Berigan Close, Manchester, M12 4QT.
Once there was a Railway Hotel here, once there was a railway too.
The nearby Longsight Shed teemed with Carriage and Engine Cleaners, Firemen, Drivers, Guards, Fitters and Shunters and all the requisite ancillary support staff.
Thirsty work.
Firstly the first Railway Hotel disappeared, then the railway too.
Sidings once full of stock and sheds full of locos, stood emptier.
Ghostly.
Less spare capacity rolling stock, less cleaning and maintenance, less of everything.
The area was redeveloped, back to back terraces replaced by brand new homes.
The Railway Hotel reappeared, a brand new Boddington’s house for brand new people in their brand new homes, neat sleek and well, new.
Through the 70’s, the final death throws of late industrial capitalism required far fewer hired hands, no more thirsty work for tired lads and lasses.
No more Railway Hotels.
Tinned up and turned into a mini-market.
Through a succession of owners, the building has survived, as a retail outlet and multiple occupancy residential homes.
There are now virtually no pubs left in the area.
Making things poorer and poorer for the pourer.
Thanks to Dan Granata:
http://manchester-estate-pubs.blogspot.co.uk
http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass
Manchester's Estate Pubs 