Traders and residents in Strangeways say the area is improving, despite a council report raising concerns about late-night noise and crime. New businesses are opening, more apartments are being built, and locals say the vibe of the neighbourhood is changing.
One shopkeeper, who asked to speak anonymously, said: “I’ve not seen any crime or drug dealing, I’ve had no problems here. It used to be a s**thole, but it’s much better now, everyone is trying to make it better. We’ve got Airbnbs around here now, people staying and going to the city centre for events or tourism. They wouldn’t come here if it wasn’t safe.”
New businesses and changing reputation
Along the row of shops on Great Ducie Street, just in front of Strangeways prison, there is a greengrocer, an IT store, and a new cafe opening up. But the area is missing the same level of footfall that other parts of the city enjoy.
The shopkeeper added: “This place used to have a reputation, it was known for counterfeit goods, but if we keep getting negative comments about it, then it won’t change, and no one will come. There are people who are still too scared to come down here, so we are missing out, and we’re just trying to provide for our families and do something good for the city.”
Concerns over late-night licensing
There are still problems in the area, the trader admits. He says there can be ‘a lot of noise at night’ from some shops, and that ‘crime still exists’ in the neighbourhood.
One of the businesses on Sherborne Street, Momona Bar and Cafe, recently applied to sell alcohol until 4am on Friday and Saturday nights, but Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Manchester council have shared concerns ahead of a hearing on September 1. In a report published on the council’s website, GMP said that some neighbouring businesses already operate until 4am, causing ‘increased levels of crime and disorder’ in the area.
They added: “There are often issues around the refusal of customers arriving drunk in the area from other parts of the city centre, dispersal of customers from the vicinity and of large groups congregating in the streets outside licensed premises, often consuming alcohol in contravention of the Public Spaces Protection Order.”
Residents' views on change
Some traders admitted that noise can be an ‘issue’, with ‘loud parties’ taking place on weekends. Others downplayed the situation and said Strangeways is a good area to be. Rawan, 43, who runs a tech shop on Great Ducie Street, said: “I don’t see a lot of problems around here. Sometimes it can be loud, but it’s not often. It used to be a bad area but it’s very good now. It’s getting better because the organised crime and fake shops have gone.”
Further towards Manchester, a new apartment block has been built close to Strangeways prison. Residents living there say the area still has some problems. Lewis Rogers, 26, has lived in the neighbourhood for three months and said there are sometimes reports of crime on the residents’ WhatsApp group. He added: “I just think it’s still rough, and there is a lot of crime around. Cars get smashed in quite regularly, it’s still got a long way to go.”
Another resident, 27-year-old Lewis Griese, moved to the area a week ago and said Strangeways could be on the cusp of huge changes in future years, similar to other parts of Manchester such as Ancoats, which may not benefit everyone. He added: “This is the start of gentrification if I’m honest, with things getting a little bit more expensive and I think it will probably end up pushing some people out.”
Walking through Strangeways today feels different to how it was in previous years, and there are still signs that more changes are coming with new flats being built. Who enjoys the benefits of those changes and what it means for the future of the area as a whole is still playing out.
