The Hacienda

“the top photograph during his first few weeks at The University of Manchester”

With August Bank Holiday on the horizon we thought we’d go for a slightly different Flashback Friday this week.

Suffice to say we are very proud of the 18 year old ‘past Euan’ in getting the top photograph during his first few weeks at The University of Manchester back in 1995!

It was taken on the corner of Albion Street and Whitworth Street West looking at 11-13 Whitworth Street West - also known as the famous nightclub, The Hacienda (the full title was FAC51 The Hacienda, which reflected the Factory Records catalogue number).

Alongside this photo of the ground floor exterior, which featured the famous yellow chevrons, I also took a photo of the marble stone plaque which was just round the corner.

The official website is worth a visit which gives some background to the club and it’s history: https://fac51-thehacienda.com/

Following the closure of the club on 28 June 1997 it remained empty for a few years. The site was then acquired by Crosby Homes and demolished in 2001/2, replaced with 130 apartments.

Fast forward to earlier this year: the bottom photo shows what now occupies the ground floor of the replacement building. Behind the Whitworth Street West arches to the right, an entirely new chapter has taken shape over the past 15 years — First Street Manchester, home to HOME, the city’s international centre for contemporary art, theatre and film.