In this edition of “Manchester Metrolink Then & Now” we take a look at another location in the city centre.
Today Lower Mosley Street is a very busy section of tramway, with it seeing trams running between St Peter’s Square and Deansgate-Castlefield. All but the Bury to Piccadilly services run here which means it can see very regular trams in operation on any normal operating day.
In 1990 and Lower Mosley Street was just another city centre road with traffic going in various directions. The Midland Hotel is on the left – as it has been since 1903 when it was built by the Midland Railway – and we also just see the steps leading up to the entrance of what then was known as G-Mex. St Peter’s Square is in the distance.
34 years later and this 2024 view shows the tram tracks now in place, albeit a redesigned layout when the Second City Crossing was built. We still have the Midland Hotel on the left, there are still steps going up to what is now Manchester Central but on the right things have changed. There is now a large Premier Inn with Tommy Dukes nowhere to be seen. (Both Photographs by Keith Chadbourne)
The pub that has disappeared is the “Tommy Ducks” – not the Tommy Dukes – a fine establishment of its time!
And Tommy Ducks pub visible!
Tommy DUCKS ! – much lamented.
Tommy Ducks. Stone me! Me dad (from Ancoats) used to tell me about Tommy Ducks when I was nobbut a lad. Later I went to England’s premier University, (Manchester!) and visited for meself.
Tommy Ducks!
Toilets and a coffin to sit on and ladies’ underwear all over the ceiling. Of its time, as they say.