Trip to Manchester, nov 2004

Posted by: Ron Toolsie on 31 May 2004

Well the rest of the universe must have been travelling at a speed much faster than I, because I seem to have suffered a bout of time compression. Last week I got a letter from the Alma Mater (Victoria University of Manchester) that our graduating class is having its 20th year reunion. I confess that I have never been back to the UK since the day I emigrated back in August 1985 (well, for many years I had only an expired passport that needed a trip back to Berlin to rectify).
So I am tempted to make a return visit. I can remember vaguely what Manchester is like in November, but now I would no longer be obliged to brave the weather walking to lectures or being snowed on at bus stops, so the climate is of lesser importance than it once was.
I would like to engage in a healthy dose of nostaligia should I return byu revisiting some places from the past-should they exist, and at the same time leaving out the less healthy ones (the New Continental anyone?).

So my questions are as follows.
1. Is the Rusholme curry scene as vibrant as it once was? Recommendations?
2. Is the Plaza (ethiopian style incandescently hot curry sauce) still in existance.
3. Any decent places to score old vinyl- I used to go to Picadilly Records when vinyl was all to be had.
4. Where the hell is Mottram St. Andrew, which is where the hotel is....the address is Wilmslow Rd, which I used to live off (in Rusholme). Fallowfield, or probably further south, methinks.
5. Best place for pub-grub. My then favorite was the cheese and bread at the Royal Oak, I think in Didsbury, somewhere in Cheshire.
6. No time or inclination to visit any of the hifi shops, which I am sure are no longer existant. I used to patronize Eulipion Audio, the Music Room and the Audio Counsel.

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo


Posted on: 31 May 2004 by Mike Hughes
Ron,

1) Yes, for the most part.
2) Don't know but will try and find out.
3) Beatin' Rhythm on Tib Street. Picadilly has moved to Oldham Street. Vinyl Exchange also on Oldham Street. Others too.
4) Just in Cheshire I suspect.
5) Too many to list here. Depends on the many places you want to visit.
6) Audio Counsel still exists but the Cheadle one is now more audio visual whilst the Oldham ones still trundles on making friends as it goes.

Mike.
Posted on: 01 June 2004 by Tom F
Ron

To paraphrase Morrisey, "everyday in Manchester is like Sunday, everyday is silent and grey".

Actually, we have had rather nice weather lately, although it has reverted to type today with grey skies and a steady drizzle. Usually I can see the moors above Manchester from my office but today all I can see are the clouds.

Anyway, on to your questions (which, I think should be qualified by the fact I've only been here for about 4 years):

1. Yes, as always.
2. Never heard of it, so will have to defer to Mike's offer to research.
3. Picadilly Records is all new stuff these days and still one of the best record shops there are. Other second hand places are Sifters on Fog Lane, Burnage and Zero Records, Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury.
4.Mottram St Andrew is near Alderley Edge in Cheshire, about 10-15 miles south of Manchester. My guess is that you're staying in Mottram Hall Hotel. It's an old country house and very nicely situated. You'll need a car to get to and from Manchester.
5. Royal Oak in Didsbury is still there. Indeed Didsbury is the trendy place to live in South Manchester and, as such, has a few restaurants in the village and also in West Didsbury. Let me know if you want to explore these and I'll give a couple of recommendations. Also in Didsbury is The Didsbury, which is more of an eating pub than drinking pub. Food is often pretty good, although I haven't been there for a while.
6. As well as Audio Counsel, there is also Audio Works in Cheadle (will mentioning them get this thread pulled...?). In Manchester itself there is Practical HiFi and Superfi on the same road. Mostly usually budget/mid range stuff in both.

Let me know if you need to know any more (either on this thread or via PM).

Tom

PS Univ of Manchester and UMIST have, after having relatively recently completed their demerger are on the verge of being combined into one, again....
Posted on: 02 June 2004 by Fozz
well I can help on 2) The Plaza had the motto

"Quality and Hygeine go hand in hand..."

"out of the window"

Alas long knocked down and now occupied by a rover dealer I think. THe sad thing is in '81 when I was there I was not into curry but remember the blokes on my corridor screaming in
agony in their cubicles in the morning.

You may also remember the Ritz? Probably the oldest club in the country famous for a grab a granny night. Its still going! But avoid...
ha ha.

Nice tasteful thread eh Smile
Posted on: 02 June 2004 by Fozz
On the vinyl front take a trip to Oldham street, bottom of where it meets picadilly. Load of vinyl shops around there. If you like new vinyl of the jazz/dance type then try Fat City Records in that area.