"Going, going almost gone" from the camera of Andy Robertson marking the end of a little bit of Princess Road

The corner of Princess Road, on a wey August day, 2014

I am impressed by Andy Robertson’s determination to record the way that Chorlton is changing and not just Chorlton.

In the last six months he has wandered across south Manchester, into the city centre and over the border into Salford.

Each set of pictures is followed up by research and in many cases a personalized comment drawn from his own memory.

The same spot in February, 2014

So here we are on Princess Road and a set of buildings which Andy has been visiting since February.

Back then they were all still standing although all were closed and waiting the inevitable.

Both of us were drawn to the corner shop with its huge ghost sign which in turn led me to uncover the story of James Bowes Ltd established in 1880 and still going strong in Stockport.

Now Andy is not alone in watching the progress of these properties, for many people have fond memories of living and shopping there and have posted both their own pictures and memories on social networking sites.

And by Monday even this will have gone

But the buildings have all but gone, and I suspect Andy’s photographs will pretty much be the last.

All of which should remind us of the importance of recording what is passing.

Pictures; Princess Road August 2014, from the collection of Andy Robertson