Looking north along the Ashton Canal

“In the centre of the photo is the boarded up Grade II listed Lock Keeper’s Cottage.”

This view is looking north along the Ashton Canal, located off Great Ancoats Street, and adjacent to the New Islington metrolink stop.

The top photo was kindly provided by Steve Welsh and dates back to 2004. In the centre of the photo is the boarded up Grade II listed Lock Keeper’s Cottage.

The bottom photo is from April 2026 and shows the change over the past two decades as part of the regeneration and development programme for Ancoats and New Islington on the eastern edge of the city centre.

From left to right:

Islington Wharf Mews designed by jmarchitects, and delivered by Waterside Places: a joint venture between Muse and Canal & River Trust.

One Vesta Street, delivered by Chapman Taylor on behalf of Manchester Life Management Limited.

Chips building, designed by Alsop Architects and delivered by Urban Splash.

Miliners Wharf, designed by Halsall Lloyd Partnership on behalf of the Scarborough Group International.