The streets of Manchester city centre are full of reminders of the place’s past - and many of those memories are captured in the streets which are named after well-known people.
From merchants living when William Shakespeare was alive to wealthy landowners and engineers when the Industrial Revolution brought prosperity to Manchester, and from scientists to entertainers and figures from the world of arts and culture, many roads in the city bear the names of prominent Mancunians.
It’s a tradition which continues today, with eminent locals being remembered in roads near Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and in areas such as the redeveloped First Street neighbourhood.
Anyone who wants to take a deep dive into why Manchester’s streets have the names they do should check out LD Bradshaw’s fascinating book Origins of Street Names in the City Centre of Manchester.
In the meantime, we’ve had a look at 10 streets and the people who they are named after.
5. Tony Wilson Place
Part of the complex between Deansgate and Oxford Road which is home to arts hub HOME, Tony Wilson Place is named after the iconic founder of Factory Records and the man behind The Hacienda. Photo: Pete Andrews/Google Street View Photo: Pete Andrews/Google Street View
6. Mosley Street
Mosley Street is named after a notable figure from a much earlier chapter in Manchester’s history. Sir Nicholas Mosley was a wool merchant in the 1500s who became lord of the manor in Manchester and later Lord Mayor of London. Photo: Google Maps Photo: Google Maps
7. Alan Turing Way
Another famous 20th century Mancunian is commemorated on Alan Turing Way, near Manchester City’s ground. The mathematical genius was a pioneer in the field of computer science and helped to crack German codes during World War Two at Bletchley Park. Photo: Google Maps Photo: Google Maps
8. Jack Rosenthal Street
Another route in the First Street neighbourhood, Jack Rosenthal Street commemorates the Cheetham Hill born screenwriter and playwright who penned 129 episodes of Mancunian soap Coronation Street. Other streets in the area commemorate theatre manager Annie Horniman and Central Manchester Development Corporation chair James Grigor. Photo: Google Maps Photo: Google Maps