction about “what it means” to them and/or in the industry these days, he made it clear that on a personal level, it’s still a huge moment.
Put simply, he said: “Without the fans, we’d all be nothing.”
He also went on to praise the sort of no-nonsense, DIY and unapologetic approach of the Manc music scene, quipping: “You know, what would Simon Cowell have said about Ian Curtis, Bez, Shaun [Ryder] – Ian Brown, for god’s sake?!”
Acknowledging that while no one was necessarily an “accomplished singer” (often the case when you start early and just pursue a passion), his caveat was that “they had heart and soul” and “they embody something deep within us all that has lasted and will continue to last.”
Noting a de facto ‘Renaissance’ that a few names have enjoyed – especially following the passing of certain notable figures – he believes, rather, that they never went anywhere and that Northern crowds and beyond have helped those songs stretch to three, four, even five different generations.”
He’s not wrong: they’ve never stopped connecting with audiences, and they NEVER will.
Once more, it was an absolute joy (again, pardon the pun) to chat with Peter and Parky, who clearly haven’t lost their love for each other, nor this business – even after all these decades.
Congratulations to both bands, Hooky, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Tom Chapman, Phil Cunningham, as well as every session musician who’s ever played these tunes and kept them alive.
Last but not least: forever and always, rest in peace, Ian Curtis.
Inside Soho House Manchester as rooftop pool finally opens
Daisy Jackson
Soho House Manchester finally opened its doors to members late last year – but there’s still more to come.
The exclusive members’ club, which costs from £2,400 per year to access, faced several years’ worth of unavoidable delays as it transformed the old Granada Studios.
And even now that members can finally visit the space for networking, dinner and drinks, events, and working, Soho House isn’t actually finished.
Instead, the hotly-anticipated venue is opening in phases – the latest of which is that beautiful rooftop pool, with views overlooking the city from the top of the former television studio.
New images taken inside Soho House Manchester show several of the completed spaces, from lounges with beautiful natural light flooding through skylights, to stylish candlelit dining rooms, to gorgeous bedrooms.
In keeping with the building’s history, the Soho House design team have stuck with a premium mid-century interior, including terrazzo flooring and warm wood details, muted green and orange colour palettes, and chrome furniture.
Have a look inside Soho House Manchester:
Soho House Manchester is now open. Credit: SuppliedBeautiful interiors. Credit: SuppliedA bar space. Credit: Edvina BruzasRestaurant spaces. Credit: Edvina BruzasDetails of Soho House Manchester. Credit: Edvina BruzasMid-century details at Soho House Manchester. Credit: Edvina BruzasInside Soho House in Manchester. Credit: Edvinas BruzasNew spaces are still opening. Credit: Edvinas BruzasThere are 22 bedrooms inside. Credit: Harry Crowder
There are now 22 beautiful bedrooms up on the sixth floor, exclusively available to Soho House Members, which carry on the 1950s heritage design.
As the build continues, members will soon have access to a Soho Health Club with a gym, reformer Pilates studio, smoothie bar, and infrared sauna and steam room.
Every Soho House has a strict no-photos policy to protect to privacy of members – which means unless you fancy forking out £333.33 a month, you might never see inside it beyond the club’s official photography.
The Manc -
22nd January 2021 
