This view from St.Ann’s Square, adjacent to the Royal Exchange Theatre.

The top photo was taken in 1996 and shows the parade of shops and offices which formed part of the ‘Market Place’ development brought forward by Central & District Properties in the early 1970s.

The scheme was demolished in 1999 as part of the city centre regeneration after 15 June 1996 and led to the creation of New Cathedral Street (from memory we think it was, at the time, the first new street in the city centre for 50 years!) The scheme also included the relocation of the ‘Shambles pubs’: The Old Wellington and Sinclair’s Oyster Bar.

Incredible piece of place-making which played a central role in ‘unlocking’ this part of the city centre.