Friday 2 March 2018

Alone in the snow on Laystall Street ..... waiting for something to happen

Now a bit like the old Pony Express rider, Andy Robertson can be guaranteed to get the pictures back.

In this case on  a day when the snow just kept falling and that icy east wind bit deep he was out behind Great Ancoats Street.

And there on Laystall Street he  captured the last remaining period building, which he commented is a “rather sad looking .  It  was home to Justman Ltd, wholesale clothiers and manufacturers in 1969. 

It does look like Dennis the Developer may get his gang on it soon".

And that would be a shame for despite its run down appearance I do like the look of the place.

I would also love to know something of its history.

The inscription just says “Established 1838” which is not very helpful when if I have got things right the building dates from after 1911.

It took a bit of time to ferret out the story, because back in 1911 Laystall Street was called Lees Street, but luckily, one of the two roads on either side of the building has retained the name of Pigeon Street while its neighbour which was Bank Street is now Brook Street.

Back in 1911 the site between the two was home to nine householders, one pub and five small manufactures.

Two decades earlier the map shows one pub on the corner with Pigeon Street and two other buildings.

All of which means there is a bit more research to do, but at least I will do it in the warm

Location; behind Great Ancoats Street

Picture; the period building on Laystall Street, 2018, from the collection of Andy Robertson.

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