Did you know that Manchester Piccadilly Station wasn’t always called Piccadilly? Originally named Store Street when it opened in 1842 it later became London Road Station before finally adopting its current name in 1960. This area has witnessed incredible transformations. From humble beginnings as fields and clay pits known as “Daub Holes” it evolved into a bustling hub of commerce and transport.
The story of Piccadilly is intertwined with the lives of intriguing characters. Consider Roger Aytoun a Scotsman who arrived in Manchester in 1769 dressed as a soldier despite lacking any military service. He charmed Barbara Minshull one of the wealthiest people in the North West. They married three weeks later a scandalous union given their age difference. Aytoun inherited her fortune but squandered it on lavish lifestyles and eventually formed a volunteer regiment. He even earned the nickname “Spanking Roger” for his unique recruitment method of pub brawls.
Piccadilly’s history extends beyond romance and scandal. The Rochdale Canal a remarkable feat of engineering borders the area. Opened in 1804 it provided a crucial waterway linking the east and west coasts of Great Britain for the first time. Goods could finally travel between the Irish Sea and the North Sea. Despite being only 32 miles long its numerous locks and high summit made it one of the most time-consuming canals to navigate.
The area has faced challenges too. In 1841 a devastating fire engulfed a warehouse near the canal. The inferno spread to a nearby nail manufactory resulting in significant material losses but thankfully no lives were lost. A family on a nearby canal boat had a miraculous escape jumping into the water to avoid the flames.
Piccadilly thrived as a center of entertainment. In the 1840s Angus Reach described London Road as a party central filled with music street vendors and bustling crowds. The spirit of celebration continues to this day.
Even a pub’s celebrity dog Teddy Wells added to Piccadilly’s unique history. This Manchester Terrier donned a cap and sipped beer from an ashtray. He held a national record for killing 30 rats in 26.5 seconds a popular pastime in pubs before the age of television.
The site also housed ER Buck & Sons a sportswear company known for creating the world’s first printed striped football shirt. They later provided kits for Manchester United and Ajax among others. Their founder Edward Buck had thirteen children including triplets. This demonstrates the vitality and entrepreneurial spirit of this area.
The Coach and Horses pub a favorite haunt since the nineteenth century allegedly hosted Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. One story recounts locals puzzling over Marx’s choice of beer. His response “The brewery gave me a TV” speaks volumes about the evolving times.
From its humble beginnings as Daub Holes to its current status as a major transport hub Manchester Piccadilly has evolved through fires scandals and engineering marvels. Its rich history echoes in every street and building. This is a place where past and present converge a place where you can feel the pulse of Manchester’s vibrant past.