Fancy a bit of retail therapy on a historic site? Today, we’re standing at White City Retail Park. This place is more than just shops and parking spaces. It has a fascinating story that stretches back centuries.
Let’s step back in time. In 1827, this land was chosen for the Royal Manchester Botanical Gardens. John Dalton picked this spot carefully. It was downwind of the city’s pollution. Imagine a lush garden filled with exotic plants. The Botanical and Horticultural Society founded the gardens here. Thomas de Trafford leased the land. The society could pay what they wanted.
The gardens were impressive. They had plant houses and a conservatory. Clarke and Jones of Birmingham built the conservatory. It was 321 feet long and had a 40-foot dome. A hot water system heated the buildings. The Grade II listed gateway on Chester Road was the entrance. It still stands today.
In 1857, Prince Albert opened the Art Treasures Exhibition in the gardens. Over 142 days, 1.3 million people visited. Another exhibition celebrated Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. This one drew 4.74 million visitors over 192 days.
But times changed. By the late 19th century, the wealthy moved away from Manchester city center. Interest in the gardens declined. In 1907, part of the site was leased to White City Limited. Heathcote and Brown formed this company. They opened the White City Amusement Park on May 20, 1907. This is where the name “White City” comes from.
The remaining 11 acres were sold to Canine Sports Ltd in 1927. They built White City Stadium. In 1928, the stadium hosted its first motorcycle speedway race. Greyhound racing started in 1930. In 1953, a 6-lane cinder track was added for athletics.
White City Stadium saw a lot of action. It hosted greyhound racing, speedway, and stock cars. But by the end of 1981, the stadium was sold to a developer. It fell into disrepair and closed in 1982.
The stadium was eventually demolished. White City Retail Park was built on the site. In 1988, Hyperion Properties purchased the grounds. They recognized its commercial potential. Trafford Park was nearby. Chester Road was a major route to Manchester. Ravenside Investments funded the retail park’s transformation.
The first phase opened in 1990. Some familiar names were there: Halfords, Currys, Carpet Right, and Pizza Hut. Other stores, like Texas Homecare and Comet, didn’t last as long.
Today, as you shop at White City Retail Park, remember its past. The white gates still stand. They are a reminder of the botanical gardens. This site has transformed from gardens to an amusement park, to a stadium, and now a retail park. It reflects Manchester’s ever-changing story.